🌴 Riverside, California – Near LA, Perfect College Town!

The cost of living here is relatively affordable compared to other California cities 🏙️💰, yet it’s close enough to Los Angeles. The University of California has a campus here 🏫, making it a great place to study and learn! 🚗 If you’re driving from LA, try to leave early—traffic gets really bad later! 🚦😅 My aunt teaches at the university here 👩‍🏫. My oldest cousin studied at Harvard 🎓, taught a famous lawyer who testified before Congress about Trump 🏛️👨‍⚖️. My older sister graduated from Stanford, got her PhD from Berkeley, and became a full professor at UC Davis 👩‍🔬✨. My third cousin graduated from Yale, PhD from Berkeley 🧠📘. Even my brother-in-law, who grew up here, has a PhD from Princeton 🎩📚. Such an unassuming place, yet filled with highly educated families! 🧡 ❤️ The Mission Inn – This European-style vintage hotel is 120 years old 🏰, with touches of Gaudi’s architecture like in Barcelona. President Nixon got married here 💒, the Reagans honeymooned here 💑, and 8 U.S. presidents have visited! Several elegant restaurants inside 🍽️, and perfect for afternoon tea 🫖☕. 🥑 Tio’s Tacos – A very authentic local Mexican restaurant 🌮🌶️. 🏛️ Redlands – A nearby small town with a uniquely designed library. ❤️ Umbrella Street – A charming street with quaint little shops nearby ☂️🛍️. 🏭 A.K. Smiley Public Library – Library cards cost $25 for residents—such a good deal! Our library tax back home is over $1,000 a year 😲📚. Other nice spots in Riverside if you have time: ❤️ Mount Rubidoux Park – Great for hiking 🥾⛰️. 🦅 March Field Air Museum – Frequently adds new aircrafts ✈️🛩️. 🍑 California Citrus State Historical Park – Parking $5, free museum (open Sat-Sun only) 🍊🌳. You can taste fresh fruit in the backyard! ❤️ Whitewater Preserve – Beautiful mountain trail views 🏞️🚶. 🍇 UC Riverside Botanic Garden – University botanical garden 🌸🌿. ❤️ Fairmount Park – Right next to the highway. Visit only if you have time 🚗🌆. #TravelTheWorld 🌎 #HikingTrails 🥾 #OffTheBeatenPath 🗺️ #HiddenTravelGems 💎 #TravelDiary ✈️ #SeeTheWorld ❤️