Family Guide to Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside - What to Know Before You Visit with Kids
Last updated: October 2026
Did you know Riverside has its own state park? I’ve talked to quite a few local parents who have no idea! Citrus State Historic Park has always been one of our favorite places in Riverside to visit as a family… it’s inexpensive, peaceful, and the perfect slice of Riverside!
Getting to Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside
Citrus State Historic Park is located in Riverside off Van Buren and Dufferin, near Victoria and Van Buren. It’s near Arlington Heights Sports Park, Daily Brew coffee, and the Drive-In, not too far from the Tyler Mall.
The address is 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.
Parking costs money, but is pretty simple - there are two paved lots that have always had plenty of parking when I’ve been there. (It might get full if they’re having a wedding or special event there, or for their annual Citrus Festival.)
The parking fee is $7, and they will ticket you if you don’t pay. Sometimes there is a ranger at the entry kiosk, but most of the time you’ll need to pay at the machine and put the receipt on your dashboard. There is a machine to the left of the entrance gate, and another one at the top of the hill near the Visitor Center.
If you have a free pass (see below) you can just display that on your dashboard or rearview mirror instead.
Our Family Visit to Citrus State Historic Park
As I mentioned, we’ve been here more times than I can count… but here’s a little about our visit in September 2026!
Yesterday my kids and I had hoped to go on a big hike in Forest Falls, but our plans fell through so we pivoted and some of us made a visit to Citrus State Park here in Riverside instead. We’ve been here a lot over the years, and we usually have a peaceful time!
We packed up lunches and grabbed a picnic blanket and drove down Victoria to get to Citrus State Park. It’s $7 for parking, but 4th graders get in free so we didn’t have to pay - there was no one at the entrance gate so I just left the printout of the pass on the dashboard (it’s also free if you signed up for the free Historian pass this summer, or if you get a State Parks pass from the library).
I think when most people visit Citrus State Park they head up the hill to the visitor center, but personally, we always turn left at the entry booth and drive to the end and park by the big field.
My twin boys and I sat at a picnic table in the shade of some pepper trees and had a lovely lunch together. I’ve been on a hunt recently for healthy-ish grab and go snacks, so we enjoyed some of those to make a full meal. On a Thursday at noon, we were the only people there (my son joked that perhaps the apocalypse had happened and we were the last people on earth!)
When we finished eating, we strolled over to the small amphitheater… this has been the scene of many “performances” from my kids since they were toddlers. Today my 4th grade sons put on a spontaneous skit about the different generations, featuring Millennials stressing about taking care of their kids the right way, and Gen Zers scrolling on TikTok, lol. It was pretty clever - I love seeing my children grow up and be creative!
As the name suggests, the park is full of citrus groves, so we walked through a few rows of still-green orange and pomelo trees, encountering squirrels, butterflies, and dragonflies along the way, plus a cat, which was the highlight for my kids. (This is the best in the winter when most of the fruit is ripe and colorful!)
It was pretty hot so we headed home after that, but we could’ve walked through their trails for quite some time - there are some nice views out across Riverside at the top of the hill!
If it had been a weekend, we would’ve driven up to the visitor center - they have a nice free museum and cute little gift shop. (open weekends only). They even offer state park ranger-led tours on the weekends - usually you get to sample some of the citrus from the groves!
Tips for Visiting Citrus State Park(especially with kids!)
1) Make sure you visit both parts of the park. When you enter the gates, go left for the big open field or go up the hill for the visitor center/museum area. There is a trail that goes between the two areas, or you can drive (especially if you have little ones who don’t love to hike).
2) Bring snacks or a picnic. There are picnic tables (including some shaded ones), or space to spread out a blanket. (I like the big field area for a picnic - go left when you drive through the gates.)
3) Best time of year/weather for visiting:
Citrus State Park is best when it’s on the cooler side since it’s outside, but it is a decent place to visit year-round.
We came here once during the week of Christmas and it was beautiful! Crisp air, bright oranges on the trees, and lovely for walking around without getting too hot.
On our recent visit it was 90+ degrees and we had a pleasant lunch in the shade, but it was too hot to walk the trails for long.
There is a reasonable amount of shade near the field area, especially by the amphitheater and the covered picnic tables. If you come when the visitor center is open (weekends), that’s a nice air-conditioned space to spend a few minutes too.
4) Parts of the park are stroller (and wheelchair) friendly, but not the whole place.
There are paved sidewalks around the field (drive to the left when you enter the gate) or around the visitor center (up the hill when you enter the gate).
The orange groves themselves have dirt paths that get a lot of ruts, plus there are lots of stairs - so you will eventually hit a point where you can’t continue and will want to turn around.
5) Park hours and more info:
You can find the most up-to-date info on the official state park web site here. Also, sometimes they post unexpected closures or special events on Facebook.
The park itself (outdoors) is usually open from
8 AM-5 PM daily (October - March)
8 AM -5 PM weekdays, 8 AM-7 PM weekends (April - September)
The visitor center is usually open:
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM.
The gift shop is usually open the same hours on Saturday and Sunday, but closed Fridays.
Tour times vary throughout the year - I usually include them on the monthly Riverside event calendars, but here’s the official web site for more info.
6) Ideas for things to do:
Stroll among the historic groves and trails.
Visit the visitor center/museum - usually open weekends only.
Consider going on one of their free outdoor tours (weekends only) - the rangers will share about local history and let you sample the citrus grown there!
Have a picnic - outside food is welcome!
Enjoy the small amphitheater - perhaps it’s just my dramatic kids, but they’ve always loved putting on little family-only concerts and shows there!
Frequently Asked Questions About Citrus State Historic Park
How can you get in free to Citrus State Park?
Parking is $7 (and most families will need a car to get there). However, you can get free parking if you have a California State Parks pass from the library, if you signed up for the California Historian pass for free, or if your child is in 4th grade (4th graders do need to sign up online, it’s simple!)
Is Citrus State Historic Park good for young kids?
Yes! When I had four kids under five years old, we came here a lot! My toddlers loved running around in the big grassy field and being out in nature (and playing in the dirt, lol).
Can you pick the oranges at Citrus State Historic Park?
No - picking fruit off the trees is strictly prohibited. However, if you take a free tour (usually offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays) they will generally let you sample several types of citrus grown in the park.
Are there bathrooms at Citrus State Historic Park?
Yes, by the visitor center at the top of the hill, and also down by the field. Both are pretty decent!
While You’re in the Area:
Make the most of your trip — here are some other great spots nearby!
Daily Brew - one of my favorite Riverside coffee shops
Arlington Heights Sports Park - nice citrus-themed playground, with a splash pad in the summer
Van Buren Drive In
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Hi - I'm Kelly! I'm a mom of four kids here in Riverside, and I created Riverside Fun Kids to help local families find fun, simple, and affordable things to do in our city and throughout the Inland Empire.
From free events and kid-friendly activities to the best playgrounds, libraries, and museums, I'm here to help you make the most of life in the Riverside area.
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