Located on the Santa Ana River, Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire. Just 55 miles from L.A., Riverside offers a slower pace (and less traffic) to the 300,000 Californians who make their home here.

Broken up into nearly 30 neighborhoods, there's something new to experience around every corner. From the UCR Botanical Gardens to the Main Street Pedestrian Mall, Riverside has everything you could want. The city got its start in the early 1870s with the California Colony Association. A few years later, Eliza Tibbets planted cuttings of a Brazilian orange tree. The trees thrived, and the citrus industry was born. This boom led to rapid growth and more infrastructure and homes. One of these buildings remains today: the Mission Inn. Constructed in the Mission Revival Style, the guest house was built in 1876 and later grew into a full-service hotel. The Mission Inn is now one of the Historic Hotels of America. History buffs are also familiar with the Fox Performing Arts Center. Built in 1929, it's best known as the first theater to screen Gone With the Wind. It's still one of the best places to catch a live show.

The Riverside Metropolitan Museum is also part of the city's arts and culture initiative. Housed in a historic building, MoR focuses on anthropology and natural science. For something more contemporary, you'll want to check out the exhibits and classes at the Riverside Art Museum. An open-air museum, California Citrus Historic State Park is a favorite spot. The 248-acre park demonstrates the complex history of the citrus industry, while inviting you to enjoy the sunshine. For hiking, biking, and water activities, Whitewater Preserve and Fairmount Park are two of Riverside's gems.

With all the activities, you might forget to eat. Riverside offers plenty of local restaurants to please any cravings. The Salted Pig serves breakfast and brunch, while Riverside Food Lab offers a low-key vibe and great food to share with friends. If you prefer to skip dinner and go straight for your nightcap, W Wolfskill boasts a large menu of craft beverages. There's also The Brickwood, which capitalizes on the atmosphere of downtown.

The birthplace of California's citrus industry, Riverside is also home to the Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree. At the corner of Magnolia and Arlington, this California Historic Landmark is one of the two original navel orange trees in the state.

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