Downtown Redlands Apartments for Rent

Downtown Redlands is a pedestrian’s paradise. Wide brick sidewalks framed by flower-filled planters and vintage streetlights lead past restored brick structures, some dating back to the 1880s. Acres of orange groves supported the once tiny community. The warm weather drew visitors not only from other parts of California, but from points farther east. Money poured in and gingerbread Victorian mansions started making their appearance.

Today the historic downtown core runs from the Santa Fe Railroad tracks to the north, Orange Street to the west, Vine Street to the south and Sixth Street on the eastern edge. Century-old buildings that once housed Prohibition era pool halls, creameries and livery stables are now home to trendy restaurants, boutique shops and business offices. Back alleys leading between the buildings reveal some of the original brickwork.

Ed Hales Park, located at Fifth Street and State Street, is a half-acre of benches and greenery in the middle of the downtown’s business core. Just west of Orange Street is the Redlands Mall, offering even more shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a convenient location to catch the Omnitrans public bus system that services much of the San Bernardino County area.

Other downtown sites worth visiting are the A.K Smiley Public Library, still operating in the original structure built in 1898, the University of Redlands campus, and the Hall of Justice dating back to 1935. Every Thursday, Redlands Market Night invites the public to sample fresh produce and ethnic dishes, comb the rows of craft vendors to find that perfect souvenir, and enjoy music ranging from contemporary to country. Many visitors are even tempted to take an old-fashioned carriage ride, making their visit to downtown Redlands culturally complete.