Riverside earned its place on the map as the birthplace of California's navel orange industry, and that history still shapes the city's character in ways you can see and feel today. As the county seat and most populous city in the Inland Empire, Riverside carries the energy of a regional hub while holding onto a distinctive sense of place rooted in historic architecture and civic pride. The University of California, Riverside anchors the northeastern part of the city and draws a steady stream of research, healthcare, and education activity that feeds the broader economy. Major employers also include Riverside Community Hospital and county government offices downtown.
Neighborhoods here offer real variety. The Wood Streets deliver tree-lined blocks and well-preserved Craftsman homes near Riverside Plaza, while Canyon Crest sits alongside open wilderness with access to Sycamore Canyon.
