Riverside

Riverside is a city in Riverside County in California. With a population of over 300,000, the city plays host to a diverse cross-section of people and has a rich history. Riverside is approximately 55 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is a center for higher education, with one community college, a large state university, and two private universities. A hub of regional commerce and transportation, it is a city with an intriguing past and a promising future, and is worth a visit.

Understand
While Riverside might be perceived as a "suburb" of Los Angeles, its population of over 300,000 would make it a substantial city in its own right pretty much everywhere else and the twelfth largest in California. It is one of the centers of the Inland Empire and host to UC Riverside.

By plane
Riverside is part of the Inland Empire of Southern California. It is about a 17-mile drive from Ontario International Airport. This medium-sized airport has direct flights to many American cities (and Mexico), an uncrowded terminal, and generally easy freeway access. Travelers interested in flying into Ontario should probably look into Southwest Airlines which generally has reasonable prices. Flying into the other Los Angeles-area airports to reach Riverside is certainly possible, but not recommended. LAX, Burbank Airport, Long Beach Airport, and Orange County's John Wayne Airport are all about an hour's drive away; and that's without congestion, which isn't likely. If you have your own aircraft, Riverside Municipal Airport is centrally located and offers easy access to the city. No commercial passenger flights serve this airport.

After arriving at Ontario Airport, you can use Southern California's infamous freeway system to get to Riverside. Follow the signs for Interstate 10 East, then get on the I-15 South, and get on the CA-60 East. You will spend only about 2 miles on the I-15, so stay in the two right-hand lanes. After that interchange, you're only about 15 miles outside of the city.

It is possible to take public transport from Ontario International to Riverside. However, it is most certainly difficult. For non-drivers or frugal travelers, here's the information: Take the airport shuttle around to the Omnitrans bus stop on Airport Dr, and wait for the Omnitrans 61 bound for Ontario/Fontana. This will cost you $1.15, exact change only. If it is during commute hours on weekdays, get off at the Ontario Mills transit center, near the mall. Board a red Riverside Transit Agency route 204 bus headed towards "Riverside". It will cost you $2.25 and take about half an hour. If it is not during commute hours on the weekdays, buy an Omnitrans day pass ($3.50) on the #61 and ride it to Fontana Metrolink. From there, board either the #10 or #14 to San Bernardino, and get off downtown. Cross the street and board the #200 to Riverside. Either will eventually drop you off at the Downtown Riverside Bus Terminal.

By car
Riverside is located at the junction of CA-60, 91 and I-215, approximately 55 mi east of Los Angeles (1hr 13 min via Ca-60), 12 mi (11 min) south of San Bernardino on I-215, 55 mi (1hr 10 min on CA-60 and I-10) west of Palm Springs, and 114 mi (2hr 14min) northeast of San Diego (via Interstate 15 & 215):
 * I-10.svg Interstate 10 (San Bernardino Freeway) does not directly go through or into Riverside. Travelers would have to exit from I-10 to I-215 (from San Bernardino); CA-60 (from Beaumont or anywhere east) or to I-15 (from Ontario or anywhere west) to get to Riverside.
 * I-15.svg & I-215.svg From San Diego, go northbound on I-15 and than onto I-215 toward San Bernardino. Riverside is accessed from exits 30 ("Center St") to 36 ("Center St/Watkins") of 215. From I-15, Riverside is accessed from exit 103 ("Limonite Ave").  From the exit turn east on Limonite to get to Riverside.
 * California 60.svg Pomona Freeway connects from Los Angeles to Beumont where it merges into I-10, though Ontario and Riverside. Riverside is accessed from exits 48 ("Valley Way ") in Jurupa Valley to the junction with I-215 north of Edgemont.
 * California 91.svg Riverside Freeway connects the Inland Empire (at its junction with I-15 and 215) to Torrance through Santa Ana and Anaheim in Orange County. Getting to Riverside one can exit off of any exit ranging between exit 53 ("McKinley St") to its junction with the 215 and 60 at downtown Riverside.

