Why Corona
Corona, nicknamed the "Circle City" and the "Gateway to the Inland Empire," is situated in northwestern Riverside County, California. It lies at the upper end of the Santa Ana River Canyon along the western margin of Southern California's Inland Empire region. Positioned roughly 48 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and 95 miles north-northwest of San Diego, Corona directly adjoins Orange and San Bernardino counties. The city is bordered by Riverside to the east, Norco to the north and northeast, Yorba Linda to the northwest, and the Cleveland National Forest and Santa Ana Mountains along its western and southern boundaries.
The municipality covers roughly 38.9 square miles, featuring a distinctive street layout planned by civil engineer Hiram Clay Kellogg. A circular roadway known as Grand Boulevard, measuring nearly three miles in circumference and one mile in diameter, encloses a standard grid system at the heart of the community. This design inspired the city's Spanish name—meaning "crown"—and served as a track for international automobile races in 1913, 1914, and 1916. Beyond its historic center, Corona incorporates extensive residential neighborhoods alongside a major industrial sector located in its northern half.
Indigenous Tongva and Payómkawichum communities originally inhabited the region, establishing shared villages such as Paxauxa along Temescal Creek and Pamajam in the adjacent mountains. Spanish mission activity and subsequent Mexican land grants later established large ranching operations across the Temescal Valley. Founded in 1886 as South Riverside during a regional citrus boom, the town was established by the South Riverside Land and Water Company, which secured local water rights and built dams and pipelines. Renamed Corona in 1896, the municipality once held the title of "Lemon Capital of the World" before transforming into a major commercial suburb.
Cultural points of interest include a local museum detailing the community's citrus heritage, as well as the historic Cresta Verde Golf Course in northeastern Corona, which was frequently visited by notable figures such as Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The city is also an economic hub, housing headquarters and facilities for major companies including Fender, Saleen, and Monster Beverage. Corona features a warm Mediterranean climate with mild winters, warm springs, and hot summers that frequently exceed 90 °F. Early summer often brings overcast morning skies, while autumn is periodically influenced by dry Santa Ana winds.
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