The Inland Empire refers to the region in Southern California located in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The Inland Empire is centered on the oldest cities in the region: Ontario, San Bernardino, and Riverside. These cities were established at about the end of the 19th century and were major centers of agriculture including citrus, dairy, and winemaking. The name "Inland Empire" was first used in the 1950s to distinguish the region from the communities of the Los Angeles area, and Los Angeles itself.

The real estate market is made up of a diverse collection of styles and sizes. Condominiums and townhouses can be found for about $185,000 and run up to approximately up to $1,000,000 for properties with additional amenities. Single-family homes for sale begin in the $90,000 for older models with limited space. There are many new housing developments where newer properties start at about $400,000 and run up to $850,000 for estate homes, some with golf course views. Land and lots are available for custom building

The "Inland" part of the name is derived from the region's location about 37 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean (from Huntington Beach) and east of downtown Los Angeles. The most accepted physical boundary between Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and the Inland Empire is the definition of the Inland Empire consisting of two counties: Riverside and San Bernardino county. Between the Los Angeles area and the Inland Empire there was limited development (if any) and so, until about the 1970s, this relatively open, rural space between two 'developed' regions served as a convenient boundary. However, since then rapidly growing population and, therefore, residential, commercial, and industrial development, has led to cities being established in this rural, 'intermediate' area. Interconnectivity provided by a vast automobile-oriented transportation network, including perhaps one of the most comprehensive freeway systems in the United States, has further eroded any real or perceived boundary. So the best boundary might simply be considered to be the county line that separates Los Angeles County and San Bernardino/Riverside Counties. Cities in southeastern Los Angeles County lying east of the San Jose Hills, such as Pomona, Diamond Bar, and Claremont, are sometimes included. Also, the vegetation and climate changes from the coastal to desert regions can act as boundary, though a less precisely defined one than the county lines.

More recently, the name has also been used to distinguish the area from the coastal communities of Orange County which are located to the west of the Inland Empire and south of Los Angeles County. However, because of the Santa Ana Mountains, the boundary between Orange County and the Inland Empire is more clear and obvious.

The Inland Empire boasts about its State of the Art "Ontario Convention Center" the "Ontario Auto Center" and the fabulous shopping at "Ontario Mills Shopping Mall". The Edwards 53 screen theater by Ontario Mills creates the largest and one of the busiest cinema attractions in the world. Ontario Airport is expanding and now has a new world-class terminal that is attracting more and more travelers every year.

A long-term project for the Inland Empire involves planning, annexation and development of the agricultural preserve South of the current Ontario city limits. The Inland Empire has many new and established residential and affordable neighborhoods, which makes it an exciting place to live and work.

To search for homes in other areas, please visit HomesofDirectory.com

Enter your search terms Submit search form

For additional information or to advertise on this site, please Contact Us.