16 Fun Summer Activities in Riverside, CA
16 Fun Summer Activities in Riverside, CA
If you’re looking for summer activities in Riverside, you’ve come to the right place! Here at Corona Pointe Resort and Townhomes, we love getting out into the sun and enjoying the change of pace. From fairs to classes, live music to historical tours, here are just a few of our favorite things to do:
Fairs and Markets
One of the true classic summer activities in Riverside is a good ol’ fair or market. Here are some of the best ones:
SoCal Etsy Guild Market Riverside
Have you ever been scrolling on Etsy and wished you could see the handmade items in person before purchasing? The SoCal Etsy Guild events are perfect for that. On the fourth weekend of every month, you can meet local artists, designers, crafts vendors, and more as they display their wares in person at the Galleria at Tyler. Tickets range in price from $70 to $180.
Family Health & Fun Fair
Who doesn’t love free giveaways? The free annual Family Health & Fun Fair is giving away backpacks, school supplies, snow cones, fresh produce, and more. You’ll get to connect with community-based vendors and learn more about the health resources available to you and your family. Head to 250 South G Street in San Bernardino on the morning of Tuesday, July 19, to join the fun! Be sure to preregister any school-aged children who would like a backpack.
Summer Spook Nights
If you’re a lover of all things Halloween, start celebrating early this year at Summer Spook Nights Market Faire! Bring along your friends or family to enjoy over 40 Halloween and horror vendors, live music, food, drinks, spooky photo ops, and more. The free event takes place on Saturday, July 16, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Chaffey Garcia House in Rancho Cucamonga. Register for your spot here .
Farmer’s Market
Fresh, seasonal produce, supporting local businesses, and getting outside on a sunny day—what could be better? Get your fix of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, hummus, aged gouda cheese, freshly baked bread, and other specialty food items straight from local farmers and producers at the Riverside Downtown Farmer’s Market on Main Street. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to attend.
Fun in the Sun
It’s not summer if you don’t get out to get some Vitamin D! From lawn bowling to exploring a botanic garden, here are a few of the best outdoor summer activities in Riverside:
Lawn Bowling
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to lawn bowl, now’s your chance! On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m., the Riverside Lawn Bowling Club offers free lessons to introduce newcomers to the sport. Registration is not required, but they ask that you arrive by 8:45 a.m. to be ready for the 9:00 a.m. lesson.
Fishing and Camping at Lake Hemet
Located an hour from Riverside, Lake Hemet is the perfect place for camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. The lake offers spectacular views of the San Jacinto Mountains and is surrounded by pines, manzanitas, sage, and giant oaks. You can also enjoy the Soaring Pines Cafe and the Splashing Eagle Swim Zone, which make this spot an even more convenient and fun spot for every age and ability. Book your visit here .
UCR Botanic Gardens
Covering 40 hilly acres to the east of the University of California, Riverside, the UCR Botanic Gardens boasts gardens, scenic trails, and beautiful views. The gardens are open every morning except on Saturdays, or you can book a Twilight Tour for $15. Admission into the gardens is free, though you will need to purchase a parking pass, and a $5 donation is suggested.
Exploring the Past
Riverside has some seriously rich history! The March Field Air Museum and the Mission Inn Museum are just two of the historical spots you can visit.
March Field Air Museum
If we were to list some of the manmade wonders of the world, planes would have to make the list. At the March Field Air Museum , you’ll get to see the pivotal role the Air Force base played in the development of flight. The museum displays early aircraft, World War II bombing icons and Cold War fighters, an MQ-1 Predator, and more. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round. Admission is $12 for ages 12 and up, $10 for veterans, $6 for children five to eleven, and free for children under five.
Mission Inn Museum
At the Mission Inn Museum, you can take tours to see the incredible art, artifacts, architecture, and history of the Mission Inn. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.
To take your experience to the next level, you can also take a landmark walking tour, a 75-minute exploration of the interior of the Mission Inn Hotel, where you can see parts of the historic building that are usually off limits to the public. Tickets for the walking tour range from $15 to $20.
Live Music
Soundwaves washing over you, the excitement of a live crowd, the balmy air of a summer night. There is something magical about a live concert! One of the most enjoyable summer activities in Riverside or the surrounding areas is the live concerts. Check out these two:
Summer Live Music
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., head to Citrus Plaza or Mountain Grove Food Court in Redlands for a fun experience with live music and tasty food. It’s a great idea for date night, family night, or a night out with friends. Admission is free.
Summer Fun Concerts in the Park
Every Wednesday through the first week of August, Fairmount Park in Riverside hosts Summer Fun Concerts in the Park . There’s live entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, fun activities, and swag. Here is the lineup:
- July 6: Stone Soul (Motown)
- July 13: Steel Rod (Top 40/Variety)
- July 20: Tania Y Su Nueva Era (cumia, merengue, salsa, cha cha)
- July 27: Kings of 88 (pop/rock)
- August 3: C4 (Latin mix)
Each event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and admission is free!
Day Camps and Classes
Environmental Superhero Camp
At this Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center day camp, “Explorers will discover ways they can help to save the environment, through upcycling craft projects, alternative energies, and nature hikes.” Participants will plant flowers, make paints out of natural materials, and develop their own “eco hero” persona. The camp will take place on the mornings of July 11 through 15
Giants of Science Camp
The Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center Giants of Science day camp takes place July 18 through 22. Participants will learn answers to questions like “Why does my pencil fall? Where does the moon go at night?” and “Why do some animals look weird?” The camp will focus on the most famous experiments and scientists in history—like Sir Isaac Newton discovering gravity, Galileo studying the planets, and Mary Anning expanding paleontology. This week, explorers will recreate revolutionary experiments and meet the people that shaped the science we know today.
Storytimes
Bilingual Storytime
Meet other local families and strengthen your child’s literacy skills with bilingual storytime at the Arlanza Library on Thursdays at 11 a.m. Each session features books and songs centered around a theme that will increase vocabulary and knowledge of the subject. After storytime, there’s a “process-oriented art activity,” i.e., an activity where the process is more important than the product. It’s a lot of fun!
Orange Terrace Library Family Storytime and Craft
Every Thursday at 11:00 a.m., the Orange Terrace Library hosts a family storytime and craft . These storytimes focus on prekindergarten skills but are fun for all ages. Kids will enjoy stories, of course, but also songs, rhymes, music, and a craft.
There you have it! Sixteen of the best summer activities in or near Riverside. From all of us at Corona Pointe, happy summer!
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