California Citrus State Historic Park

California Citrus State Historic Park California Citrus State Historic Park opened in August 1993 as a living historical museum reflecting the citrus industry heritage. Nearly 200 acres of citrus groves managed by CA State Parks.
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Citrus SHP's Mission This park preserves the cultural landscape of the citrus industry and interprets this 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.

Mission: The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation

Operating as usual

The Park Museum is closed due to updated county COVID restrictions. https://www.countyofriverside.us/NewsHighlights/TabI...
10/22/2020
State announces Riverside County moved back to purple tier, businesses to adjust within 72 hours

The Park Museum is closed due to updated county COVID restrictions.

https://www.countyofriverside.us/NewsHighlights/TabId/96/ArtMID/487/ArticleID/561/State-announces-Riverside-County-moved-back-to-purple-tier-businesses-to-adjust-within-72-hours.aspx#gsc.tab=0

Oct. 20, 2020 Riverside County NEWS RELEASE Media Contact: Joint Information Line (951) 955-5087 Public contact: 2-1-1 State announces Riverside County moved back to purple tier, businesses to adjust within 72 hours Local officials remind residents to get tested and wear masks to slow the spread The...

In 1916, Jukichi Harada, a Japanese immigrant, fought the state of California for the right to own property in Riverside...
05/25/2020
State of California v. Jukichi Harada

In 1916, Jukichi Harada, a Japanese immigrant, fought the state of California for the right to own property in Riverside. Robyn Peterson, Riverside Metropolitan Museum director, shared the story of the Harada Family and the landmark court case that represented the issues of civil rights, immigration, assimilation and U.S. citizenship as part of the “2018 Local Content Vehicles Cities Tour” : https://www.c-span.org/video/?454811-1/state-california-v-jukichi-harada#

In 1916, Jukichi Harada, a Japanese immigrant, fought the state of California for the right to own property in Riverside. Robyn Peterson, Riverside Metropolitan Museum director, tells the story of…

05/24/2020
Palm Trees

Have you ever wondered about all the palm trees we have in the park? Check out this video from Jennifer about the history of the palm tree in Riverside!

05/22/2020
The History of the Meyer Lemon

Do you know which of our lemon varieties is the sweetest? Check out this video from Nick about the history of the Meyer Lemon!

It all started with a souvenir from the past -- an Arcadian vision of a manicured citrus orchard set against snow-capped...
05/20/2020
Monomania L.A.: David Boulé and the California Orange

It all started with a souvenir from the past -- an Arcadian vision of a manicured citrus orchard set against snow-capped mountains, printed in color on a penny postcard, and on sale at a paper ephemera show in San Diego. Thirty-five years, numerous flea markets, and countless eBay searches later, David Boulé has assembled what's perhaps the largest single collection of materials related to the production and promotion of California oranges. California Citrus State Historic Park has benefited immensely from this collection, as we have photos and other materials from Mr. Boulé in our various exhibits throughout the park. Check out this short clip to learn more about his collection: https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/monomania-la-david-boule-and-the-california-orange-0

David Boulé has assembled perhaps the largest single collection of materials related to the production and promotion of California oranges.

05/19/2020
Agave

Agave play an important role in our local landscape and history. Check out this video from Jennifer to learn more about evolution, natural selection, and genetic diversity while focusing on this unique plant we have in the park!

As you walk through the park or around your neighborhood, now is a great time to practice being a good nature observer. ...
05/18/2020

As you walk through the park or around your neighborhood, now is a great time to practice being a good nature observer. Stand still and quiet to see what you notice. What do you hear and smell? Can you see anything you would have missed normally? We hope you enjoy these snapshots of the park--can you guess where any of these were taken?

