California : Safety by City
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San Bernardino, California, is an anchor city in what’s called the Inland Empire region of the massive Los Angeles metro area.
The city is on the eastern edge of the mega-region and is at least an hour from L.A., and that’s before you add in any traffic.
It is close to mountains, lakes, and the deserts of Southern California.
San Bernardino is also a city and a county, but here we’ll be talking about just the city.
It’s a major transportation and distribution hub, with Cajon Pass driving right into the city and major highways in all directions.
This is also very close to some of the most popular SoCal lakes and mountains.
The community is mostly Hispanic/Latino, bringing a variety of cultural attractions in addition to outdoor experiences you can’t get in the urban area of L.A.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a McDonald’s meal, you can thank the McDonald brothers, who opened the first location here.
A museum now stands in its original location, and there’s a dramatic story about how a popular local restaurant became a global franchise.
The 2016 movie “The Founder” tells the story, albeit with some Hollywood liberties.
Warnings & Dangers in San Bernardino
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
San Bernardino has a medium risk overall but a high risk at times. Even 24/7 Wall Street ranked the city as one of the country's top three most dangerous in terms of crime rates, weather risks, and traffic dangers.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Omni Trans is the local fixed-route bus system to get around the Inland Empire, but you'll need to use the MetroLink train to get to Los Angeles. Taxis, rideshares, and rental cars are plentiful. Due to extremely high crime levels in the city, I'd avoid using the local bus system or use an abundance of caution at bus stops and while riding.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The police department doesn't report the number of pickpockets in its 2021 data report, but thefts are one category that is only slightly more than the national average. You should be highly aware of the pickpocket risk during festivals and events. On an average day, just make sure you don't carry an expensive purse or have a wallet brimming with cash visible. It's always safer to carry a wallet in the front pocket instead of the back pocket.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Wildfires are the biggest risk here; with several sides of the city surrounded by wilderness and the Inland Empire's unpredictable winds, fires can quickly threaten people and property. Extreme heat is another issue, especially in the intense summers. Flash flooding can happen a few times a year when it does rain. Oh, there's an ongoing earthquake risk too. So treat this area as medium risk and study the emergency management information to be better prepared.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The robbery rate is three and a half times higher than the national average as of 2021 crime data and was up 10% halfway through 2022. There are a lot of gang members in this area who aren't afraid to use weapons. If you are confronted by a robber, just do what they say. Don't risk your life. Lower your risk by staying off the streets at night and sticking to well-lit entertainment districts.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The whole Los Angeles region is considered a hard target. With more than 18 million people, the critical ports, and a military presence, you should also know there is plenty of security here too. Honestly? You should be more worried about crime in San Bernardino than terrorists.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
The scams are trending toward fake police officer phone calls demanding money, or the victim will be arrested. While there aren't any tourist-specific scams, there are some red flags to look for - people selling expensive jewelry out of a car's trunk (usually fake), and people claiming to be illegally in the country with a winning lottery ticket. The "winners" approach you by saying if you give them the winnings, they'll give you the lottery ticket. Of course, it's a fake ticket. This is an area where people will try to hustle a sucker, so don't be a sucker. Any deal that is too good to be true usually is.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Sexual assault is actually down from 2021 for the first half of 2022, but it is still slightly above the national average. While most of these crimes are domestic, it's smart to avoid private house parties or meeting someone online in a private place. With the influx and abrasiveness of crime here, it's not worth the risk.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The 2021 Water Quality Report shows no violations and full compliance with federal standards. The biggest water risk here is that there isn't enough of it. Strict conservation measures are usually in place, so review that on the city's website. If you have a water quality concern, please contact the Department's Water Quality Control Officer by emailing con.arrieta@sbmwd.org or calling (909) 453-6190.
Safest Places to Visit in San Bernardino
There isn’t an official tourism site for the city of San Bernardino, but both the city and county websites have information about things to see and do.
Look for the “.gov” at the end of the website to ensure you are on a government website.
There is discoverie.com, which is for Discover the Inland Empire.
You’ll get information about the region, but it is an official tourism website.
Using secure websites is just a safer way to research.
The VisitCalifornia.com website is the official site for the state.
Part of the famous Route 66 goes through San Bernardino.
This is also where you’ll find the McDonald’s Museum.
It’s hard to find official information about this, as the museum is an “unofficial” location.
It’s located at 1398 N E Street. The zip code is 92405.
The story behind McDonald’s is no happy meal, and you’ll learn how Ray Kroc was involved in the — drama — is that the right word?
Anyway, watch The Founder or wait until you get to the museum.
I just hate to ruin a good story for tourists here.
