A Group Travel Guide to Riverside, California's Best Destinations

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

No trip to Riverside is complete without visiting the city’s most iconic landmark: The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Located in the heart of downtown, this breathtaking hotel is a National Historic Landmark that features a stunning blend of Spanish Colonial, Mission Revival, and Renaissance Revival architecture. It occupies an entire city block and has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities for over a century. For groups, the Mission Inn offers guided tours (managed by the Mission Inn Foundation) that take you through the hotel's winding catacombs, grand chapels, and lush courtyards.

If you are visiting during the holiday season, the Mission Inn’s "Festival of Lights" is one of the largest holiday light collections in the nation, drawing crowds from all over the country. While parking during the festival can be a nightmare for individual cars, a charter bus rental makes it seamless. Your driver can drop your group off near the main entrance at 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501, allowing you to walk straight into the magic without circling for a spot. After you’ve enjoyed a meal at the Spanish Patio or finished your tour, your bus will be waiting to pick you up, warm and ready for the ride home.

Mount Rubidoux Park

For active groups looking to enjoy the Southern California sunshine, Mount Rubidoux Park offers iconic views and a bit of history. This designated city park and landmark features paved roads that are closed to vehicular traffic, making it a perfect hiking trail for large groups, school field trips, or scout troops. The hike is moderate, and once you reach the summit, you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the city, the Santa Ana River, and the surrounding mountains. At the top, you will also find the Peace Tower and the Father Serra Cross, markers of Riverside’s deep historical roots.

Parking at the base of the mountain can be tricky, especially on weekends when locals flock to the trails. The main entrance is located near 4706 Mount Rubidoux Dr, Riverside, CA 92501, but large vehicles are better off staging at Ryan Bonaminio Park nearby. When you book with Charter Bus Rental Company Riverside, your driver can drop your hikers off right at the trailhead and park the bus at the designated oversized vehicle areas at Bonaminio Park. After your group has conquered the mountain and taken plenty of photos, you can head back down to the bus where air-conditioned relief and plenty of cold water (if you’ve packed coolers!) await you.

California Citrus State Historic Park

Did you know that the navel orange industry in California started right here in Riverside? The California Citrus State Historic Park is a living museum dedicated to preserving the landscape of the citrus industry that built the Inland Empire. This destination is fantastic for educational groups, senior tours, and corporate picnics. The park features groves of sweet oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, along with a visitor center that details the history of the "second Gold Rush" in California. Groups can arrange for guided tastings and tours to learn about the agricultural heritage of the region.

Located at 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92504, the park is spacious and bus-friendly. However, coordinating a large group for a tour requires precision timing. With a private bus rental, you ensure that your entire group arrives together, ready for their scheduled tasting or tour. There is ample space for motorcoach parking, and the park’s picnic areas are perfect for a catered lunch, which you can easily transport in the undercarriage storage bays of your charter bus. Enjoy the scent of orange blossoms without worrying about the drive back to the city.

March Field Air Museum

Aviation enthusiasts, veterans groups, and STEM students will find the March Field Air Museum to be an unforgettable experience. Located adjacent to the March Air Reserve Base, this museum boasts one of the largest collections of military aircraft on the West Coast. Visitors can get up close to over 70 historic aircraft, ranging from early biplanes to the SR-71 Blackbird and modern drones. The museum offers educational programs and guided tours that dive deep into the history of aviation and the military’s presence in Riverside County.

The museum is located at 22550 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518, right off the I-215 freeway. While it is easily accessible, keeping a large school group or tour group organized in the parking lot can be stressful with personal vehicles. A charter bus rental simplifies the process entirely. We can pull right up to the hangars for unloading, ensuring safety and accountability for all students or group members. With onboard PA systems, teachers or tour leaders can give a briefing on aviation history before you even arrive at the gates.

