Loma Linda (Spanish for "Beautiful Hill") is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States, that was incorporated in 1970. The population was 24,791 at the 2020 census, up from 23,261 at the 2010 census. The central area of the city was originally known as Mound City, while its eastern half was originally the unincorporated community of Bryn Mawr.
Loma Linda is located in southwestern San Bernardino County and is considered part of the Inland Empire. It is bordered on the north by the city of San Bernardino, on the east by Redlands, on the west by Colton, and on the south by Riverside County. An area of unincorporated territory in Riverside County separates Loma Linda from the city of Moreno Valley to the south. The remnants of Bryn Mawr, an unincorporated community formerly located between Loma Linda and Redlands, were annexed by the city in 2008.
Loma Linda is in the southern San Bernardino Valley. The southern third of the city is known as the South Hills; this rugged and hilly area at the northwestern end of the Badlands is a city-owned open space reserve protected by a local initiative. San Timoteo Creek flows from southeast to northwest through the city.
Loma Linda, California is a "blue zone," a region where people live significantly longer than average, with an average life expectancy about 10 years longer than the US average. This is largely due to the strong community of Seventh-day Adventists, who follow a lifestyle characterized by a vegetarian diet, regular exercise, strong social connections, and a focus on faith and rest.
Loma Linda is home to a large community of Seventh-day Adventists, who follow a healthy lifestyle that includes a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and avoidance of smoking and alcohol.
The city has a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with many resources and programs available to support residents in making healthy choices.
The Loma Linda community is supportive and close-knit, providing a sense of belonging and purpose that contributes to overall well-being.
The Adventist lifestyle in Loma Linda includes a focus on moderation, with residents consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. They also engage in regular physical activity and prioritize stress management.
The Seventh-day Adventist church in this sunny pocket of Southern California was founded in the 1840s. The church flourished through the 20th century – and so did its members who view health as central to their faith.
Today, a community of about 9,000 Adventists in the Loma Linda area are the core of America’s blue zones region. They live as much as a decade longer than the rest of us, and much of their longevity can be attributed to vegetarianism and regular exercise. Plus, Adventists don’t smoke or drink alcohol.