Riverside embraces growth while preparing for change
About 55 miles east of Los Angeles, the Inland Empire city of Riverside is home to a fast-growing population of about 320,000, its popularity spurred by relatively low Southern California home prices, highly rated schools, straight-shot freeway routes to L.A. and Orange County, and access to the well-connected Metrolink light-rail. Riverside was the wealthy center of California's citrus industry in the late 19th century, but today, major local employers include Kaiser Permanente and the University of California, Riverside. While former fruit-packing houses have been converted into downtown breweries, lofts and boutiques, elegant historic landmarks like the Mission Inn and the First Congregational Church are still vital to the local community.
As people increasingly move to Riverside, though, local infrastructure has been stretched, and the city's now focused on preparing for the future. Riverside received $1.5 billion in private investment between 2015 and 2020, and in January 2024, the city hired a master developer to implement plans for a centralized hub for housing, retail and parkland for neighborhoods north of downtown. "As one of the oldest cities in the Inland Empire, original planners could have never projected that it would grow to be home to nearly 400,000 residents," says Sergio Salazar, 30-year Riverside resident and broker with Vylla Title Inc. "For this reason, the infrastructure is outdated. And as the population grows, the traffic is getting harder to deal with." In the spring of 2024, the city proposed plans that include building a new four-lane underpass to ease congested traffic on busy Third Street.
Riverside blends historic charm with modern urban living, offering something for everyone.
Riverside is a vibrant community known for its arts, culture, and scenic beauty.
Nestled in the Inland Empire, Riverside boasts beautiful parks and a rich history.
Riverside's public transportation ensures smooth transitions from railways to roadways.
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Mission Revival homes on the hills
Homebuyers are attracted primarily to Riverside's housing prices, which are lower than those in much of Los Angeles and Orange County. As of January 2025, the median home price in Riverside was about $650,000, compared to L.A.'s median of around $1.3 million and a national median of $420,000.
Riverside's housing stock primarily consists of single-family homes, with some dating back to the early 20th-century citrus boom. Neighborhoods on the east side of State Route 91, such as Alessandro Heights and Hawarden Hills, tend to be pricier due to their high concentrations of parks and above-average schools; these areas are mostly owner-occupied, with architectural styles ranging from Mission Revival and Craftsman to mid-century modern. Though less common, townhomes and condos are available throughout the city. Due to Riverside's dense suburban landscape, new construction is more frequently found outside city limits, with the exception of UC Riverside student housing.
Riverside’s vibrant housing market caters to every lifestyle and budget.
Riverside offers a mix of charming historic homes and modern architectural gems.
Find your dream home surrounded by Riverside’s picturesque landscapes.
Riverside’s historic districts showcase timeless architecture and character.
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Historic downtown district comes alive in the winter
Downtown Riverside is home to the city’s contemporary arts scene, as well as the historic Fox Theatre, several museums and a renovated public library. The Mission Inn, dubbed the "Cornerstone of Downtown Riverside," is the country's largest Mission Revival building, a sprawling, upscale hotel covered in ornate stucco, red-clay roof tiles, handmade bricks and wrought-iron. Open here since 1872, this hotel is still a popular spot for special occasion dinners, family gatherings or a night out; the city also offers tours of the hotel's mysterious catacombs.
The walkable downtown corridor is busiest in winter, when the Mission Inn is decked out in festive decorations and the Lunar Festival brings large crowds to celebrate the New Year. In 2022, the city's arts scene gained international recognition with the opening of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, a collaboration between the Riverside Art Museum and comedian Cheech Marin.
The La Sierra neighborhood is home to the Galleria at Tyler, an expansive indoor mall attracting shoppers from across the Inland Empire. While chain restaurants line State Route 91, most neighborhoods have locally owned Mexican eateries that serve authentic fare like street tacos and tamales.
Enjoy Historic Riverside's diverse dining and boutique shops.
The Historic District of Riverside offers a glimpse into California’s cultural heritage.
Famous for its annual Festival of Lights, the Mission Inn shines bright as Riverside’s treasure.
Riverside museums bring history, art, and culture to life.
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Local parks reflect regional history
Hikers can head to the rolling hills of Sycamore Canyon or summit Mount Rubidoux for some of the city’s best views. For a slower pace, Fairmont Park has a free rose garden and a public golf course. In 2023, the city government invested almost $23 million in parks and recreation facilities, including funds to bring back paddle boats at the Fairmont Park Lake. Many of Riverside’s outdoor spaces connect to some element of the city’s history. In the days of legal segregation, Latino families successfully lobbied for a community park in the historic Casa Blanca barrio. Their efforts led to what stands today as Ysmael Villegas Park, a gathering space with a community center and public pool. Locals and out-of-town visitors can learn about the region’s agricultural heyday at California Citrus State Historic Park; rangers lead guided tours of citrus groves, sometimes offering a fruit tasting. In recent years, the park has partnered with UC Riverside to tell more histories of the immigrant laborers behind the industry.
History buffs can stop by one of the oldest military airfields in the country, the March Field Air Museum. “We stay very busy during the school year,” says Rick Watts, lead docent of the museum. "Kids that live in the area have more than likely been on a field trip here to learn about our restored planes and the local history. It's something they really enjoy."
Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside offers a perfect blend of history and hiking with breathtaking vistas.
Enjoy a lively evening with local bands at Concerts in the Park in Downtown Riverside.
The Citrus Festival celebrates the rich history of citrus in Riverside.
Riverside residents can enjoy a mountain bike ride at Sycamore Wilderness Park.
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Environmental studies at UC Riverside
Riverside Unified School District earns an overall A-minus from Niche and serves nearly 40,000 students across 50 schools. Since 2016, facilities at 14 schools have been repaired and modernized through a voter-approved measure to increase district funding; these updates are expected to continue over the next several years. The district's high schoolers can earn up to a year's worth of transferable college credits at Riverside City College, which feeds into the University of California and California State University systems, including the highly regarded UC Riverside.
UC Riverside students, staff and faculty play a vital role in the Riverside community, both through research and public service. For example, the university’s BREATHE Center studies air quality and health and hosts public workshops about local environmental issues. In 2023, UC Riverside celebrated Clean Air Day with a community mural-painting project; locals worked alongside college students to create the 40-foot-long mural using “smog-eating” paint.
Lush campus views and a vibrant student life define UC Riverside.
UC Riverside is where innovation and diversity thrive together.
University locals can enjoy burgers at The Barn on the UCR campus.
Riverside Community College, where academic success meets community spirit.
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FasTrak passes help ease traffic flow on the 91
Three interstates and several major state roads cross through the city. Los Angeles is about 55 miles east, and the central Orange County city of Irvine is about 40 miles southwest. Residents have access to the Metrolink, a commuter rail that links the Inland Empire with destinations across Southern California. From Riverside, Metrolink offers more direct service to cities in Orange County, though riders can transfer to places throughout Los Angeles.
The Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) predominantly services western Riverside County, though a few routes extend to farther destinations, including Disneyland.
Travelers can fly out of Ontario International Airport, which is less than 20 miles from Riverside. This small airport offers domestic flights to a range of transit hubs and select international flights on Volaris and China Airlines. Los Angeles International Airport offers more frequent flights to more destinations, though residents must travel nearly 70 miles to get there.
Area considerations
According to FBI statistics, between 2022 and 2024, the reported property and violent crime rates in Riverside were generally higher than state and national figures. The Riverside Police Department’s crime dashboard reflected a 9% increase in overall crime from 2023 to 2024. Crime rates tend to be higher in the western portion of the city and lowest in central Riverside.
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