Norco occupies a distinctive niche in the Inland Empire. Incorporated in 1964 in northwestern Riverside County, the city was founded on the idea of preserving a rural, horse-centered way of life amid Southern California's rapid suburban growth. From its incorporation, voters adopted large-lot zoning—typically an acre or more per property—specifically to accommodate horses, stables, and animal keeping, a decision that still shapes the city's streetscape today. In 2021 the city formalized this identity with an Equestrian Historic District designation. The name traces to the North Corona Land Company and the ambitious Norconian Resort of the 1920s, a sprawling luxury hotel-and-spa complex built around a hot mineral spring discovered while drilling for water. The resort hosted a golf course, airfield, hiking trails, and Lake Norconian before the property passed into government use as a naval hospital and later the California Rehabilitation Center and Naval Surface Warfare Center. Modern Norco is defined by its equestrian culture. Horse trails run along many streets and through the city, riding and boarding facilities are common, and large-lot homes with stables and corrals are the norm rather than the exception. The George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center hosts horse shows and rodeo-style events, reinforcing the community's identity as 'Horsetown USA.' Despite its rural feel, Norco is well connected. The city sits near Interstate 15, placing it within commuting distance of Corona, Riverside, and Orange County employment centers, while the Santa Ana River and surrounding hills provide open space. Public schools are served by the Corona-Norco Unified School District. Norco appeals to horse owners and those seeking a rural lifestyle, large properties, and an active outdoor culture without leaving the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region.