In many respects, Riverside, California, is a forgettable city — one of dozens you drive by on the freeways of the sunny Southland. Besides its university, it does have one interesting landmark, known for its beautiful Spanish Mission-style architecture. The Mission Inn occupies an entire city block and entertains its guests in grand fashion.
The hotel opened in 1876 as the “Glenwood Hotel” and has been expanded numerous times over the years, each addition having a slightly different architecture flair. Its name changed to the “Mission Inn” in 1902 and it’s a National Historic Landmark.
As you might expect from a grand Southern California hotel, a number of celebrities have been its guests over there years including Presidents (ranging from JFK to Ronald Regan), social movers (Henry Ford, John Muir, Albert Einstein) to entertainers (Harry Houdini, Bette Davis, Bob Hope), etc. etc. Even if you don’t stay at the hotel, it’s a nice place to stroll the grounds and have a drink or bite to eat.
