Patio Dining in Redlands: Best Times to Visit
Redlands, California, nestled at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, offers an exceptional patio dining scene that combines historic charm with modern culinary excellence. The city’s Mediterranean-like climate and tree-lined streets create an inviting atmosphere for outdoor meals nearly year-round. However, knowing when to visit can transform a good dining experience into an unforgettable one.
Understanding Redlands’ Unique Climate
The inland location of Redlands creates distinct seasonal patterns that differ from coastal Southern California. Summer temperatures frequently climb into the 90s and occasionally exceed 100°F, while winters remain pleasantly mild with daytime highs typically in the 60s and 70s. This climate variation makes timing crucial for comfortable patio dining.
The Golden Hours: Spring and Fall
March through May and September through November represent the absolute pinnacle of patio dining conditions in Redlands. During these months, afternoon temperatures hover in the comfortable 70-80°F range, creating that perfect balance where you’ll neither shiver nor sweat over your meal.
Spring brings an added visual bonus as the city’s abundant citrus trees bloom, filling the air with delicate orange blossom fragrance. Many restaurants incorporate this seasonal bounty into their menus, offering dishes featuring fresh citrus from local groves. The historic downtown area becomes particularly enchanting during these months, with outdoor tables positioned beneath heritage trees just beginning to leaf out.
Fall delivers equally spectacular conditions. The slightly cooler evening temperatures make September and October ideal for sunset dining experiences. As daylight shortens, restaurants often light their patios earlier, creating intimate, warmly-lit spaces that feel both cozy and sophisticated.
Winter: The Unexpected Gem
Don’t dismiss winter patio
December through February offers surprisingly pleasant conditions, especially during midday and early afternoon hours. Many establishments provide heat lamps and blankets, allowing you to comfortably enjoy your meal even on cooler evenings.
Weekend lunch appointments work particularly well during winter months. The combination of gentle sunshine, crisp air, and smaller crowds creates a relaxed dining atmosphere that feels almost exclusive. You’ll often find the best service during these quieter periods, with staff having more time to discuss menu selections and wine pairings.
Summer Strategies
While summer presents challenges, it doesn’t eliminate patio dining opportunities. The key lies in strategic timing and location selection. Early morning breakfast patios remain comfortable until around 9 AM, making this an excellent time for leisurely weekend brunches.
Evening dining becomes viable after 7 PM when temperatures finally begin dropping. Look for restaurants with misters, shade sails, or mature tree coverage that provides natural cooling. Some establishments feature patios positioned to catch evening breezes descending from the nearby mountains, offering surprising relief from the day’s heat.
Day of the Week Considerations
Weekday evenings, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, provide the most relaxed patio dining experiences. You’ll encounter fewer crowds, easier reservation availability, and servers with more bandwidth to personalize your experience.
Friday and Saturday evenings naturally draw larger crowds, especially during optimal weather months. If you prefer weekend patio dining, consider making reservations at least a week in advance for popular venues. Alternatively, slightly earlier dinner times around 5:30 PM or later seatings after 8 PM can help you secure desirable outdoor tables.
Sunday brunch has become a Redlands institution. The combination of pleasant late-morning weather and the city’s relaxed weekend atmosphere makes Sunday patio brunching immensely popular from March through November. Book ahead or arrive right when restaurants open to claim prime outdoor seating.
Event-Driven Timing
Redlands hosts several annual events that impact both patio availability and overall dining atmosphere. The Redlands Bowl summer concert series runs from late June through August, bringing crowds downtown on performance evenings. While this creates vibrant energy, it also means restaurants fill quickly before shows.
The annual Redlands Bicycle Classic in early April transforms downtown into a hub of cycling activity. Patio dining during this weekend offers excellent people-watching opportunities but requires advance planning due to increased demand.
The Christmas season brings special charm to Redlands’ historic downtown. From late November through December, many restaurants decorate their patios with festive lights and seasonal touches, creating magical evening dining settings that offset the cooler temperatures.
Microclimate Awareness
Different areas of Redlands experience subtle climate variations. The historic downtown area, with its mature street trees and vintage architecture, often feels several degrees cooler than newer commercial districts. This natural shade becomes particularly valuable during summer months.
Restaurants situated near Smiley Park or along orange groves may experience slightly different conditions than those in more urban settings. When selecting a patio dining spot during extreme weather, consider these location-specific factors.
The Ultimate Recommendation
If forced to choose a single best time for Redlands patio dining, late April through early May edges out the competition. This window delivers consistently beautiful weather before summer heat arrives, showcases spring blooms at their peak, and precedes the busy summer tourist season. Pair this timing with a Thursday or Friday evening reservation, and you’ll experience Redlands patio dining at its absolute finest.
