San Dimas, CA
- About the City
- Geography
- Climate and Weather
- Landmarks
- Transport
- Museums
- Universities and Colleges
- Medical Institutions and Healthcare
Discover San Dimas, a charming city nestled at the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, known for its small-town feel, equestrian qualities, and as the home of the Raging Waters water park.
About the City
Official Status and Administrative Affiliation
- Official Name: San Dimas, California
- Administrative Role: San Dimas is a general law city incorporated on August 4, 1960, operating under a city council/city manager form of government . It is not a county seat but is a municipality within Los Angeles County.
- Regional Context: The city is situated in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, California, approximately 28 miles (45 km) east of downtown Los Angeles . Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the United States, known for its diverse geography, entertainment industry, and economic power.
Historical Names and Nicknames
- Original Name: The area was originally known as La Cienega Mud Springs, named for the local mud springs that created a wetland area . Before that, the land was part of the Rancho San Jose Mexican land grant .
- Origin of Current Name: The city took its name from San Dimas Canyon in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains. "San Dimas" is Spanish for Saint Dismas, the "repentant thief" crucified alongside Jesus Christ .
- Nickname: While not an official nickname, San Dimas is famously known as the fictional hometown of the title characters in the cult classic film "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" .
Date of Foundation and Age
- Founding and Incorporation: The area began to develop after the arrival of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Railroad in 1887, which led to the land being mapped and streets being laid out by the San Jose Ranch Company . The community was officially named San Dimas at that time. It incorporated as its own municipality on August 4, 1960, making the city over 60 years old .
- Early Inhabitants: Long before European settlement, the area was inhabited for thousands of years by the Tongva (or Gabrielino) Native Americans .
Geographic Position and Coordinates
- Coordinates: Latitude 34°6′10″N, Longitude 117°48′58″W .
- Setting: San Dimas is located in a valley at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, about 28 miles east of downtown Los Angeles .
- Elevation: The city's elevation is approximately 955 feet (291 meters) above sea level .
- Type: It is a suburban city and a foothill community, forming part of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
City Type and Economic Specialization
- Primary Function: Originally an agricultural hub known for its citrus groves (where the name "Sunkist" originated) , modern San Dimas functions primarily as a residential suburb in the Los Angeles metro area.
- Key Economic Sectors: The local economy is driven by retail, education, healthcare, and professional services. It is also home to Raging Waters, one of California's largest water parks, making it a destination for regional tourism and recreation .
Population and Demographics
- Population: As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,924 . A 2024 estimate places the population at 33,226 .
- City Class: San Dimas is a small to mid-sized city.
- Demographic Note: The city is diverse, with a significant and growing Hispanic or Latino population (37.1% in 2020) and a substantial Asian community (14.3%) . The median age is 42 years, indicating a mature population .
"City's Business Card" (Briefly)
San Dimas offers a classic slice of Southern California suburban life, nestled against the scenic San Gabriel Mountains. While famously known as the fictional setting for "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure," it's a real-world destination for family fun at the Raging Waters water park, exploring equestrian trails, and enjoying the small-town charm along historic Route 66.
Geography
Mountains and Mountain Ranges
- San Gabriel Mountains: The city is bordered to the north by the San Gabriel Mountains, a prominent mountain range in Los Angeles County . These mountains provide a scenic backdrop and offer numerous recreational opportunities in the nearby Angeles National Forest. Popular nearby areas accessible from San Dimas include trails in the Big Dalton Canyon and Glendora Ridge areas .
- Nearby Peaks: While not within the city limits, peaks like Glendora Ridge and Mount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) are visible and accessible from the San Dimas area, offering challenging hikes and breathtaking views .
Water Bodies (Rivers, Lakes, Waterfalls)
- Cinnamon Creek: This creek flows through the city, roughly parallel to Arrow Highway, and eventually reaches Cinnamon Falls near San Dimas Avenue . Cinnamon Falls is a local natural feature, though its flow is seasonal.
- Puddingstone Reservoir: Located immediately south of the city in Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, this 250-acre man-made lake is a major recreational hub for the region, offering boating, fishing, and picnicking .
