Riverside County, California

Welcome to the County of Riverside

This California County is located inland from the coastline in Southern California

Riverside County is predominantly a desert region

What makes up Riverside County?
Let’s start with people and there are more then 2,250,000 million residents living in Riverside County making this county the forth largest county by population in California.

In fact the four largest counties in California are all located in the Southern half of California.
Largest county in California Los Angeles County
Second largest county in California San Diego County
Third largest in California Orange County
Forth largest county in California Riverside County
San Bernardino is the fifth largest county in California

Riverside County is one of fifty eight counties in California

The County of Riverside is made up of 7,207 square miles of land area and 96 square miles of water area and the county was founded on May 09, 1893.

Santa Ana River Bridge Crossing in Riverside
How Riverside County got its name
Named after the City of Riverside which is the heart of the County or Riverside is where in 1870.

In 1870 this became the birthplace of the California Citrus Industry.

The city sits along the major Santa Ana River that provides a major rain and snow melt runoff while water makes its way through Riverside County and eventually through Orange County before being released into the Pacific Ocean.

There are 27 cities
There are 46 unincorporated towns
There are 12 US Federal Government recognized Indian Reservations in Riverside County

The County of Riverside is connected to San Bernardino County to north, Orange County to the west, San Diego and Imperial Counties to the south and the State of Arizona to the east.

Riverside County, California meets the State of Arizona
The states are only separated by there borderlines because of the Colorado River, this fast moving massive river makes a clear line between California and Arizona.

Watering the desert
The Colorado River is the major water source for Riverside County and in particularly the eastern end of the County of Riverside where the Coachella Valley is located a major source of agricultural products.

How is Riverside County laid out?
The county almost runs the entire width of the State of California from Arizona to the Pacific Ocean, only coming up short to reaching the Pacific Ocean because one of the smallest and yet one of the most populated areas occupies that location Orange County, California with its population of over 3,000,000 million residents live within 948 square miles of area, but only 789 square miles of that area is land the bulk of the water area is that of the Pacific Ocean. 

Riverside County is a narrow yet long county stretching from the Colorado Desert region of the greater Sonoran Desert up into the Mojave Desert.

Weather in Riverside County
Riverside County is near 100% a desert climate
Being located in a desert means this
There is less then 10 inches of annual rainfall
There is more water lost through evaporation then falls in precipitation, take this further a desert is classified as arid megathermal climates.

Water arrives into Riverside County in several ways
Through the Colorado River
Through rainfall collection though slight
The tunnel under Mount San Jacinto
Through ground water collection from snowmelt
While water is reclaimed from water runoff of farming and residential use including waste water treatment, we are sharing only how the water arrives into the county to start with.

The County of Riverside has 7 water control districts to manage the water for our county and being we are located in a desert water is the only thing that permits residents to survive living in these desert regions of California.

Air Travel into Riverside County
There is one major airport Palm Springs International Airport

There are 10 regional airfields known as General Aviation Airports laid out across the county providing easy access to all points Riverside County for small and light aircraft.

Major Highway System for Riverside County
There are 2 US Historic Routes
US Route 95
US Route 99
There are 3 Interstate Highways
Interstate 10 Freeway runs through Riverside County from San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties to the State of Arizona
Interstate 15 Freeway runs through Riverside County from San Bernardino and Las Vegas, Nevada in Clark County to San Diego County
Interstate 215 is only an Interstate because it connects suburbs for convenience as it begins in San Bernardino County and runs through Riverside County as an extension of the Interstate 15 Freeway near San Diego County in the City of Murrieta located in south western Riverside County.
There is the Beach Cities 91 Freeway
There are 11 State Routes in Riverside County freeways and highways maintained by the County of Riverside and the State of California. 

Military activity in Riverside
There are 3 Military Instillations within the County of Riverside  
There is the March Air Reserve Base (military and cargo airbase)
The Naval Surface Warfare Center
The Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range

There are 5 Nationally Protected Areas
These are parks and reserves open mostly to the public for hiking, exploring, learning and enjoying
Riverside County only stakes a claim to part of some and all of others as National Treasures of America
Cleveland National Forest
Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Joshua Tree National Park
San Bernardino National Forest
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Riverside County has 8 Universities or Colleges

Things to see and do in Riverside County
Visitor Attractions
There are major attractions for residents and visitors that wonder into or arrive into Riverside County
We decided to share what each city in Riverside County has for you or us to visit while trekking around in this inland empire region of the California Deserts.

