Visitor Center

Ontario Convention Center

The fully staffed Visitors Center provides an array of information, including maps, brochures and recommendations for hotels, transportation, dining, local attractions, entertainment and sightseeing.

Contact the Greater Ontario Convention Center & Visitors Bureau.

Entertainment and Recreation

Locally or regionally, Ontario provides access to the best that Southern California has to offer. In less than a 1 hour drive you can visit the beach, the mountains, local wineries, Palm Springs and even Disneyland in addition to shopping at our own Ontario Mills Mall or catching a concert at the Citizen’s Business Bank Arena

Ontario offers a variety of entertainment options for the entire family to enjoy. Ontario is home to the 1.7 million square foot Ontario Mills — Southern California’s largest outlet shopping mall and entertainment center and one of its largest tourist attractions.
Ontario’s state-of-the-art 11,000-seat Citizens Business Bank Arena features concerts, family shows and a variety of sporting events.

City of Ontario’s Mission Statement

Founded as a Model Colony, based on innovation, planned development, community service and family values, the City of Ontario has become the economic heart of the region. The City Council is committed to maintaining Ontario’s leadership role in the Inland Empire by continuing to invest in the growth and evolution of the area’s economy while providing a balance of jobs, housing, and educational and recreational opportunities for our residents in a safe, well-maintained community.

History of Ontario

The history of the Ontario is intertwined with one name: Chaffey. In 1881, the Chaffey brothers, George Jr. and William – whose family had hailed from Canada – bought up more than 6,000 acres of land with water rights that would eventually become Ontario, Upland, San Antonia Heights, and Rancho Cucamonga. They plotted out the area as a planned community – a “model colony” – and a key component was Euclid Avenue, eight miles long with a wide grassy median separating north and southbound vehicles.

By 1886, the Chaffeys had been lured to Australia for development there, but progress continued in Ontario behind the leadership and foresight of Charles Frankish. In 1887, the city’s “gravity mule car” was added, carrying passengers up Euclid Avenue to North Ontario (now Upland), often en route to vacations at the old Mt. Baldy resorts. The uphill trip took 90 minutes, but the downhill ride only took 30 minutes because a pull-out trailer at the back of the care allowed the mules to ride as well. The mule car was replaced by an electric streetcar in 1895.

Four years later, on December 10, 1891, Ontario was incorporated as a city, with a good portion of its heritage from the citrus industry. In addition to oranges, the production of peaches, walnuts, lemons, olives, and grapes were also important to the growth of Ontario and the adjoining city of Upland.

More City of Ontario Links