By bus
There are no Greyhound or Megabus stops or stations in Riverside. The following are what's available to Riverside:
 * 200 Travels along CA-91 between San Bernardino Metro Link Station/Downtown Transit Center; Riverside Metro Link Station, Anaheim ARCTIC/Metrolink Station and Disneyland. Nearest connections to Greyhound and other intercity services (to Barstow, Indio, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, Long Beach, etc) are in San Bernardino and Anaheim
 * 204 Goes up to Montclair through Ontario and Ontario Mills Mall. Passenger transfer to Omnitrans #61 at Ontario Mills Mall to get to the Ontario Airport (closest airport to the area).
 * 205-206 travel along I-15 between the Corona Transit Center (at Main & Grand near the Jct of the 91 & the 15); through Murrieta and Lake Elsinore, to the Promenade Mall in Temecula.
 * 204 Goes up to Montclair through Ontario and Ontario Mills Mall. Passenger transfer to Omnitrans #61 at Ontario Mills Mall to get to the Ontario Airport (closest airport to the area).
 * 205-206 travel along I-15 between the Corona Transit Center (at Main & Grand near the Jct of the 91 & the 15); through Murrieta and Lake Elsinore, to the Promenade Mall in Temecula.



By train
Riverside is a hub of the Metrolink commuter rail system, served by the Riverside, 91 and Inland Empire-Orange County lines on weekdays, and by the San Bernardino and Inland Empire-Orange County lines on weekends. The Metrolink station is about a mile outside of the city center, with ample parking. The only facilities available are public telephones and ticket machines- no restrooms. The station is served by RTA 1, 16, and CommuterLink 208, 210 and 212.

There is a second Metrolink station, Riverside-La Sierra, in the south of the city. It is served by the 91 and Inland Empire-Orange County lines on weekdays, and the Inland Empire-Orange County line only on weekends. It has the same facilities, and is served by RTA 12 and 15. The city utility has installed solar generating arrays over much of the parking lot.



By car
Riverside is in Southern California and Southern Californians are slaves to the automobile. Most of the time, getting around in Riverside will involve some form of car, and traffic congestion can ruin your day, and the poor driving habits of some other drivers may make you want to pull your hair out.

The CA-60/I-215 runs along the north side of the city. (Confusingly, the two freeways merge at the Riverside 60/91/215 interchange and then split again at the Moreno Valley Interchange, which is still actually within the city limits.) The Market Street exit provides access to Downtown, the 3rd/Blaine and University exits allow easy entry into the University neighborhood, and the Martin Luther King exit will allow you run of the mostly-residential Canyon Crest area. If you proceed on the CA-60 just past the interchange, get off at Day Street and you'll arrive at one of two area malls, the Moreno Valley Mall. It isn't in Riverside proper, but many people shop there rather than brave city traffic to go to the Galleria at Tyler.

The CA-91 runs from its origins at the 60/215/91 interchange in the north of the city, and runs the length of Riverside, eventually extending into Corona, Orange County and terminating in Long Beach. Notable exits include University Ave., which borders Downtown, Central Ave., which is near the new, upscale Riverside Plaza, Tyler St., immediately next to the Galleria at Tyler mall, and La Sierra Ave., which is near the city's second Metrolink station, and Castle Park.

The major crosstown arteries are Arlington and Magnolia Avenues. Congestion on these streets is interminable, and travelers would be well-advised to use other routes. Jurupa Ave. largely parallels Arlington, and Indiana and Victoria avenues parallel Magnolia. Victoria avenue is lightly-used, and is quite scenic. If you're willing to drive slightly out of your way, it's well worth the extra distance to cruise among the city's old orange groves.

Public transport
While the vast majority in the city do use automobiles, there is public transit available in Riverside. The Riverside Transit Agency provides fixed-route bus service on around 15 routes in the city, as well as three express commuter services and a few new community-based trolley-bus routes. Trips up and down Magnolia Ave. on route 1, on University Ave on route 16, and on route 15 along Arlington Ave are relatively frequent, with 20, 30, and 40 minute headways, respectively. Weekends and other routes can cause more delay. The entire Riverside city bus service essentially stops running at 8PM; with a few routes running through 10PM. There is no service at night.

