Riverside is located in the southern part of the state. It is the 12th most populous city in the state of California, and 59th most populous city in the United States.
Riverside, California, is located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. It is situated about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Los Angeles and approximately 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of San Diego. Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County and lies along the Santa Ana River.
Riverside, California Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Riverside |
| County | Riverside County |
| State | California |
| State Capital | Sacramento |
| US Region | West |
| Latitude | 33.9806° N |
| Longitude | 117.3755° W |
| Elevation | 827 ft (252 m) |
| Land Area | 81.5 sq mi |
| Water Area | 0.6 sq mi |
| Total Area | 82.1 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 314,998 |
| Population Density | Approximately 3,865 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 92501, 92503, 92504, 92505, 92506, 92507, 92508, 92509, 92513, 92514, 92515, 92516, 92517, 92518, 92519, 92521, 92522 |
| Area Code | 951 |
| Time Zone Standard | Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 06-62000 |
| Congressional District | California 41st Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Riverside is located in Riverside County in Southern California's Inland Empire region. It lies east of Anaheim and west of San Bernardino, with the Santa Ana River flowing through the area and mountain ranges surrounding the valley. The city is known for its citrus heritage, historic landmarks, higher education institutions, and its role as a major economic center in Inland Southern California.
Nearby Cities to Riverside, California
- Jurupa Valley, California - 5 mi Northwest
- Norco, California - 9 mi West
- Corona, California - 15 mi West
- San Bernardino, California - 10 mi North
- Colton, California - 8 mi North
- Moreno Valley, California - 8 mi East
- Grand Terrace, California - 7 mi North
- Loma Linda, California - 11 mi Northeast
- Redlands, California - 15 mi Northeast
- Ontario, California - 20 mi Northwest
Riverside, California Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68 | 43 | 2.5 |
| April | 79 | 50 | 0.8 |
| July | 96 | 64 | 0.1 |
| October | 87 | 57 | 0.5 |
| Annual | 83 | 54 | 10.3 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Hot-Summer Mediterranean (Csa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 10.3 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 277 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Very low |
| Snowfall | Rare |
Driving Distances from Riverside, California
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurupa Valley | California | 5 | 10 min |
| Moreno Valley | California | 8 | 15 min |
| Colton | California | 8 | 15 min |
| Norco | California | 9 | 15 min |
| San Bernardino | California | 10 | 20 min |
| Loma Linda | California | 11 | 20 min |
| Corona | California | 15 | 20 min |
| Redlands | California | 15 | 25 min |
| Ontario | California | 20 | 25 min |
| Anaheim | California | 33 | 40 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Riverside, California
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Riverside Municipal Airport |
| IATA Code | RAL |
| Port | Not Applicable |
| Major Highways | I-215, CA 60, CA 91, CA 71 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | Amtrak and Metrolink service |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) |
- Interstate 215 - Major north-south freeway connecting Riverside with San Bernardino and Temecula.
- State Route 60 - Key east-west route linking Riverside with Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.
- State Route 91 - Connects Riverside with Orange County and coastal Southern California.
- State Route 71 - Provides access to Pomona and the western Inland Empire.
- University Avenue - Major corridor connecting downtown and the university district.
- Magnolia Avenue - Historic roadway serving central Riverside neighborhoods.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Riverside, California
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Mission Inn Hotel & Spa | Historic Landmark |
| University of California, Riverside Botanic Gardens | Botanical Garden |
| California Citrus State Historic Park | State Historic Park |
| Fox Performing Arts Center | Historic Theater |
| Mount Rubidoux Park | Urban Park |
| Riverside Art Museum | Museum |
| Fairmount Park | Park |
| March Field Air Museum | Museum |
| Castle Park | Amusement Park |
| Downtown Riverside | Historic District |
Waterbodies in Riverside, California
Santa Ana River, Lake Evans, Lake Mathews, Perris Reservoir, Alessandro Arroyo, Mockingbird Canyon Reservoir, Sycamore Canyon Creek, Hidden Valley Lake, Prado Basin, Box Springs Wash
Golf Courses in Riverside, California
Victoria Club, Canyon Crest Country Club, Indian Hills Golf Club, Jurupa Hills Country Club, General Old Golf Course at March Air Reserve Base, Goose Creek Golf Club, Oak Quarry Golf Club, Sierra Lakes Golf Club, Dos Lagos Golf Course, Hidden Valley Golf Club
Economy and Major Employers in Riverside, California
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Education | University of California, Riverside | Major research institution and employer. |
| Healthcare | Riverside University Health System | Leading healthcare provider in the region. |
| Government | County and City Government | Large public-sector employment base. |
| Logistics | Warehousing and Distribution | Benefits from Inland Empire transportation networks. |
| Retail | Commercial and Shopping Centers | Supports local employment and services. |
| Manufacturing | Industrial Production | Contributes to regional economic activity. |
| Technology | Research and Innovation Firms | Growing sector linked to university development. |
| Tourism | Hospitality and Visitor Services | Driven by historic attractions and events. |
Colleges and Schools in Riverside, California
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California, Riverside | Public | University | Major research university |
| Riverside City College | Public | Community College | Transfer and workforce education |
| California Baptist University | Private | University | Christian higher education |
| La Sierra University | Private | University | Seventh-day Adventist institution |
| Riverside Unified School District | Public | K-12 District | Largest school district in the city |
| Poly High School | Public | K-12 School | Historic and highly regarded public school |
Riverside, California - Key Historical Facts
- Riverside was founded in 1870 and became the center of California's citrus industry.
- The city is widely recognized as the birthplace of California's commercial navel orange industry.
- The Mission Inn grew into one of the most famous historic hotels in the United States.
- Riverside became the county seat of Riverside County when the county was established in 1893.
- The University of California, Riverside opened in 1954 and became a major educational and research institution.
- Today, Riverside is one of the largest cities in Inland Southern California and a major economic hub of the Inland Empire.
Sources
- Official City of Riverside Website
- Official Riverside County Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
Most Viewed CA Maps
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