The magic of outdoor dining in Redlands ultimately comes from the city’s unique character—its blend of small-town hospitality, appreciation for quality food, and genuine community connection. Choosing the right time to visit simply ensures that the weather complements rather than competes with these inherent charms. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a casual meal, Redlands’ patio dining scene offers rewarding experiences throughout most of the year.
Patio Dining in Redlands: Best Times to Visit
Redlands, California, nestled at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, offers an exceptional patio dining scene that combines historic charm with modern culinary excellence. The city’s Mediterranean-like climate and tree-lined streets create an inviting atmosphere for outdoor meals nearly year-round. However, knowing when to visit can transform a good dining experience into an unforgettable one.
Understanding Redlands’ Unique Climate
The inland location of Redlands creates distinct seasonal patterns that differ from coastal Southern California. Summer temperatures frequently climb into the 90s and occasionally exceed 100°F, while winters remain pleasantly mild with daytime highs typically in the 60s and 70s. This climate variation makes timing crucial for comfortable patio dining.
The Golden Hours: Spring and Fall
March through May and September through November represent the absolute pinnacle of patio dining conditions in Redlands. During these months, afternoon temperatures hover in the comfortable 70-80°F range, creating that perfect balance where you’ll neither shiver nor sweat over your meal.
Spring brings an added visual bonus as the city’s abundant citrus trees bloom, filling the air with delicate orange blossom fragrance. Many restaurants incorporate this seasonal bounty into their menus, offering dishes featuring fresh citrus from local groves. The historic downtown area becomes particularly enchanting during these months, with outdoor tables positioned beneath heritage trees just beginning to leaf out.
Fall delivers equally spectacular conditions. The slightly cooler evening temperatures make September and October ideal for sunset dining experiences. As daylight shortens, restaurants often light their patios earlier, creating intimate, warmly-lit spaces that feel both cozy and sophisticated.
Winter: The Unexpected Gem
Don’t dismiss winter patio dining in Redlands. December through February offers surprisingly pleasant conditions, especially during midday and early afternoon hours. Many establishments provide heat lamps and blankets, allowing you to comfortably enjoy your meal even on cooler evenings.
Weekend lunch appointments work particularly well during winter months. The combination of gentle sunshine, crisp air, and smaller crowds creates a relaxed dining atmosphere that feels almost exclusive. You’ll often find the best service during these quieter periods, with staff having more time to discuss menu selections and wine pairings.
Summer Strategies
While summer presents challenges, it doesn’t eliminate patio dining opportunities.Success depends on choosing the right time and place with careful planning.
Early morning breakfast patios remain comfortable until around 9 AM, making this an excellent time for leisurely weekend brunches.
Evening dining becomes viable after 7 PM when temperatures finally begin dropping. Look for restaurants with misters, shade sails, or mature tree coverage that provides natural cooling. Some establishments feature patios positioned to catch evening breezes descending from the nearby mountains, offering surprising relief from the day’s heat.
Day of the Week Considerations
Weekday evenings, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, provide the most relaxed patio dining experiences. You’ll encounter fewer crowds, easier reservation availability, and servers with more bandwidth to personalize your experience.
Friday and Saturday evenings naturally draw larger crowds, especially during optimal weather months. If you prefer weekend patio dining, consider making reservations at least a week in advance for popular venues. Alternatively, slightly earlier dinner times around 5:30 PM or later seatings after 8 PM can help you secure desirable outdoor tables.
Sunday brunch has become a Redlands institution. The combination of pleasant late-morning weather and the city’s relaxed weekend atmosphere makes Sunday patio brunching immensely popular from March through November. Book ahead or arrive right when restaurants open to claim prime outdoor seating.
Event-Driven Timing
Redlands hosts several annual events that impact both patio availability and overall dining atmosphere. The Redlands Bowl summer concert series runs from late June through August, bringing crowds downtown on performance evenings. While this creates vibrant energy, it also means restaurants fill quickly before shows.
The annual Redlands Bicycle Classic in early April transforms downtown into a hub of cycling activity. Patio dining during this weekend offers excellent people-watching opportunities but requires advance planning due to increased demand.
The Christmas season brings special charm to Redlands’ historic downtown. From late November through December, many restaurants decorate their patios with festive lights and seasonal touches, creating magical evening dining settings that offset the cooler temperatures.
Microclimate Awareness
Different areas of Redlands experience subtle climate variations. The historic downtown area, with its mature street trees and vintage architecture, often feels several degrees cooler than newer commercial districts. This natural shade becomes particularly valuable during summer months.
