Visitor Guide

Greeted by an old-fashioned roadside fruit stand, the “big orange, our park dedicates over half of 250 acres to what was once the universal symbol of California’s role in agriculture – the citrus grove. Visitors can learn about the agricultural heritage of California, the development of the citrus industry, and the role it played in shaping the state's economy and culture. The park also offers educational programs, special events, and opportunities for recreation such as picnicking and hiking. Learn more about the park down below.  

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Basic Park Info 

• The park is located at 9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92503
• California Citrus State Historic Park is open for day use from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
• Our Visitor Center is open Friday through Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
• Dogs are permitted on all trails but must be on a six-foot-maximum leash and under human control at all times.
• Restrooms are located near the open grass area between the Sunkist Center and the Gazebo as well as the visitor center. 
• Free Grove Tours are only available Friday-Sunday at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.
• Parking is $7 per vehicle. 

Activities

• Varietal Grove: Take a stroll through the park's varietal grove on the Knoll Trail, located next to the visitor center. This trail guides visitors through an array of over 75 citrus trees, showcasing the diversity of citrus! 
• QR Code Taghunts: Along the park's trails, you can scan one of our many QR code stations to learn about the park's diverse history and other facts pertaining to citrus. Learn more here. 
• Visitor Center: Stop into our visitor center to learn about the history of California's Citrus Industry as well as to tour our gift shop. 
• Picnicking: There is an abundance of picnic areas scattered throughout the park along with several group picnic areas located near the gazebo. The large grass area adjacent to the Sunkist center is also great for outdoor activities and lounging.
• Park Events: Apart from our Grove Tours, both our park staff and park partners run a variety of outdoor events! Visit our event page to view upcoming events. 
• Weddings: The SunKist center is also available for weddings booked through our park partner. Learn more here.

Wildlife

Though the natural ecosystem has been affected by the citrus industry, the reservoir and year-round irrigation water attract waterfowl and other species that would normally visit only seasonally. The dry wash in Mockingbird Canyon shelters brush rabbits and bobcats. Raccoons, striped skunks, kangaroo rats, and coyotes are also found here. Red-tailed hawks, California quail, hummingbirds, and roadrunners are common.

 

Rules and Regulations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the park hours?

October through March, the park is open daily from 8am to 5pm.  April through September, the park is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 7pm.  The visitor center/museum is open year round Friday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Is there a cost to visit the park?

There is a vehicle entry fee of $7.00 ($6.00 for seniors age 62+).  Please pay exact cash or credit card at the automated self-pay stations located in the front parking lot or in front of the visitor center/museum, or cash and credit card to kiosk attendant when present.  Visit the main page of our website to learn about costs for larger groups and which California State Park passes are accepted.

If I have a disabled parking permit/placard, can I park for free?

No, you must have a Disabled Discount Pass issued by California State Parks to receive a discount on the vehicle entry fee.  For persons with permanent disabilities, this pass entitles the bearer to a 50% discount for vehicle day use, family camping, and boat use fees at California State Park operated units.  For more information on how to obtain this pass, and other special passes, visit the park website.  

Where can I buy an annual pass for parking?

Our sector office sells several different special passes.  For more information, please call 951-780-6222 or visit the park website. 

Can I take pictures or film in the park?

Filming or photography at California Citrus State Historic Park requires a permit through the California Film Commission.  For more information on filming in the park, visit the park website. 

How do I reserve one of the facilities for my special event?

We have facilities that you can rent for parties, weddings, meetings, gatherings, and other events.  For the wedding venue, call 951-515-6689 Monday through Friday 10am - 5pm. For the amphitheater and outdoor areas, call 951-536-6206 Tuesday through Friday 10am - 4pm.  For more information on reserving one of our facilities, visit the park website.  If you are interested in using the general park for a special event, please follow our permitting process here. 

Can we pick oranges here?

No, visitors cannot pick their own fruit.  Unauthorized picking and taking of fruit at California Citrus State Historic Park is prohibited (Title 14 CA Adm. Code CCR 4306(a)).   

Where can I buy oranges?

Gless Ranch picks and packs our commercial fruit for us, and a portion of the proceeds come back to the park.  There are several Gless Ranch fruitstands near the park, but the closest are on the corner of Van Buren and Dufferin right down the street from the park and at 19985 Van Buren Boulevard about 6 miles up the street from the park.  For more information on Gless Ranch, visit their website.  

Does the park accept monetary donations?

Absolutely! Our nonprofit partner, the Friends of California Citrus Park, collects proceeds from fundraising and donations to support park maintenance, improvements, and educational and interpretive programs. You can visit them here for more information.