But it IS a good story and might change how you see McDonald’s today.
The San Bernardino History and Railroad Museum tells the story of the settlement of this area and how vital the trains were to keep it growing.
You can also learn about Wyatt Earp’s time here and the impact of the December 1812 earthquake on the region.
You can visit the Museum of Art at California State University San Bernardino, named after Robert and Frances Fullerton.
Just north of there is Andy Jackson Airpark, where you can take paragliding lessons.
Yaamava Resort Casino is a great way to enjoy Vegas’s thrills without leaving the Inland Empire.
There’s a full casino, luxury accommodations, and an extensive spa for ultimate relaxation.
For another unique hotel experience, stay at the Wigwam Inn, where each room is in a climate-controlled wigwam.
The San Bernardino Mountains tower on the east side of the city.
You can take a road trip up the Rim of the World Scenic Drive for stunning and incomparable views of the valley below.
Keep going to Lake Arrowhead, where you can marvel at the natural wonder of an arrow etched into the mountainside.
An hour from San Bernardino is Big Bear Lake, which is popular throughout the year but also known as one of the closest and best ski areas near the Los Angeles basin.
Places to Avoid in San Bernardino
San Bernardino has crime spread throughout the community, with the central core – south of the 210, north of Mill Road, and east of the 215 being the higher crime areas.
Even looking at the interactive crime map over the past few months, it’s hard to see a safe vs. not-so-safe area.
There’s a good deal of crime southeast of the airport too.
Before you head into the mountains or up Cajon Pass, you must check road conditions, weather conditions, and wildfire risks.
Popular parts of the mountains can be blocked off by an approaching or previous wildfire.
The lands hit by wildfires are also more prone to landslides when it rains.
The summer heat here is serious, and the winds can also be quite intense.
Bring sunscreen and keep yourself hydrated.
Safety Tips for Traveling to San Bernardino
- The San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) and San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) have crime statistics you can review from the past quarter or the previous year. There’s also a live crime mapping tool. You’ll have to zoom in on the map to get good data for more than a week because the number of crimes quickly reaches the limit of the map.
- The city has a mobile app called Go SB City. This gives you a line of contact with all city departments, a place to report road issues, and links to all the social media sites.
- All license plates are recorded going in and out of the city. This is so police can review the footage in case a car is reported stolen, or they know the license plate of a wanted criminal. As long as you aren’t in a getaway car, you won’t even notice this.
- An average of five cars a day are stolen in San Bernardino. The SBPD has a “Hotsheet” of the most stolen cars in the city. This is a great resource to review before renting a car so you don’t get one of the most popular models for thieves.
- Recreational marijuana use is legal here, but that doesn’t mean you can use it anytime or anywhere. Review the “Cannabis Regulations” portion of the city’s website to see the slew of rules that go with it. For example, you can still get a DUI if you’re driving under the influence of marijuana.
- Visit the Emergency Management website for the city to sign up for emergency notifications. There are a lot of risks you can’t afford to miss warnings about during your visit. You can also find a lot of information there to bookmark for any severe weather risk or hazard.
- If you notice graffiti in the city, please call the city’s call center at (909) 384-7272. Graffiti is a sign of gang activity, and the department works with businesses to clean the graffiti as soon as possible.
- For those using public transportation, download the Transit app to get information about the local bus system and the MetroLink app for travel to and from Los Angeles. You can review routes, pay for passes, and get safety information through the app.
- While you’re driving the Rim of the World highway, keep your eyes on the road. It’s a winding and tricky road, but there are two lanes in each direction. Stay to the right if you are driving slower than the traffic flow. Don’t worry about taking pictures while driving, as there are plenty of stops along the way for scenic views. Not all road sections have guardrails, and there are some steep drop-offs.
- For those driving the Cajon Pass, you should know it’s one of the most dangerous roads in the region. Strong winds can make it challenging to keep the car under control unless you are paying close attention, and people drive aggressively here, too, on the winding roads. It’s important to take your time, get out of the way of speeders, and don’t get road rage.
So... How Safe Is San Bernardino Really?
While many large American cities are reeling from an influx of violent and gun crimes, San Bernardino has faced this challenge for decades.
The violent crime rate is three times the national average as of the end of 2021.
Halfway through 2022, every crime category was up from 4% to 31% except rape and motor vehicle theft – and the thefts were only down 4%.
San Bernardino sees the majority of violent crimes happening among a small population of people, anywhere from 50-200 people causing the bulk of the problems.
These criminals are likely involved in gangs or the drug trade.
The suspects are more likely to be minority men who were never given a chance to find a life outside of crime.
