California Riverside Orange Tree Postcard

Riverside, California, is famously linked to the birth of California’s citrus industry, particularly navel oranges. In the late 1800s, Riverside became the hub for commercial orange growing after a few navel orange trees were imported from Brazil. The city’s Mediterranean climate—with hot, dry summers and mild winters—proved ideal for citrus cultivation. The success of the orange groves transformed Riverside from a small town into a prosperous city, attracting investors, farmers, and workers, and earning it the nickname “City of Orange Groves.” The legacy of oranges in Riverside is still visible today. While many original groves have been replaced by urban development, the city celebrates its citrus history through landmarks like the Riverside Citrus State Historic Park and the Mission Inn, which was built during the orange boom era. Riverside’s orange heritage also influenced culture, tourism, and even architecture, with citrus-themed festivals and historical tours that allow visitors to explore the city’s connection to one of California’s most iconic crops.