- San Gabriel River: The San Gabriel River and its associated bike path are located a short distance to the west, providing a major regional trail for cycling and walking .
National and Natural Parks
- Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park: This massive 1,975-acre park is located just south of San Dimas in the city of Pomona but is a primary recreational destination for San Dimas residents. It features the Puddingstone Reservoir, campgrounds, golf courses, and miles of trails.
- Big Dalton Canyon Wilderness Park: Located in the foothills directly above San Dimas, this park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and connects to the larger Angeles National Forest .
- Mt. San Antonio College Wildlife Sanctuary: A 10-acre protected haven within nearby Walnut that preserves native plants and provides a quiet place for nature walks .
Climate and Weather
Climate Type and General Characteristics
San Dimas has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) according to the Köppen climate classification . This means it enjoys warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. It is known for being sunny and pleasant for much of the year.
Average Temperatures
- General: Average high temperatures range from the mid-60s °F (around 18°C) in winter to the high 80s and low 90s °F (around 30-32°C) in summer .
- Hottest Month: August, with an average maximum temperature of 90°F (32°C) .
- Coolest Month: December and January, with average minimum temperatures dropping to 41°F (5°C) .
Precipitation and Humidity
- Rainfall: The vast majority of rain falls between November and March. The average annual precipitation is about 20.19 inches .
- Wettest Month: February, averaging 4.79 inches of rain .
- Driest Months: June through September are extremely dry, with June and July averaging less than 0.1 inch of rain .
Seasonality and Best Time to Visit
- Spring (March-May): Pleasant and warming, with wildflowers blooming in the foothills. Highs range from the mid-60s to mid-70s °F. A great time for hiking.
- Summer (June-August): Hot and dry, with average highs in the mid-80s to 90s °F. This is the perfect time to visit Raging Waters water park.
- Fall (September-November): Warm days and cool evenings, with highs gradually dropping from the 80s into the 70s. Excellent weather for outdoor activities.
- Winter (December-February): Mild and the wettest time of year. Daytime highs are in the mid-60s °F, but nights can be cold, dropping to around 40°F .
Landmarks
Raging Waters
- Full Name: Raging Waters Los Angeles .
- Location: Located within Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, just south of San Dimas.
- Description: This is the premier attraction in the area. It is one of the largest and most popular water parks in California, featuring dozens of water slides, a massive wave pool, a lazy river, and children's play areas. It's a major summer destination for families from all over Southern California.
Historic U.S. Route 66
- Description: Historic U.S. Route 66, the iconic "Mother Road," runs through the heart of San Dimas . The city's stretch of Foothill Boulevard retains some of the charm of this bygone era, with vintage motels and diners that hint at its past as a key stop for travelers heading west.
San Dimas Canyon Park
- Description: Located at the north end of San Dimas Avenue, this park offers a gateway to the foothills. It features hiking and equestrian trails, picnic areas, and a chance to experience the natural beauty of the San Gabriel Mountains that gave the city its name .
Western Art and Equestrian Qualities
- Description: The city has consciously cultivated an identity tied to its equestrian and Western heritage . This is evident in public art, the presence of equestrian trails, and community events that celebrate this "small-town" feel, distinguishing it from many of its more urbanized neighbors in the San Gabriel Valley.
Transport
Major Highways
San Dimas is a well-connected suburb with easy access to several major freeways :
- Interstate 210 (Foothill Freeway): Runs east-west along the northern part of the city, connecting it to Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley to the west.
- California State Route 57 (Orange Freeway): Runs north-south just east of the city, providing a direct route to Orange County and the beaches.
- Interstate 10 (San Bernardino Freeway): Located just south of the city, this major transcontinental highway connects to downtown Los Angeles and San Bernardino.
Rail Service
While there is no train station directly in San Dimas, residents have access to regional rail via neighboring cities :
- Metrolink: Commuter rail service to Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties is available from stations in nearby Pomona and Covina.
- Amtrak: Long-distance and intercity rail service is accessible through the Pomona station.