City of Banning
Geography is the San Gorgonio Pass
Located along the Interstate 10 Freeway on the west side of the San Gorgonio Pass
Banning is known as Stagecoach Town, USA. And is home to one of the General Aviation Airports named the Banning Municipal Airport that has its runways located right along side the Interstate 10 Freeway.
Visit the Historic San Gorgonio Inn

City of Beaumont
Geography is the San Gorgonio Pass
Located along side the Interstate 10 Freeway nearest the State Route 60 Freeway interchange and State Route 79 the highway that takes visitors to Hemet, Anza and Idyllwild.

City of Blythe
Geography is the Palo Verde Valley
Located along side the Interstate 10 Freeway US Route 95 nearest the Arizona State Border and the Colorado River, this city is home to another General Aviation Airport the Blythe Airport  
Visit the Colorado River stay at one of 7 Campgrounds and 7 RV Parks, there is even a public golf course.

City of Calimesa
Geography is the Yucaipa Valley
Located along side the Interstate 10 Freeway and at one of the higher elevations of 2,392 feet.
Visit the Calimesa Wildlife Corridor a free zone for the traveling wildlife habitat to journey safely and this is open for you to explore as an open space preservation project.

City of Canyon Lake
Geography is the Railroad Canyon Reservoir and Railroad Canyon Dam
Located along side the Interstate 15 Freeway near the Interstate 215 junction and State Highway 74 this is one of only 5 gated cities in California and is closed for public access.
Visit the giant Canyon Lake though you can only see parts of this lake from the highway the lake covers 383 acres and offers its residents 14.9 miles of shorelines however this city is right across the freeway from the massive Lake Elsinore. (Listed below)

City of Cathedral City
Geography is in the Coachella Valley
Located along side the Interstate 10 Freeway and also State Route 111 that runs the entire length of the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs to the west, then continues down into Imperial County and the Imperial Valley, passing by the giant Salton Sea Lake, Cathedral City is a desert community.
Visit many golf courses and desert vacation resorts, while you are at it there is a wet wild water park located in the city as well as hiking trails in the nearby Santa Rosa Mountains.

City of Corona
Geography it is connected to a part of the Cleveland National Forest
Located along State Route 91 that runs through Riverside County heading into Orange and Los Angeles Counties to the east and State Route 15 and more localized State Route 71 runs through the Chino Valley.
This city has one of the General Aviation Airports the Corona Municipal Airport located in the city.
Visit the perfect circle in a busy metropolitan city like Corona is, this street Grand Boulevard is a neat place to drive around this massive perfect circle.

City of Coachella
Geography is a part of the Coachella Valley
Known as the “City of Eternal Sunshine”
One common myth is that the City of Coachella is where the annual Coachella Festival of Music and Arts is held, in fact the Coachella Fest is held in the neighboring City of Indio
Located along the Interstate 10 Freeway and State Route 111 as well as State Route 86 that runs from the Interstate 10 Freeway south to the Salton Sea and near the Mexican Border.
Visit the local Indian Gaming Casino a high end casino named Spotlight 29 right along the Interstate 10 Freeway.

City of Desert Hot Springs
Geography is a part of the Coachella Valley
Known locally as “DHS”
Located up along the Baby San Bernardino Mountains and right along side the Interstate 10 Freeway Desert Hot Springs is a neighboring city to Palm Springs, California.
Visit the natural hot mineral springs they are abundant and are offered at near a dozen hotel resorts in the city along with golfing this is true destination and at night you can sit outside and enjoy the views down the more then 45 mile long Coachella Valley floor to cities from Palm Springs to Coachella and beyond.
Also a visit to the famous Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is a one of a kind place to see the eccentric life and times of an original homesteader named Cabot Yerxa.

Meet the newest city in Riverside County

City of Eastvale
Geography it is located near the county of San Bernardino, Orange County and close to Los Angeles County it is an agricultural and dairy area.
Located centralized to the Interstate 15 and State Routes 91 Freeway, the State 60 Freeway and the State Highway 71 Corona Expressway.
Visit nothing at this time, we will visit and seek things to visit, see and explore in Eastvale shortly. 

