Riverside is a city steeped in history, education, and cultural significance, offering residents and visitors a unique blend of academia, natural beauty, and historic landmarks.

One of Riverside’s defining features is Victoria Avenue, a scenic, citrus-lined paseo that pays homage to the city's agricultural roots. The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is a major institution within the city, featuring the UCR Botanical Gardens, a stunning 40-acre (16 ha) reserve filled with rare plant species and four miles (6.4 km) of walking trails. Another prominent academic institution is La Sierra University, situated in the La Sierra neighborhood. Spanning 150 acres (61 ha), the university is home to the World Museum of Natural History, featuring extensive freeze-dry taxidermy exhibits of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Riverside holds a significant place in California’s agricultural history as the birthplace of the navel orange industry in the United States. The one surviving Parent Navel Orange Tree, planted in 1874, stands as a living relic of the industry that shaped the region’s economy.

The city also boasts three major hospitals, ensuring comprehensive healthcare access:

• Riverside Community Hospital – A General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services and a Level I Trauma Center (since 2020).
• Parkview Community Hospital Medical Center – A General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services (since 2006).
• Kaiser Foundation Hospital – Riverside – A General Acute Care Hospital with Basic Emergency Services (since 2006).

Riverside’s public library system provides eight branches, including Arlanza, Arlington, La Sierra, Marcy, Main, Orange Terrace, Eastside Cybrary, and Casa Blanca, offering educational resources and community programs.

For large-scale events and business gatherings, Riverside features multiple convention centers, such as the Riverside Convention Center (remodeled in 2014) with 66,000 sq ft (6,100 m²) of indoor space and an additional 14,000 sq ft (1,300 m²) outdoors. Other key venues include the Riverside Marriott and the historic Mission Inn, which offer spacious accommodations for academic and professional conferences.

Riverside is also home to several historic cemeteries, each with significant burials:

• Crestlawn Memorial Park – Resting place of Medal of Honor recipient George Alan Ingalls and baseball player Mike Darr.
• Evergreen Cemetery – Burial site of Marcella Craft, Frank Augustus Miller, and Eliza Tibbets.
• Olivewood Memorial Park – Notable for Medal of Honor recipient Jesus S. Duran and actor Darwood Kaye.
• Riverside National Cemetery – The largest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration, recognized as the most active national cemetery since 2000.
• Sherman Indian High School Cemetery – Honoring the history of Native American students who attended the school.

With its rich academic landscape, thriving healthcare system, historic landmarks, and modern infrastructure, Riverside continues to be a hub of culture, education, and innovation.