Airports
- Nearest Major Airport: The closest major commercial airport is Ontario International Airport (ONT) , located approximately 10-15 miles to the east, offering a convenient alternative to the more congested Los Angeles-area airports .
- General Aviation: Brackett Field in nearby La Verne provides local private air access .
Local Public Transportation
- Foothill Transit: This agency provides local and regional bus service throughout the eastern San Gabriel Valley, including routes that connect San Dimas to neighboring cities and express buses to Los Angeles and Pasadena .
- Dial-a-Cab and Get-About: The City of San Dimas sponsors door-to-door transportation services for its residents. Dial-a-Cab is available to anyone for travel within the city, while Get About is a dial-a-ride service specifically for seniors (60+) and individuals with disabilities, offering affordable transportation within San Dimas and nearby communities .
Museums
San Dimas Historical Society
The primary museum in the city is the San Dimas Historical Society, located in the historic Walker House at 121 N. San Dimas Avenue . This building, also known as the San Dimas Hotel, was constructed in 1887 and is a historic structure in its own right . The restored Walker House now serves as the home for the historical society and museum, and also houses a community art gallery on the second floor and office space for the San Dimas Festival of the Arts, making it a local cultural hub .
The museum focuses on the local history of San Dimas. Visitors can see many historical photos, artwork, and various items from the city's past displayed in cases . The San Dimas Historical Society offers guided tours of the Walker House on the third Saturday of each month, though space is limited and reservations are required . The museum also has regular open hours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, as well as Friday and Saturday evenings .
Universities and Colleges
San Dimas is home to a few smaller, private universities, and is also located near the highly renowned Claremont Colleges consortium.
Life Pacific University
Located at 1100 W. Covina Blvd, Life Pacific University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the "Other Protestant" faith . It is a 4-year university offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, with a total student population of around 500 . The university has a suburban campus setting and provides on-campus housing . It is classified as a Baccalaureate College with diverse fields of study .
Los Angeles Pacific University
Los Angeles Pacific University is another private, not-for-profit university located in San Dimas . It has a larger student population of about 1,800 and offers undergraduate tuition at a lower rate compared to many other private schools in the area . The university specializes in distance education for both undergraduate and graduate programs .
Prestigious Universities Nearby
San Dimas is situated within a few miles of several world-class institutions, making higher education a key feature of the area.
- The Claremont Colleges: Just 5-6 miles away in the city of Claremont is a consortium of seven prestigious institutions, including Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Scripps College, and Pitzer College . These are consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States, with extremely low acceptance rates (e.g., Pomona College at 7.09%, Claremont McKenna at 9.59%) and high graduation rates (over 90%) .
- Cal Poly Pomona: Approximately 3.6 miles away, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a large, public polytechnic university with nearly 27,000 students, known for its "learn by doing" approach, particularly in engineering, business, and agriculture .
Medical Institutions and Healthcare
San Dimas Community Hospital
The primary medical facility in the city is San Dimas Community Hospital, located at 1350 W. Covina Boulevard . It is a short-term acute care hospital with 101 licensed beds and is part of the Prime Healthcare Services system . The hospital offers a wide range of clinical services, including a 24-hour Emergency Department, surgical services (cardiac thoracic, neurosurgical, orthopedic, ophthalmic), diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI), intensive care, and inpatient psychiatric care .
According to quality data, the hospital performs above the national average in the "Safety of Care" and "Timeliness of Care" metrics . It has achieved The Leapfrog Group's standards in several key patient safety areas, including health care equity, medication reconciliation, and handwashing . Notably, the hospital reports zero (0.000) central-line associated blood stream infections and catheter-associated urinary tract infections . Patient experience, however, is rated below the national average .
Neurorestorative California
San Dimas is also home to a specialized congregate living health facility. Neurorestorative California, located at 1136 Puente Street, is a 15-bed facility that provides services for individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries or other neurological challenges .
Nearby Medical Centers
Given its location in the San Gabriel Valley, residents of San Dimas also have access to major medical centers in nearby cities, such as those in Pomona and the renowned healthcare systems throughout Los Angeles County.