Why Visit Riverside, California?
Riverside, CA, the birthplace of the California citrus industry, is named for its location beside the Santa Ana River. The city is 50 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and is surrounded by small and large mountains.
Fun Fact: Riverside, CA holds the record for "World's Largest Paper Cup" (uniquely for a paper cup, it is made of concrete), which stands over three floors, or 68.1-feet-tall.
The Best Time to Visit Riverside, California
Riverside, CA experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers, and mild, wet winters. The hottest months fall between August and September, with highs averaging at 94°F. The coolest months fall between December and February, with lows averaging at 44°F.
Hotels in Riverside, CA are most expensive between July and September. The cheapest time to visit Riverside, CA is in November.
Getting Around Riverside, California
The closest major airport to Riverside, CA is the Ontario/San Bernardino International Airport (ONT), approx. 20 miles northwest of downtown Riverside.
The most convenient way to reach Riverside, CA from the Ontario/San Bernardino International Airport (ONT) is by taxi. Taxis are available at the taxi ranks in front of every terminal. The journey will take around 25 minutes, and costs US$50–US$65.
Driving is a popular way of getting to and around Riverside, CA. Car rental agencies have desks conveniently located in the Rental Car Center, accessible via shuttle. Alternatively, Trip.com offers a wide selection of cars to book, with free cancellation and no credit card fees. You can explore car rental options here.
The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) provides daily local bus service in Riverside, CA. Single fares cost US$1.75, and day passes cost US$5.
Things to Do in Riverside, California
Visit the historic Mission Inn, the largest mission revival style building in the U.S. Now a hotel and museum, the Mission Inn offers guided tours, giving visitors the opportunity to see parts of the hotel normally inaccessible to the public. The museum is open daily, from 09:30–16:30, and guided tours are available at 10:30 and 13:30 (at the time of writing).
Mount Rubidoux, just west of downtown Riverside next to the Santa Ana River, is Riverside's most historic landform, city landmark, and tourist attraction. Climb to the top and you'll find many historic markers and memorials. The mountain is also the site of the oldest outdoor non-denominational Easter Sunrise service in the United States. Mount Rubidoux Park features 3.5 miles of roads and several dirt hiking trails, and is open from dawn to dusk.
Learn about California's role in the citrus industry from the 19th century at the California Citrus State Historic Park and how pivotal orange, lemon, and grapefruit agriculture were in their contribution to California's legacy. The park opens from 08:00–17:00 on weekdays, and 08:00–19:00 on weekends. It also features an open-air museum with guided tours available, and opens from 10:00–16:00, Friday–Sunday.
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