Katie & Luis
Things To Do
Ucr Botanic Gardens Road
A 40-acre living plant museum with over 3,500 plant species, focusing on plants from Mediterranean climate and arid lands. Four miles of walking trails. Open 8 am to 5 pm each day (with a few exceptions). Free admission. Parking is $3 for 2 hours. Bonus info: I work at UCR :)
Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Beautiful Spanish Mission-style architecture is one of the impressive features of the Mission Inn. It is the site of the very popular Festival of Lights in December, as well as serving as a hotel, spa, and featuring several restaurants, bars, and even a cupcake shop. It has hosted US presidents, celebrities, and served as the setting for Hollywood movies. Bonus info: Luis and I will be spending our wedding night at the Mission Inn.
Getty Villa
I have been to this gorgeous mansion museum in Malibu at least 4 times already, and I love it more every time! The architecture is gorgeous, and ancient Greek and Roman art is featured throughout. There are herb and flower gardens, statues, and tranquil spots perfect for a Kodak moment! Admission is free, but a timed-entry ticket is required (available to schedule and print from the website). Parking is $15 per vehicle. Open hours are from 10 am - 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays and some holidays).
The Getty Museum
You could truly spend all day here exploring the famous art, sculpture, architecture, and gardens. In addition, this is one of the most breathtaking locations to take pictures of the LA landscape. Get lost in the beauty and culture, take a guided tour, grab a meal or some snacks, and snap phenomenal pictures of your adventure. Admission is free. Hours are 10 am - 5:30 pm (Saturdays 10 am - 9 pm) and they are closed on Mondays and some holidays. Parking is $15.
Disneyland Park
Check out the website for info on ticket prices, park hours, and additional information.
Knott's Berry Farm
Check out the website for open hours, ticket prices, and other information. If you plan to go, check with Katie about a potential UCR discount.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs features a gorgeous area in which to visit unique art shops, enjoy delicious restaurants, and of course, take pictures with a larger-than-life Marilyn Monroe statue! There is also an aerial tram which offers wonderful views of the city.
California Citrus State Historic Park
The citrus industry is very foundational for Riverside, and the museum offers a place to learn about its importance to the region. There are walking trails (wear comfortable shoes), as well as in indoor museum/visitor center. Open Friday - Sunday from 10 am - 4 pm.
Corona del Mar State Beach
Corona del Mar is one of our favorite beaches. It's unique feature is the climbable cliff areas, making for gorgeous views.
Santa Monica Pier
A lovely place to hang out, you get a fun combo of relaxing beach area and carnival atmosphere. Ride the ferris wheel, grab a snack, and relax.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
This place is so extraordinarily gorgeous it was hard to choose only 1 picture to include for this location. A very old library housed in an exquisite mansion- check; art galleries- check; a botanical conservatory-check; acres of roses, trees, and stunning vegetation-check! This place checks all the boxes, and they also have drinks and snacks so you can refuel as needed. The Huntington is open from 10 am - 5 pm each day, but closed on Tuesdays. General admission is $29/adult, $13 for ages 4-11, and there are some additional discounts for seniors and others.
Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Need a day to chill, relax, and refresh? Look no further than Glen Ivy. General admission gives you access to 19 different pools, including cold and hot pools, mineral spring pools, steam rooms and saunas, mud baths with special mud from the nearby mountain, sulfur baths, deep and shallow pools, and optional spa services for additional fees. Gourmet food and drinks are available throughout. Summer hours are from 9 am - 6 pm Monday - Wednesday and 9 am - 9 pm Thursday - Sunday. Rates vary by season: for full day general access, expect to pay around $60 (Mon-Fri) and $80 on weekends. Be sure to ask about their discounts (community helpers- nurse, firefighter, teacher, cop), military/veteran, etc.
Lorimar Vineyards and Winery
See where it all began (this is where Luis proposed)! Temecula is home to fantastic wineries. With options to do a tasting, buy a glass or bottle, enjoy accompanying food, and soak in the luxurious atmosphere of relaxation, there is a lot to enjoy.
Mount Rubidoux
Mount Rubidoux Trail is a 2.7 mile paved hiking loop. At any time, you may see hikers, runners, bikers, babies in strollers, doggies being walked, and sweat :) More fun than the treadmill at the gym, this trail leads to gorgeous views of downtown Riverside.
Aquarium of the Pacific
This wonderful aquarium in Long Beach is open from 9 am to 6 pm every day (except 12/25). General admission for adults is $29.95, with varying prices for additional options, and some discounts for children and seniors. There is so much to do and see here! The aquarium is about 1.5 hours from Riverside. Check out the Queen Mary listing, which is also in the vicinity! If you plan to go, check with Katie about a UCR discount option.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary was once a world-class ocean liner with authentic polished wood paneling and original 1930s artwork. It's an incredibly unique experience, and is very close to the Aquarium of the Pacific if you want to make a day of it in Long Beach. There's even a haunted encounters tour in which a tour guide takes you past the empty swimming pool and other locations on the ship thought to be haunted. Admission for various shows and tours can be found on the website, and on site parking is $18. Long Beach is about 1.5 hours driving from Riverside.
Honorable Mentions List
Here are some more places we recommend, but didn't want to overload this page with separate entries for each :) 1. Annenberg Beach House (lovely historic beach house in Malibu with swimming pool access; pairs well in location with the Getty Villa) https://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com/ 2. Universal Studios (great tours and rides, including the Harry Potter ride, if you're so inclined) https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/ 3. Tio's Tacos (I refer to it as "the trash place" because it's not only a restaurant but an amazing space of art created from trash items). http://www.tiostacos1.com/ 4. San Diego Zoo https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/ 5. March Field Air Museum (WWII planes) https://www.marchfield.org/ 6. Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=650 7. The Castaway Restaurant (haven't gotten here yet, but we've heard great things) http://www.castawaysanbernardino.com/ 8. Orange Hill Restaurant (great views!) https://www.theorangehillrestaurant.com/