Mission Inn Festival of Lights in Riverside 2018

Exploring the annual Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA. This is one of my favorite Christmas events to go to every year and if you want to check it out I provide some tips on how to best see everything and where to park and eat as well.
Read more at californiathroughmylens.com/2011/11/mission-inn-festival-of-lights-in-riverside-ca/
Parking Info - www.riversideca.gov/fol/pdf/2018/FOL%20Parking%20Map_Metro_2019_CC.PDF
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[@buns438]

Me and a couple friends always went when it was past closing time in December, because you can still walk around the lights and no one would be there and it was just a calm relaxing experience!!!!

[@StephenGomez21]

I miss living in California

[@heyitsgerard]

Glad you were in town man. Really enjoy your channel. Keep up the good work

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks, I really appreciate the support!

[@a.delacruz17]

They used to have an ice skating ring 😔 You forgot to mention Casey’s cupcakes right outside the Mission Inn. There’s always a long line during the weekends but the cupcakes are so delicious🧁 As well as the hot chocolate from the gingerbread shop🤤 The lights are spectacular, I feel like they cover every inch of Mission Inn🎄love it!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Casey's cupcake is another great recommendation! I like the ice cream they put into the cupcakes.

[@cyndykated1083]

the gingerbread shop had longer line than hotel! lol

[@twinkiez420]

Do you have to pay to see the lights?

[@toshibavoodoo]

I grew up in Riverside and i got something new from your video! Love it!!

[@californiathroughmylens]

So awesome, I love visiting Mission Inn every year

[@Frankthe74Tank]

Me also live in Riverside. I also the Festival of Lights. :)

[@MonarchPoolPlaster]

Thanks, Tarzan.

[@stredent]

Going during the week is definitely the best option. It's crazy how packed it gets on the weekend.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Agreed, it is super crazy on the weekend!

[@xxxx6432]

love your videos! I'm heading to CA early next year from the UK and its nice to learn about non touristy stuff to do :)

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for the comment, let me know if you have any questions about CA!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Donuts - of course you had some! 😂 The dog that sings - love it! Beautiful job as always - the tunnel of lights is awesome. Definitely enjoyed 👍

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for the comment! Yep, I always try to find donuts anywhere I go haha.

[@ladyhitthelike8899]

Omg lived around the corner from there and never got to go wow one day💕🤔💕

[@cyndykated1083]

I stayed there in October..so beautiful inside..gorgeous small chapel in back

[@californiathroughmylens]

Yea, it is a really unique spot to stay at!

[@knf4451]

You did an excellent job on this, you make me want to start vlogging!

[@anmen7561]

How crazy! I was planning a trip to here! Thanks for the recommendations, this definitely helps with planning. Hi from Chino

[@californiathroughmylens]

Awesome! It is a fun spot to check out, any cool Christmas spots in Chino?

[@qualitylandscapeandhauling7942]

Thank you for doing this video. I'm thinking of going there in 2 weeks. This helps us figure out the parking and what to see first.

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem, it is a super cool spot to check out

[@qualitylandscapeandhauling7942]

@@californiathroughmylens What about the l.a. Zoo Christmas lights ? Have you been there ?

[@1secondsense]

I'm using this video as part of an English lesson in Budapest Hungary. Well done, also thanks because it reminds me of home (Riverside).

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is really cool. I am happy the video is helping people learn!

[@Castielj]

Very good video. Your camera has fantastic low-light performance. Could you please tell me what camera you used to make this video ? Thanks & Happy Holidays.

[@MrSillyFun]

I didn't know about this - thank you so much, your videos put a smile on my face every time :)

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem, thanks for the comment and for watching the videos!

[@xoxofromviri2856]

Omg u were in my hood! I absolutely love you u have been one of my inspirations in the making of my own channel! Ty for the amazing adventures u have brought to us

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thank you, I appreciate that! I am so glad the channel has been an inspiration for you!

[@cyndykated1083]

great info! we went last nite...so nice...area around the hotel was so festive too!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Awesome, glad you got to check it out!

