4 Things to Love About Riverside, CA

Located about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, Riverside, CA is a large Southern California city with a lively culture and strong community vibe. There’s plenty to love about the locale, which is considered the birthplace of the California citrus industry. Below, find a few of our favorite things about it.

1. You Can’t Beat Southern California Weather

Due to the city’s relatively dry air and infrequent rain, the weather in Riverside feels comfortable for most of the year, with cooler winters and hot, dry summers. There are an average of 277 days of sunshine a year, making for nearly endless opportunities to get outside and enjoy the weather without having to worry about checking your weather app or keeping track of an umbrella.

Winters mostly stay well above freezing, so there’s no need to juggle multiple layers from day to night, although you will need warmer clothing to stay cozy in the semi-arid air.

2. The Cultural Offerings Will Keep You Busy Year-Round

Riverside is home to a wide variety of cultural institutions, including studios, galleries, performing arts centers, and museums like the Mission Inn, located in the largest Mission Revival Style building in the United States.

The city values public art and sponsors events like the monthly Arts Walk, which celebrates Inland Empire arts at museums, galleries, studios, and other cultural institutions downtown. Keep an eye out for the public art projects like murals, sculptures, and mosaics that dot the city, especially downtown.

3. You’ll Have Access to the Best of the Natural World

Living here means enjoying dozens of parks and miles of bikeways and walking trails, including alongside the bordering Santa Ana River. Mount Rubidoux is just west of downtown and popular for hiking and bouldering, while the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens offer 40 acres of peaceful respite from the outside world.

Riverside offers access to the best of both worlds: You can make it to the beach for a swim as easily as you can to the mountains for a ski trip. Big Bear Lake, Joshua Tree National Park, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Pacific coast are all at your fingertips.

4. It’s Centrally Located for a Weekend Trip

When you’re ready to explore what other Southern California cities have to offer, you’ll be glad to call Riverside your home base. Because of its central location, the city is within easy reach of cities like Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, and Long Beach. That means Disneyland, Universal Studios, the San Diego Zoo, the Santa Monica Pier, and many other attractions are just a car ride away.

If you want to take advantage of all that Riverside has to offer, you’ll need a reliable vehicle. Come in to visit us at Fritts Ford, where our friendly staff will help you find the perfect car for your needs, so you can take in a museum, get the kids to school, or head to the beach knowing that you’re doing so in a car you can trust.

Tags: California Cities, Joshua National Park, Riverside
Posted in Riverside Lifestyle, Riverside, CA | No Comments »