2026 Riverside Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in September)

Sixty miles east of Los Angeles, Riverside boasts a number of firsts, including Southern California’s first polo field and golf course. The city also gave birth to the California citrus industry, an entire empire built around the sweet and zesty navel orange. That storied past—which is on proud display—and a number of cultural attractions and ways to enjoy the outdoors here make it a city well worth visiting. Things to Do in Riverside You don’t need to go searching for signs of history in Riverside. Dotting the city are two dozen nationally registered historic sites and more than 100 city landmarks that commemorate the fruit hub’s flavorful evolution. Get a taste of it on the downtown walking tour, downloadable here or available at the Mission Inn Museum, Riverside Metropolitan Museum, and Riverside City Hall. Stop in at California Citrus State Historic Park to learn how citrus became king in Southern California. On a ranger-led tour, taste oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit that grow on the property. Look for more of the city’s citrus past in the Marketplace District’s packing houses and the manicured orange trees lining its downtown streets. Another fun outdoor destination here is Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, located within the southeast section of the city, where you can go hiking, biking, or horseback riding on trails of varying degrees of difficulty. The 3.5-mile Sycamore Canyon Park Trail loop is a good place to start, with its easy accessibility and broad vistas. Nature hikers led by the park’s Nature Center are offered on the first Saturday of every month.

#celebratewithtrip Elegant and Classic, beautiful as a palace, also a National Historic Landmark, the Mission Inn hotel and spa is a luxury hotel located in Riverside, CA. One of the adobe buildings was built in the 1800s. The annual Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, attracting people from around the country. It was voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. If you would like to know more about the hotel's history, the foundation of The Mission Inn offers tours with a trained tour guide who will lead you on the journey of the art, artifacts, architecture, and history of the Mission Inn. To get there, be prepared that summer is hot and winter night is chill.

A square in the hotel that exudes European vibes!! Please take a picture in front of the fountain where the sunlight shines well ⛲️ I don't think you'll get bored even if you just stay at the hotel?😀 The landscaping was so pretty that it was a feast for the eyes #Ho-kang-seu

📍Mission Hotel Mission Hotel, which seemed like Europe in the US Isn't the hotel's restaurant terrace so pretty? It's so famous that people come to eat at the restaurant! I didn't eat there, but I definitely want to try it next time🍽️ #Ho-kang-seu

🍊 Near Los Angeles, there’s a hidden orange orchard full of that classic California vibe! If you’ve already been to popular spots like Disneyland and Universal Studios, I highly recommend coming here for a visit. 📍California Citrus State Historic Park 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92503 It’s about an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, and the whole park is filled with orange trees 🌳. Walking through, the air is lightly scented with citrus, which feels really refreshing! I think the biggest charm here is the strong “California” feeling. Blue skies, palm trees, orange groves—every photo looks like a Southern California movie scene. Plus, there aren’t many tourists, so you rarely have to wait to take pictures or dodge passersby 😂 This park was actually established to commemorate the history of California’s citrus industry, so besides walking and taking photos, you can also learn why a single orange once changed the development of all Southern California. I suggest spending 1 to 2 hours here, which is just right. It’s perfect for a day trip around Los Angeles or a stopover when you’re visiting Riverside. 📸 My personal recommendations: 🍊 Be sure to take photos on the orange tree avenue! 🌴 Palm trees paired with the orchard give a super California vibe. 👗 Wearing white, yellow, or denim colors makes for great photos~ If you like places that are quiet, comfortable, and full of local character, I really think this spot is worth saving!

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.Motel 6 Riverside, CA - South 💡 Tips#poolhotel

🏖️Ambiance/Facilities: 📍Address:

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.Motel 6 Riverside, CA - South 💡 Tips

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.Motel 6 Riverside, CA - South 💡 Tips 🏖️Ambiance/Facilities: 📍Address: 🕰️Business Hours:

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.Motel 6 Riverside, CA - South 💡 Tips#travel

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 1.Motel 6 Riverside, CA - South 💡 Tips

The river was #wet. We love the river

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips#travel

My family had a blast in the pool! Of course this was the main focus of my toddlers! 😊 As hot as it's been though, I can't say that as parents, their dad and I were complaining. We got in ourselves too! The staff were very helpful and kind. The location you'd think, would be a little questionable as far as safety for your children etc. however, this place is very aware of it's surroundings and stays on their toes about any unwanted individuals and or any inappropriate behavior! In turn, it was quiet, peaceful and safe! 😊

A trip to California with Trip.com

#freehotelstay

march airforce base riverside calfornia airshow

Riverside, passing by on the way from LA to Palm Springs or Joshua Tree National Park💙 There is a very historic Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside🏩 The interior of the hotel was so pretty that I took pictures while walking around every corner from the lobby to the terrace📸 📍Mission Inn Hotel 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501 USA 💵 300,000 won per night #Ho-kang-se #USA travel #LA travel

📍The mission in hotel A very old hotel located in Riverside, Mission Inn It's old but has a really beautiful, old-fashioned charm! It's a place that many people visit as a tourist destination And the location is great, so I highly recommend it #Ho-kang-seu

📍Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial Dosan Ahn Chang-Ho Memorial Statue erected by Korean residents, Riverside is the first Korean town in the US, so it seems more meaningful😌 If you go to Riverside, be sure to stop by! #Overseas travel #USA travel

📍riverside downtown Riverside is not big, but it's a pretty meaningful place, so I stopped by! The streets are clean and there's a main square, so it was nice to take a quick walk :) You can stop by on the way to Palm Springs, so it might be nice to take a quick break and go🚗 #Overseas travel #USA travel

#MeetLosAngeles #MyTripVlog Tio's Tacos has become a unique landmark in the city of Riverside since 1990, bringing authentic flavors from Michoacán Mexico and an unmatched ambiance. The artist and chef of Tio's (Martin) has brought new life into what were once considered useless items and turned them into treasured pieces of art that reflect his passion for food, culture, and art. Use the restaurant's reception to order your food and drinks; then, you can find a seat and enjoy the experience of indoor or open-air environment. Tio’s Tacos address: 3948 Mission Inn Ave Riverside, CA 92501

#spooktaculartrip Last yeah we were harry potter characters for Halloween and we are so excited for everyone to see our costumes this year! 

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Framed by its breathtaking Spanish Mission-style architecture, it’s to a destination where rich history and classic elegance exist in perfect balance with contemporary luxury and comfort. Occupying an entire city block in downtown Riverside, California. As a National Historic Landmark and member of the prestigious Historic Hotels of America, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa evokes the romance and enchantment of a European castle with a design conceived by some of California’s most famous architects. #mytripvlog #riverside

Getting There - easy Attractions - theatre and environment/people! Hotels - MOTEL 6 - SOUTH!!! Food & Restaurants - Kountry folks & tastea Shopping - Mall. STREETWEAR SHOPS DOWNTOWN

While walking around the LA #FarmersMarket, I came across a really pretty #bookstore, so I went right in! It was a huge, mega-bookstore. It's like Kyobo Bookstore in Korea? There's even a cafe inside, so it'd be great to order a coffee and read a book.😊