Theme studies are important documents prepared under the guidance of the National Park Service to provide a national his...
05/17/2020
Article Series (U.S. National Park Service)

Theme studies are important documents prepared under the guidance of the National Park Service to provide a national historic context for specific topics in American history. “This volume seeks to inspire more Americans to discover the stories of America’s Asian and Pacific Island heritage… Designed to be inviting and inspirational, these essays are not intended to be encyclopedic or comprehensive. Instead, we hope to reach local historians, planners, elected officials, AAPI communities, and all Americans interested in linking power of place to the ideas, people, and movements that have been meaningful to American society.” Check out “Finding a Path Forward: Asian American Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study” here: https://www.nps.gov/articles/series.htm?id=37E8E9F7-1DD8-B71B-0B828D45BDC9222D

Check out this interesting interview by Patricia Escárcega of her mother, Maria Teresa Escárcega, about picking and pack...
05/16/2020
A mother shares her food memories of growing up in Mexico

Check out this interesting interview by Patricia Escárcega of her mother, Maria Teresa Escárcega, about picking and packing citrus around the park, their family connection to the Bracero Program, and much, much more: https://www.latimes.com/food/newsletter/2020-05-09/tasting-notes-mothers-day-escarcega-tasting-notes

In honor of Mother's Day, critic Patricia Escárcega asked her mother to share memories of growing up in Mexico.

05/15/2020
The Gage Canal

Built by Matthew Gage between 1885 and 1889, the Gage Canal is nearly 20 miles long and doubled the citrus-producing area of Riverside. Join Nick as he explores this important historical feature that still supplies water to local citrus groves like California Citrus State Historic Park today.

We’re so excited about the new PBS series “Asian Americans,” which premiered this week. “Asian Americans is a five-hour ...
05/14/2020
Asian Americans | Night 1: Breaking Ground & A Question of Loyalty

We’re so excited about the new PBS series “Asian Americans,” which premiered this week. “Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played.” Check out part 1 here: https://www.pbs.org/video/breaking-ground-a-question-of-loyalty-night-one-kqcjmy/

New immigrants arrive and adapt to life in America.

05/13/2020
Cahuilla Uses of Native Plants

Historically, the Cahuilla people would have lived within the area of California Citrus State Historic Park, and continue to play an important leadership role in our region. Check out this video from Jennifer exploring how the Cahuilla people used the native landscape as an important source of food, and where many of these plants still exist near the park visitor center today.

This simple activity is a great way to learn about the wildlife and nature that live in your own backyard! With just a f...
05/12/2020
Easy DIY Bird Feeders! | Full-Time Kid | PBS LearningMedia

This simple activity is a great way to learn about the wildlife and nature that live in your own backyard! With just a few household items, try to create your own homemade bird feeders, and then practice being good nature observers when the birds come to visit!
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/easy-diy-bird-feeders-full-time-kid/full-time-kid-birdfeeder/#.Xp4ypVNKjOQ

This simple activity is a great way to learn about the wildlife and nature that live in your own backyard! With just a few household items, try and create your own homemade bird feeders. And check out our episode on birdhouses too!

Early Riverside settler Eliza Tibbets’ orange tree seedlings may have given birth to the city’s citrus industry — the go...
05/10/2020
These two moms are the treasures of Riverside’s Casa Blanca neighborhood

Early Riverside settler Eliza Tibbets’ orange tree seedlings may have given birth to the city’s citrus industry — the golden treasure that made this region prosperous. However, it was two Mexican mothers whose names have been lost to history who are the true treasures – or tesoros, in Spanish – of the Casa Blanca neighborhood in Riverside after they took a bold public stand for their children’s education. Check out this article by Frances Vasquez and join us in celebrating all mothers and mother-figures today: https://www.pe.com/2017/05/11/these-two-moms-are-the-treasures-of-riversides-casa-blanca-neighborhood/

Their names were lost to history, but their fight for their children’s education left a mark on Riverside.

05/09/2020
Exploring Riverside's Chinese American History

Asian and Asian American laborers--including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, and Sikh--were crucial members of the early citrus industry, bringing horticultural knowledge of citrus from their home countries to Southern California. This month, we celebrate the important contributions of Asian immigrants and Asian Americans to the citrus industry by highlighting the hidden histories and untold stories of their labor. Please enjoy this short video by the California Office of Historic Preservation, which explores Riverside's Chinese American history, including great historic images and information about our local citrus industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7lbf-NFOA0&feature=youtu.be

Description

Oral histories have been a crucial part of the work of park historians on the Relevancy and History Project and our ongo...
05/08/2020
Games . Family History Fun | ARTHUR | Official Site | PBS KIDS

Oral histories have been a crucial part of the work of park historians on the Relevancy and History Project and our ongoing efforts to represent hidden histories and untold stories of the diverse groups of people who made the citrus industry possible.

