Riverside · Riverside County, CA

Where to take visiting family in Riverside

Scout analyzed 97 Riverside places and surfaced the ones that actually fit visiting family.

Places analyzed

Matches

Typical spend

$25

Typical visit

1.3 hr

Scout-verified spots

Downtown Riverside

The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum

Visit The Cheech for 1.5-2 hours to explore Chicano art and culture, suitable as a standalone activity or paired with a meal in downtown Riverside. Expect to spend $10-15 per person for admission.

ArtsHistoryViews

★ 4.8$10–$15 typical2 hr visitmoderate parking

Canyon Crest

Bushfire Kitchen - Riverside

Bushfire Kitchen is a good spot for a casual meal with family or friends, offering American comfort food. Expect to spend about an hour and $15-30 per person, making it suitable for a lunch or dinner outing without much pre-planning.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$30 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown Riverside

Riverside Food Lab

Riverside Food Lab is a great spot for a casual meal or drink, especially when different people want different types of food. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $15-35 per person, making it an easy option for a quick bite or pre-event dinner.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Riverside

Le Chat Noir | French Restaurant

Le Chat Noir is a polished French bistro suitable for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. Expect a 1.5-hour meal with a per-person spend ranging from $50 to $100.

FoodCocktailsRomantic

$50–$100 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Riverside

Tio's Tacos

Tio's Tacos is a casual and quirky spot for a meal, suitable for families or a relaxed outing. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $10-$25 per person for food in its unique art-filled environment.

FoodOutdoorsArts

$10–$25 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Riverside

Palenque kitchen by Mezcal

This is a good spot for an evening meal with friends or a date, potentially followed by drinks if the DJ is playing. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and about $30-75 per person for food and a couple of drinks.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$30–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Magnolia Center

Islands Restaurant Riverside

This casual burger spot is good for a relaxed family meal or an easy lunch. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $15-35 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$15–$35 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Potato Mountain

Potato Mountain is a free hiking trail in Claremont, ideal for a morning or afternoon outdoor excursion with family or for a solo adventure. Expect to spend about 3 hours walking and enjoying the views, best on a cool day.

OutdoorsSportsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Riverside

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

The Mission Inn is suitable for an upscale dinner or a leisurely afternoon exploring its ornate architecture, potentially pairing with a spa visit. Expect to spend a few hours and anywhere from $50 to $150 per person for dining and activities.

WellnessFoodViews

$50–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Heart Rock Trail

This scenic trail leads to a unique heart-shaped rock and waterfall, making for a pleasant 1.5 to 2-hour outdoor activity. It costs nothing beyond potential parking fees and pairs well with a picnic or other area exploration.

OutdoorsSportsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Ortega Falls

Ortega Falls is a natural stop along Ortega Highway for a short hike to see a seasonal waterfall, good for a brief outdoor break during a scenic drive. It costs nothing to visit, typically taking an hour or less.

OutdoorsViewsRelaxed

$0 typical1 hr visitmoderate parking

Arlington

Twee Coffee

Twee Coffee is suitable for a quick stop for a drink, a short casual meeting, or as a place to work for an hour or so. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for a beverage and possibly a light snack.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Arlington Heights

California Citrus State Historic Park

This park is suitable for a 1-2 hour visit, offering a relaxed outdoor experience with historical insights into California's citrus industry. Expect to spend about $6-$10 per person for entry, making it an affordable educational outing.

OutdoorsHistoryViews

$6–$10 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown Riverside

White Park

White Park is good for a free, relaxed outdoor activity, like a stroll through gardens or a picnic. It's a nice standalone visit for about an hour or can be paired with nearby errands.

OutdoorsViewsAnimals

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Mission Grove

The Rustik Fork

The Rustik Fork is a good spot for a casual meal of American classics, suitable for families or a relaxed date. Expect to spend 75 minutes and between $15-40 per person, pairing well with a local movie or shopping trip.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$15–$40 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Ramona

TOASTED INC

TOASTED INC is a good spot for a quick breakfast or lunch, ideal for a relaxed solo or family outing. Expect to spend $10-25 per person for coffee and a bagel/sandwich, with visits lasting about 30 minutes.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$10–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Etiwanda Falls Trailhead

This is a good spot for a few hours of hiking to a waterfall, suitable for active families or a solo workout. It's a free outdoor activity best done on a weekend morning when the weather is mild.

OutdoorsSportsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Riverside

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park is a good spot for a relaxed outdoor outing, perhaps combined with a picnic or pedal boating. Expect to spend a few hours here, with costs ranging from free to around $20 if renting equipment.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0–$20 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Hidden Valley Nature Center

Hidden Valley Nature Center is a free outdoor activity for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, typically lasting 1-3 hours. It's great for a casual family outing or solo adventure.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown Riverside

Mario's Place

Mario's Place is an upscale Italian restaurant, suitable for a romantic date night or special occasion. Expect to spend 2 hours and $75-150 per person, especially with drinks and late-night weekend jazz.

FoodLive musicCocktails

$75–$150 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown Riverside

Back To The Grind

This coffee shop and event venue is a good stop for a casual meal or drink, easily pairing with downtown exploration. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $10-$25 per person for coffee, food, or a beverage.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$10–$25 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Eastside

Dapper Dine & Lounge

Dapper Dine & Lounge is a casual restaurant suitable for an evening meal with friends or family. Expect to spend 90 minutes and $20-50 per person for a full meal.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$20–$50 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Lift Coffee Roasters

Lift Coffee Roasters is a good spot for a quick coffee and snack, fitting well into a morning routine or as a brief stop during other errands. Expect to spend 30 minutes and around $5-15 per person.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Downtown Riverside

Fire Up Grill

Fire Up Grill is a casual spot for a quick meal, suitable for lunch or dinner. Expect to spend $15-35 per person for a typical visit lasting about an hour.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$15–$35 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking