Riverside is a city in California, in the United States, set in the Inland Empire region. It is one of the places a visitor can reach when exploring the state beyond its coastal cities, and it offers a different view of California from the one most travelers picture first.
What to expect
The city is known by a second name, the City of Arts and Innovation, which hints at the kind of visit it suits. Rather than a single landmark drawing crowds, Riverside is best approached as a place to wander, to see how a regional city in the Inland Empire goes about its daily life, and to pick out whatever interests you most along the way.
Planning a visit
- Location: Riverside lies in the Inland Empire, inland from the Pacific coast of Southern California.
- Kind of trip: a city visit, well suited to travelers who want to see the region at a relaxed pace.
- Nearby: the wider Inland Empire area surrounds the city, so it can form part of a longer trip through Southern California.
Because the details of specific attractions, hours, and seasonal events are not covered here, check current information with local sources before you go. For many visitors, the appeal of Riverside lies in its character as an inland California city with an identity built around the arts and new ideas.