Stand at the west end of 9th Street, where a large iron gate opens onto a sandy incline lined with prickly pear cactus, and you can walk from the edge of downtown to a panoramic view of the city in about an hour round trip. That short climb sets the tone for Riverside: a city best taken at walking pace, with its museums, historic downtown blocks and citrus history packed close together.
This guide suits anyone planning a day or two around downtown Riverside and the university campus, whether you are here for the architecture, the local history or an afternoon outdoors. It covers the museums, parks and landmarks the sources describe, plus a one-day plan that strings them together.
Top things to do in Riverside
1. Mount Rubidoux City Park
For a panoramic view of the city, climb Mount Rubidoux. The route is a steady, sometimes-paved but mostly sandy incline lined with tall prickly pear cactus and large rocks, and a steady gait makes for about an hour round trip. On a clear day you can see into nearby Corona to the west and Moreno Valley to the east, and the sunsets from this vantage point are worth timing your walk around.
Bring a bottle of water, as there are no fountains or vending machines on or around the mountain, and be sure you can make it down before the sky gets too dark, since there are no lights lining the path. The entrance is at the west end of 9th Street under a large iron gate, and parking in the surrounding neighbourhoods is extremely limited.
2. The Riverside Metropolitan Museum
This museum on Mission Inn Avenue holds rotating exhibits on various topics alongside standing exhibits on local history, geography and culture. It is a half-hour's walk-through, but well worth the price.
It sits two blocks east of the Downtown bus terminal, which makes it an easy first stop before you continue along Mission Inn Avenue to the other museums nearby.
3. The Mission Inn Museum
Located on the ground floor of the historic Mission Inn, this space showcases the history of the building, including a chair crafted for President Taft. It is a compact visit that pairs naturally with the surrounding downtown blocks.
It is two blocks east of the Downtown bus terminal and open daily, so it fits into almost any schedule.
4. The Riverside Art Museum
This museum on Mission Inn Avenue has rotating exhibits featuring a variety of local artists, including projects from the University of California-Riverside.
It is three blocks east of the Downtown bus terminal and open Monday to Saturday, making it a straightforward addition to a downtown museum circuit.
5. UCR Culver Center for the Arts
The renovated center on Main Street contains two institutions: the Sweeney Gallery, which shows a rotating collection of artistic endeavours from various, often UCR-affiliated, artists, and the UCR-California Museum of Photography, which offers a collection showcasing the artistic and historical uses of photography. Admission covers both, and there is also a performance space that showcases artistic and independent films.
It sits on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall, two blocks east of the Downtown bus terminal, and is open Tuesday to Saturday, with extended hours on the first Thursday evening of the month.
6. The UCR Botanical Gardens
These botanical gardens are set in the hills above campus, usually lightly visited, and offer views of the city along with a large collection of exotic flora.
They are on the back campus and reachable by bus, but parking is highly limited and metered, so plan your transport before you go.
7. The California Citrus State Historic Park
This park provides a look back to the time when orange groves dominated what is now the city of Riverside. A small museum sits at the center of the park, surrounded by a working citrus orchard, and you can pick up a sack of fresh oranges while you are there.
It is open daily, and the #27 bus serves Van Buren and Dufferin or Van Buren and Cleveland. Combine the visit with the original navel orange tree, which is on a traffic island at the corner of Magnolia and Arlington Avenues and is accessible around the clock.
8. Fairmount Park
The crown jewel of parks in Riverside was designed by Frederick Olmsted, the architect of New York's Central Park. It includes a carousel-themed inclusive playground that is fully wheelchair-accessible, with sand, water and sensory play areas for children.
Bring a change of clothes for summertime visits to the splash pad, and note that pedal boats can be rented by the half-hour during the summer. The park is off Highway 60 at Market Street and is served by the 25 and 29 buses.
9. March Field Air Museum
Some 70 vintage military aircraft are on display here, both inside hangars and out, including the B-52 and SR-71. It is a substantial collection for anyone interested in aviation.
