Travel Note
There is not a lot of public transportation in the Riverside area. For local trips, Lyft and Uber is active in our area and has worked well for us. You may also want to consider renting a car if you plan to go on longer trips.
Flight
Ontario airport is the closest to the Riverside, CA, area, about 25-30 minutes.
Flight
John Wayne Airport is the next closest airport, located in Orange County. It is about 1 to 1.5 hours from the Riverside area.
Flight
The Palm Springs airport is about 1 to 1.5 hours east of Riverside.
Flight
The San Diego airport is about 2 to 2.5 hours south of Riverside. This may be a good option, depending on when you fly in (due to traffic patterns).
Flight
We recommend avoiding this airport if possible. A main reason is that it is almost always very congested, making it more difficult to get in and out, check in, and go through security in a timely manner. This may be your preferred option due to cost/finding a direct flight, etc. However, please keep in mind the very high volume of travelers using this airport and the busyness of the LA area, and build in more time than you usually would if you decide to use this airport. Heavily depending on traffic, this airport is 2 to 3 hours away from Riverside.
Hotel
This is another nearby hotel option which is only about 12 minutes away from the ceremony venue. You can ask them about the UCR Preferred Rate, which should start around $109 if discounted rooms are available.
Discount Code - Ask for UCR Preferred Rate (should start around $109)
Hotel
A budget lodging option with prices starting around $80/night.
Hotel
Not the cheapest option around, but certainly the most upscale, the Mission Inn offers luxurious accommodations in the heart of downtown Riverside. UCR family and friends can ask for a discount, lowering the lowest-cost room from about $219 to $142. This is subject to availability, but if you want to stay here, at least for a night or two, it's worth asking to see if the discount is available for the dates you plan to stay. You can also ask about the availability of other discounts, such as AAA.
Discount Code - Mention you'd like the UCR Friends and Family discount
Hotel
Motel 6 affords a budget option for your travels, with rooms starting in the $66 range.
House Or Rental
We have used Airbnb with great enjoyment in several locations, both in CA and out of state. While we have not used Airbnb in Riverside because we live here, you may want to consider this option. As always, please keep in mind safety precautions, thoroughly read through the description of what's being offered (a single room, the entire place, parking, access) and reviews left by previous travelers. If you have questions about accessibility from neighborhoods you're considering, ask us!