City of Hemet
Geography is part of the San Jacinto Valley
Known as “Tree City USA”
We know the city best for having banks on every street corner as one of the well known retirement communities there is.
Located along the Interstate 215 between the 60 Freeway and the Interstate 15 Freeway Hemet is also accessible State Highway 74 a winding mountain road that runs from the Pacific Ocean in San Juan Capistrano over two sets of scenic mountains and wilderness visitor attractions ending up in Palm Desert, California that is located in the Coachella Valley desert region of the state. 
There is a General Aviation Airport located in Hemet named the Hemet-Ryan Airport.
Visit the natural outdoor amphitheatre named the Ramona Bowl where the long running outdoor play the Ramona formally known as “The Ramona Pageant”, it is described as the largest longest running play in the United States, running since it began in 1923.
Also visit the Western Science Center Museum that features period pieces of prehistoric Native American artifacts and Ice Age fossils where the largest unearthed mastodon named Max is located and is the largest in the USA.
Finally if you are into Mazes then you must take the time while in Hemet to visit a carved in stone offering from our prehistoric ancestors the Hemet Maze Stone.
Located in a 5.75 acre park named Maze Stone Park features this rare pictograph treasure for your viewing pleasure.

City of Indian Wells
Geography it is located in the Coachella Valley
Located nestled up along side the Santa Rosa Mountains accessed by State Route 111 Indian Wells is a resort desert city.
Visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden a 16,100 seat open air stadium. Also the area is popular with golfers and the annual weather is perfect for just laying out poolside in the Southern California sunshine. 

City of Indio
Known as “The City of Festivals”
Geography it is located in the Coachella Valley
Located off of the Interstate 10 Freeway as well as State Route 111 Indio is a major hub for the surrounding desert communities.
Visit Downtown that is located right off of Highway 111 as the old city is rich in history. We also think a visit to the Empire Polo Field you might be lucky enough to stumble upon a major horse, music dog or RV show taking place at this giant Polo Club.

City of Lake Elsinore
Geography it is in the shadows of the Santa Ana Mountain Range and the Cleveland National Forest as a part of the Temecula Valley
Located along side the Interstate 15 Freeway that runs from the Nevada State Border and Las Vegas to the north east and San Diego County to the South, State Route 74 also crosses through the Lake Elsinore city.
Visit the largest fresh water lake in Southern California where you can hangout on the beaches or take a boat out for a day of family fun. The lake is approximately 5 square miles of water area in size.

City of La Quinta
Known as “The Gem of the Desert”
Geography it is located in the Coachella Valley
Located along State Route 111 in the eastern end of the valley.
Visit one of the 20golf courses and resorts because La Quinta is the number one golfing destination in the entire Coachella Valley with one golf resort dating back to 1926 this city hosts some of the famous golfing events in the country with the likes of the Bob Hope Classic and the PGA West, The Skins Game and so on. Ok if golf is not your thing there are wonderful bicycling and hiking trails in the near by Santa Rosa Mountains and finally there is old town La Quinta a great place to eat and shop.

City of Menifee
Geography (No reported type)
Located along the Interstate 215 Freeway in the Southwestern end of Riverside County and near the State Route 74 that takes you east to Idyllwild and farthest to Palm Desert.
Visit well you can just explore on your own there are no known things to do officially but if you are creative then you can discover through locals what is fun and what best represents Menifee.

City of Moreno Valley
Geography it is at the crossroads to all things Riverside County
It is just west of the San Gorgonio Pass through which the Coachella Valley is also located, to the south you are headed towards San Diego to the north is the San Bernardino Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains, to the west takes you right into downtown in the City of Riverside on your way into Orange County and Los Angeles County.
Moreno Valley is the second largest city by population other then the City of Riverside, in Riverside County.
Located along side the Interstate 60 Freeway locally in Moreno Valley they call this freeway the Moreno Valley Freeway, and the Interstate 215 junction at the 60 Freeway is also located here.
March Joint Air Reserve Base
Within Moreno Valley right along side the Interstate 215 Freeway is the US Military Airbase the oldest operating airbase in the United States operating since 1918.
Visit the March Field Museum featuring aviation history aircraft and the history of the March Air Reserve Base.

City of Murrieta
Geography it is located near the Santa Rosa Plateau a National Reserve
Located next to the Interstate 15 Freeway, just north of the Interstate 215 Freeway in southwestern Riverside County.
Visit one of 46 parks and trails this is by far the city with the most parks per resident we know of in the county.
A General Aviation Airport is located in the French Valley now a part of Murrieta named the French Valley Airport.
Visit an old mill, a really tall concrete structure in downtown Murrieta along with historic downtown shops and eating locations. Also visit some of the wineries that re partly in Murrieta because the wines from the grown locally grape vines make the wines of Murrieta something you will remember, they offer wine rooms and tasting events on a regular base.

City of Norco
A horse community
A short name for the actual name that is “North Corona”
Geography it is the livestock land of Riverside from horses, chickens to cattle all located in the Corona Valley  
Located along the 91 Freeway and where the Interstate 15 Freeway splits through the city, Norco is located along the Santa Ana River (Natural River Flowing) affording it many riverside trails, parks and places to explore including Norconian Lake
Naval Surface Warfare Center
The Military has a presence in Norco one of the three military operations in the County of Riverside.
There is a General Aviation Airport surrounded by a giant park, the Corona Municipal Airport
Visit The Norconian Resort Supreme (Mission Revival Style) built in the 1920’s and opened in 1929 situated on 700 acres of Norco land it did close in 1933 during the Great Depression reopened in 1935 and finally closed again in 1940 for good. During WWII the structures became a war hospital then closed in 1957. 
Today the 200,000 square foot grounds and facilities are registered as National Register of Historic Places and are undergoing a revival.

City of Palm Desert
Geography it is located in the center of the Coachella Valley
Resort style in the desert
Located along side of the Interstate 10 Freeway as well as State Route 111 the city sits on the valley floor below the Santa Rosa Mountain Range.
Visit the Living Zoo a desert culture and collection of species that represent deserts warmer dry climates of desert habitats, also the finest shopping street and stores located in the Coachella Valley is the famous street El Paseo located right along side Highway 111, that includes a giant desert themed shopping mall layout and some of the valley’s finest restaurants. There are 30 or 32 golf courses located in Palm Desert making this city a golfer’s paradise. There is a Botanical Garden in this city. 

City of Palm Springs
Resort City in the Desert
Geography it is located in the Coachella Valley
Located along side the Interstate 10 Freeway most drive in visitors coming to Palm Springs actually exits the 10 Freeway at the Highway 111 exit which becomes Palm Canyon Drive.
Nestled against the tall steep Mount San Jacinto Palm Springs was once the playground of the rich and famous however today the rich and famous are more commonly relaxing in to other local Coachella Valley cities such as Indian Wells and La Quinta where the home sizes, mega resorts and the nightlife is the latest and freshest attracting the younger set of Hollywood celebrities.
Visit the Palm Springs Aerial Tram take the ride up from the Valley floor to the Mountain top aboard the two largest rotating tram cars on earth, or visit one of the many local museums like the Palm Springs Museum or our favorite, the Palm Springs Air Museum where the history and the amount of still fling WWII Airplanes and ground support equipment and vehicles reside along the runways of the Palm Springs Airport.
Major International Airport the only commercial airport in Riverside County is located in Palm Springs, the Palm Springs International Airport. (PSP)
The Amtrak Sunset Limited trains roll into the Palm Springs Amtrak Station 3 times a week, though the station is not much of a station at all and it is located in the farthest northern corner of the city near the Interstate 10 Freeway.
A water park, airplane rides, helicopter tours, off road tours, gambling, botanical garden, golfing, horseback riding, and world renowned hiking and biking trails are predominating in the mountain areas surrounding the city of Palm Springs. Natural water falls and desert oasis are also here for your viewing and touring pleasure.
Life theatre shows, nightlife and places to sit and sunbath poolside are offered at nearly 130 hotel resorts in the Palm Springs area.
Palm Springs city is home to Viper Logic the creators of Viper Mailer an online email-marketing service that helps businesses, nonprofits, and membership groups to Create. Share. Grow.

City of Perris
Known as “The Skydiving Capitol of America”
Geography it is in the Perris Valley
Located along side the Interstate 215 Freeway south from the Interstate 60 Freeway and north of State Highway 74 in Perris Valley and the Lake Perris area.
General Aviation Airport, the privately owned Perris Valley Airport
Visit the Perris Valley Airport, home to skydiving for professionals and amateurs, come skydive in tandem for your very first time the views are unbelievable.
Visit the original Farmer Boys burger restaurants they were founded in the City of Perris in 1981.
Visit the Orange Empire Railway Museum (Pinacate Station) “the trolley museum” if you like trains you are going to love this as one of the finest, Southern California’s Railway Museum.
View the Rock Castle house on a hill in Perris.
Visit Lake Perris the Lake Perris State Recreation Area is (Holds 125,000 acre feet of water) a great place to boat, camp, hike, fish, hunt, swim, horseback riding, skiing behind a boat or water craft.
Visit the Perris Auto Speedway
Visit the Ya’i Heki” Regional Indian Tribe Museum

City of Rancho Mirage
Geography it is located in the Coachella Valley
Resort city in the desert
Located off of the Interstate 10 Freeway and State Highway 111
Visit Sunnylands the famous Annenberg Estate a museum and golf course private residence now opened as a museum that is a 1 square mile location where Walter and Lenore Annenberg owners of the TV Guide Magazine entertained most US Presidents and foreign dignitaries for decades.
Golf is popular as is hiking in the nearby Santa Rosa Mountains.
There is a giant outdoor mall “The River” featuring great restaurants and shopping right in Rancho Mirage on Highway 111 that is a fun place to catch a movie as well.
There is gambling at the local Indian Casino.

Riverside City Seal

City of Riverside
Geography it is located along the Santa Ana River mostly flatland with a few low mountains, notably Mount Rubidoux
Located along the 91 Freeway, the Interstate 60 Freeway the Interstate 215 Freeway.
The city is serviced by the Amtrak Metrolink.
General Aviation Airport the Riverside Municipal Airport
There is a lot to visit in the most populated city on Riverside County so lets get started.
Visit the California Citrus State Historic Park and Museum because Riverside was founded on citrus groves.
Visit the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, a working hotel built in, beginning in 1876 then again in 1902 for 30 long years this is an architectural wonder that is a must see and even have a meal at while enjoying the staircases and hard wood floors.
Visit the Queen Anne style house from the 1800’s
Visit the UCR University of Riverside Botanical Gardens
Visit the Riverside International Automotive Museum great cars and race track history from the now demolished Riverside International Raceway.
Since the City of Riverside is the hub of the entire county of Riverside there are often events being held within the city as the population hub for the county there is some chance that you will run into an event taking place in the city.

City of San Jacinto
Geography it is located at the western base of Mount San Jacinto on the opposite side from the Coachella Valley and the Palm Springs area.
Located in from the Interstate 10 Freeway and the Interstate 215 Freeway.
View the Estudillo Mansion’s built in 1884. There are two mansions (one for each brother) both are registered as a National Register of Historic Places
Gambling at the local Indian Casino

City of Temecula
Geography it is located in the Temecula Valley and southwestern corner of Riverside County very near the border of San Diego County
Located along side the Interstate 15 Freeway
Visit the finest Indian Gaming Casino in Southern California
Visit the Temecula Wine Country there is also wine tours and tasting events, there is even a Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival once a year. People local and visitors arrive and enjoy the fine wines from the Temecula Valley Wine Region.
Visit Old Town Temecula great visitor destination for fun food and shopping.

City of Wildomar
Geography it is located in the Temecula Valley
Located along side the Interstate 15 Freeway
Visit nothing really to mention however if you visit this area near other cities like Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore feel free to bring this or anything else that makes Riverside County a great visitor destination and place to live. 

Aerial View Thermal Airport in the Eastern Coachella Valley

Desert Cities Riverside County
There are as mentioned earlier 46 unincorporated towns in Riverside County generally there are many things to see, explore and enjoy in these smaller towns where the one most important thing to take away from any of these 48 towns is how nice and friendly the residents are.