With Farmers Markets, Nightly Theater, And A Music Festival, There’s Nothing Like A Summer Weekend In This Southern California Town

What is it that you look for in a summer getaway? If small-town charm, local markets, excellent entertainment, historic downtown with cool sights, and a delightful place to stay the night sound like just the ticket, consider a summer weekend in Redlands, California.

Redlands is a small but vibrant city at the foot of the San Bernadino mountains. It is historically known for its citrus groves and packing houses (including the famed Sunkist packing plant) and is now loved for its small-town charm, rich culture, and beautiful nature.

Discover tree-lined streets, thriving small businesses and local artisans, historic buildings, and a host of wonderful community events to enjoy.

I just love a great farmers' market, don’t you? Whether you pick up some fresh berries or tomatoes, a bouquet of summer flowers, a jar of local honey, or some hand-made pastries, the Saturday Morning Certified Farmers Market is a wonderful place to get outside and support local certified farmers and small businesses.

The Redlands Theatre Festival (RTF), founded in 1972, presents great drama under the stars in its open-air theater. Each summer, RTF runs nightly - Wednesday through Sunday - with a different show begin presented each night.

Typically, the summer season will run from June through July or August and includes a Broadway and an Off-Broadway musical, period play, a contemporary comedy, and a wild card, along with a few surprise special events.

If you miss the Theater Festival season or prefer an indoor production, you can always enjoy a performance at the Footlighters Theatre. Bringing live theater to Redlands locals and visitors since 1945, the Footlighters season runs from August through June each year.

The Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival draws thousands of attendees to its world-class summer performances. Music lovers of all ages and tastes come together each year to enjoy stellar entertainment under the stars. During the summer, shows are every Tuesday and Friday evening.

This annual series has been running since 1924 and is the country’s longest continually running summer music festival that does not charge admission.

The social-media-famous Umbrella Alley, officially known as Orange Street Alley, is a must-see while in town. Not are there 420 multi-colored umbrellas covering the alley, but this is the place to see several of the town’s many cool murals, of which there are about 40, depending on how you count. Lots of fun photo opportunities!

This is also a perfect place to stop for a bite to eat or something to drink.

If all this is not enough to fill your weekend - or a weekend in this lovely town is just not enough - Redlands has so much more to discover! Explore historical landmarks (like Kimberly Crest), museums, gardens, parks, hiking trails, and more.

There are several excellent hotels in Redlands, but we suggest booking a night or two at one of the charming rental homes in the historic district like this enchanting and cozy French Chateau-style cottage.

This Southern California destination has everything you could want in a weekend getaway this summer. Have you visited Redlands? What do you think of this city that feels like a small town? Share with us in the comments. For more travel inspiration, check out more of our favorite Southern California day trips, road trips, and small-town getaways!