The Riverside bus system has two main hubs – the Downtown Terminal, and the Galleria at Tyler in the south of the city. Chances are you will have to travel to one of these transfer points to get anywhere in the city. Commuter express routes 204 and 216 stop at the Downtown Terminal with destinations of Montclair/Ontario and Orange County, and 216 and OCTA 794 stop at the Galleria, both headed towards Orange County. Local routes serve all surrounding areas.

Taxis have been known to congregate on Fairmount Ave. between the Greyhound and city bus terminals. This is helpful if you end up caught by the sudden unavailability of public transport at night. Trip planning is available on the web site, on Google Maps, and by calling +1-800-800-7821 M-F between 7AM and 7PM, and Sa Su 8AM and 5PM.

Taxis
Taxi services are available in the city at the following telephone numbers: More can be found in any telephone directory.
 * Taxi and Airport Services - +1 951-286-7938

See




Do
Riverside has many activities to occupy your time. Local concerts are often held in various venues around the city. The college's independent FM radio station, KUCR 88.3, has a reasonably good listing of cultural events in the area.



Buy
The city has a few major shopping venues.

The Downtown area, centered around the Downtown Pedestrian Mall, consists mainly of upscale and specialty shops. It is an entertaining walk, but in most cases serious shopping is better left to one of the local malls. This area is just a short walk from the Downtown bus terminal (routes 1, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 29, 49, Omni 215, CommuterLink 204, 208, 210, 212, 215), and can be accessed via the Market exit off of the 60 freeway, and the University exit off of the 91. It is also served by the Red line trolley, route 50, running around the downtown area for only $0.25.

The Riverside Plaza is a small collection of mostly upscale shops and restaurants just off the 91 freeway at Central Ave. It is anchored by Forever 21, Vons, Borders and a 16-screen cinema. It is served by bus routes 1, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 20.

The Galleria at Tyler is the largest shopping center in the area, a two-story mall with nearly every store one can think of, as well as large commercial developments for three blocks in all directions. Parking is free, but crowded. It's just off the 91 freeway at Tyler street, and served by bus routes 1, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 27, 216 and OCTA 794. Be aware that on Friday nights and weekends this area will be extremely congested with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

While it's not in the city of Riverside, the Moreno Valley Mall and its surrounding development has provided an attractive alternative to the residents of the city's northern areas, especially those attending the University of California. This two-story mall is equipped with all the usual amenities, and is usually significantly less crowded than the Galleria. It is accessible via the 60 freeway off the Day Street and Frederick exits, and is served from Riverside by bus route 16 and CommuterLink 208 and 210. (Bus routes 11, 18, 19, and 36 also serve the mall, but travel from neighboring Moreno Valley.)

Eat
Riverside has the major chain-restaurant fare around major establishments. Applebee's is near the train station, TGI Fridays at the Galleria, and Denny's, IHOP, and CoCo's share a corner at Iowa and University near UCR.

However, there is some local fare to be proud of as well.

Downtown, Canyon Crest, Mission Grove and Riverside Plaza each have restaurants which are worth visiting.

Drink
There are a few night clubs around the city.

Sleep




Go next
Riverside is about an hour's drive away from the ocean, the mountains, and the desert. The Los Angeles County and Orange County beaches are accessible on the 60 and 91 freeways, respectively, with modest day use fees. Taking the 91 north to the I-215, then following signs for CA-30 and mountain resorts, will have you in the San Bernardino mountains in no time. Big Bear and its surroundings are a winter playground unparalleled in much of the Southwest. For summer fun, continue up the I-215 all the way until it hits CA-138, head west, and then turn left at CA-2 to go up into the Angeles National Forest. Multitudes of picnic areas and campgrounds dot this winding road between the high desert and Los Angeles. If you turn east at CA-138, you'll run into Silverwood Lake, a large reservoir with swimming and boating facilities.