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Riverside, California: Where Fun Meets Adventure – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Riverside was the citrus capital of the world. It started in 1873, when Eliza Tibbets planted two government trees in her yard, and the California Citrus State Historic Park now keeps over 170 varieties. The Mission Inn Hotel was built in 1902 on the money that followed. The Fox Performing Arts Center dates from 1929. Mount Rubidoux is where the hike is, and the view at the top is the payoff.

Welcome to Riverside, California. For an unusual Southern California trip, this city is the answer. The art scene through to the outdoors, Riverside covers a broad range.

Art lovers should work through Riverside’s galleries and museums. Catch a show at the Fox Performing Arts Center, a restored 1920s theater that hosts concerts, plays and other events through the year. And history readers get plenty of landmarks and museums, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa among them, a hotel dating back to the late 1800s.

There is more. Riverside is also home to parks and nature preserves, the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens and the Box Springs Mountain Reserve among them. And for something more unusual, the Riverside Food Lab, a culinary incubator carrying local food vendors and chefs. With that much to work through, you will not be bored in Riverside.

Key Takeaways

• Riverside offers a diverse range of activities, from exploring the art scene to enjoying the great outdoors.
• The city is rich in history, with plenty of historical landmarks and museums to explore.
• Riverside is also home to unique attractions, like the Riverside Food Lab, that offer a one-of-a-kind experience.

A Glimpse Into Riverside’s Art Scene

Riverside’s art scene is one of the strongest in California. Contemporary art through to traditional exhibits, the range is here. These are the places to see it:

Fox Performing Arts Center

For a night of entertainment, the Fox Performing Arts Center. The historic theater has been running since 1929 and it has been properly restored. Broadway shows through to concerts and comedy acts, the programme is broad. The ornate design is worth the ticket on its own.

Riverside Art Museum

The Riverside Art Museum is where art lovers should start. Set in the heart of Downtown Riverside, the museum runs rotating exhibitions of contemporary and traditional art, with an emphasis on artists from California and the American West. The collection covers paintings, sculptures and photographs among other mediums. Educational programs and events run there too, which makes it work for families and students.

California Museum of Photography

The California Museum of Photography is the other stop in Riverside’s art scene. The museum is dedicated to the art and science of photography and holds a collection of over 150,000 images. The exhibits run from historic photographs to contemporary work, and there are workshops and lectures. Photography people should go.

Art, performance or culture, Riverside’s art scene covers all three. Historic theaters through to contemporary museums, something new keeps turning up. Take a break from the routine and work through it.

Historical Highlights of Riverside

Riverside carries a long history dating back to the 1800s. History readers should work through the city’s landmarks.

Mission Inn Hotel

First on the list is the Mission Inn Hotel, an architectural landmark that has been a Riverside icon since 1903. The hotel has hosted presidents, celebrities and other notable figures across its history. Take a tour for the past and the Spanish Mission-style architecture.

Riverside Metropolitan Museum

Next is the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, which anyone interested in the history of this city should find. The museum holds an extensive collection of artifacts telling the story of Riverside’s past, from its early days as a citrus-growing hub to the city it is now.

Mission Inn Museum

For the history of the Mission Inn Hotel specifically, stop at the Mission Inn Museum. It sits in the hotel’s carriage house and runs exhibits on the hotel’s history, its architecture and its notable guests.

Harada House

The Harada House is a National Historic Landmark. It tells the story of Japanese immigrants in Riverside. The house was the site of a court case in the early 20th century that challenged racial discrimination in property ownership. Go and read it.

Riverside is proud of its history and has preserved its landmarks properly. History reader or someone curious about the city’s past, there is plenty here.

Riverside’s Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nature lovers are in the right place in Riverside. Citrus groves through to hiking trails, this city carries the range. These are the places to explore:

California Citrus State Historic Park

Riverside was once the center of the citrus industry in California. At the California Citrus State Historic Park you get the history of that industry. Take a self-guided tour of the park’s citrus groves, which run over 170 different varieties of citrus tree. The park’s museum covers the rest.

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park

For hiking, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park. The park runs over 1,500 acres of open ground, with hiking trails, picnic areas and a nature center on it. There are streams and waterfalls in there too, fed by the nearby Whitewater River.

Mount Rubidoux Park

For the view over Riverside, head to Mount Rubidoux Park. The park holds the most popular hike in the city, with a trail leading to the top of the mountain. From the summit you get the city and the surrounding Sierra Foothills region.

