Riverside, CA

Located east of Los Angeles, California, and inland from the Pacific Ocean, the city of Riverside, California, is home to about 300,000 people. Riverside is growing rapidly, primarily drawing immigrants from Mexico and Asia, as well as transplants from the more coastal areas of Southern California, and it currently ranks as the nation's 61st-largest city. The city is part of the larger metropolitan area called the Inland Empire of Southern California. Riverside is rich in a history that reflects the many cultures and races that have made the city their home, including Native Americans, Spanish and European settlers, Asian-American immigrants and African Americans. Residents of Riverside are drawn to the city by its modest real estate costs, temperate weather and proximity to other parts of Southern California.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

In the 1870s, Riverside established itself as an important hub of the citrus industry, proving to be an ideal climate for growing navel oranges. The citrus industry is still important to the area, but the city's economy is now more diversified and includes a number of manufacturing industries, such as food and beverage, aerospace components, medical equipment, electronic devices, aluminum and plastics and motor vehicle parts.

The University of California-Riverside ranks as one of the major employers in Riverside, followed by the Riverside Unified School District. The City of Riverside, Kaiser Permanente and Fleetwood Enterprises are also among the top employers. The economy is also supported by industries such as wood, plastics, metal fabrication, electrical instruments and food packaging.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city used to be sparsely populated due to its desert-like climate, but now it has a population of about 300,000 people. Riverside has more than 25 neighborhoods within its limits, and the house prices are much lower than its neighboring cities.

Riverside also has an abundance of historic districts:

• Colony Heights Historic District lies immediately north of the original "Mile Square." This residential neighborhood showcases some of the city's best examples of early twentieth century architectural styles including Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Colonial Revival.
• Heritage Square Historic District is located north of downtown within the northeast portion of the original "Mile Square." One of the earliest residential developments in the city, Heritage Square primarily features Victorian-era styles, with some Period Revival and Arts and Crafts architecture, as well.
• Mission Inn Historic District is the old downtown core, and is mainly composed of commercial and government buildings. California's Mission Revival style originated in Riverside and can still be seen in the Mission Inn. Other styles include Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco with a variety of building materials such as ceramic brick, terra cotta and rough-hewn granite.
• Mount Rubidoux Historic District was developed in 1903, near the Seventh Street streetcar line with easy access to downtown. Homes were designed in the Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Tudor and Norman Revival styles.
• Prospect Place Historic District, located south of the original "Mile Square," is one of Riverside's first residential neighborhoods. Early residences were single family houses, but the original neighborhood has largely been replaced with offices and apartment buildings.
• Seventh Street East Historic District includes the site of City founder John North's original home, two historic depots, and a citrus packing house. The district includes examples of Victorian-era architecture, as well as Craftsman, Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Classical Revival styles.
• Seventh Street Historic District features the historic citrus tree pergolas, Raincross streetlights, and the Buena Vista Bridge.
• Wood Streets Historic District was originally devoted to orange groves, but now offers excellent examples of Craftsman, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Colonial Revival style residences.
• Rosewood Place Historic District is an intact historic neighborhood, with an architecturally coherent feel. Rosewood Place includes examples of Craftsman, Italian Renaissance Revival, and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival

BEST BETS

Though tourists may be drawn to more well-known areas in Southern California, such as Santa Barbara, Hollywood and San Diego, the city of Riverside offers a variety of distinctive tourist attractions and historical sites, including the following:

• Mission Inn, built around the turn of the century, reflects a variety of architectural styles, including the Southern California Spanish missions, and has hosted heads of state, members of royalty and other celebrities.
• Victoria Avenue has homes that date from the late 1800s, fashioned by the European settlers who built the citrus industry that came to be synonymous with the region.
• Fairmount Park, near the entrance to the city of Riverside, was designed by early American landscape designer and architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who is better known for creating Central Park in New York City. Although it is currently not in top condition, the park is home to a fully stocked pond and a variety of bird species.
• The UCR Botanic Gardens at the University of California, Riverside, has a wide variety of plants and a number of walking trails on its 40 acres.
• The Historic Riverside County Courthouse resides in the city of Riverside, with architecture designed to mimic France's Petit Palais.
• The "World's Largest Paper Cup" is located in Riverside. Built of painted concrete near a now-defunct Dixie Corporation warehouse and manufacturing plant, the Dixie Cup measures more than three stories tall.
• Riverside is also home to the March Air Reserve Base, the oldest air force base west of the Mississippi River, which dates back to 1918 and houses the March Field Air Museum.

SHOPPING

Riverside is home to a number of popular shopping destinations, including the Downtown Farmers Market every Saturday morning. Other popular area shopping centers and malls include:

• Canyon Crossings
• Canyon Springs
• Orangecrest Town Center
• Riverside Plaza
• Galleria at Tyler
• Canyon Crest Towne Centre
• Mission Grove/ Mission Village

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Though Riverside is often eclipsed by the surrounding artistic and cultural milieu of Southern California, the city does host a number of distinctive local festivals and events.

• The spring Riverside International Film Festival annually draws media and entertainment professionals from across the United States, as well as from overseas.
• The Riverside Festival of Lights runs from November through January and encompasses most of the downtown area. In addition to millions of lights, the festival includes carriage rides, ice-skating, holiday displays and roving carolers. Many of the area restaurants, retailers and organizations participate in the festival.

Riverside is also home to a number of theatrical and musical performance groups, including the following:

• The Ballet Folklorico Riverside, a troupe dedicated to preserving traditional Mexican dance, has been performing for some 30 years.
• The California Riverside Ballet has performed in the historic Aurea Vista Hotel since 1969, featuring a variety of productions and programs for the local community.
• The Riverside County Philharmonic is considered one of the best-kept secrets of the greater Los Angeles area and has been performing since 1958.
• The Riverside Community Players date back to the 1920s and currently perform in a circular theater where the audience surrounds the stage.

EDUCATION

In addition to the numerous colleges and universities throughout Southern California, residents of Riverside have access to a number of institutions of higher education that call the city home, including:

• California Baptist University
• La Sierra University
• Riverside Community College
• University of California, Riverside

LOCAL MEDIA

The City of Riverside is served by the local paper Riverside Press-Enterprise, as well as by the local television station, KRCA, which has a variety of Spanish-language programming. Residents of Riverside also have access to a variety of media from the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.