Major city · United States
San Dimas
Skip unless you're visiting Raging Waters or staying with family: half a day at the waterpark, then move on.
San Dimas is a small city in the San Gabriel Valley, best known for Raging Waters, a large waterpark. The rest of the town is suburban and quiet, with a handful of local restaurants and a farmers market. Most travellers use it as a stop on the way to Pasadena, Claremont or Pomona.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (waterpark season)
- avoid Dec–Feb (waterpark closed, cool weather)
- Airports
- ONT · LAX
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for San Dimas911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about San Dimas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySan Dimas is a safe suburban city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportONT Ontario International (about 20 min drive).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Budget bedMotel room (Motel 6 or similar), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel room (Motel 6 or similar), a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedMotel room (Motel 6 or similar), a night, per roomUS$120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ONT Ontario International (about 20 min drive) · LAX Los Angeles International (about 1 h drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
San Dimas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. Foothill Transit buses run along Bonita Avenue and Arrow Highway, but frequencies are low. Rideshare is available.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 25 min
Drive west on CA-210, about 20 min
Museums, Old Town, and the Huntington Library.
Door to door: About 15 min
Drive east on CA-210, about 10 min
College town with a walkable village and Claremont Colleges.
Door to door: About 20 min
Drive west on CA-210, about 15 min
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Santa Anita Park.
Door to door: About 15 min
Drive west on CA-210, about 10 min
Old Town Monrovia with shops and restaurants.
Door to door: About 15 min
Drive south on CA-57, about 10 min
Fairplex, Pomona College, and antique shops.
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive west on CA-210, about 25 min
Chinese and Vietnamese food, historic architecture.
Monterey Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive west on CA-210, about 25 min
Chinese restaurants and bakeries.
Door to door: About 25 min
Drive south on CA-57, then west on CA-60, about 20 min
Hsi Lai Temple, a large Buddhist temple.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Arrow Highway corridor
Motels and hotels near the freeway; convenient for a night.
Downtown San Dimas
Quieter, walkable to a few restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room (Holiday Inn Express or similar)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Raging Waters day ticket2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Gas for a day of driving1 × US$20 | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$49 |
| Trip total≈ US$270 per person per day, bed included | US$539 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Raging Waters day ticketcheck | $50–70 |
| Pizza (large) | $15–25 |
| Burger at a diner | $10–15 |
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Gas (gallon) | $4–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Raging Waters is seasonal (roughly May–September); check the official site for exact dates.
- The waterpark gets crowded on weekends and holidays; arrive at opening.
- No train station in San Dimas; the nearest Metrolink stop is in Pomona or Covina.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
San DimasSan Dimas
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ONT → San Dimas (rideshare): about $30–40
- LAX → San Dimas (rideshare): about $60–80
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (where is the restroom)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for San Dimas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (waterpark season) · avoid Dec–Feb (waterpark closed, cool weather) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about San Dimas
Loading…
Was this useful?