The hook
A living grove of the oranges that built Southern California survives as a state park in Riverside, rows of trees kept as they stood when citrus was king.
01Why it's worth it
In the decades around 1900 the navel orange turned inland Southern California into some of the most valuable farmland in the country, and the money it made built Riverside, Redlands, and the whole citrus belt. California Citrus State Historic Park preserves that vanished world on more than 250 acres: working groves of oranges and grapefruit, a collection of heritage varieties most people have never tasted, packing-house exhibits, and picnic lawns under the trees. Walk the rows in spring when the trees bloom and the smell of orange blossom is everywhere, or in winter when the fruit hangs heavy and bright. It's the only state park dedicated to the industry, and it holds onto a piece of California that has been almost entirely paved over.
02How to experience it
It's off Van Buren Boulevard in the Arlington Heights part of Riverside, about seven hours from the Bay. There's a vehicle entry fee, the park is open daily, and the visitor center keeps shorter weekend hours. Come for the bloom in spring or the hanging fruit in winter, and go early on summer days before the inland heat sets in. Guided tours run on weekends.