Riverside is the largest city in California’s Inland Empire, about an hour east of Los Angeles without traffic. It has a real downtown, a citrus-growing history, and enough museums, trails, and family spots to fill a weekend — here is a practical rundown of what is worth your time.
Family-Friendly Attractions
- UCR Botanic Gardens – 40 acres of themed plant collections on the university campus; free and quiet.
- GLO Mini Golf – glow-in-the-dark mini golf in town.
- Riverside Game Lab – arcade and party space for older kids.
- March Field Air Museum – 80+ aircraft, strong for aviation-minded kids (see below).
The seasonal Eastvale Lantern Festival and various pop-up light events come and go, so check the city events calendar before a visit.
Outdoor Adventures
Mt. Rubidoux
A short hike in the city with a cross and panoramic views over Riverside. It is busy at sunrise and sunset; go early for parking.
Fairmount Park
A central park with ponds, paths, and playgrounds — easy for strollers and picnics.
Skull Canyon Ziplines
Located in the hills near Corona, this is the closest zipline to Riverside for an adrenaline fix.
Santa Ana River Trail
A long paved trail along the river for walking, running, and biking that connects much of the region.
Note: the Bridge to Nowhere is a real and rewarding hike, but it is in the San Gabriel Mountains near Azusa — closer to an hour’s drive from Riverside than a local walk, so plan it as a separate trip.
Culture and History
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Riverside’s most famous building — a sprawling mission-revival hotel in the heart of downtown. Even if you do not stay, the public spaces are worth a walk-through, and the Festival of Lights (Thanksgiving through New Year) draws big crowds with nightly light displays.
California Citrus State Historic Park
A working citrus grove and museum explaining how Riverside’s navel orange industry shaped the region. Good for a flat, shady walk and fruit in season.
March Field Air Museum
Next to the March Air Reserve Base, with more than 80 aircraft from early biplanes to modern jets. A solid half-day for aviation fans.
Food and Entertainment
Tios Tacos is the local icon — Mexican food wrapped in a sprawling outdoor art environment made from recycled materials. Riverside Food Lab is a downtown food hall with a rotating set of vendors. Donut Bar does elaborate filled donuts. For a throwback night, the Van Buren Drive-In and the Rubidoux Drive-In both screen first-run movies car-side.
Events and Festivals
- Riverside Airshow – spring, at March Field; aerial demonstrations and static aircraft.
- Riverside Dickens Festival – winter, celebrating Charles Dickens with costumed performers.
- Riverside Art Walk – recurring downtown gallery nights.
- Farmers markets and Concerts in the Park – run through the week and summer respectively.
Riverside works best as a low-key day or weekend trip from LA or the desert. Hit the Mission Inn and Citrus Park if you care about history, Mt. Rubidoux or Fairmount for easy outdoors, and Tios Tacos for the quintessential local meal. If you are coming for a specific event — the airshow, the Festival of Lights, the Dickens Festival — book lodging early, since those weekends fill up. Check the city’s events calendar the week before you go, because pop-up markets and light shows change with the season.
