California Citrus State Historic Park

UPUPDATE (July 14, 2020) - California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.

As such, State Parks continues to ask visitors to plan ahead, avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. This means no gatherings, picnics or parties. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance. Full details on the guidelines are available at parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

Here are some guidelines for people visiting California Citrus State Historic Park:

What is open now?

California Citrus SHP is open from dawn to dusk.
  • Limited parking is now available to the public. 
  • No transactions at entrance station. APM or Pay by Phone only.
  • Trails - all active recreation will be permitted such as hiking, running, mountain biking, and bird watching, and equestrian use rules and regulations are now posted at all trailheads and will continue to be enforced.
  • BBQ’s, picnic tables and benches.
  • Only restrooms in the proximity of the parking lots will be available.

What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?

At this park:
  • Museum and visitor center temporarily closed.
  • Group picnic and amphitheater are available by visiting the Facility Rentals tab on the right.
Statewide:
  • Many campgrounds across the state remain closed until further notice. Some campgrounds have started to reopen with modifications. For more information, please visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping.
  • Many high public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
  • Special events and group camping continue to be canceled until further notice.

Are there any new visitor guidelines?

Yes, please see below:
  • Stay Local: Stay close to home. Walk or bike into the park. Parking is very limited. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
  • Stay Active: Keep walking, jogging, hiking and biking. Watch for one-way trails.
  • Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park, beach or on trails to allow for the required physical distance.
  • Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash
  • Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.

Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors. For more information, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

Phone Number

(951) 780-6222

Park Hours

Park Hours: Daily 8am-5pm

Visitor Center: Sat.-Sun. 10am-3pm
No tours or fruit tastings. We have self-guided tour maps.

Dogs Allowed?

Yes
Dogs allowed on the trails. Dogs not allowed in the visitor center/museum. 

Driving Directions to California Citrus SHP

The park is located in Riverside, one mile east of the 91 Freeway. In the Arlington Heights - Lake Matthews area of Riverside.

View on Map

Online reservations are not available for this park.

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Vista Point
Nature & Wildlife Viewing
Museums
Family Programs
Geocaching
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available

Preserving the Cultural Landscape of the Citrus Industry

This park interprets the industry's role in the history and development of California through the stories of the diverse groups of people who made it all possible. The park recaptures the complexities of the time when "Citrus was King," exploring the significance of the citrus industry in Southern California. 

In 1873, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forever changed the history of Southern California when it sent two small navel orange trees to Riverside resident Eliza Tibbets. Those trees, growing in ideal soil and weather conditions, produced an especially sweet and flavorful winter harvest fruit.  Word of this far superior orange quickly spread, and a great agricultural industry was born.

In the early 1900s, an effort to promote citrus ranching in the state brought hundreds of would-be citrus barons as well as thousands of migrant and immigrant agricultural workers to California for the "second Gold Rush."  This resulted in the growth of cities and communities throughout Southern California, most of which were segregated along class and racial lines.  On the surface, however, the lush groves of oranges, lemons and grapefruit contributed to California's legacy - its lingering image as the Golden State - the land of sunshine and opportunity.