With a 24% poverty rate in the city, sometimes crimes are directly related to being able to provide for a family.
While that’s probably a little too in-depth for this article, I mentioned it because the only way to stop systemic poverty and underserved communities is to stop the risk ahead of time.
The city has an aggressive crime plan in place to help lower the risk, but staffing levels in law enforcement combined with the sheer number of crimes is causing many cities not to meet their crime reduction goals.
If you’re visiting San Bernardino for a personal reason – like a wedding or family gathering – you just need to be cautious.
Avoid potentially dangerous situations, like large crowds that get rowdy.
Even when a crime isn’t directed at a visitor, the risk of being an innocent bystander caught in the crime isn’t worth it.
I’d strongly reconsider staying closer to the city if you’re researching San Bernardino because it’s cheaper than Los Angeles.
You can’t put a price on your safety.
How Does San Bernardino Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 63 |
| Deadwood | 80 |
| Sturgis | 80 |
| Pierre | 81 |
| Spearfish | 80 |
| Hill City | 83 |
| Sevierville | 73 |
| Temuco (Chile) | 31 |
| Puno (Peru) | 45 |
| Nara (Japan) | 88 |
| Kanazawa (Japan) | 83 |
| Hammamet (Tunisia) | 78 |
| Sidi Bou Said (Tunisia) | 42 |
Useful Information
Visas
You'll need to get a Visa from the U.S. State Department. Before going through all the web sections, use the Visa Wizard module to explain your travel purpose. This will help you find the correct Visa for your visit. Plan the process at least three months ahead of time because the process is usually backed up for months.
Currency
You should exchange currency before you get here or at the airport. Don't use public ATMs. Try to limit how much cash you carry and opt for credit card transactions instead. Never throw a receipt away in a public trash can.
Weather
You will rarely need more than a light jacket here, so plan for warm weather throughout the year. Pay special attention in summer to excessive heat warnings. Bring hiking boots for mountain trips, and you'll want to apply sunscreen daily.
Airports
San Bernardino International Airport is just three miles from the center of the city. Ontario International Airport is about 30 minutes away. If you are flying in and out of LAX, plan for at least two hours on the road or public transportation.
Travel Insurance
There are too many natural disaster risks and events that can cancel flights to travel without good insurance coverage.
San Bernardino Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
19 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 32 | 36 | 36 | 33 | 28 | 23 | 19 |
| Low °C |
5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 |
| High °F |
66 | 68 | 72 | 77 | 82 | 90 | 97 | 97 | 91 | 82 | 73 | 66 |
| Low °F |
41 | 43 | 46 | 48 | 54 | 57 | 63 | 63 | 61 | 54 | 46 | 41 |
Not very safe or hospitable
Not the greatest of places. It’s an interesting city but there are plenty of things that aren’t good about it. At night things can get a bit dangerous, especially for women and this is something I don’t like. Won’t be coming back.
Horrible, lifeless city
We attended a wedding in Redlands, a city near San Bernardino. The wedding, the venue and redlands in itself were surprisingly nice. We decided to make a one-day trip to Bernardino to see the city despite not having great reviews online anywhere.
I am used to people bashing certain destinations as everyone judges by their own standards and experiences so there’s some bias there. Well, it seems people were spot on about this.
It’s a bankrupt city and it sure does look the part. People even said gunshots are a part of their daily life though we didn’t see or hear anything during our short stay.
Plus, the city seems to have its life sucked out, there’s no vibe, people seem to have little to zero interest in helping you out with directions. The best way to describe this would be to label it a ghost town, it’s like only the older people and those who had no choice stayed there which makes it even sadder.
Homeless people are another, I felt like they were everywhere. I’m used to seeing them camped in certain neighborhoods but in San Bernardino they were everywhere!
Some of the things I would rank as positives about this city are:
-The San Manuel Stadium where the 66ers play
-For museums folks out there the original MacDonald’s Museum is located here
-The California theater, if you’re lucky and they have a decent play
I’m not joking, I really have no idea why anyone would book a trip to this city unless they had a business engagement or a family event. It’s sad, unsafe – even locals tend to avoid going outside at night, so no, I would scratch this city off the list and choose other cities in the area, like Redlands, Loma Linda and Rancho Cucamonga.
Wow, this report on San Bernardino’s crime rates and safety is incredibly insightful! It’s great to see such a comprehensive breakdown of the different types of crime and the efforts being made to improve safety in the area.
I appreciate this report! I grew up in this city and I couldn’t be any proud!
My family and I just moved here and we’re lucky that we are in a safe and nice neighborhood. I think we also practice neighborhood watch in here so I feel like my teenage kids are safer.