The museum is adjacent to March Air Reserve Base, reached by taking the Van Buren Boulevard exit off I-215, and it is open Tuesday to Sunday.
10. Box Springs Mountain Preserve
Hiking and biking are available in this large open space to the north of the city. A popular pastime of local college students is hiking to the large, concrete "C" on the side of Box Springs Mountain.
Trailheads are accessible at the end of Big Springs Street and Blaine Street, an easy walk from the terminus of the #10 bus, as well as off Central Avenue and Chicago Avenue, reachable from the #20 and #22 buses. Parking is free, but trail information is scarce, so plan your route in advance.
11. Castle Park
The local amusement park has a small roller coaster, numerous carnival-like rides, a log flume ride, an arcade and miniature golf. An unlimited ride wristband covers the rides.
It is just off the 91 freeway at La Sierra and a short walk from the 1 and 15 buses, which makes it easy to reach without a car.
12. The Fox Performing Arts Center
Housed in the historic Fox Theater building downtown, this venue hosts plays, concerts and musicals. Check what is on during your visit if you want an evening of live performance.
Because it is downtown, it pairs well with an afternoon spent at the Mission Inn Avenue museums before the show.
13. Riverside Public Library
The Main Library in Downtown Riverside, near the downtown bus terminal, is an architectural treat in its own right. If all else fails, it is a calm place to spend an hour.
It sits on Mission Inn Avenue, so you can fold a visit into the same walk as the museums on that street.
14. Van Buren Cinema 3
This cinema just off the 91 freeway in the south of the city shows double features, which are common here. It is a low-key option for an evening.
Children nine and under are admitted free, making it an easy choice for families.
15. Rubidoux Drive-In
Just outside the city limits off the 60 at Valley Way, this drive-in shows double features nightly and holds swap meets every weekend.
Children nine and under are admitted for a nominal fee, so it works well as a family evening out.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start downtown at The Riverside Metropolitan Museum, then walk along Mission Inn Avenue to The Mission Inn Museum and The Riverside Art Museum. If time allows, add the UCR Culver Center for the Arts on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall, or step into the Riverside Public Library nearby.
Afternoon: Head to Mount Rubidoux City Park for the climb to the panoramic view, entering at the west end of 9th Street. Bring water and aim to be back down well before dark. If you would rather stay on flatter ground, spend the afternoon at Fairmount Park instead.
Evening: Check what is on at The Fox Performing Arts Center downtown, or catch a double feature at Van Buren Cinema 3 or the Rubidoux Drive-In.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the climb up Mount Rubidoux take?
A steady gait makes for about an hour round trip. The route is a steady, sometimes-paved but mostly sandy incline, and there are no lights on the path, so plan to descend before the sky gets too dark.
Is there anywhere in Riverside to see the city's citrus history?
Yes. The California Citrus State Historic Park has a small museum surrounded by a working citrus orchard, and you can buy a sack of fresh oranges there. The original navel orange tree, from which all other navel orange trees trace their lineage, still grows on a traffic island at the corner of Magnolia and Arlington Avenues.
Which museums are close to the Downtown bus terminal?
The Riverside Metropolitan Museum is two blocks east, The Mission Inn Museum is two blocks east, The Riverside Art Museum is three blocks east, and the UCR Culver Center for the Arts is two blocks east on the Main Street Pedestrian Mall. All are within a short walk of one another.
Do I need a car to get around?
Not necessarily. Several sights are served by bus, including the California Citrus State Historic Park on the #27, Fairmount Park on the 25 and 29, Castle Park on the 1 and 15, and the Box Springs Mountain Preserve trailheads on the #10, #20 and #22. Parking at Mount Rubidoux and the UCR Botanical Gardens is limited, so public transport can be the simpler choice.
Pick your dates, decide whether you are starting downtown or on the mountain, and the rest of a Riverside visit falls into place from there.