Now is a great time for kids and adults alike to practice connecting with family and friends using oral history, whether it be within your own household or for a virtual visit. This game is a fun way for children to practice their oral history skills by interviewing family members! Build interview questions, decorate your interview sheet, and then print it at the end, and the budding historians out there are ready for their first interview! https://pbskids.org/arthur/games/family-history-fun#/

Who's ready for the weekend? Tell us your citrus mood in the comments!
05/08/2020

Who's ready for the weekend? Tell us your citrus mood in the comments!

05/07/2020
Pachappa Camp

Watch park historian Steven Moreno-Terrill and Prof. Ed Chang discuss Pachappa Camp, the first Koreatown on the U.S. mainland and an important site of community for Korean immigrants in Riverside, as well as an important source of skilled labor for the citrus industry.

Keep an eye out this week for the supermoon! The term “supermoon” has been popping up a lot in the news and on social m...
05/06/2020
What’s a Supermoon and Just How Super Is It? | Education | PBS SoCal

Keep an eye out this week for the supermoon! The term “supermoon” has been popping up a lot in the news and on social media over the past few years. But what are supermoons, why do they occur, and are they really that super? Learn more here: https://www.pbssocal.org/education/at-home-learning/whats-supermoon-just-super/

The term “supermoon” has been popping up a lot in the news and on social media over the past few years. But what are supermoons, why do they occur and how can they be used as an educational tool for K-12 students?

Just down the street from the park is the Casa Blanca neighborhood, a community with a rich history of families who work...
05/05/2020
Casa Blanca: 104 Years of Cinco De Mayo in a Riverside Barrio

Just down the street from the park is the Casa Blanca neighborhood, a community with a rich history of families who worked in the citrus industry. Simona Valero, a 98 year old community leader featured in our exhibit, reminisces about Cinco De Mayo: "When my dad came in 1911 [to work in the citrus groves], they were already celebrating Cinco De Mayo...The women swept the dirt streets and watered it down for the parade," she says, recalling the early days when a multi-piece band of musicians made of local residents marched down unpaved streets. "Something beautiful about that time. At 5 a.m., the band would play while the American flag was raised, first of course. Then we raised the Mexican flag." Check out this article by Ed Fuentes to learn more about this rich cultural tradition: https://www.kcet.org/socal-focus/casa-blanca-104-years-of-cinco-de-mayo-in-a-riverside-barrio

05/04/2020
Unique "Body Part" Citrus

Check out this video from park historian Megan as she explores the more unique varieties of citrus we have in the park, all named after parts of the human body! From the Moro blood orange to the Australian finger lime to the fingered citron, go on a quick world tour of the weirder side of citrus.

In commemoration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will be highlighting each of our Re...
05/03/2020
YOK Center - Welcome

In commemoration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will be highlighting each of our Relevancy and History Project community partners this weekend, and all of the wonderful work they do in our local community to preserve the important histories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Each of these groups has contributed their knowledge and time to the park for our exhibits and events, and we are eternally grateful!

Today we are highlighting the Young Oak Kim Center for Korean American Studies at UC Riverside, whose mission is to “lead the United States in studying issues related to Korean diaspora and Korean American identity issues” and to “encourage and facilitate the free exchange of ideas and perspectives on topics related to Korean American Studies in an environment of respect and civility,” among other things. Pictured here with park historian Steven Moreno-Terrill is Professor Edward Chang, YOK Center Director and Professor of Ethnic Studies at UC Riverside. Visit their website to learn more about this important organization, and to see how you can help their mission: https://yokcenter.ucr.edu/

In commemoration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will be highlighting each of our Re...
05/02/2020
Default meta title for news page

In commemoration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will be highlighting each of our Relevancy and History Project community partners this weekend, and all of the wonderful work they do in our local community to preserve the important histories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Each of these groups has contributed their knowledge and time to the park for our exhibits and events, and we are eternally grateful!

Today we are highlighting the Riverside Chapter of JACL (Japanese American Citizens League), whose mission is to “secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry.” Visit their website to learn more about this important organization, and to see how you can help their mission: https://www.riversidejacl.org/riverside_jacl/pages/

In commemoration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will be highlighting each of our Re...
05/01/2020
SAVE OUR CHINATOWN COMMITTEE

In commemoration of May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will be highlighting each of our Relevancy and History Project community partners this weekend, and all of the wonderful work they do in our local community to preserve the important histories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Each of these groups has contributed their knowledge and time to the park for our exhibits and events, and we are eternally grateful!

Today we are highlighting the Save Our Chinatown Committee of Riverside, whose mission is to “protect, conserve, and interpret Riverside’s Chinatown archaeological site, and to tell important stories about the experiences and contributions of Chinese Americans in Inland Southern California.” Visit their website to learn more about this important organization, and to see how you can help their mission: http://www.saveourchinatown.org/

There are nearly 30 different varieties of mandarin oranges, including tangerines. Come along to the California foothill...
04/30/2020
California Mandarin Oranges | America's Heartland | PBS LearningMedia

There are nearly 30 different varieties of mandarin oranges, including tangerines. Come along to the California foothills to learn how farmer Steve Pilz grows and harvests his mandarins, and discover the many ways the locals enjoy this tasty fruit! This video also features a learning questionnaire for students to complete after the video! Enjoy: https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/b0064612-fc76-4c2d-b810-f137d227d90d/california-mandarin-oranges-americas-heartland/

There are nearly 30 different varieties of mandarin oranges, including tangerines. Come along to the California foothills to learn how farmer Steve Pilz grows and harvests his mandarins, and discover the many ways the locals enjoy this tasty fruit!

Seen any squirrels lately? Did you know that the eastern fox squirrels commonly observed in Southern California are not...
04/29/2020
Southern California Squirrel Survey

Seen any squirrels lately? Did you know that the eastern fox squirrels commonly observed in Southern California are not native to the area? As their common name implies, these tree squirrels were introduced from the eastern United States about 100 years ago. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County needs your help tracking the expansion of this introduced species!

You can tell the eastern and western gray squirrel apart easily. Both are large bushy-tailed tree squirrels but are different colors: eastern gray squirrels have reddish-brown fur and are commonly seen in urban and suburban neighborhoods; western gray squirrels have silver-gray fur and live in the forested areas of our mountains and foothills.

Are you up for the challenge? Learn how you can participate here: https://nhm.org/community-science-nhm/southern-california-squirrel-survey

Our museums will be closed until further notice to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Our first priority is the well-being and safety of our guests, staff and volunteers. Stay up to date with NHMLAC's response to COVID-19.​​​ Nuestros museos estarán cerrados hasta nuevo aviso para minimizar la ...

Address

9400 Dufferin
Riverside, CA
92504

General information

The park is now open to vehicular traffic with limited parking, and the visitor center is closed until further notice. For more information, please see https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30350

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 19:00
Sunday 08:00 - 19:00

Telephone

(951) 780-6222

Website

Alerts

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Videos

Palm Trees
Palm Trees

Have you ever wondered about all the palm trees we have in the park? Check out this video from Jennifer about the history of the palm tree in Riverside!

The History of the Meyer Lemon
The History of the Meyer Lemon

Do you know which of our lemon varieties is the sweetest? Check out this video from Nick about the history of the Meyer Lemon!

Agave
Agave

Agave play an important role in our local landscape and history. Check out this video from Jennifer to learn more about evolution, natural selection, and genetic diversity while focusing on this unique plant we have in the park!

The Gage Canal
The Gage Canal

Built by Matthew Gage between 1885 and 1889, the Gage Canal is nearly 20 miles long and doubled the citrus-producing area of Riverside. Join Nick as he explores this important historical feature that still supplies water to local citrus groves like California Citrus State Historic Park today.

Cahuilla Uses of Native Plants
Cahuilla Uses of Native Plants

Historically, the Cahuilla people would have lived within the area of California Citrus State Historic Park, and continue to play an important leadership role in our region. Check out this video from Jennifer exploring how the Cahuilla people used the native landscape as an important source of food, and where many of these plants still exist near the park visitor center today.

Pachappa Camp
Pachappa Camp

Watch park historian Steven Moreno-Terrill and Prof. Ed Chang discuss Pachappa Camp, the first Koreatown on the U.S. mainland and an important site of community for Korean immigrants in Riverside, as well as an important source of skilled labor for the citrus industry.

Unique "Body Part" Citrus
Unique "Body Part" Citrus

Check out this video from park historian Megan as she explores the more unique varieties of citrus we have in the park, all named after parts of the human body! From the Moro blood orange to the Australian finger lime to the fingered citron, go on a quick world tour of the weirder side of citrus.

