Things To Do In Riverside

California Citrus State Historic Park: California Citrus State Historic Park tells the story of the citrus industry’s rapid development in Southern California. The citrus economy began in 1873 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture sent two little navel orange trees to Eliza Tibbets, a Riverside local. The trees thrived due to Southern California’s temperate climate and healthy soil. Once locals tasted the sweet fruit grown in Eliza Tibbets’ yard, groves of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits began popping up all over the state. At the California Citrus State Historic Park, visitors can join a free guided tour that includes samples of freshly-grown California oranges. The park also has an amphitheater and picnic areas that groups can rent out for a small fee.

Mission Inn Museum: The Mission Inn Museum is located in the famous Mission Inn Hotel on the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue. The museum contains a variety of artifacts from Frank Miller, the founder and owner of the inn. Miller was well known for his love of aviation, his fascination with fine art, and his marketing brilliance.

University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens: The Botanic Gardens at the University of California, Riverside contain vast amounts of flowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees. The horticultural collection is comprised of rose gardens, herb gardens, a cactus garden, and Alder Canyon, a shady area with California riparian trees.

Riverside Metropolitan Museum: The Riverside City Council opened the Riverside Metropolitan Museum in December of 1924. At first, the museum consisted of Native American artifacts donated by the widow of Cornelius Earle Rumsey, who was known for his role in starting the National Biscuit Company (NABISCO). The museum rapidly grew with donations from private citizens and local organizations.

California Museum of Photography: The UCR/California Museum of Photography contains an array of exhibits dedicated to the art of photography in all its forms. With support from the University of California, Riverside, the museum has amassed thousands of images from photographers around the world. The off-campus facility houses a permanent collection of photography technology artifacts.