Skip to content

Inland Empire family guide

Things to Do in Upland with Kids

Upland is a classic, tree-lined foothill town at the base of the San Gabriels, where families gather at Memorial Park's playground and the historic Madonna of the Trail landmark downtown. Kids cool off at the Upland Skate & Bike Park, and the nearby San Antonio Heights trails and Mt. Baldy Road put real mountain adventures minutes from home.

Curated by Simir Shah

Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.

📍 Where Upland is

Upland sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~4 mi / 6 km). It's roughly 34 mi (55 km) from Downtown LA and 100 mi (160 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.

Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.

💡 Local tip: Mt. Baldy Road climbs quickly into the mountains — pack layers, since it's noticeably cooler than the valley floor.

Farmers markets in Upland

Thursday · 5pm–9pm

2nd Avenue Market Night

Downtown Upland street market with farmers, artisans, food, and live entertainment — a festive Thursday-night outing.

Saturday · 9am–2pm

Upland Farmers Market & Street Fair

A Saturday morning market with produce, vendors, and a street-fair atmosphere in downtown Upland.

See all SoCal farmers markets →

Local restaurants in Upland

Mexican & Tacos

Casa Moreno

Family-run Upland Mexican spot with generous combo plates and a casual room.

Pizza & Italian

Spaggi's

Family-favorite Upland Italian for handmade pasta and celebration dinners in a warm setting.

See all local SoCal restaurants →

Local shops in Upland

Gifts & Home

Suzann's Flowers

Family-owned florist since 1968, now the IE's largest, with fresh flowers, plants, and gifts.

Vintage & Thrift

The Vintage Vault of Upland

Upland vintage and handmade-goods shop great for unique jewelry and one-of-a-kind finds.

Gifts & Home

The Plant Safari

An independent plant lover's paradise with trendy houseplants and unique finds, with friendly staff happy to help young gardeners.

Art & Craft

Buku Yarns

Friendly independent yarn shop with curated fibers, needles, and a welcoming knit-night community.

See all local SoCal shops →

Seasonal & outdoors near Upland

The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Upland.

Upland is part of the Inland Empire family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.

More Inland Empire family guides

Browse all SoCal city guides →

Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.