MEMBER RECOGNITION

Like many of you reading this, I was raised in Riverside, California, so that means I’ve gotten the opportunity to explore and check out a lot of the cool places that I’d genuinely recommend others check out.

Firstly is Mt. Rubidoux, a classic, something that you’ve all probably heard about. I had the opportunity to grow up basically across the street from it so I can say it has to be one of my favorite places. Cross Country has to suffer through it so they can get used to dirt terrains, but they rest of us that didn’t choose the devils sport may actually enjoy a nice little hike up it. Something I love most about it is its view in the mornings; the landscape that can be seen from the top of the mountain as sun rises above the horizon is breathtaking. Take it from the person that hates waking up early and frankly doesn’t like sunrises all that much, the top of Mt. Rubidoux makes it worth it.

Next is the Mission Inn; another place I had the opportunity to grow up by, I can say for certain it is genuinely a nice place to go. Countless Saturday mornings my family would go over to check out the farmers market by the convention center and then have breakfast at Simple Simons afterward. There was a small book shop tucked away in a corner by the farmers market that I would nearly beg my mom to go into when we passed it. I’m sure you’ve all heard of Casey’s Cupcakes and how good those are, and if you go across the way you’ll find a nice antique shop filled with random treasures.

When it turns into winter the Mission Inn typically goes all out with holiday decorations, making a spectacle of it with Festival of Lights where they turn on the power to all the lights and sell seasonal treats for you to enjoy while walking around the area.

Thirdly, further along the way in Riverside is the Plaza, where you’ll constantly find teenagers wandering about typically looking for something to do. The Plaza is a nice place to go hang out a bit with many eating options as well as a movie theatre for any time there’s something good to watch. I can personally say that the California Pizza Kitchen there has been put to good use by my friends and I as we go there often enough just to order nearly the same thing every single time. Around that area is also a newly built Kung Fu Tea and The Loop which have really good boba and churros, both of which are definitely places that I’d recommend going to.

Lastly, the orange groves. Riverside was a place literally built upon orange groves and some of the groves still stand now. The place they grow is typically a photo spot, but considering how pretty the place is, it honestly can’t be helped much. The smell of oranges fills up the air in the area, making it something pleasant to run or walk by. In general it’s a nice place to walk through, and throughout the years, they’ve managed to stay in a refreshing state that the people genuinely love.

In all the years I’ve spent in this city, it’s always a place I can come back to and call home. So many thing have improved over the years and there’s still more to come in the years following. This city has always had a homely feel to it with nice places that you can hang out or experience. I’ve never minded the fact that I grew up here and I’m happy I got to experience how this city functions.