About 19 miles west of Riverside in the Inland Empire, the rural city of Norco lives up to its nickname of 'Horsetown, U.S.A.' “There are more horses per capita here than anywhere else in the country,” says Eileen Wilcott, an experienced Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Corona. Nearly 100 miles of horse trails connect residents’ ranches to the city’s western-themed downtown and public arenas. Rodeos, bull-riding contests and horse parades celebrate the Norco's equestrian culture and foster its strong sense of community. “Norco is a rural town with all the amenities of a large city," says Wilcott. "The ability to keep horses, have a large lot and know all your neighbors is what brings people here.”
Entrance to the City of Norco, nicknamed "HorseTown USA".
Norco Horse Town USA Parade Day riders wear red, white and blue.
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Equestrian arenas, horse trails and more in Norco
With over 400 acres of parkland, Norco offers residents ample space to go out horseback riding. “We’ve got around 100 miles of horse trails and bunch of arenas, two of which are shaded,” says Wilcott. Among the most popular is the Pumpkin Rock Trail, named for the giant boulder painted like a Jack-o'-lantern that marks the trail’s end. “People love to take pictures with the rock, but the views of the city and surrounding forests from there are absolutely gorgeous,” Wilcott says. Among the eight public horse arenas here, folks can ride at the more intimate Hawks Crest Arena or run wild at the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center. Additional recreation options include the sprawling Silverlakes Sports Park in Norco Farms and the 18-hole public course at the Hidden Valley Golf Club.
Discover the scenic views from Pumpkin Rock in Norco.
Discover the joy of golfing under the sunny skies of Norco, CA.
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Local haunts with a Western twist
Sixth Street is Norco’s downtown commercial corridor, lined with rodeo-themed cafes, specialty whiskey stores, barbecue spots and saloon-style bars in farmhouse-style buildings. “I recommend Saddlesore for that Old West feeling, with the sawdust floors and line dancing they have there,” Wilcott says. “A lot of the businesses here even have paddocks and hitching posts for horses.”
Hamner Avenue offers a wider variety of chain restaurants and grocery stores, but they still reflect Norco’s western character. “Our Bob’s Big Boy has a cowboy hat, which was kind of a criterion for them to even be here,” Wilcott says, laughing. “It’s not uncommon to see horses in the McDonald’s drive-through, either.”
Norco is known for it's horse culture through out the neighborhood.
Norco Country Center has a number of equine-related retailers.
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Rodeos, parades and bull riding events year-round
Norco hosts events throughout the year that are centered on its love for the equestrian lifestyle. Held at the tail end of August, the Norco Fair features rodeos, bull riding competitions, mower races and a host of other attractions. On the Fourth of July, locals dress their horses in sparkly red, white and blue patterns for an annual ride to the Santa Ana River. In April and May, the Norco Horseweek raises funds for local advocacy and community groups through rodeos, chili cook-offs and parades. Parade Day in April fills Sixth Street with stagecoaches, vintage cars and horses to celebrate the city’s American and Mexican cultures.
Mexican Community Caballeros posing on Parade Day in Norco, Horse Town USA.
Old school surf rock is perfect for checking out the cars at the Norco Classics in the Park.
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Homes come with elbow room in Norco
As of early 2025, Norco’s median home price is $885,000, compared to Riverside’s median of $650,000 and the national median of roughly $410,000. Properties in Norco Farms tend to be midcentury ranch- and farmhouse-style homes, with acreage for horses. “Our housing market is unique because the supply’s low and everyone wants one of the larger lots here.” Single-family homes in Norco are required to have lots that are 10,000 square feet or larger. “You can say we like a little bit of elbow room here,” laughs Wilcott. In the newer Norco Hills neighborhood, Spanish- and Mediterranean-style homes from the 1990s are common, often set in quiet suburbs.
Single-story Ranch homes can also be found in Norco.
Large lots with windmills and solar panels can be found in Norco.
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Corona-Norco Unified Schools
The Corona-Norco Unified School District earns an A from Niche, and with over 50,000 students, is the largest in Riverside County. In partnership with Norco Community College, A-plus-rated John F. Kennedy Middle College High School invites students to earn an associate's degree as they pursue their high school diploma.
Norco Intermediate School is home of the Bobcats in Norco, CA.
Turning Point Christian is a faith based school in Norco.
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Get around by car or horse
Although locals rely on cars when traveling outside the city, horseback riding is the preferred mode of transportation within Norco. “Most roads here have a separate path for horses, and crosswalks have two buttons for pedestrians – one at human height, and another at horse height,” says Wilcott.
Interstate 15 cuts through the center of the city, connecting Norco to the rest of the Inland Empire; Route 60 is just south (leading 50 miles west to Los Angeles), and Route 91 is just north (leading about 28 miles southwest to Anaheim). The Corona-North Main Metrorail station is about 4 miles south via Hamner Avenue, with routes that lead L.A. and cities throughout the Inland Empire and Orange County. Regional Medical Center is 7 miles south, and the Ontario International Airport is 15 miles north.
Seamless travel across Norco with our efficient bus service.
Discover Norco's beauty from the comfort of Freeway 15.
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Crime stats remain steady in Norco
According to FBI data for 2023, Norco’s property crime rate was higher than the national figure, but its violent crime rate was lower. Over the last decade, overall crime rates have remained steady, growing only 4% between 2014 and 2023.
Additional writing contributed by Melanie Wynne.
Rob Arrietta became a realtor in 1982 and a broker in 2001. As a realtor, manager, & owner of real estate offices throughout his career, rob brings with him a wealth of experience in business, real estate, & investments. He is a past President & currently a director at his local Realtor Association. He has served numerous years as a C.A.R. state director as well! Born in West Covina, Rob is a native Southern Californian!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
