Corona

Sister cities

• Gōtsu-shi

History

Prior to the late eighteenth century, the area was primarily inhabited by the Tongva and Payómkawichum, who lived in a series of villages throughout the area. What is now Corona stood at the southeastern extent of Tovaangar, or the Tongva world, and at the northern edge of Payómkawichum territory. The primary settlement in the area was the village of Paxauxa, which was established along the banks of the Temescal Creek at about where Corona is situated today. The settlement was shared by both the Tongva and Payómkawichum people. Cooperation and marriage between the two villages was common. High above the city of Corona, the village of Pamajam was also located in a small valley of the Santa Ana Mountains. The founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1776 and Mission San Luis Rey in 1798 saw the introduction of Spanish soldiers and missionaries in the area. This resulted in villagers being brought to the mission to be baptized and as labor. Spanish influence increased in the area with the establishment of the San Antonio de Pala Asistencia in 1816. Two years following the construction of this mission outpost, the Temescal Valley's first European resident, Leandro Serrano, was given permission by the Spanish to use the area for cattle grazing. His first order was to kill the local bear and mountain lion population for the imported herds. After the secularization of the Spanish missions by the First Mexican Republic in 1833, the land under influence by the missions in Alta California was gradually granted to large landowners as ranches. In 1848, Californio governor Pio Pico issued this land to Bernardo Yorba, which included present-day city of Corona. The street layout was designed by Hiram Clay Kellogg, a civil engineer from Anaheim who was an influential figure in…

Geography

Corona is located in western Riverside County, east of Orange County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which of it is land and of it, or 0.27%, is water. Corona experiences a hot Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: CSa) and has mild to cool winters and hot summers. Most of the rainfall (as in all of Southern California) occurs during winter and early spring. Winter days are pleasant, with the average highs staying in the mid to upper 60s. But compared to other areas in Southern California, winter lows are colder, with common frost and chilly mornings. Snowfall within city limits is rare. Snow flurries will occasionally fall, usually once every other year, but it very rarely snows to the point where it accumulates. The nearby Santa Ana Mountains receive a dusting of snow a few times each winter. Spring brings pleasant weather with daytime temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, and nighttime lows in the upper 40s. Spring showers are common during the beginning of the season but are a rarity by late May. Summertime is hot, with highs averaging in the low to mid 90s. During the hottest months, daytime temperatures in Corona can exceed . In early summer, Corona receives common overcast weather known as "May Gray" and "June Gloom". Summer thunderstorms are sporadic and usually happen between July and September from the North American Monsoons, bringing increased humidity and scattered thunderstorms. Autumn features warm days and sharply cooler evenings, but can be windy due to the Santa Ana winds, blowing in two or three times a year from October to December.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• House Finch

  Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L.Statius Müller, 1776) · Aves
  17,205
• Black Phoebe

  Sayornis nigricans (Swainson, 1827) · Aves
  13,597
• Lesser Goldfinch

  Spinus psaltria (Say, 1822) · Aves
  13,507
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  13,294
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  13,239
• Common Raven

  Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  12,766
• California Towhee

  Melozone crissalis (Vigors, 1839) · Aves
  12,308
• Acorn Woodpecker

  Melanerpes formicivorus (Swainson, 1827) · Aves
  11,865

Largest nearby schools

• Eleanor Roosevelt High
  High · Eastvale · 4,566 students · 25.8:1 ratio
• Santiago High
  High · Corona · 3,460 students · 25.8:1 ratio
• Centennial High
  High · Corona · 3,037 students · 25.1:1 ratio
• Corona High
  High · Corona · 2,251 students · 23.9:1 ratio
• Norco High
  High · Norco · 2,070 students · 24.1:1 ratio
• Norte Vista High
  High · Riverside · 1,971 students · 20.1:1 ratio
• Arlington High
  High · Riverside · 1,957 students · 24.8:1 ratio
• Hillcrest High
  High · Riverside · 1,824 students · 23.1:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.77 — 2026-10-15
  3 km NNW of San Jacinto, CA
• M 2.71 — 2026-10-11
  4 km E of San Jacinto, CA
• M 3.16 — 2026-10-09
  2 km SW of Signal Hill, CA
• M 2.7 — 2026-10-08
  2 km WNW of Fontana, CA
• M 2.6 — 2026-10-06
  4 km NNW of Big Bear City, CA
• M 2.51 — 2026-10-05
  31 km SW of Dana Point, CA