Fontana, California

Fontana, California is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. It is situated near the Santa Ana River and is part of the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to the Auto Club Speedway, which hosts the NASCAR Cup Series and other racing events, and is also close to the San Bernardino Mountains and Lake Arrowhead. Fontana is near the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Ontario, California, and Riverside, California.

Geography

Fontana is located in the Inland Valley region of Southern California, near the San Bernardino Mountains and the Santa Ana River. The city is situated near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Interstate 15, and is also close to the California State Route 210 and California State Route 330. The geography of the area is characterized by the San Bernardino Valley, which is surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains to the west and the San Bernardino Mountains to the east. The city is also near the Cajon Pass, which connects the Inland Empire to the Mojave Desert and the Las Vegas Valley. Fontana is close to the cities of Colton, California, Grand Terrace, California, and Highland, California, and is also near the San Manuel Indian Reservation and the Lake Perris State Recreation Area.

History

The area that is now Fontana was originally inhabited by the Tongva people and the Cahuilla people, who were later displaced by Spanish and Mexican settlers. The city was founded in 1913 by Azariel Blanchard Miller, who named it after the city of Fontana, Italy. During World War II, the city was home to the Fontana Army Air Field, which was used as a training base for the United States Army Air Forces. The city is also near the March Air Reserve Base, which was established in 1918 and is one of the oldest airbases in the United States Air Force. Fontana is close to the cities of Moreno Valley, California, Perris, California, and Hemet, California, and is also near the Lake Matthews Estrella Mountain Preserve and the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the city of Fontana had a population of over 214,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in San Bernardino County, California. The city has a diverse population, with a mix of White, Black or African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The city is also home to a large number of Filipino and Mexican residents, and has a significant Pacific Islander population. Fontana is near the cities of Corona, California, Norco, California, and Jurupa Valley, California, and is also close to the University of California, Riverside and the California State University, San Bernardino.

Economy

The economy of Fontana is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, logistics, and retail industries. The city is home to a number of major employers, including the Fontana Unified School District, the City of Fontana, and the Kaiser Permanente medical center. The city is also close to the Ontario International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport, making it an attractive location for businesses that need access to air transportation. Fontana is near the cities of Pomona, California, Claremont, California, and Upland, California, and is also close to the Cucamonga Valley and the Pomona Valley.

Education

The city of Fontana is served by the Fontana Unified School District, which operates a number of public schools in the area. The district includes Fontana High School, A.B. Miller High School, and Kaiser High School, among others. The city is also home to a number of private schools, including the Aquinas High School and the Fontana Christian School. Fontana is near the University of Redlands, the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and the Chaffey College, and is also close to the Loma Linda University and the Western University of Health Sciences.

Infrastructure

The city of Fontana has a well-developed infrastructure, with a number of major highways and roads passing through the area. The city is served by Interstate 10 and Interstate 15, as well as California State Route 210 and California State Route 330. The city is also close to the Metrolink commuter rail system, which connects Fontana to Los Angeles and other cities in the Inland Empire. Fontana is near the San Bernardino International Airport and the Riverside Municipal Airport, and is also close to the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. The city is home to a number of parks and recreation areas, including the Fontana Park and the Mary Vagle Nature Center, and is also near the San Bernardino National Forest and the Cleveland National Forest.