A California State Park You Probably Never Knew Existed

Every Monday, there is that typical question at the office… So what did you do last weekend? A movie? Or that boring response of “nothing much”? But my office mates were intrigued when I told them about a California State Park with hundreds of acres of citrus groves. And in Riverside, none the less!

California Citrus State Park is one of the most unique places I’ve ever been. Located just a little over a 1 hour drive east of Los Angeles, it’s an easy day trip from the city (or a nice way to break up the trip to Palm Springs or Idyllwild). Best of all, it’s cheap (just $5 to park!).

A small museum about the history of citrus. You won’t look at oranges the same way again!

So what is this place? The park, which opened in 1993, is one of the newest in the California park system. It celebrates the role that citrus (especially the navel orange) has played in California’s history. Think of it this way, oranges were the new thing in the foodie world. Kind of like the cruffin craze of 2014. With maybe a little more staying power!

To visit the park, you should join one of the regularly scheduled tours. Otherwise, you’ll just roam aimlessly and miss all the stories (and free samples!). One big thing to note: Picking oranges in the park is a big “no no.” Fines will run $1,000, though our guide said it typically is just a warning. Though, he did see someone get fined once!

Kevin is wide awake and ready to sample some oranges

Orange samples – nothing tastes fresher than straight off the tree.

Tour and tastes are generally available Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 2:00 pm when volunteer docents are available. Tours are first come first serve and tour space is limited For more information on tours, please call (951) 780-6222 Monday-Friday or (951) 637-8044 Saturday-Sunday.

Overlooking the orange groves while on the guided walking tour

In the early 1900s, citrus ranching brought hundreds of would-be citrus barons to the state for a “second gold rush.” The oranges, lemons and grapefruit helped give California the lingering image as the Golden State – the land of sunshine and opportunity.

Here are a few more fun tidbits heard on the tour:

Where is the road? Did you know that palm trees helped ranchers identify roads? Palm trees stick high above orange trees and acted as a marker along the early dirt roads (and why we see streets like in Beverly Hills lined with palm trees. Though today it’s more for a decorative purpose)
Florida is home to the popular Valencia oranges best for juicing. But Navels are better for eating (our informative guide told us, since Navel oranges don’t maintain the same flavor after being juiced).
The first orange tree in California traces back to 1804, and were guarded closely by the priests at San Gabriel Mission (located in the San Gabriel Valley)