San Bernardino's Ancient Symbol: The Arrowhead Viewing Spot and Historical Monument

Travelers heading up Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino often slow down when they catch a glimpse of it on the hillside above. The enormous arrowhead shape etched into the face of the San Bernardino Mountains has been a point of fascination, legend, and local pride for generations. Whether you grew up in the area or are visiting for the first time, the Arrowhead Viewing Spot on North Waterman Avenue gives you the best unobstructed look at this striking natural feature that has defined San Bernardino's identity for over a century.

An Ancient Formation With a Layered History

The arrowhead itself is a natural rock and chaparral formation that appears as a clearly defined arrow pointing toward the valley below. It stretches roughly three hundred feet in length, and the distinct contrast between the lighter rock and surrounding vegetation makes it visible from significant distances across the San Bernardino valley floor. Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Serrano people, recognized the arrowhead as a powerful and meaningful symbol long before European settlers arrived. Oral traditions held that it marked a place of healing, and hot springs located nearby were said to have restorative properties.

When Mormon settlers arrived in San Bernardino in the early 1850s, they also took note of the arrowhead and incorporated it into the identity of the growing settlement. Over time, the arrowhead became synonymous with the city itself, appearing on the city seal, local signage, and countless businesses throughout the region. The name Arrowhead, of course, also extended to nearby Lake Arrowhead, one of Southern California's most beloved mountain retreats.

What to Expect at the Viewing Spot

The Arrowhead Viewing Spot on North Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino sits at a well-positioned turnout that lets visitors get a clear look at the hillside formation without needing to hike or venture onto private property. A historical monument at the site provides context about the arrowhead's cultural and geological significance, giving the stop both visual and educational value. This is a place that rewards a few minutes of quiet observation and reflection rather than rushing through.

It is worth noting that the land surrounding and leading up to the actual arrowhead formation is privately owned, so the Waterman Avenue viewing spot is the appropriate and accessible way to appreciate it from the public side. The monument plaque helps orient visitors and explains what they are looking at in a clear, informative way.

The Best Time to Visit

Morning light tends to be the most favorable for seeing the arrowhead clearly, as the angle of the sun brings out the contrast between the lighter rock and the surrounding hillside vegetation. The viewing spot is open around the clock, which means it is also a surprisingly atmospheric stop in the evening when the city lights of San Bernardino spread out below and the mountains loom quietly overhead. Fall and winter months offer particularly crisp visibility after rain clears the air.

Combining Your Visit With Other San Bernardino Stops

The viewing spot sits in the northern part of San Bernardino and makes a natural pairing with other nearby attractions. The Inland Empire Military Museum and the Historic Original McDonald's Museum are both within a short drive to the south, offering a mix of cultural and historical experiences across different chapters of San Bernardino's story. Heading north from the viewing area, the road eventually winds up into the mountains toward Lake Arrowhead and the Rim of the World Scenic Drive, one of the most celebrated routes in all of Southern California.

San Bernardino's position as a gateway city between the valley and the mountains means that a stop at the Arrowhead Viewing Spot can easily anchor a broader day of exploration. Pack a camera, bring some water, and let the city show you its character one landmark at a time.

A Symbol That Still Means Something

What makes the Arrowhead Viewing Spot genuinely compelling is the fact that it connects multiple eras of San Bernardino's history in a single glance. Indigenous heritage, frontier settlement, and modern civic identity all converge at this hillside formation. For locals, it is a daily reminder of where they live and what that place represents. For visitors, it offers a window into the deeper story of San Bernardino that goes far beyond what most travel guides bother to mention.

That modern civic identity extends into how San Bernardino's businesses operate today, with many relying on experienced IT services provider and local IT support to keep the city moving as steadily as that arrowhead has watched over it for generations. It is quiet, it is free, and it has been standing on that mountain long before any of us arrived.

Driving/Walking Directions From IT Support Company and Managed IT Services in California | Exigent Systems | Local MSP in San Bernardino to Arrowhead Viewing Spot & Historical Monument

Driving Directions To Rim of the World Scenic

Stop Worrying About IT. Focus On Your Business.

Call our IT support team directly at (909) 328-1611 or simply fill out this form and we will get in touch with you to set up a getting-to-know-you introductory phone call.

What Happens Next?

Fill in our quick form
We'll schedule an introductory phone call
We'll take the time to listen and plan the next steps