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is one of the largest parks in Riverside, with over 200 acres of green space. The park runs a lake, picnic areas and playgrounds, which makes it a straightforward family day. You can also rent a paddle boat or fish the lake.

Box Springs Mountain

For a harder hike, head to Box Springs Mountain. The mountain runs several trails, from easy to difficult. Along the way you get the city and the surrounding landscape, palm trees and wildflowers included.

A relaxing day in the park or a hard hike, Riverside covers both. And visit the city’s botanical gardens, where the trees, shrubs and flowers run to a serious collection. Happy exploring.

Riverside’s Unique Attractions

For unusual attractions in Riverside, these are the ones to find. Amusement parks through to drive-in theaters, the city carries a broad range.

Castle Park

For a full day with the family, Castle Park. The amusement park runs everything from miniature golf to carnival rides, and there is a water park in there too. There are plenty of restrooms throughout the park, which matters more than it sounds with children in tow.

The Cove Waterpark

When the weather heats up, head to The Cove Waterpark. The family-friendly water park runs lazy rivers through to water slides. For something more adventurous, the FlowRider, a surfing simulator.

Van Buren Drive-In Theatre

Take a step back in time and catch a movie at the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre. The classic drive-in handles a summer evening properly. There are plenty of restrooms if you need one mid-film.

Whitewater Preserve

For a little adventure, head to Whitewater Preserve, where you can hike, fish and go horseback riding. The preserve is where you get away from everything else on this list.

Those are the more unusual attractions in Riverside. An amusement park, a water park, a drive-in theater or outdoor time, this city covers all four.

Where do you start in a city the size of Riverside? Downtown, where the Mission Inn Hotel, the Riverside Art Museum, the Riverside Metropolitan Museum and the Fox Performing Arts Center all sit within a walk. And the outdoors? Mount Rubidoux Park is west, Fairmount Park is north with its lake, and Box Springs Mountain and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park are east. The California Citrus State Historic Park is south. The UC Riverside Botanic Gardens are on the campus, east again.

Universities and Education in Riverside

University of California, Riverside

For a strong education, the University of California, Riverside. The institution is known for its faculty, its research and its campus. Science, engineering or the humanities, there is plenty to work with at UCR.

The University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens is the highlight of the UCR campus. The 40-acre garden is home to over 3,500 plant species from around the world. It takes a leisurely stroll and the landscape does the rest.

Beyond the academic side, UCR hosts lectures and events through the year. Guest speakers through to cultural festivals, something is usually happening on campus. Check what is on.

For a strong education and a campus with something going on, the University of California, Riverside is the place.

Riverside’s Botanic Gardens

For a break from the city, Riverside’s Botanic Gardens are the answer. With two different gardens to choose from, there is plenty of ground to work through.

Riverside Botanic Gardens

The Riverside Botanic Gardens is the quieter of the two. The garden holds a range of plants, roses, cacti and herbs among them. Take a stroll through the rose gardens for the scent. Or work through the cactus garden for the shapes. The herb gardens cover the uses of herbs in cooking and medicine.

UC Riverside Botanic Gardens

The UC Riverside Botanic Gardens is where horticulture people should go. With over 40 acres of land, the garden holds a vast collection of plants, grasses, shrubs and trees among them. Take a walk through the Alder Canyon for the views of the surrounding mountains. Or work through the South African garden for the plants that grow there.

Whichever of Riverside’s Botanic Gardens you pick, the walk holds up. Grab the camera, put on comfortable shoes and go.

Riverside’s Dining and Accommodation Options

Planning a trip to Riverside, California, you are in for a treat. The city carries a long list of activities and attractions, and it also runs some of the finest dining and accommodation in the state.

Riverside’s Top Restaurants

On dining in Riverside, the choice is wide. Fine dining or casual eats, both are covered. These are our top picks:

• Riverside Game Lab: This place is not just for gaming enthusiasts, but also foodies. They offer a unique dining experience with their virtual reality centers and a great selection of beer, wine, and spirits.

• The Lobby Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen: If you’re looking for a great cocktail and some delicious American cuisine, this is the place to be. The atmosphere is cozy, and the food is simply amazing.

• El Patron Downtown Riverside: This Mexican restaurant is a must-visit if you’re in the mood for some authentic Mexican cuisine. The service is top-notch, and the food is simply delicious.

