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Chino Hills, CA

Chino Hills is a master-planned city in Southern California known for its rolling hills, safety, and award-winning parks.

About the City

Official Status and Administrative Affiliation

The city's official name is Chino Hills . It is a city located in the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County, California, United States . It is part of the Greater Los Angeles area and is considered a suburb within the region .

Historical Names and Nicknames

The name "Chino" comes from the Spanish word for 'curly,' likely referring to the curly grasses or the landscape of the area . Before its incorporation, the region was part of the historic Rancho Santa Ana del Chino . The city has no widely recognized nicknames but is often noted for its status as a safe and desirable place to live in national rankings .

Founding Date and Age

Chino Hills was officially incorporated as a city on December 1, 1991 . As of 2026, the city is 34 years old. The modern city was formed from a major development effort initiated by the county in 1979, known as the Chino Hills Specific Plan, which transformed the area from rural farmland and dairies into a master-planned community .

Geographic Location and Coordinates

Chino Hills is situated at the foothills of the Chino Hills mountain range, approximately 262 meters (860 feet) above sea level . Its precise geographic coordinates are 33°59′38″N 117°45′32″W . The city is characterized by its rolling topography, with much of its land remaining as undeveloped open space and parkland .

City Type and Economic Specialization

Chino Hills is primarily a residential suburb and a regional retail center . Its economy is largely driven by local services, retail (anchored by The Shoppes at Chino Hills), healthcare, and education. The city also benefits from its proximity to major employment centers in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties .

Population and Demographics

According to the 2020 United States Census, Chino Hills has a population of 78,411 residents . It is a mid-sized city with a high population density of about 1,756 people per square mile. The city is notably diverse, with a demographic makeup of approximately 40.5% Asian, 29.0% White, and 28.2% Hispanic or Latino of any race . It is known as one of the higher-income communities in the United States .

City's "Calling Card" (Brief)

Chino Hills is known as a premier master-planned community that seamlessly blends suburban living with nature. It is famous for its expansive Chino Hills State Park, its reputation as one of the safest cities in the nation, and its family-oriented villages with abundant parks and trails .

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Tongva people, with the village of Wapijanga located within what is now Chino Hills . Following the Spanish colonization, the land became part of Mission San Gabriel's grazing lands and later the Rancho Santa Ana del Chino, a Mexican land grant given to Antonio Maria Lugo in 1841 . The Battle of Chino, a skirmish during the Mexican-American War, was fought here in 1846 . During the American period, it served as a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route . For most of the 20th century, the area remained rural, known for dairy farms, and during Prohibition, it became a hideout for bootleggers due to its isolation . Rapid suburban development began in the late 1970s and continued through the 1980s and 1990s, leading to its incorporation in 1991 .

Geography

Mountains and Mountain Ranges

The city is named after and sits within the Chino Hills, a low mountain range on the border of Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties . The highest point in the immediate area is San Juan Hill, which has an elevation of 543 meters (1,781 feet) . These hills form a crucial biological corridor and are distinct from the larger San Gabriel Mountains visible to the north .

Water Bodies

Chino Hills does not contain any major rivers or lakes. The primary waterway is the Santa Ana River, which flows to the south of the city, separating the Chino Hills from the Santa Ana Mountains . Carbon Canyon Creek runs through the western part of the city and the state park.

National and Nature Parks

The crown jewel of the city is Chino Hills State Park .

Climate and Weather

Climate Type and General Characteristics

Chino Hills has a Mediterranean, hot summer climate (Köppen classification Csa) . It is characterized by very hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year .

Average Temperatures by Month

Precipitation and Humidity

Seasonality and Best Time to Visit

Landmarks and Attractions

Chino Hills State Park

The city's most significant natural landmark, offering an escape into nature with miles of trails and stunning vistas of rolling hills and wildflowers . The park's Discovery Center provides educational exhibits about the local ecology . Access is available via entrances on Sapphire Road and Carbon Canyon Road.

Big League Dreams Chino Hills Sports Park

A unique 34-acre sports and entertainment complex featuring replica baseball fields modeled after famous stadiums like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field . It was the filming location for the final game scenes in the 2006 movie "The Benchwarmers" and includes batting cages, restaurants, and sand volleyball courts .

