Things to do in Riverside County

No. 14 of Night Attractions in California

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park, established in 1994, is located in the middle of the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. This is a desert. In this desert area with little rain, hot summers and cold nights, few trees grow. , but there is a tree called Joshua that grows here, and the park is named after it. There are three things to see here, Joshua trees, strange rocks and cacti. These three things are very strange, and when you walk into the park, you feel like you have come to an alien world. It will take more than half a day to visit Joshua Tree National Park by car. You can enjoy the bizarre trees and stones on both sides of the main road while driving, and you can stop and take pictures from time to time. In addition to the natural landscape in the park, you can also visit the former pastures, mining areas and the ruins of the Indians. The characteristic Desert Queen Ranch is a historic ranch that preserves its original features. In addition, sightseeing spots include Cactus Park (ChollaCactusGarden), HiddenValley, Chase Viewpoint (KeysView) and numerous trails and rock climbing spots. The bizarre stones in the garden are in different shapes. These rocks have existed on the earth for more than 100 million years and are now a paradise for rock climbers. Rock climbing and hiking in the park are free, there are seven famous rock climbing spots, and there are thousands of climbing routes named with different difficulty levels. In addition, there are 13 trails, you can choose the trail or climbing point that suits you according to your own situation. The most famous of these rocks is a piece called Skull Rock, which is shaped like a skull, with sunken eyes and nose, which is very lifelike. There is also an Arch rock not far from Skull Rock, which is also worth admiring.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs High-altitude Rotary Cable Car is currently a large-scale 360-degree high-altitude rotary cable car, which can accommodate 80 people at a time. The cable car was built before World War II and officially opened in 1963. It has a total length of 2.5 miles (about 4 kilometers) and is supported by five towers. It takes ten minutes from Valley Station, the main valley station at an altitude of 2,643 feet (793 meters) below the mountain. On the left or right, you will ascend to Mountain Station, the summit station at an altitude of 8,516 feet (2,555 meters). Ride the world's largest revolving gondola and experience a breathtaking ride through the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon. No matter the season, whether you're admiring the spectacular natural scenery or hiking in the pristine wilderness, there is a unique travel experience here.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Palm Desert

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is a zoo and botanical garden located in Palm Desert, California, United States, dedicated to showcasing the flora and fauna of desert ecosystems. The park's exhibits simulate various desert environments, including deserts in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Visitors can see a variety of wildlife, such as camels, rhinos, cheetahs, and jaguars, with all animals living in environments as close to their natural habitats as possible. In addition, the park features multiple botanical display areas showcasing unique plant species from desert regions, where visitors can admire a diverse array of desert plants and learn about their ecological roles and growth characteristics. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens also offers educational programs and interactive experiences, making it suitable for family visitors and school groups. The park's trails are perfect for a leisurely stroll, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique charm of the desert landscape. Whether you are interested in wildlife or want to learn about desert ecosystems, this place offers a rich natural experience for visitors.

Cabazon Dinosaurs - World's Biggest Dinosaurs

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Disneyland Park California

Starting May 16, 2025, Disneyland Resort will launch a year-long 70th anniversary celebration! Centered around the theme "Celebrate Happy," the resort will unveil exclusive global experiences to honor seven decades of magic and joy. The parks will be adorned with 70th anniversary-themed décor, while Mickey Mouse and friends debut special outfits. Interactive surprises await at select attractions. Limited-time ticket offers include 3-day and new 4-day tickets (upgradeable for park-hopper and Lightning Lane Multi Pass). The celebration runs through summer 2026—plan your visit now to experience Disney's "Rainbow of Happiness"! In 1955, Walt, the father of Disney, built California Disneyland in Los Angeles, which is the world's first original Disney theme park. The park is located within the California Disney Resort. There are two main parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The two parks are adjacent to each other. Visitors can visit both parks at one time and experience the joyful magic of Disney World. Come and enter the land of fairy tales and meet classic characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Disney princesses, Avengers, and Star Wars heroes. △ Step into fairy-tale worlds filled with Character sightings, attractions and more! △ Enjoy a leisurely stroll through small-town America—you'll love the turn-of-the-century charm! △ Explore this out-of-this-world land, where you can live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away!

Lake Perris State Recreation Area

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Disneyland Resort California

Disneyland Resort California is an entertainment resort in Anaheim, California, USA. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its experiences division, featuring two theme parks (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), three hotels, and the Disney Downtown shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Disneyland Park features Sleeping Beauty Castle as its landmark, with scenes from the fairy tale displayed inside. The Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area recreates the streets of Batuu from the movies, where visitors can board the Millennium Falcon. Classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square have been operating for decades, with daytime parades often winding through the park. At Disney California Adventure Park, Cars Land is modeled after the desert town from the movie, with Radiator Springs Racers remaining a perennial favorite. The Avengers Campus offers thrilling experiences like Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout! and an interactive shooting adventure with Spider-Man. Over at Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster races along the bay. At night, Disneyland lights up the sky with castle fireworks, while Disney California Adventure dazzles with a grand water and light show on the lake. Given the resort's size and long queues for popular attractions, two full days are recommended to fully explore both parks—hit the top rides early, then explore at leisure. Keep an eye out for hidden Mickey easter eggs scattered throughout the parks, as spotting them adds to the fun. After the parks close, head to Downtown Disney for dining and shopping to cap off your day. Disneyland was the company's first theme park, and also a theme park built by Walt Disney, which opened on July 17, 1955. Disney California Adventure Park is a theme park based on Disney's interpretation of California, which opened on February 8, 2001.

Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Canyon Drive is a local landmark, featuring many shops, restaurants, and cafes, along with several art galleries and museums. These shops and restaurants vary in style, with some being traditional American eateries and others being trendy boutiques and cafes. Visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy a cup of coffee here while experiencing the unique charm of Palm Springs. Additionally, Palm Canyon Drive features several attractions, such as the Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs pedestrian street. The Palm Springs Art Museum houses many contemporary artworks and photographs, making it an ideal destination for art lovers. The Palm Springs pedestrian street is a pedestrian-friendly shopping area with many trendy shops and restaurants, making it a great place for visitors to shop and dine.

Fairmount Park

Castle Park

The park features a full amusement park with 27 rides for all ages, four championship mini-golf courses, various carnival midway games, a water playground, retail shops, an arcade, seasonal activities like Duke's Very Merry Village and Castle Dark, plus other seasonal shows and activities throughout the year.