Attractions and Places To See around Riverside - Top 7

Riverside offers several natural attractions. You can visit Calverton Ponds Preserve, a 350-acre oak-pine forest with unique coastal plain ponds and trails offering waterfront views. For panoramic city views and hiking, Mount Rubidoux is a popular choice. The California Citrus State Historic Park provides walking paths through fragrant citrus groves, while the UCR Botanic Gardens features 40 hilly acres with over 3,500 plant species.

Yes, Riverside is rich in history. The iconic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a must-see, showcasing stunning architecture and a deep history. You can also explore the Fox Performing Arts Center with its Art Deco design, or the Riverside County Historic Courthouse. For a glimpse into early 20th-century life, visit the Riverside Heritage House. Don't miss the Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree, a significant landmark in the city's citrus history.

The area around Riverside is great for outdoor activities. You can enjoy easy hikes, running, and road cycling. For specific routes, check out our guides for easy hikes around Riverside, running trails around Riverside, and road cycling routes around Riverside. These guides offer various routes, including options like the Red Trail for hiking or the Paumanok Path and Manorville Hills Loop for running.

Absolutely! Families can enjoy several spots. Grumman Memorial Park features retired military planes that kids often love to see up close. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Recreational Trail is mostly flat and suitable for family bike rides. For amusement, Castle Park offers rides, miniature golf, and an arcade. Additionally, Calverton Ponds Preserve provides easy trails and waterfront views for a pleasant family outing in nature.

You can visit Grumman Memorial Park, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This park features two retired military planes and offers benches and informational plaques, providing an intimate opportunity to see these aircraft.

Riverside has a vibrant cultural scene. The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture showcases Chicano art. The Riverside Art Museum (RAM) offers diverse contemporary and traditional artworks. You can also explore the Mission Inn Museum for insights into the historic hotel's past, or the Museum of Riverside for regional history and nature exhibits.

Yes, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Recreational Trail is a 9.5-mile route, mostly paved or hard-packed dirt, suitable for biking around the Calverton Executive Airpark. For hikers, the Paumanok Path — Otis Pike meanders through a dense network of trails, offering a more extensive hiking experience.

The Calverton Ponds Preserve is an excellent choice, spanning 350 acres of oak-pine forest with unique coastal plain ponds that provide a habitat for diverse plants and wildlife. The UCR Botanic Gardens also offers a wide variety of plant species across its 40 acres.

Riverside generally enjoys mild weather, making outdoor activities pleasant for much of the year. Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures for hiking and exploring. If you plan to hike trails like the Paumanok Path — Otis Pike or Manorville Hills County Park, consider visiting after the first frost in autumn to minimize concerns about ticks and chiggers, though seasonal blooms like mountain laurels in spring are also beautiful.

Yes, Manorville Hills County Park features a vast network of trails, offering varied terrain including some hilly sections. It's a great spot for those looking for more extensive hiking or mountain biking opportunities. The Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park also provides trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking.

Certainly. Fairmount Park, adjacent to Mount Rubidoux, is a large city park with two ponds, walking paths, a playground, and a rose garden, perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnic. The California Citrus State Historic Park also offers pleasant walking paths through its groves.

Beyond the historical and natural, Riverside offers unique attractions like the March Field Air Museum, which displays over 80 historic aircraft. For a nostalgic experience, the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre shows movies nightly. The Downtown Pedestrian Mall is also a lively area for strolling, shopping, and dining.