The Shoppes at Chino Hills

An upscale, open-air lifestyle and shopping center located at the heart of the city at the corner of Grand Avenue and Peyton Drive . It serves as a major community hub and features a wide array of retail stores (H&M, Barnes & Noble), restaurants (P.F. Chang's, Yard House), and a movie theater .

Los Serranos Golf and Country Club

A historic public golf course that opened in 1925, offering two 18-hole championship courses in the northern part of the city . It is one of the facilities that has made the area a destination since the early 20th century .

Transport

Major Airports

Chino Hills is conveniently located near several major airports :

Major Rail Stations

While there is no train station within the city limits, nearby Metrolink and Amtrak stations are located in :

Public Transport

Public transportation is limited within this car-dependent suburb . The city does offer OmniLink, a curb-to-curb dial-a-ride service that operates during daytime hours on weekdays, connecting residents to key shopping areas and the regional Omnitrans bus system .

Major Highways

The city is bordered on the east by the Chino Valley Freeway (SR-71) , which provides access to the Pomona Freeway (SR-60) to the north and the Riverside Freeway (SR-91) to the south . The only direct road connecting Chino Hills to Orange County is Carbon Canyon Road (SR-142) , a winding route known for its scenic beauty and occasional closures due to landslides .

Car Rental

Renting a car is the most practical way to explore Chino Hills and the surrounding region. Rental cars are readily available at nearby airports like ONT and SNA, with average daily rates around $45 .

Museums and Cultural Attractions

While Chino Hills itself is primarily a residential community, it is located very close to a world-class cultural institution and is home to an architectural masterpiece that draws visitors from across the region.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

This magnificent Hindu temple is arguably the most famous landmark in Chino Hills. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a traditional Hindu temple that serves as a spiritual and cultural oasis .

The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture

Located in nearby Riverside, just a short drive from Chino Hills, The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. It opened in 2022 in the renovated historic Riverside public library .

Sport and Recreation

Chino Hills places a strong emphasis on outdoor activity and community sports, offering extensive facilities for residents and visitors.

Ayala Park Sports Park: The Heart of Community Sports

The primary hub for athletics and recreation in Chino Hills is the Ayala Park Sports Park, located at 14225 Ayala Dr . It is not a single enclosed stadium but a vast, meticulously maintained complex that serves as a cornerstone for the community .

Other Sports Facilities

Beyond Ayala Park, the city maintains a robust network of recreational amenities. There are 18 parks with basketball courts, sand volleyball courts at three parks, and a total of eight tennis courts at Crossroads, Grand Avenue, and Hope for the Hills parks . The Vila Borba Dog Park offers separate areas for large and small dogs to run freely . With over 3,000 acres of open space and 48 miles of trails, Chino Hills is also a haven for hikers, runners, and equestrians, preserving its rural atmosphere .

Local Sports Teams

Chino Hills is home to several high school athletic programs that compete in the CIF Southern Section. Schools like Ruben S. Ayala High School and Chino Hills High School field competitive teams in a wide variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, golf, and badminton . The city also supports youth travel teams, such as the Chino Hills Storm, a baseball organization that competes regionally .

Universities and Educational Institutions

Chino Hills itself is served by the Chino Valley Unified School District and does not have a university within its city limits . However, its prime location in Southern California places it within a reasonable commute of several world-renowned institutions of higher learning.

Healthcare and Medical Facilities

Chino Hills is well-served by a range of healthcare options, from major hospital centers to specialized clinics, ensuring residents have access to quality medical care.

Major Hospitals and Medical Centers

While Chino Hills has its own medical facilities, it also benefits from being near larger, full-service hospitals in neighboring cities.

Outpatient and Specialty Care

Chino Hills is home to several prominent medical groups and health centers that provide primary and specialized care.

Major Employers in Healthcare

The healthcare sector is a significant part of the local economy, with major providers like Kaiser Permanente and HCA Healthcare (which operates Chino Valley Medical Center) listed as two of the top employers in the city .

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