Riverside is famous for sunshine, citrus groves and a historic downtown full of landmarks. But when the sun goes down, this city reveals a darker side. With roots reaching back to 1870, Riverside has gathered more than a century and a half of legends, local lore and stories that still echo through its streets.
Whether you’re a true believer, a history buff or just looking for a fun night out with family and friends, here’s how to experience Riverside’s spookiest side.
Walk Downtown After Dark
The best way to meet Riverside’s restless spirits is on foot. Two walking tours bring the city’s eerie history to life.
Riverside Reaper Ghost Tours
You don’t have to wait for October to get your chills. Riverside Reaper Ghost Tours run nightly, year-round, leading guests on a one-hour, one-mile walk past some of the city’s most haunted places. Hear the legend behind the Mission Inn’s famously haunted “Alice Room,” and learn about the spirits said to linger at the 1928 Riverside Municipal Auditorium, built as a memorial to soldiers who fell in World War I. Tours meet in front of the Auditorium on Mission Inn Avenue.
Haunted Walking Tours with the Mission Inn Foundation
Each fall, the Mission Inn Foundation hosts its annual Haunted Tours, a guided evening walk through downtown Riverside that blends local history with a few eerie twists. Guests can try paranormal activity detectors along the way. Every ticket supports the Foundation’s educational programs for local schools and its work preserving Riverside’s history. The tour takes place outdoors on downtown streets and does not enter the Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.
Find upcoming tour dates on the Visit Riverside events calendar
Step Into the Victorian Era at Heritage House
Heritage House, the Museum of Riverside’s beautifully preserved Victorian home on Magnolia Avenue, is the perfect setting for a season of curiosities. In the fall, the museum often hosts special programs exploring the stranger side of 19th-century life, from Victorian mourning customs to the deadly ingredients once hidden in artists’ paints. Past events have featured a Victorian-style “Dark Carnival” with tarot readings and oddities in jars, along with hands-on workshops where guests make their own memento mori.
Seasonal exhibits and guided house tours make it easy to turn a visit into a full afternoon.
Trick-or-Treat Among the Airplanes
For families with little ghosts and goblins, Planes & Treats at Riverside Municipal Airport has become a favorite October tradition. Kids collect candy from dozens of decorated airplanes on the flight line, while grown-ups enjoy music, local vendors, food, and a beer and wine garden at the Riverside Airport Café. It’s a free, family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween with a one-of-a-kind backdrop.
Keep the Season Going with Día de los Muertos
As Halloween ends, Riverside’s celebration continues. The city’s Día de los Muertos festival is one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in California. It fills Downtown with beautiful community-built ofrendas, live music, folklórico dancers, lowriders and food. It’s a vibrant, meaningful way to honor loved ones and experience one of Riverside’s most beloved cultural traditions.
Make a Night of It
Pair a ghost tour with dinner downtown, where you’ll find everything from casual cafés to elegant dining within walking distance of Riverside’s most storied landmarks. Want to stay the night? Book a room in the heart of downtown and wake up ready to explore the city’s history in the daylight.
Riverside’s events change throughout the season, so be sure to check the Visit Riverside events calendar for the latest dates, times and tickets.