Riverside Chats

Riverside, California

The area in which Riverside calls home was once land that was a Spanish rancho. With the majestic San Bernardino Mountains as their background and beautiful palm trees, historical buildings, Victorian mansions, and citrus groves, Riverside has an array of exciting things to see and do.

Riverside has drawn people from all walks of life to experience the beauty, culture, and climate, since John North and a few Easterners founded it in 1870 along side the Santa Ana River. Since that time, investors and prosperous citizens gave birth to the first golf course and polo field in Southern California in Riverside.

If any city can claim to be the orange growing capital of the nation, then Riverside has to be among the candidates at least in 1882. During this year, California had over a half a million citrus tress with close to half of them in Riverside.

When you walk the streets of Riverside you will see a vast community of many cultures that throughout history has found their way here whether by ships or by the railroad.

Many people along with residents enjoy all the excitement and things to do in the area, which include UCR Botanic Gardens, Castle Amusement Park, Jensen Alvarado Ranch, Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center, Mission Inn, and Mount Rubidoux, which are among the most popular.

Landmarks such as the Fox Theater draw visitors since it opened its doors in 1929. This magnificent Spanish Colonial Revival style has given to the community such big names as Bing Crosby and Judy Garland and was the location of the first public screening of “Gone with the Wind” in 1939.

The Mission Inn District may be the key that unlocks the past of Riverside. This area is the location of the first mission was located and later a hotel was designed using the mission as an inspiration. Today, the mission can be visited by tours where you can glimpse into the past and walk through time as many have done before.

Riverside has something for everyone whether you are visiting on vacation or call this unique city home.