Corona
Introduction
Corona sits in northwestern Riverside County, California, where it borders both Orange and San Bernardino counties. The city is ringed by its neighbours: Riverside lies to the east, Norco to the north and northeast, and Yorba Linda to the northwest, while the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest rise along its western, southwestern, and southern edges. Several unincorporated communities line the remaining stretches of the city's borders.
Downtown Corona places you roughly 48 miles southeast of Downtown Los Angeles and about 95 miles north-northwest of San Diego, making the city a practical base for exploring the region between the two. Jacque Casillas serves as mayor.
Before you go
Corona is made up of several distinct neighbourhoods, and knowing their character helps you plan where to base yourself. Corona Hills is an affluent community of large homes with impressive views over the city. Downtown is the oldest part of Corona, with small shops to browse and history to explore. South Corona is another affluent area of medium to high wealth suburban tract homes with plenty of parks. El Cerrito is the poorer side of town, though it is still home to many large mansions. Horsethief Canyon is entirely residential suburban housing, and Green River is an affluent area that sits closest to Orange County.
The city is generally safe, but a few areas warrant care at certain times. Downtown has a concentration of homeless people, and it is best avoided on foot at night. The community of El Cerrito, which is not officially part of Corona, is also best avoided on foot after dark; it consists of a single major road lined with poverty-stricken homes. Both areas are fine when you are in a vehicle, and neither is comparable to the nearby cities of Los Angeles, Riverside, or Anaheim.
Getting there
Corona sits at the junction of several freeways, which makes driving the most straightforward way in. The 15, 91, and 71 freeways all serve the city; follow the signs for Corona and you'll arrive without much trouble.
- By car: use the 15, 91, or 71 freeways.
- By train: Metrolink serves Corona–North Main station at 250 East Blaine St.
- By bus: Riverside Transit Agency provides service.
Getting around
As in most of Southern California, the most convenient way to reach Corona's spread-out destinations is by car. Three freeways serve the city — the 15, the 91, and the 71 — and once you are inside, a grid of major streets will guide you through. Because Corona sits within the wider Los Angeles metropolitan area, congestion can get heavy and runs in every direction: east toward Riverside, north toward Ontario, west toward Los Angeles and Orange County, and south toward San Diego. Build extra time into any drive, especially around commuting hours.
If you arrive without a car, you will be relying on a small set of rail and bus options, so plan those in advance. Metrolink serves the city via the Corona–North Main station, the rail gateway into Corona. Regional bus service into the city is provided by the Riverside Transit Agency, and the local bus system, Corona Cruiser, operates two lines — best suited to specific trips rather than covering the whole city, so check the routes against where you actually need to go. Walking is not a practical primary way to get around; pair any walking with a vehicle, bus, or rail trip rather than relying on it alone.
Where to stay
Corona's lodging is concentrated along the freeway corridors, with a handful of chain properties serving both road-trippers and business travellers. On Frontage Road you'll find the Best Western Corona Hotel & Suites, while Motel 6 sits on North Lincoln Avenue and the Residence Inn Corona Riverside County is on Montecito Drive.
- Best Western Corona Hotel & Suites — Frontage Rd
- Motel 6 — 200 North Lincoln Ave
- Residence Inn Corona Riverside County — 1015 Montecito Dr
- SpringHill Suites Corona Riverside — 2025 Compton Ave; suites with microwave, mini-fridge, large work desk, free internet and flat-screen TV; free parking, free hot breakfast, pool and fitness center; check-in 3PM, check-out noon
Food & drink
For Indian food, head to Mantra Indian Cuisine on North Main Street, a well-liked spot for the cuisine. It serves lunch and dinner daily, so you can plan a midday meal or an evening visit. The source lists no other specific restaurants, bars, or cafés for Corona, so beyond this one option you will need to explore the city's dining and drinking scene on your own.What to see and do
For an adrenaline fix, head to Skull Canyon Zipline, the area's signature outdoor activity.Three days in Corona
Day one: Base yourself in Corona, in Riverside County, California, and start downtown. Downtown Corona is the natural first stop, with North Main and East Blaine St giving you a feel for the city's core. From there, head for Corona Hills for wide views across the region, or drop south to South Corona if you want a quieter start. El Cerrito and Horsethief Canyon sit within reach for a change of scene, and Green River is another corner of the city worth working into your loop.
Day two: Use Corona as your launch point for the surrounding region. The Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest rise to the south and west, offering the area's most dramatic terrain. Neighbouring communities such as Norco, Yorba Linda and Orange sit nearby, and San Bernardino and Riverside are close enough for a half-day outing. If you would rather stay local, the Corona Cruiser and Riverside Transit Agency routes make it easy to move around without a car.
Day three: Look outward. Metrolink connects Corona to Orange County and on toward Anaheim, while the drive to Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego or Ontario is straightforward for a longer day trip. Southern California's scale means you can pair a morning in Corona with an afternoon elsewhere, then return for an evening back in the city. Build the day around what you most want to see, and let the rail and road links do the rest.