San Bernardino in Southern California

This vibrant original vintage travel poster from 1969 was issued by Western Airlines to promote tourism to San Bernardino County in Southern California.

Designed by T. Smith, the artwork is a striking example of late-1960s graphic style, combining bold outlines, saturated colors, and a playful, almost pop-art aesthetic. The composition is arranged as a lively collage of activities and landscapes, capturing the diversity of experiences the region has to offer.

The poster features a rich array of scenes: outdoor recreation such as fishing, skiing, tennis, and horseback riding; leisure activities including boating and camping; and references to travel and road culture with cars, trailers, and small aircraft. Agricultural abundance is symbolized through fruit imagery, while desert, forest, and mountain environments are all woven together into a single dynamic visual narrative. A nod to the Old West appears with a stylized frontier town, reinforcing the romantic appeal of California’s heritage.

The bold typography “San Bernardino County in Southern California” anchors the composition, while the airline branding at the top emphasizes the era of jet-age travel and the accessibility of this sunny destination.

An eye-catching and highly decorative piece, this poster captures the optimism and color of late 1960s American travel advertising.

Linen backed and in excellent condition, presenting strong colors and excellent overall appearance.