Location: Riverside
Top Things to do in Riverside
What to do and see in Riverside, California (CA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, located in the Inland Empire metropolitan area. Riverside is the county seat of the eponymous county and named for its location beside the Santa Ana River. It is the most populous city in the Inland Empire and in Riverside County, and is located about 60 miles (97 km) east of Los Angeles. It is also part of the Greater Los Angeles area. Riverside is the 59th most populous city in the United States and 12th most populous city in California. As of the 2010 Census, Riverside had a population of 303,871.
Restaurants in Riverside
1. Riverside National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By MIKEYgracie - Riverside, United States
Home of the National Medal of Honor Memorial, Veterans Memorial and National Prisoner of War / Missing in Action Memorial. Future site of American Indian Veteran Memorial. Fundraising is in progress to provide for site construction.
2. March Field Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 379 reviews
Reviewed By ladytrooper
My husband loves planes, of all sorts. He loved this spot and they have a lot of great planes from different eras. Reasonably priced and very clean. No time limit on seeing everything. They have displays inside and a ton of planes outside.
3. Mission Inn Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Nonprofit Museum and Foundation which preserves, interprets, and promotes the history of the National Historic Landmark Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Independent organization offering free museum exhibits, guided interpretive tours, and public educational programming.
Reviewed By SeminarTrekker
The Mission Inn Museum if a foundation for the preservation and historical resource for the Mission Inn. They have interesting exhibits at the museum and the descents there are very helpful and informative about the history of the Mission Inn and the city of Riverside. You can sign up for descent led tours of the museum. They also sells books and souvenirs of the Mission Inn. I found less expensive postcards and magnets of the Mission Inn versus the Mission Inn gift shop. I recommend visiting this museum if your interested in the background and history of the Mission Inn
4. Van Buren Drive-In Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By leonelv979
2 movies for the price of 1 and OUTDOORS!!! Bring your ice chest bring you drinks and snacks and watch newly released movies on the back of your truck or SUV. Don't have a truck or SUV, come in your car and bring lawn chairs and enjoy the movie.
5. California Citrus State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
This 300-acre park preserves some of the rapidly vanishing cultural landscape of the citrus industry and tells the story of this industry's role in the history and development of California. Fruit Tastings at the Visitor Center/Museum Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, please stop by our museum/visitor center. You can roam the museum, and we will have fresh fruit to taste on the back patio! Tastings are offered from 10 am to 3:30 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Entrance to the museum/visitor center is free, with paid $5 parking fee. Guided Tours Join us for a free guided grove tour where you can learn about California's historic citrus industry and experience the horticultural aspects of a working grove. Our tours are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11:00am and 2:00pm.
Reviewed By where_is_ozis_food - Nijmegen, The Netherlands
A short history of citrus, how CA became a citrus center, orange trade with iced wagons, and more. You can also walk around orange trees. A small museum and shop. You can bring your guests to show CA history. 5$ for parking.
6. University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By andreacD5634HH
I went to the botanic gardens with my family on January of this year. We got there around 11 in the morning, and were able to find parking. I would recommend getting there earlier if you want parking that is right by the entrance. We had to park (not free) and walk to the entrance of the gardens, which isn't that far. This is totally worth it! The botanic gardens have multiple trails. My favorite things to see here in the summer are the rose garden, herb garden, and the butterfly garden. We visited again in January, which didn't look as pretty as the summer and spring. However, we still enjoyed the trails, be careful some areas are steep! I also liked how the trails have accessible paths for areas that may be difficult to walk or hike. Overall, this was great experience! The trails are not as crowded. The different flowers, trees, and plants you see is amazing. I would recommend smelling the popcorn tree that is near the herb garden. Also, make sure to take a tour and leave a donation! This is a great place to go if you want to experience and explore nature with your family.
7. Mount Rubidoux Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Reviewed By 309solenes - Riverside, United States
This is a great way to spend with family, and enjoy spectacular views and exercise all at once. A very manageable walk up paved paths surrounded by green cactus and beautiful yellow flowers in the spring.
8. Heritage House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By scottrA3361XW - Silver Spring, United States
Unassuming little museum showcasing what life was like for a well off widow in the 1890s. All period furnishings, very interesting. docents are informative, well versed in the house and history and, in my case, formidable - a 5 foot tall lady 'of a certain age' with a steel spine - she will brook no foolishness :) Really a little gem and worth the stop. $5 suggested donation, how could you refuse.
9. Whitewater Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By 767joeg - Los Angeles, United States
While this is in Riverside County, Whitewater Preserve is much closer to Palm Springs or Desert Hot Springs. We visited on a perfect sunny day in February and were not disappointed. (I'm not sure I'd recommend this place for summer). It's a good 10-minute drive off the highway into wilderness. But then, what a nice place to get startlingly open desert mountain views. Even if the parking lot looks busy upon arrival, once you get away from the pretty manicured public welcome area there's plenty of space to spread out, hike and take in the views. Easy trails take you right to unexpected flowing water from the snowmelt in mountains hours away. Again, I'm sure this varies monthly, depending on weather conditions. But we were so startled and just sat there next to the mountain and the flowing stream for a peaceful moment. If you take some trails further, you'll cross the famed Pacific Crest Trail and serious hikers. This place is very serious about pack-out, as there are no trash cans or dumpster anywhere - take whatever food or trash you brought in back home with you in your car or truck, to help keep it pristine. No vending machines anywhere. The picnic area, bathrooms, trails and grass area by the welcome center are so well done, it renewed my hope in humanity.
10. Rubidoux Drive-In
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 40 reviews
