Apple Valley (California)

Apple Valley is a city in California's San Bernardino County. The apple orchards of the early 20th century have been replaced by housing developments: streets of ranch and traditional housed along with the mid-20th century modern and usonian architectural designs between Hwy 18 and Bear Valley Road. Urban development began in the mid-2000s bringing big-box retail, chain restaurants and movie theaters.

Understand
Despite the name, there are no apple orchards in the city. Prior to World War II, the city was known for growing award winning apples. The local apple crops were decimated by three devastating years of fungal infection and extreme weather in the mid 1940s. The Postal Service approved the name "Apple Valley" for the local post office in 1949, after destruction of most of the local orchards and the end of the commercial apple industry in the area.

Apple Valley was a rustic resort destination for Hollywood celebrities and moguls from the 1940s to the 1960s. The most famous of these celebrities were Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, who starred in many western films and television shows from the 1930s to the 1950s and chose the town as their retirement home and final resting place.

The town was incorporated in the late 1980s along with most of the High Desert region. While it is a city by San Bernardino County's requirements, Apple Valley rejects the designation, marketing itself as the "Town of Apple Valley".

Climate
Apple Valley is at the southern edge of the Mojave Desert and thus has hot summer days in the upper 90s (°F), cold winter nights in the mid 30s, and little rain.

By car
Apple Valley is along State Route 18, about east of Interstate 15, midway between San Bernardino and Barstow. The sole I-15 exit within Apple Valley's town limits is Dale Evans Pkwy., just north of Victorville. (Except for La Mesa/Nisqualli Rd., any Victorville I-15 exit will reach Apple Valley by heading east.)

By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Ontario International Airport, southwest of Apple Valley in Ontario.

By train
Amtrak's Southwest Chief service stops in Victorville, about from Apple Valley. (See Victorville article for details.)

Do
Watch movies at the Jess Ranch movie theater, between Apple Valley Rd and Central Rd.