Take Heirloom Quality Portraits of Your Children in Riverside
Follow these tips to take better photographs of your children while exploring our city. Child at Pedestrian Mall, Downtown Riverside/Heather Monroe. The pandemic has affected just about every industry out there, and portrait photography is no exception. Not only has it been unsafe for photographers to get close enough to take a meaningful photograph, but some families are suffering financially and can't afford it.
Read full storyWhy I let my children pick their own clothing
As a ‘90s baby, shopping for clothing wasn't fun. When summer neared its end, mom dragged us to the department store. We spent hours combing through clearance racks, searching for affordable clothing. Tears were shed, fits were thrown, and the outfits hardly reflected our unique personalities. It was the best mom could do, and we were grateful. During holidays, mom purchased fancier outfits that suited our styles. Those outfits gathered dust in our closets until special occasions arose, such as family gatherings or picture days. I recall anticipating the chance to wear my pale pink party-length dress with white lace trim that swished in a circle when I twirled. I was confident I was a ballerina every time I wore it. But, we'd only get a few uses out of our good clothes before we grew an inch taller, and they disappeared. When I became a mother, I swore things would be different.
Read full storyGo See the Surviving Parent Navel Orange Tree in Riverside, California Where Our Roots Run Deep
Statue of Eliza Tibbets at Downtown RiversideHeather Monroe. A tree stands beneath a protective tent at the intersection of Arlington and Magnolia Avenues. Motorists and pedestrians pass every day without considering this remarkable tree and why it has grown there for over a hundred years. Truthfully, this tree is a living memorial to one of Riverside's founders and a testament to the spirit of equality and perseverance that all Riversiders share.
Read full storyEnjoy a Cup of Coffee and a Beautiful View at Molinos Coffee Shop
All the wonderful coffee flavors, and none of the wait at Molinos Coffee in Downtown Riverside. Do you want your coffee hot, fast, and served to you by a smiling barista? According to the United States Federal Census of 2020, there are currently 330,000 people living in Riverside. According to the line at almost any local cafe, all of these people want coffee simultaneously. It feels like there's no way around it. You have to wait like everyone else.
Read full storyHow a Corona Thrift Store Led Me to a Bit of Los Angeles History
Sometimes, we find community in the unlikeliest places. The Wilcox Building, where J Wiseman Macdonald had offices in 1896.Public Domain Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons. Who doesn't love a good old-fashioned genealogical puzzle? I, for one, do. The desire to connect the present with the past in unlikely ways caused me to develop a strange little hobby—I actively search thrift stores for vintage and antique books with names written in them.
Read full storyVisit the Model Train Club at Heritage Park in Corona
Travel through time to 1940s era Corona, and learn about how our lemons and trains helped shape the citrus industry. Exterior of the Corona Model Train HouseHeather Monroe. Inland Empire families are hard-pressed to find safe, affordable places to spend the day away from their homes. High gas prices and a restrictive global pandemic leave us all feeling a little restless and confined.
Read full storyEscape the Heat and Visit Umbrella Alley in Redlands, California
Nestled in a quaint walkway, Inland Empire residents find comfort, whimsy, and food at Orange Street Alley. Orange Street Alley in Historic Redlands, CaliforniaHeather Monroe. At long last, the summer of 2021 nears an end. For residents of the Inland Empire, this means we have a little over one month of sweltering heat and are starting to crave a comfortable outdoor experience. During this time, the heat seems inescapable, and nothing feels cool. However, a spot exists in Redlands, California, that offers an abundance of shade, shopping, food, and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.
Read full storyIn Search of Pasta alla Carbonara Southern California's Inland Empire
This beloved Italian dish, in its authentic form, is almost missing from the Inland Empire menu's. Southern California's Inland Empire is famous for its diversity. However, the Italian American is woefully underrepresented in the Southland. This is most apparent for those of us who seek an authentic Italian dining experience.
Read full storyFind History and Comfort Food at Silver Dollar Pancake House, the oldest restaurant in Corona, California
The historic Silver Dollar Pancake House has served homestyle food at a fair price for a century. Silver Dollar Pancake House in Corona, California 2021Heather Monroe. When the area known as South Riverside was incorporated under the name "Corona" in 1896, citrus was the primary industry. Over a century later, residents enjoy all of the conveniences of modern life but see very little evidence of Corona's early years. New businesses are a great thing; growth halts and towns decline when an area can't sustain them.
