Top things to do near The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa sits in Historic Downtown Riverside within easy walking distance of several museums, the Fox Performing Arts Center and the Riverside Convention Center. Top nearby activities include guided daily tours of the hotel's own Mission Inn Museum, visiting local museums and galleries, dining at the hotel's restaurants, using Kelly’s Spa and the heated outdoor pool, and short hikes or drives to nearby parks and day-trip destinations.
In this guide
Explore the Mission Inn Museum and guided tours
The Mission Inn Museum is located right on the property and offers guided daily tours that walk guests through the hotel’s chapels, catacombs, and historic art and bell collections.
Tours are a convenient way to learn about the building’s architecture and collections while you’re staying at the hotel; check with the concierge for tour times and any participation details.
- See the hotel’s chapels and stained-glass windows
- Learn about the hotel’s decorative art collection and bell display
- Ask the concierge about daily guided tour schedules
Visit nearby museums and cultural sites on foot
Historic Downtown Riverside is walkable from the hotel. The Riverside Metropolitan Museum and the California Museum of Photography are both about a 1–3 minute walk; the Riverside Art Museum and Fox Performing Arts Center are a few minutes’ walk as well.
These institutions are close enough for a half-day museum loop that leaves time for lunch or a return to the hotel between visits.
- Riverside Metropolitan Museum — ~1 minute walk
- California Museum of Photography — ~1–3 minute walk
- Riverside Art Museum — ~4 minute walk
- Fox Performing Arts Center — ~3 minute walk
Dining at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
The hotel has several on-site restaurants and lounges offering a range of dining options from breakfast and brunch to dinner and cocktails. Reservations are recommended for some venues.
If you prefer a casual patio meal, Bella Trattoria offers sidewalk and patio dining on Main Street; Duane’s/Mission Inn Steakhouse serves formal dinner service and has an upscale business-casual dress code.
- Mission Inn Restaurant — breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch (reservations accepted)
- Mission Inn Steakhouse (Duane’s) — dinner only, upscale business-casual attire recommended
- Bella Trattoria — Italian with patio dining on Main Street
- California Lounge and Presidential Lounge — cocktails and small bites
| Venue | Typical Service Hours |
|---|---|
| Mission Inn Restaurant | Breakfast 7–11 AM (Mon–Sat), Lunch 11 AM–3 PM, Dinner 3–9 PM; Sunday brunch 10 AM–3 PM |
| Mission Inn Steakhouse (Duane’s) | Dinner (typically Tue–Sat evenings) |
| Bella Trattoria | Patio dining; limited weekly hours (Fri–Sun typical) |
Relax at Kelly’s Spa and the pool
Kelly’s Spa (also marketed as The Spa at the Mission Inn) is a Tuscan-inspired full-service spa on site with treatment rooms, Roman-inspired bathing tubs, eucalyptus steam, and relaxation lounges. Spa appointments are open to hotel guests and day visitors with reservations.
The hotel’s heated outdoor pool and Jacuzzi are open daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM; spa guests receive access to the pool, steam room and relaxation areas as part of certain spa visits.
- Spa signature treatments include the Fountain of Youth bathing ritual and citrus-inspired Signature Massage by Design
- Kelly’s Spa has 12 treatment rooms including private villas for couples
- Pool hours: 6:00 AM–11:00 PM (year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub)
Walks, outdoor options and Mount Rubidoux
Downtown Riverside and the hotel’s courtyards are pleasant for short strolls; if you want a longer outdoor walk, Mount Rubidoux Park is a popular local hike roughly 1.4–1.5 miles from the hotel.
The University of California, Riverside Botanic Gardens and other regional trails are a short drive away if you have a car or use a rideshare.
- Short walks around Main Street and the hotel’s historic courtyards
- Mount Rubidoux Park — about 1.4–1.5 miles from the hotel (popular hilltop trail)
- UCR Botanic Gardens — a drive of a few miles from downtown Riverside
Day trips and transportation options
The hotel is centrally located for a range of Southern California day trips. Disneyland in Anaheim, Palm Springs-area attractions, Joshua Tree National Park and coastal beaches are commonly listed as reachable drives from Riverside.
Rideshare apps and taxis are frequently used to reach regional destinations and the nearest major commercial airport; the Riverside-Downtown Metrolink station is about a 10–15 minute walk from the hotel for regional rail connections.
- Nearest major commercial airport frequently used: LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT)
- Riverside-Downtown Metrolink station — ~10–15 minute walk
- Rideshare/taxi commonly recommended for airport transfers and day trips
Hotel services that make exploring easier
Concierge and 24-hour front desk staff can help with restaurant reservations, spa bookings, tour times, and directions to nearby museums and the Convention Center. The hotel also provides valet and self-parking and an on-site EV charging station.
Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas and the pool area; check with the front desk about in-room internet access and any applicable daily resort fee inclusions for fitness and pool access.
- Concierge can book tours and dining reservations
- Valet and self-parking available (surcharges apply); EV charging on site
- Daily resort fee covers fitness center and pool access among other items
