Hiking Around Mt. Rubidoux
Mt Rubidoux is a mountain located in the city of Riverside, California. It protrudes from the plain of the Jurupa Valley providing 360 degree views of the surrounding city, valleys, foothills and mountains. I have hiked to the top of Mt Rubidoux several several times to enjoy the views. There are also some historical attractions to take in.
The parking for the Mt Rubidoux Trail is at Ryan Bonaminio Park which is about a five-minute walk away from the trailhead. While there are a number of trails in the Mt Rubidoux Park I have always gone on a gradual, paved route which winds around to the top of Mt Rubidoux. This is actually a road which is now closed to vehicles.
My first visit to Mt Rubidoux was in May 2025 when there was some colorful trees.
The land was purchased in 1906 by Frank Miller and Henry E. Huntington with the intent to develop the mountain as a park to benefit the city of Riverside.
Along the way there was some pretty Brittlebush blooming.
There was a bush that appeared to be growing out of the rock but upon closer inspection was found to be growing in a crack between two rocks.
A road to the top was built and completed in 1907.
At the summit of Mt Rubidoux is a cross honoring honoring Father Junipero Serra who was founder of many of the California Missions. He supposedly often traveled the length of California and rested at Rubidoux Rancho. The original wooden Serra Cross was put in place on April 26th, 1907.
The present concrete cross over a metal framework was dedicated on April 14, 1963.
The Testimonial Peace Tower and Friendship Bridge was built in 1925 to honor Frank Miller.
A closer view of the tower.
My next hike up Mt Rubidoux was in October 2025 when it was much clearer with good views from the city to the mountains.
In 1955 the heirs of Frank Miller donated the land of Mt. Rubidoux to the city of Riverside.
I enjoyed the clear views of the distant San Bernardino Mountains.
Having a U.S. flag on the peak dates back to 1907.
More of Riverside city as seen from the top of Mt Rubidoux.
On the way down a group passing under the bridge.
The bridge is a replica of a bridge in Alcantara, Spain.
Looking back at the tower and bridge.
The third trip to Mt Rubidoux was in January 2026. This time there was a cloud cover with some grass seed heads in the foreground providing interest.
Again I take the gradual route and see that some rains have made the hills turn green. If you look closely at the left there is a little of one of the very steep dirt trails that meets the road to the top.
The first Easter sunrise service was held at the top of Mt Rubidoux in 1909 and has become an annual event.
In 2012 a group advocating the separation of church and state threatened to sue the City of Riverside because the cross was on city property. Riverside managed to get around this by selling the land under the cross to a private organization called Totally Mt. Rubidoux and the cross is now on private land.
On the way back down there is a bridge where the road crosses over itself. In the center is Saddleback Mountain which is made up of two peaks. On the left is Santiago Peak which at 5,689 feet is the highest in Orange County as well as the highest in the Santa Ana Mountain range. On the right is Modjeska Peak which is the second highest at 5,496.
Continuing on the road goes around a very rocky hill with another view of Saddleback Mountain.
Some yellow flowers lining the road.
All three hikes were with a hiking group. After the hike we stopped at Tio’s Tacos which serves authentic Mexican cuisine. It also features art made from recycled items on the restaurant grounds.
These are the brainchild of Martin Sanchez who grew up in a small village in Mexico. In his household things were never thrown away. He came to Riverside in 1984 were he started selling things on a food cart before getting into the restaurant business in the 1990’s. Then he had a place to create his art from things he collected. Over time it became what is seen today though things are sometimes changed.
With good food and eclectic artwork it made a nice ending to our hikes of Mt. Rubidoux
For these and more pictures visit the Mt Rubidoux Gallery
More Information:
Friends of Mt. Rubidoux information on Mt. Rubidoux
