San Bernardino Soccer Complex – Photo Ops

The San Bernardino Soccer Complex is located in Highland, California, which is a city in the picturesque county of San Bernardino. This venue has 17 fields used for a regional, national, or international tournament. However, don’t just stay cooped up at the soccer complex your entire trip. You should make time before or after a sporting event to explore the beautiful sights nearby.

When you do go out on excursions around San Bernardino County, be sure to bring a camera or have your cell phone handy. Pictures are a way to capture that perfect moment, and when we travel, one of the best things to do is take photos to remember all of the wonderful places and people we encounter. Most of us share those snapshots instantaneously with social media. To capture Instagram-worthy photos during your time at the San Bernardino Soccer Complex, stop at the below destinations.

Heart Rock

If you enjoy hiking, visit Heart Rock for an adventurous outing. It is called Heart Rock because next to a waterfall is a perfect heart shape that was naturally carved into the rock. Artistic pictures of this waterfall and the heart carving can be taken from many different angles and vantage points.

Getting to the waterfall can be a little tricky. First, from the San Bernardino Soccer Complex, you must take a 34-minute drive to Camp Seely. From there, you cross over the creek and hike towards the overlook called Heart Rock. The hike is simple, but there aren’t many signs indicating where to go. Some visitors have spray painted hearts onto rocks to signal the correct direction. When you finally arrive, you’ll emerge next to the 20-foot waterfall.

Rim of the World Highway

The Rim of the World Highway offers a unique view of California. When you think of California, you probably imagine beaches and some of the major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, but the Rim of the World Highway gives you stunning vistas of mountains, lakes, and the surrounding cities. It is nicknamed for the views along the cliffs of the San Bernardino Mountains. There are a few spots to stop along the drive for amazing panoramic photo ops.

Getting to the beginning of this stretch of byway from the San Bernardino Soccer Complex will take about 23 minutes. After that, it’s up to you how far and long you want to continue down Route 18.

MacKay Park

MacKay Park is another nice spot for some outdoor photography. This public park is located alongside scenic Lake Arrowhead. You can reach MacKay Park from Highway 173, which is off of the Rim of the World Highway, so you may want to stop here and the Rim of the World Highway on the same day. The total time it would take to drive to MacKay Park from San Bernardino Soccer Complex is approximately 50 minutes.

You can take pictures of Lake Arrowhead and mountains from the deck area. The gazebo there is a peaceful spot to rest. You’ll be so in tune with nature that you just might forget you’re visiting a bustling city. If you’re traveling with younger children, MacKay Park has a playground and small rock climbing wall.

Orange Street Alley

A recent Instagram obsession is Orange Street Alley in Downtown Redlands, which is a 15-minute drive from the San Bernardino Soccer Complex. Free public parking is available in a public lot across from a Provident Bank.

The alley itself has a distinctly European atmosphere with brick walls, cobblestone streets, and outdoor restaurant seating. What makes this such a must-see stop is the brightly colored umbrellas that hang above the alley. There are also multiple murals throughout the street. Orange Street Alley is free to experience, so come and take photos of this Instagram phenomenon.

San Bernardino National Forest

The San Bernardino National Forest is made up of 71,000 acres with around 30 miles of trails. This is a popular area for hiking, hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and photography.

Take advantage of the landscape to get some breathtaking panoramic photos. Head over to Lake Hemet for shots of the sun reflecting off the water with mountains in the background. If you continue on through the national forest, there are even more mountains and waterfalls to photograph. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to the San Bernardino National Forest from the San Bernardino Soccer Complex.

Joshua Tree National Park

Over two million visitors come to Joshua Tree National Park annually to hike, camp, rock climb, and take plenty of pictures. This is where two deserts, the Mojave and the Colorado, meet, which means visitors see a wide variety of plants and animals. Keep in mind that this is not a trip to take lightly. Visiting the Joshua Tree National Park will take up a large portion of your day. The drive to the park from San Bernardino Soccer Complex is about an hour and 15 minutes, and you want to designate an ample amount of time in the park to hike.

One of the most popular spots to go to Joshua Tree National Park is Keys View. This is the highest vantage point in the park, providing panoramic views of the desert and Coachella Valley. You can also stop at Barker Dam for photographs of the small lake reservoir. A bit farther into the national park is the Desert Queen Mine, which has the remnants of an old mine shaft, which can make for some unique pictures.

If you plan on going to Joshua Tree National Park to take some Instagrammable pictures, there are a few things you should keep in mind to prepare. First, bring plenty of water and snacks with you. It is recommended to have at least one gallon of water per person for the day. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun too. Also, there is no cell service throughout the park, so plan accordingly.