Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Riverside travel guide

Riverside Tourism | Riverside Guide

You're Going to Love Riverside

With a population of 303,871, Riverside is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Riverside has to offer.

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Where to Eat in Riverside

If you’re looking for affordable options, Mission Inn Restaurant (3649 Mission Inn Avenue) and AY MI PA - Riverside (3775 Tyler St, 1B) are great picks.

When to visit Riverside

Riverside in August
Estimated hotel price
$127
1 night at 3-star hotel
Riverside in August
Estimated hotel price
$127
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Riverside in July, when the average temperature is 77 °F, and the highest can go up to 95 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 39.2 °F, with an average temperature of 53.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in February, when precipitation is around 2.2″. In contrast, June is usually the driest month of the year in Riverside, with an average rainfall of 0″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Riverside

Plane

When flying to Riverside, you’ll arrive at Ontario Airport (ONT), which is located 14 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Riverside include Air Canada, Emirates and Frontier. The shortest domestic flight to Riverside departs from Las Vegas and takes around 1h 12m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Riverside. The train journey from Riverside to Burbank takes 0h 27m and costs around $11 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from San Diego, expect to pay about $36 for a 2h 56m trip. The train station in Riverside is called Riverside, and is located 0.2 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Riverside is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 54 miles from Riverside. You’ll find branches of Midway and Ace, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Riverside University Avenue, located 2 miles from downtown Riverside. Riverside Chicago/Spruce is also a commonly used station, and is 1.8 miles from the city center.

Plane

When flying to Riverside, you’ll arrive at Ontario Airport (ONT), which is located 14 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Riverside include Air Canada, Emirates and Frontier. The shortest domestic flight to Riverside departs from Las Vegas and takes around 1h 12m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Riverside. The train journey from Riverside to Burbank takes 0h 27m and costs around $11 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from San Diego, expect to pay about $36 for a 2h 56m trip. The train station in Riverside is called Riverside, and is located 0.2 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Riverside is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 54 miles from Riverside. You’ll find branches of Midway and Ace, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

The most popular bus station is Riverside University Avenue, located 2 miles from downtown Riverside. Riverside Chicago/Spruce is also a commonly used station, and is 1.8 miles from the city center.

Airports near Riverside

LAXLos Angeles
ONTOntario
SNASanta Ana J. Wayne/Orange Cnty

Airlines serving Riverside

KLM
Good (1,404 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,511 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,979 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,467 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,772 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,022 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,997 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,990 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,477 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,383 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,653 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (862 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,344 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,535 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,282 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,134 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,153 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,333 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,036 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,384 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Riverside

Where to stay in Riverside

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Days Inn by Wyndham Riverside Tyler Mall and Dynasty Suites Hotel Riverside. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Riverside, with prices from $57 to $3,947 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Riverside are about 25% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Riverside by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Riverside

Most booked hotels in Riverside

See all
Hyatt Place Riverside Downtown
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 899 reviews)
$165+
View
The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1647 reviews)
$195+
View
Azure Hotel & Suites, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1943 reviews)
$95+
View
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Ontario Mills, CA
3 stars
Excellent (8, 2384 reviews)
$103+
View
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ontario Airport
3 stars
Excellent (8, 1810 reviews)
$95+
View
Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center
3 stars
Excellent (8, 548 reviews)
$193+
View

Renting a car in Riverside

Renting a car in Riverside costs $57 per day, on average, or $171 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 8% more expensive than at Los Angeles.

Expect to pay $3.48 per gallon in Riverside (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $41.79 and $55.72. The most frequently booked car type in Riverside is Mini (Kia Sedona or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Toyota Corolla or similar) are, on average, 35% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Riverside costs $57 per day, on average, or $171 if you want to rent if for 3 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 8% more expensive than at Los Angeles.

Expect to pay $3.48 per gallon in Riverside (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $41.79 and $55.72. The most frequently booked car type in Riverside is Mini (Kia Sedona or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Toyota Corolla or similar) are, on average, 35% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Riverside

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$27/day

Supplier choice

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$27/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Riverside

Riverside Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Riverside city guide for the best Riverside travel tips. To help you organize your Riverside trip ideas, this Riverside visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.