Festive and Eclectic In Riverside

Entry to Riverside's Mission Inn, flanked by giant Nutcrackers


This weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the historic Mission Inn in Riverside, a vast and sprawling structure of eclectic architectural designs, made even more eye-catching by the pervasive holiday ornamentation.

It's a rare event for me to travel so far to the East, well beyond the borders of Los Angeles County. But there are many cool things to see in Riverside, most especially the Mission Inn, founded in 1876. That may not seem like an "antique" date in most of the world, but, in this part of California, that's mighty venerable!

I wasn't able to stay into the evening, when the Festival of Lights dazzles the night. I'm hoping that I'll have the opportunity to take another trip inland.

Ho Ho Ho!!! Santa visits the Mission Inn

There are plenty interesting things about Riverside, but this post is all about images from the holiday look of the Mission Inn. ;-)

Here are a few more photos.

It's not every day that you get to see a couple of elves straddling cannons.

Nutcrackers line the exterior of the Mission Inn Rotunda

Feliz Navidad! You're looking at the Spanish Wing of the Mission Inn, amigo.

Enough photos. Here are a couple vids:

California Travel Expert with Veronica Hill

Festival of Lights (2009)

"A Perfect Day" written by Carrie Jacobs-Bond, while staying at the Mission Inn (1909)

Enjoy!!!