Restaurants situated near Smiley Park or along orange groves may experience slightly different conditions than those in more urban settings. When selecting a patio dining spot during extreme weather, consider these location-specific factors.
The Ultimate Recommendation
If forced to choose a single best time for Redlands patio dining, late April through early May edges out the competition. This window delivers consistently beautiful weather before summer heat arrives, showcases spring blooms at their peak, and precedes the busy summer tourist season. Pair this timing with a Thursday or Friday evening reservation, and you’ll experience Redlands patio dining at its absolute finest.
The magic of outdoor dining in Redlands ultimately comes from the city’s unique character—its blend of small-town hospitality, appreciation for quality food, and genuine community connection. Choosing the right time to visit simply ensures that the weather complements rather than competes with these inherent charms.
Discovering Redlands’ Premier Patio Destinations
While timing your visit optimally sets the stage for success, selecting the right venue completes the experience. Redlands boasts numerous establishments where exceptional cuisine meets inviting outdoor spaces, each offering its own distinct personality and culinary perspective.
Among these standouts, certain venues have earned reputations for consistently delivering memorable alfresco dining. These restaurants understand that patio dining involves more than simply placing tables outside—it requires thoughtful design, attentive service adapted to outdoor settings, and menus that complement the open-air experience.
When researching your dining options, look for establishments that demonstrate genuine commitment to their outdoor spaces. The best patio restaurants invest in comfortable seating, ambient lighting that transitions beautifully from afternoon to evening, and landscaping that provides both aesthetic appeal and functional benefits like shade or privacy screening.
Pay attention to venues that adapt their offerings seasonally, rotating menus to reflect what’s fresh and locally available. Restaurants sourcing ingredients from nearby farms and citrus groves typically deliver superior flavor while supporting the regional agricultural community that defines much of Redlands’ character.
Whether you’re seeking casual bistro fare, upscale contemporary cuisine, authentic international flavors, or classic American comfort food with a gourmet twist, Redlands’ patio dining landscape offers choices to satisfy every preference. The key is matching your timing—using the seasonal and daily guidance outlined above—with a venue whose atmosphere and menu align with your occasion and tastes.
By combining optimal timing with thoughtful restaurant selection, you’ll discover why locals and visitors alike consider Redlands one of Southern California’s hidden gems for outdoor dining. The city rewards those who plan ahead with experiences that linger in memory long after the meal concludes.
About Tartan of Redlands
When discussing Redlands’ most treasured dining destinations, one establishment stands apart for its rich history and unwavering commitment to classic steakhouse excellence. Since opening its doors on April 15, 1964, this iconic venue has remained a cornerstone of the local culinary landscape.
The Ctoteau brothers—Velmer, Al, and Art—founded this restaurant with a clear mission: deliver outstanding food paired with authentic, warm hospitality. Their vision established a foundation that would endure for generations, creating more than just a place to eat, but a genuine community gathering spot.
The restaurant’s evolution reflects a continuity of purpose and values. Larry Westin became part of the ownership, working alongside the Ctoteau family to build upon the establishment’s growing reputation. After his death in 2003, his son Larry Westin Jr. maintained the restaurant’s traditions until 2015, when current proprietors Jeff and Lisa Salamon assumed stewardship.
Jeff Salamon brings a unique perspective to his role. As a lifelong Boston resident and distinguished Marine Corps veteran, he understands the importance of heritage, commitment, and community bonds. These principles mirror the restaurant’s own identity, making him an ideal custodian of its legacy.
The menu showcases timeless steakhouse fare executed with precision and care. Saturday evenings feature their celebrated prime rib, while an impressive array of premium steaks anchors the year-round offerings. The signature Redlands Tartan Burger has developed its own devoted following, and the well-appointed bar ensures guests enjoy quality beverages to complement their meals.
What truly distinguishes this establishment is its atmosphere. Regulars affectionately call it the “Cheers of Redlands”—a reference that captures the welcoming spirit pervading every visit. Whether you’re a decades-long patron or stepping through the doors for the first time, you’ll encounter the same genuine friendliness and comfortable ambiance that has characterized the restaurant throughout its sixty-year history.
This enduring appeal makes it an excellent choice regardless of season. The inviting outdoor spaces allow guests to enjoy Redlands’ favorable weather during those optimal spring and fall months, while the classic interior provides year-round comfort. For anyone planning their patio dining experience in Redlands, this historic steakhouse represents the perfect blend of tradition, quality, and that irreplaceable sense of belonging that transforms a meal into a memory.