Best Hotels in Riverside

A luxurious stay or a budget-friendly one, Riverside covers both. These are our top picks:

• Mission Inn Hotel and Spa: This historic hotel is a true gem in Riverside. The architecture is stunning, and the rooms are luxurious. The spa is also a must-visit if you’re in need of some relaxation.

• Marriott Riverside: If you’re looking for a comfortable stay with great amenities, the Marriott Riverside is the perfect choice. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, and the service is top-notch.

• Hyatt Place Riverside/Downtown: This hotel is perfect for those on a budget. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the service is excellent. Plus, it’s located in the heart of downtown Riverside, making it easy to explore all the city has to offer.

Whatever the budget or the preference, Riverside covers the dining and the accommodation. Pack the bags and go.

Riverside’s Unique History

Riverside’s history is tied to the citrus industry, which began in the early 1900s. The soil and the warm climate made it the right place to grow citrus trees, and the area filled with lemon and orange groves.

Citrus Industry History

The citrus industry in Riverside began with Eliza Tibbets, who received two small citrus trees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1873. She planted them in her yard and they thrived in the warm California climate. Others in the area started planting citrus trees, and the industry took off from there.

By the early 1900s, Riverside was known as the “citrus capital of the world.” The industry was successful enough to attract the attention of Frank Miller, who went on to build the Mission Inn Hotel.

Frank Miller and The Mission Inn

Frank Miller was a Riverside businessman who saw what the citrus industry could become. He built the Mission Inn Hotel in 1902 and used his connections to bring wealthy visitors to the area. The hotel worked well enough to become a destination in its own right, and other businesses opened around it.

The Mission Inn Hotel is still a major attraction in Riverside. Visitors can tour it and hear its history, including its role in the city’s citrus industry. The hotel has also hosted a number of important events, U.S. presidents and Hollywood celebrities among the guests.

For Riverside’s history, work through the city’s citrus industry and the Mission Inn Hotel. And note the soil, which made all of it possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a romantic day in Riverside?

For a romantic day in Riverside, there are plenty of options. Start with a stroll through the Botanic Gardens at the University of California, Riverside. After that, head to the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa for a couples massage. End the day with dinner at Duane’s Prime Steaks and Seafood.

Are there any fun events happening in Riverside this weekend that won’t break the bank?

Riverside runs plenty of events that cost little. Check out the Riverside Art Market for the finds and the live music. For something more adventurous, head to the Riverside Drive-In for a double feature under the stars. And for laughs, the Comedy Club at the Riverside Resort.

Looking for a wild night out in Riverside? What are your options?

Riverside has plenty of options for a night out. Start at Lake Alice Trading Co. and then head to Club Sevilla for the dancing and the drinks. Feeling lucky, head to the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa for the gambling and the live entertainment. And to finish, Sevilla Nightclub for the late-night dancing.

Where can you find some great free activities to do in Riverside?

Riverside has plenty that costs nothing. Take a stroll through Fairmount Park for the scenery. Visit the Riverside Art Museum on the first Sunday of the month, when it charges nothing to enter. And for something more adventurous, hike to the top of Mount Rubidoux for the view over the city.

What are some must-see museums in Riverside?

Riverside is home to some strong museums. The Riverside Art Museum is where art lovers should start, with rotating exhibits featuring local and national artists. The California Citrus State Historic Park is the unusual one, covering the history of the citrus industry in California. And history readers should check the March Field Air Museum for the history of aviation.

Is Riverside worth visiting or should I just stay home and binge-watch Netflix?

Riverside is worth the visit. The landscape, the history and the entertainment between them cover most tastes. Get off the couch and come and see it.

Frequently asked questions about Riverside, California

What is the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside?

A working citrus grove that the state of California has kept as a park, with over 170 varieties of citrus tree, a self-guided tour through the groves and a museum covering the industry. Go in winter, when the fruit is on.

How old is the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, California?

Built in 1902 by Frank Miller, on money that came out of citrus, and it has hosted presidents and Hollywood celebrities since. The Spanish Mission-style architecture is why people still tour it. The Mission Inn Museum sits in the hotel’s carriage house.

Is the hike up Mount Rubidoux Park worth the effort?

It is the most popular hike in the city, and it earns that. The trail runs to the summit and the view takes in the whole city and the Sierra Foothills beyond. Go early.

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