Bonita - San Dimas, CA

The general Bonita area has been inhabited as far back as 8,000 years ago by the Tongva Native Americans. Although little cities were built throughout the years, the true influx of citizens came with the development of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Railroad in the late 1800s. From there, the area thrived as a vibrant agricultural community and cities were formed.

One of the most popular events in the neighborhood, the Fitness Festival, a 5K run that attracts over 300 participants throughout the neighborhood.

If you love music, make room in your calendar for the Jazz Fest West, an annual event that hosts all kinds of live performances with lawn seating.

The Bonita neighborhood presents residents with a wide array of dining options, such as the Twisted Sage Cafe, a local favorite. While primarily serving to-go meals, the restaurant also caters as well. The seared ahi sandwich is one of the more popular dishes with ahi tuna, ginger sesame slaw, avocado, and seasoned with cucumber wasabi dressing. Locals also love the mac and cheese, blended with brie, gruyere, cheddar cheese, and topped with bacon and breadcrumbs.

After opening in 1972, Warehouse Pizza has provided some of the most popular pizza in the area. The staff works hard to bring the good times with every single customer experience. Always be sure to bring cash, since it is a cash-only restaurant.

Taste of Asia is worth a stop-in, especially when you're in the mood for pad Thai. This authentic Southeast Asia restaurant serves over 40 dishes, including Seafood Pad Thai, Luc Lac, and Tropical Salmon. Stop in for lunch and try the curry.

While this neighborhood has more of a suburban feel, there are still plenty of options when it comes to nightlife. Montana's is a popular country dance bar with two-step, line dancing, and once in a while, hip hop. While there is a cover charge, the drinks are on the cheaper side compared to most of Los Angeles, making this a great place to drink for anyone looking to save a few bucks.

When it comes to public transportation, the Pomona Metrolink runs right through the Bonita neighborhood for residents to use. This train runs from the LA Union Station to San Bernardino.

The Foothill Transit provides bus routes throughout the area for residents to get to most of the surrounding cities easily. There are also multiple biking lanes for residents so they can exercise while they get around.

While you are checking out the shops and restaurants throughout the area, almost all of the public parking is free, saving a few bucks for shopping.

When it comes to outdoor fun, the Bonita neighborhood offers residents a long list of things to do.

The Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park has over 1,975 acres of recreational space for anyone to use. This park remains one of the best places to go in the area for hiking, running, fishing, biking, picnics, camping and almost anything else you would want to do. This park does have a daily fare, but also has yearly passes as well. The water park Raging Waters also makes its home in Bonelli Park, which also features jet ski rentals for outdoor water activities.

If you are interested in golf courses or country clubs, San Dimas Canyon Golf Course, Sierra La Verne Country Club, Marshall Canyon Golf Course and Mountain Meadows Country Club are some of the available courses in the area. Each has different costs or membership options, so call before attending.

Dog lovers, bring your pets to the San Dimas Dog Park. A perfect place to play with your pooch, this large, fenced-in dog park gives your dog the ability to get all its energy out.

The local bus transportation costs residents $1.25 per ride. A beer at a local pub costs more than the national average due to the popularity of this part of the state, which is why gas prices are also 5 percent above the national average.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in this neighborhood, $1,346, is slightly below the Los Angeles average as a whole.

Quite a few big-chain stores sit in the Bonita neighborhood for residents to shop at such as Costco, Albertsons and Trader Joe's. San Dimas also hosts a farmers market through the summer months for local residents.

Duds and Doodads has a fun array of used and vintage items for residents to buy. From cute clothes to jewelry and purses, they have some hidden gems you won't find at the big brand traditional stores. The store also accepts consignments.

As a premier cigar shop, the Lordsburg Cigar Lounge has comfortable chairs along with top-of-the-line cigars for locals to sit and enjoy. Along with selling some of the best cigars, Lordsburg hosts specialty nights such as poker night, football games and other sports events. The staff goes above and beyond helping each customer with his or her cigar selection and answering any questions.