The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture

Affectionately known as "The Cheech," this center is a public-private partnership between the Riverside Art Museum, the City of Riverside, and comedian Cheech Marin. It houses one of the finest collections of Chicano art in the world and has quickly become a cultural beacon in downtown Riverside. Located in a repurposed mid-century modern library, The Cheech offers a vibrant, colorful, and thought-provoking experience for art lovers and cultural groups. It sits right next to the historic Mission Inn, making it easy to combine these two attractions into one day trip.

The center is located at 3581 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501. Because it is in the heart of downtown, parking is at a premium. Public garages often have height restrictions that prevent buses from entering. When you rent a bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Riverside, you avoid the parking garage hassle completely. Your driver will drop you off curbside for your museum visit and return to pick you up when you are ready to head to dinner or back home. It is the most sophisticated way to experience the art scene in Riverside.

University of California, Riverside (UCR) Botanic Gardens

For a peaceful retreat into nature, the UCR Botanic Gardens covers 40 acres of rugged terrain on the eastern foothills of the Box Springs Mountains. The gardens serve as a living classroom for the university but are open to the public for enjoyment. The collection includes thousands of plant species from around the world, with a focus on plants from arid climates similar to Riverside. It is a beautiful spot for photography clubs, garden societies, and university campus tours.

The gardens are located at 1 Botanic Gardens Dr, Riverside, CA 92507. Navigating a university campus can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the layout, and parking enforcement is strict. Charter Bus Rental Company Riverside is experienced in university transportation. We can navigate the campus loop, drop your group at the designated tour entrance, and park in the appropriate commercial lots while you explore the rose gardens and cactus displays. Your group can enjoy the hike without the stress of campus logistics.

Castle Park

If you are planning a youth group outing, a graduation celebration, or a company family day, Castle Park is Riverside’s premier amusement destination. Founded by Bud Hurlbut, who designed several rides for Knott's Berry Farm, Castle Park features a full ride park, four championship miniature golf courses, a vast arcade, and a water play area. It is a nostalgic and fun-filled destination that appeals to all ages. Whether you are looking to ride the roller coasters or settle a grudge provide on the mini-golf course, it is a staple of Riverside entertainment.

Castle Park is located at 3500 Polk St, Riverside, CA 92505, right off the 91 Freeway. Traffic in this corridor can be heavy, especially on weekends. A charter bus rental keeps your group in high spirits despite the traffic. Use the onboard DVD players to watch movies or let the kids connect to WiFi to play games while your driver handles the freeway congestion. We offer plenty of storage for prizes, swim gear, and exhausted kids at the end of the day.

Fox Performing Arts Center

For an evening of culture and entertainment, the Fox Performing Arts Center is the place to be. This historic Spanish Colonial Revival theatre opened in 1929 and was the site of the first public screening of "Gone with the Wind." Today, it has been beautifully restored and hosts Broadway shows, major concerts, comedy acts, and dance performances. It is the centerpiece of Riverside’s arts district and a fantastic destination for large groups looking for a night out on the town.

The theater is located at 3801 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501. Like other downtown attractions, parking can be difficult for large groups arriving in separate cars. With a charter bus rental, your group receives VIP treatment. We can drop you off right in front of the theater marquee, allowing you to make a grand entrance. After the show, skip the long lines to pay for parking or the wait for rideshares; your bus will be waiting to whisk you away to a late-night dinner or back to your hotel in comfort.

Call Charter Bus Rental Company Riverside Today!

Riverside is a city that rewards exploration, from its citrus-scented history to its vibrant downtown arts scene. Don’t let the logistics of moving a large group detract from the experience. Whether you need a minibus for a small wedding party or a fleet of 56-passenger coaches for a city-wide convention, Charter Bus Rental Company Riverside has the vehicle and the expertise you need.

We are available 24/7 to answer your questions, help you build a custom itinerary, and provide a free, no-obligation quote for your trip. Our team is dedicated to making your travel experience in the Inland Empire seamless and stress-free.

Call us today at 661-405-3551 to book your charter bus rental in Riverside!