Riverside has many activities to occupy your time. Local concerts are often held in various venues around the city. The college's independent FM radio station, KUCR 88.3, has a reasonably good listing of cultural events in the area.
- Box Springs Mountain Preserve. Hiking and biking are available in the Box Springs Mountain Preserve, a large open space to the north of the city. Trailheads are accessible at the end of Big Springs St. and Blaine St. (an easy walk from the terminus of the #10 bus) as well as off of Central Ave and Chicago Ave (accessible from the #20 and #22 bus). Parking is free, but trail information is scarce. A popular pastime of local college students is hiking to the large, concrete "C" on the side of Box Springs Mountain. What they do while at said location is their own business.
- Van Buren Cinema 3, Van Buren Blvd (just off of the 91 freeway in the south of the city). Double features are common. $6 for adults, with children 9 and under free.
- Rubidoux Drive-In. The second of Riverside's drive-ins is just outside of the city limits off the 60 at Valley Way. In addition to holding Swap Meets every weekend, the Rubidoux Drive-In shows double features nightly. $7 for adults, and $1 for children 9 and under.
- Fairmount Park, 2601 Fairmount Blvd (Off Hwy 60 at Market St.; served by the 25 and 29 buses). Sunrise–Sunset. The crown jewel of parks in Riverside was designed by Frederick Olmsted, the architect of New York's Central Park. Fairmount includes a carousel-themed inclusive playground that is fully wheelchair-accessible and offers sand, water, and sensory play areas for the kids. Bring a change of clothes for summertime visits to the splash pad. Pedal boats can be rented by the half-hour during the summer. Other park facilities, including skate parks, pools, and sports areas, dot the city. (updated Jan 2020)
- Southern California Air Show (formerly The Riverside Airshow). generally in April at March Air Force Base.
