Rancho Cucamonga, the city who's name is seemingly impossible to pronounce and is believed to be a "made up" foreign land to people outside of the Inland Empire. Although the name may be a mouthful, Rancho Cucamonga is a beautiful city that is close to many attractions such as Disneyland, beaches, Los Angeles, Big Bear and many other adventuresome locations.
Here are a few signs that you are from the greatest LA suburb, Rancho Cucamonga.
1. You spent your middle school (and some high school) days at Victoria Gardens.
For the younger crowd, you would relate to this. You and your friends thought you were hot shots, and being dropped off at Victoria Gardens and wandering the mall was the cool thing to do. No parents and a whole lot of freedom. Watch out world.
2. You have to use Los Angeles as a point of reference.
Whenever traveling (or the first couple months of college) you often get asked: “Where are you from?”. At this point, you have given up answering with Rancho Cucamonga and you now resort to just saying you’re about 45 minutes east of Los Angeles or simply just L.A.. Close enough, right?
3. Wait...can you say that again?
Rancho Cuca-what? Once you tell someone you are from Rancho Cucamonga, they laugh a little and ask you to repeat yourself. You tell them again, and although you just said it, they still mispronounce it.
4. You know this means you're almost home.
Coming home on the 210 East means passing the infamous Colonies Crossroads signs in Upland.
5. Or this.
Or when coming back from Las Vegas on the 15, you know you've almost made it once you pass Summit Heights in Fontana.
6. “Oh, Rancho Cucamonga? That place from Workaholics?”
“Wait...Rancho Cucamonga is a real place?” Now that Comedy Central has decided to have one of their sitcoms based in Rancho, that is all anyone who has never heard of Rancho before will refer to. Although you do not know too many people that actually live in Rancho that have watched Workaholics, apparently it’s a thing and it’s giving Rancho Cucamonga a name in the modern television world.
7. You have been to a Quakes game.
If you haven't been to a Quakes game, you have at least been stuck in Quakes traffic, heard a game, or have seen their mascots, Tremor and Aftershock.
8. You're well aware of the high school rivalries.
You know that Rancho Cucamonga does not take high school rivalries lightly. Rancho and Osos compete at just about everything, to the point where football games are pretty intense and require extra security. Despite the rivalries between the four high schools that are in close proximity, the school district is exceptional and is packed with intelligent, valuable teachers.
9. And after football games, the high schoolers would raid In-N-Out.
10. You've been to Thoroughbred to see the Christmas lights.
Although the traffic is horrendous, you HAVE to see the Thoroughbred lights every year.
11. Or to Victoria Gardens to see the tree lighting.
You have to take pictures in front of the Christmas tree as VGs, especially during the tree lighting when they release festive "snow", since Rancho Cucamonga is a little too warm to ever get real snow.
12. You took swim lessons at Chaffey College.
You remember the names you received as you moved up on the swim foodchain. Tadpoles, minnows, and sharks to name a few.
13. You took your homecoming and prom photos at Central Park on Milliken.
Especially on the iconic bridge. Or you have attended an event at the Senior Center there.
14. Or at Red Hill Community Park.
If not Prom or Homecoming, then you have taken photos here for some sort of event. Also, you were upset when they drained the pond, and was glad when they refilled it.
15. You're used to the Santa Ana Winds.
Although we don't get them quite as bad as Fontana, these winds are no joke. Red flag warnings for days.
16. Along with the Santa Ana Winds, you're used to fires along the foothills.
Instead of snow days, we get "fire days".
17. You have hiked the Etiwanda Preserve.
You have hiked this approximately 3.5 mile loop to go see the beautiful waterfalls within the Etiwanda foothills.
18. You have been to the Top of Haven at night.
Whatever it might be that you were doing up there, you have seen this stunning view of Rancho Cucamonga and the surrounding cities.
19. You understand this photo.
I'll admit, Rancho can get a little boring at times, but overall, I am proud to call this city my hometown. No matter where I move, I will always be a little homesick for Rancho Cucamonga.