Spontaneous Mutations in Citrus
Spontaneous Mutations in Citrus

Do you know which kinds of citrus are spontaneous mutations and which are produced by scientists? Check out this introductory video by Jennifer to get a basic overview of the differences between spontaneous and induced mutation!

Nature Prints Craft
Nature Prints Craft

Thank you, thank you to all those that participated in the City Nature Challenge this weekend! We hope you had a great time exploring using the iNaturalist app and that you learned something new! Now it’s time to preserve some of those fun memories by doing this fun and easy nature prints craft. Enjoy! #MondayMemories

We’re excited to see you on iNaturalist as part of our City Nature Challenge!
We’re excited to see you on iNaturalist as part of our City Nature Challenge!

Check out the event page for more info: facebook.com/events/857307211419066

This #MondayMemory is brought to you by Snoboy oranges! Would you rather have a fresh Valencia orange or a fresh Washington navel orange? Cast your vote in the comments!

Ever wonder where the Washington Navel came from? Or how more trees are produced if the fruit is seedless? Check out this video from interpreter Nick to learn more about this tasty fruit!

A pollinator hard at work! 🐝🌼🍃 Did you make any nature observations this weekend?

Bird Walk on Sunday
Bird Walk on Sunday

Join us for a guided bird walk this Sunday, February 10 from 8:30-10:00am. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Please bring your own binoculars, if you have them. (We will have a few pairs to share.) Meet us at the Gazebo across from the Sunkist Center to start--we'll see you there!

Please note that our guided grove tours may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather this weekend (Feb. 1-3, 2019). For up to date information, please call the museum at 951-637-8044. Thank you.

How many different birds can you hear? Though we couldn’t really see them, they were definitely out and about this morning! It’s the perfect time of day for a bird walk...join us for our next adventure on Sunday, February 10 from 8:30-10:00am.

The red-headed woodpeckers are out enjoying the beautiful weather today! Are you (or one of your friends) interested in leading a bird walk through the park this year? We’re looking for qualified volunteers to help lead morning bird walks! If you think this is the job for you, please contact Megan Suster at [email protected] #birdwatching #birdsofinstagram #volunteer #birdwalk

Squeeze the Day! Celebrate our 25th Anniversary with us...
Squeeze the Day! Celebrate our 25th Anniversary with us...

It’s just one week away! We are so excited to celebrate our 25th Anniversary with all of you. Come hungry to enjoy delicious treats from local food trucks, then cool off with shave ice from Kona Ice Riverside as you shop for beautiful handmade items from local artists. Then, explore historical and cultural displays from local community groups and tell us your own memories of citrus at our story share booth while learning about the future of citrus from UCR scientists. And don’t forget to get your face painted to support the local American Cancer Society chapter, build your own mini citrus crate, make your own crate label, and test your hand at Smudge Pot Ring Toss and Pummelo Bowling Goes Viral! Around 6pm, The Spare Buttons will serenade us with their retro jazz stylings. Then, around 7pm, CONJUNTO TENOCELOMEH will entertain us with music and dance from Vera Cruz! Be sure to bring your own blankets and chairs to enjoy the show in comfort!

We’re excited to welcome you to the visitor center today! We’ll be having our regularly scheduled tour at 11am, but no tour at 2pm due to heat. The visitor center will be open until 4pm with a citrus tasting available, so come see us! 😎🍊🍋

🎵 Music festivities continued! The talented band Tenocelomeh performs the classic song La Bamba. (Begins at 1:20.)

Music festivities too, LIVE!! 🎶🎶

"Bird singing" live at our park!

Cleaning up our park for Earth Day! 🌿 A big thank you to all the amazing volunteers.

Speaker Series - Wildlife
Speaker Series - Wildlife

From the Speaker Series - Wildlife event. Watch and learn some quick fun facts about these animals! A special thanks to Joseph Esparza for presenting.

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Category

Park Update - 6/10/20

California Citrus SHP is open from dawn to dusk to active recreation with restrictions in place to encourage social distancing and reduce group gatherings.


  • 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.

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    Comments

    Love this park but it needs some basic upkeep. The signs that show the different kinds of trees are either faded, broken, or missing. Wouldnt take much time/money to replace and would really help improve the overall enjoyment of visiting this wonderful park!