How to Spend a Perfect Day in Riverside, CA
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Riverside has a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that makes it an excellent day trip destination. For me, it has the added attraction of being the home of a good friend. After a few visits, I feel like I’ve explored enough to create a great one-day itinerary that makes the most of a short time in town. From scenic parks to museums and restaurants, here’s how to spend the perfect day in Riverside. If you’re in town for longer, I’ll talk about some hidden gems towards the end.
Morning
Breakfast at Simple Simon
Simple Simon
Simple Simon is my favorite breakfast spot in Riverside. The downtown cafe has cozy ambiance, good coffee, and beautiful, fresh-baked pastries. I got the baton, a decadent croissant filled with pastry cream and topped with berries. Don’t worry, we're going for a walk next. Once I saw the pastry counter, I never looked back, but the cafe also serves omelettes, crepes, French toast, sandwiches, and salads.
Walk up Mt Rubidoux
Mount Rubidoux
Distance: 3.5-mile loop
Elevation gain: 500 feet
Less than 10 minutes from downtown, Mount Rubidoux has the most spectacular views in Riverside. I’d call it a must-see, even if you’re only spending one day in town. The hike to the summit feels like a workout, but the gradual uphill climb and well-maintained trail keep it beginner-friendly. Parking for the hike is at Ryan Bonaminio Park. It’s free, and public restrooms are next to the lot. From the parking lot, cross the street and follow the sidewalk up the hill. Chances are, many others will be making the trek with you. You’ll soon reach the beginning of the loop hike. The trail is paved and easy to follow. The views are open and expensive from start to finish. On my late winter visit, early wildflowers were starting to bloom.
Mount Rubidoux has great views of Riverside
Towards the top of Mount Rubidoux, you’ll pass under the elegant stone Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge. At the summit, two viewpoints, one with a cross and another with a flag, offer 360-degree panoramas of Riverside and the surrounding mountains. Since the trail has no shade, the best times to go are usually in the morning before the day heats up and around sunset. Bring plenty of water. There’s a filling station at the beginning of the trail.
If you’d rather skip the hike, Fairmount Park or the UCR Botanic Gardens are relaxing alternatives. See the hidden gems section below.
Afternoon
Lunch
If you’re like me, you’ll be feeling very excited to sit down and eat lunch after the walk up Mount Rubidoux. Since there aren’t many restaurants right near the hiking trail, we’ll return to downtown Riverside. For a one-of-a-kind lunch, consider stopping by Tio’s Tacos. Once you get close, you can’t miss the enormous and colorful folk art statues towering above the sidewalk. The ambiance, rather than the food, is the novelty. Riverside has many taco spots, but only one is this weird.
Tio’s Tacos
If you're traveling with a group, Food Lab has a large communal space with vendors serving tons of lunch options, including ramen, pizza, fried chicken, tacos, and sushi. I’ll also throw out that one of my favorite guilty pleasure lunches is at Back to the Grind, an artsy coffee shop with a wall of bookshelves. You could order a normal lunch like an adult, or get my order: the champagne smoothie and a spinach-feta pretzel.
Food Lab
Museums and downtown walking tour
In an otherwise car-centric area, Riverside’s downtown is compact and walkable. Boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants fill several blocks of Main Street in the Downtown Pedestrian Mall. From murals to sculptures, you’ll see tons of public art. Mostly, it’s fun to just wander around, but it’s worth seeking out Mariposa Alley, where painted butterflies decorate a long brick wall. On the other side, a colorful mural covers a city block. Martin Sanchez, the owner of Tio’s Tacos, designed the art in the alley.
Mariposa Alley
Downtown Riverside has several dedicated art museums, which are the next stops on our day trip itinerary. A fun discovery was that one ticket ($16) includes admission to two of them: The Cheech and the Riverside Art Museum. If you visit on Thursday evening, admission is free. The museums, especially The Cheech, focus on Chicano art in a variety of forms, including painting, sculpture, and photography.
The Cheech
After seeing the art museums, head across the street to the Mission Inn, Riverside’s most recognizable landmark and greatest curiosity. Once a modest boarding house, different architects over the years created many additions and alterations in styles we can loosely call Mission Revival, transforming it into something between a resort and a castle. It’s always an interesting stop, but it has added appeal in the winter during the Festival of Lights.
Downtown dinner and drinks
ProAbition
Downtown Riverside has many great bars and restaurants to finish up the day trip itinerary. My favorite happy hour spot is ProAbition, a 1920s-style bar with excellent cocktails. It’s perhaps a bit too spacious and well-lit to call it a speakeasy, but the intimate and friendly ambiance is perfect for date night or catching up with friends. For dinner, Mario’s Place is a cozy Italian restaurant a short walk away.
Hidden gems in Riverside
Birdwatching at Fairmount Park
If you’re only spending one day in Riverside, you’ll probably want to stick close to downtown to make the most of a short visit. If you have more time, here are some lesser-known destinations a little outside the city center.
I went to Fairmount Park on a nice day when I had a weird amount of time to fill. Once I got there, I was in no hurry to leave. I expected the park to be pleasant and pretty, and it was, but the birdwatching was the real treat. Coots, scaups, and several types of ducks were cruising around the ponds. Nearby were green herons, black-crowned night herons, and cormorants. Visiting is free. The park is about a 5-minute drive or a 20-minute walk from downtown Riverside.
UC Riverside Botanic Gardens is a living plant museum with over 3,500 species and 4 miles of scenic trails. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 per adult. Parking costs $2/hour.
California Citrus State Historic Park is a mostly outdoor museum dedicated to the history and cultural importance of the citrus industry in Southern California. Historic orange, lemon, and grapefruit groves on the 250-acre property still produce fruit. Parking is $7/vehicle.
Oasis is my favorite spot for takeaway food in Riverside. I didn’t add it to the itinerary because it’s not close to downtown, and would be hard to fit in if you’re only in town for one day. Even if you’re an omnivore, the plant-based pan-American menu is delicious. My go-to orders are the jackfruit taquitos and fried plantains.
Where to stay in Riverside
Mission Inn
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is the most interesting and unique stay in Riverside. The Spanish Mission-style building fills a city block downtown. Inside is a courtyard restaurant, quirky artifacts, castle turrets, and a skybridge walkway. It awes and baffles.
The Hampton Inn is a convenient and comfortable stay in downtown Riverside. Although not unusual like the Mission Inn, it offers a pool, parking, a fitness center, and a buffet breakfast.
Tips for visiting Riverside
Street parking in downtown Riverside is metered on weekdays during the day. It’s $3/hour. Check for time limits on parking spots. If you’re staying all day, it’s cheaper to use one of the garages. You can also save a bit by downloading the Park Riverside app.
The weather in Riverside is usually sunny and mild. Winters are especially pleasant, with daytime temperatures often in the 60s and 70s.
Riverside has a public transit system, although the stops are spread out and service is infrequent. It’s much easier to get around with a car.
Explore nearby
Joshua Tree National Park is a spectacular day trip from Riverside.