Read full storyGet Your Fill of Nostalgia and Fresh Fruit at Guldseth Orchards in Cherry Valley
Past meets present at Guldseth Orchard, where you can fill up on seasonal fresh fruit in Cherry Valley, California. Apricots galore at Guldseth OrchardsHeather Monroe. One of my earliest and best memories involves a fruit stand. My family relocated from Los Angeles to the Pass Area in 1980. On our way, we stopped at the side of the road to purchase fruit from a roadside stand. After we chose our apples, peaches, and tomatoes, my mother looked around for a human being to pay. Instead, she found an old coffee can full of coins and dollar bills and a note instructing customers to leave their payment. To our shock and pleasant surprise, this stand operated on the honor system.
Read full storyVisit Anaheim's Yorba Regional Park for Relaxation and Recreation
Yorba Regional Park is a peaceful, and beautiful local treasure with no shortage of activities for the young and old alike. Remember when bringing children to the park was safe? Today, you'll be hard-pressed to find a park in the city where you can fly a kite or enjoy a picnic without stepping into a homeless encampment. In Southern California, this is especially true the closer you get to downtown areas.
Read full storyYes, You are Welcome to Visit Carbon Beach in Malibu, California, But Don't Expect to Swing
There is no such thing as a private beach in the state of California, and no secret swings at Carbon Beach. Carbon Beach at Malibu, sans secret swingsHeather Monroe. California boasts 840 miles of coastline. Some of the beaches on this glorious coast are more pristine than others—Venice Beach vs. Coronado Island Beach, for instance. Some call a few of these beaches "exclusive," meaning rich people do not particularly enjoy the presence of the public and attempt to assert ownership over the length of the beach seaward from their houses. Such is the case with Carbon Beach in Malibu.
Read full storyInland Empire Residents: Add the Mead Valley Street Tacos to Your Summer Bucket List
Pile the kids in the car, and adventure out to Cajalco Road in Mead Valley, where there is no shortage of delicious Hispanic treats. In Riverside County, we are graced with many extraordinary dining opportunities and often overlook one of the best. Taco trucks and street vendors offer unique and traditional Mexican food choices at reasonable prices.
Read full storyCasey's Cupcakes in Riverside, California: Enjoy a Sweet Treat at This Mission Inn Staple
Located outside of the Mission Inn, facing Raincross Square, Casey's Cupcakes is serving up deluxe sweets at an affordable price. Sign above the entrance to Casey's Cupcakes, RiversideHeather Monroe.
Read full storyTio's Tacos: Tasting the American Dream in Riverside, California
At Tio's Tacos, enjoy the delicious flavors of Mexico and step inside the whimsical mind of local artist Martin Sanchez. Tio's Tacos in Riverside, CaliforniaHeather Monroe. Tio's Tacos story begins in Sahuayo, Mexico—a city in Michoacán. Martin Sanchez spent his childhood immersed in the city's proud culture contrasted by abject poverty. The Sanchez family immigrated to the US when Martin was a child.
Read full storyWitches Across Riverside Rejoice as Dragon Marsh Apothecary & Teas Slowly Reopens for In-Store Shopping
Dragon Marsh Apocethary & Teas is a quaint and friendly boutique in downtown Riverside, California. Inside, you will find a plethora of witchy wares to suit your needs. Even non-witches will enjoy the vast selection of yummy teas and aromatic candles, as well as rocks, gems, and minerals.
Read full storyVisiting Amboy: California's Favorite Pit-Stop
In the middle of California's vast Mohave Desert exists a town too quaint to die. Famous Roy's Cafe Sign at Amboy in front of the motelPhotographersnature/Wikimedia. Route 66 enthusiasts are always glad to reach Amboy in San Bernardino County. The giant midcentury neon sign advertises Roy's Cafe. A gas station and a few scattered buildings break through the sand and shrubbery like a mirage.
Read full storyVisit the Historic Richardson Homestead at Union Pass
There are so few examples of historic desert homesteads in the Mojave Desert. The harsh weather conditions often cause such structures to decay rapidly. However, observant drivers along Highway 68 between Bullhead City and Golden Valley may notice a lush cluster of tall, green trees and a few old buildings around mile marker 12. That patch of greenery obscures what remains of a Richardson Homestead at Union Pass—a true testament to the persevering spirit of pioneers to the Mohave Desert.
Read full storyThe Petroglyphs at Grapevine Canyon
Every year, 2 million people visit the tiny gambling town of Laughlin, Nevada. Unfortunately, these visitors and some locals are unaware of the sacred Native American site only five miles away. With over 700 paleo-era petroglyphs, Grapevine Canyon is a sight to behold for visitors and archeologists alike. Visitors are welcome to explore the area for free.
Read full storyEnjoy a Day of Adventure in Oatman, Arizona
Oatman, Arizona, is a quaint mining camp nestled at the foot of the black mountains. You'll be greeted by friendly shop owners, townsfolk, and Oatman's most famous residents—wild burros!
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