Riverside

by The Linguist

 

Riverside, California

With a population of over 300,000, Riverside is the 12th most populous city in California. Located in Riverside County in Southern California’s Inland Empire metropolitan area, Riverside is known for its historic downtown, diverse economy, and access to outdoor recreation. Read on to learn more about this city’s history, economy, landmarks, and local resources.

History

Riverside was founded in 1870 by John W. North and a group of investors who purchased land in order to create a town next to the Santa Ana River. The fertile soil and ample water supply from the river allowed Riverside to quickly develop into a successful agricultural community focused on the citrus industry. By the early 1900s, Riverside was the wealthiest city per capita in the United States due to its thriving citrus industry. The period from the late 1800s to the early 1900s is considered the “Golden Age of Citrus” in Riverside’s history.

The Homestead Museum located in downtown Riverside showcases what life was like for early settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries: The Homestead Museum

To learn more about Riverside’s origins and early development, visit the Riverside Metropolitan Museum which covers 12,000 years of history in the region.

Economy and Major Employers

Originally dependent on the citrus industry, Riverside’s economy became more diversified in the late 20th century. While agriculture and related processing industries are still important, major private employers today also include manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education, and technology companies.

Some of the largest employers located in Riverside include:

  • University of California, Riverside – 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92521 – (951) 827-1012
  • Riverside County Office of Education – 3939 13th St, Riverside, CA 92501 – (951) 826-6530
  • Riverside Community Hospital – 4445 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92501 – (951) 788-3000
  • Kaiser Permanente Riverside Medical Center – 10800 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92505 – (951) 353-2000
  • Riverside Community College District – 4800 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92506 – (951) 222-8000
  • Bourns, Inc. – 1200 Columbia Ave, Riverside, CA 92507 – (951) 781-5000
  • Riverside County Regional Medical Center – 26520 Cactus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555 – (951) 486-4000

For more information on business and the economy in Riverside, visit the Riverside Chamber Economic Partnership.

Transportation

Riverside is served by several major transportation infrastructure networks that help residents and visitors get around:

  • Riverside-Downtown Station – 4066 Vine St, Riverside, CA 92507 – Served by Amtrak trains and Metrolink commuter rail, providing service to Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego
  • Riverside Transit Agency – 1825 Third St, Riverside, CA 92507 – (951) 565-5000 – Provides local bus service throughout Riverside and connecting services to other transit agencies in the region
  • Riverside Municipal Airport – 6951 Flight Rd, Riverside, CA 92504 – Serves private and corporate air traffic
  • Omnitrans bus system and sbX Green Line for connections to San Bernardino Valley
  • Nearby access to Ontario International Airport and John Wayne Airport in Orange County

Parks, Recreation and Cultural Attractions

As a large city with a warm climate, Riverside offers many outdoor recreational opportunities and cultural institutions for visitors and residents to enjoy:

  • Riverside Metropolitan Museum – 3580 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501 – (951) 826-5273 – History museum located in the Mission Inn Hotel
  • California Citrus State Historic Park – 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92504 – Outdoor museum preserving the Citrus Experiment Station and citrus groves
  • Riverside Art Museum – 3425 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501 – (951) 684-7111 – Museum with contemporary art exhibitions
  • Fox Performing Arts Center – 3801 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501 – (951) 779-9800 – Historic theater venue hosting concerts and live events
  • Riverside Sports Complex – Recreation facilities including pools, rinks, fields, courts, and more
  • Fairmount Park – Large urban park with landscaping, lakes, and open space
  • Riverside City, Jurupa Hills and Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Parks – Hiking and nature trails
  • Mt. Rubidoux – Landmark hill in the city with trails to hike and cross

Shopping and Dining

Downtown Riverside offers unique independent shops, antique stores, restaurants, cafes and entertainment options. The pedestrian-friendly historic district is anchored by the landmark Mission Inn Hotel.

For larger shopping centers, Riverside is home to:

  • Riverside Plaza – 1025 W La Cadena Dr, Riverside, CA 92501 – Open-air shopping center with major department stores and retail chains
  • Canyon Springs Shopping Center – 5225 Canyon Crest Dr, Riverside, CA 92507 – Retailers such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Lowe’s
  • Riverside Crossing – 10170 Indiana Ave, Riverside, CA 92503 – Big box stores like Target, Ross, and Bed Bath and Beyond

The city’s diverse dining scene features options ranging from family-run Mexican restaurants to upscale steakhouses. Food lovers will always find something appealing to eat in Riverside.

Local Sports

Residents can root for Riverside’s minor league and college sports teams:

  • Inland Empire 66ers – Minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels
  • Riverside Coras FC – Men’s soccer team in the National Independent Soccer Association
  • UC Riverside Highlanders – NCAA Division I sports including basketball, soccer, track, and more
  • Riverside City College Tigers – Community college athletics

School Districts

Riverside’s primary public school districts are:

In addition, the city has dozens of private and charter schools offering K-12 education.

Riverside County

Riverside is located in Riverside County, California. The county government center can be found at:

County of Riverside
4080 Lemon St
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-1000

Map of Riverside

Riverside Landmarks

  • Riverside City Hall – 3900 Main St, Riverside, CA 92522 – (951) 826-5557 – 33.977341, -117.375497
  • Mission Inn Hotel & Spa – 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501 – (951) 784-0300 – 33.980952, -117.3