[@Coolkidlyrics1416]

When does it end? And can I have the information for time, place please thanks

[@californiathroughmylens]

I am not sure the exact date but it normally goes until around the first week of Jan

[@reynapimentel4597]

It ends January 6th and it's opened from 5 until 10 pm

[@Coolkidlyrics1416]

@@reynapimentel4597 thanks

[@brandonburrell8517]

@@reynapimentel4597 Thank you!

[@robbuglass6199]

Killer jumper man , love the content . Keep going !

[@zaloalvarez6947]

Going next weekend! Thanks

[@johnbehneman1546]

great video!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! I learned a lot!!!!

[@dg5175]

I was just looking at this last week and thought of going

[@oliversch7271]

I got to say that you and your wife put out some very interesting videos.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks, glad they are interesting!

[@winssabs]

Is it open this year?

[@watermelonsugar8261]

is the food and stuff there free?

[@robertchorley]

Great Video as always and great sweater YoHoHo Merry Christmas Josh.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Haha thanks! I thought the sweater was fun

[@tfm1449]

I for one, am not very happy when the festival of lights is happening. You see, I live downtown Riverside. Being within close proximity to the Mission Inn one might think how lucky I am. No!! Parking is at an all time headache. And I happen to live on the only and closest 3 blocks where you don't have to pay to park on the street. Try to figure out where this is. You will spend at least one hour on my block. Then an hour on the next block....so on, and so forth. Waiting to shoe horn between cars. So I ask you to please use the parking lots designated for all the visitors coming to Downtown Riverside to see The Festival Of Lights. It is well worth the price to park in these lots.

[@knf4451]

Ohhhhnnnoooo lol I know exactly the area you're referring to 🤣😑😉

[@blinkitphotography]

Nice to see you our town, hopefully you can visit Temecula, CA The only think I didn't the inside lights of Mission Inn is they rush you to see the lights. But out of Mission Inn Festival its great.

[@californiathroughmylens]

I need to spend more time in Temecula, any recommendations?

[@CM-kt9hj]

@@californiathroughmylens the wineries, old town and Pechanga casino, hot air balloon rides.

[@iguillo]

Thanks for this Josh. Me and some friends are planning on taking the Metrolink to this next week! ;-)

[@californiathroughmylens]

Awesome, it is a pretty sweet spot to check out for Christmas

[@auroralopez2517]

I live five minutes away from the Festival of Lights :))

[@jeffreyvasquez3911]

Cool man thanks!🎄🎄

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem, thanks for the comment!

[@anointed2431]

On their site (Mission Inn) there's a page providing all the details about the event and it mentions real life little elves, real snow brought in for kids to play in and Santa for kids to take a picture with. Was any of that true?

[@californiathroughmylens]

They had an area for Santa photos when I went but I did not see the other two things you mentioned. They are probably on the weekends when it is a lot busier, this video was from a weekday night, or I could have just missed it haha.

[@anointed2431]

@@californiathroughmylens Oh okay got it. Thanks! Happy Holidays!

[@lisay1525]

Thank you! so helpful!... might be going tomorrow!

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem, hopefully it was helpful!

[@vsanchez1993]

Great Christmas lights video! You should check out Glittering Lights in Las Vegas if you ever there during this time of the year.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Sweet, thanks for the tip I will have to check it out.

[@brendaallende5500]

So what date and time did you go?

[@californiathroughmylens]

I recommend a week day. I try to go before it gets dark to get a parking spot then just hang out and explore till it is dark. This was on a Wednesday

[@violetbf3773]

AWESOME!!!!!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for the comment!

[@Justin-techguy]

OK I live right here in Riverside & I have never been to the Festival. Shame on me. You tourist need to check out the Mission Inn. Almost every president over the last 50 years have visited as well as many celebrities. It's beautiful.

[@vochaalloy33]

Sweeet job. Thanks for the InfoVid. where is the young lady you work with??

[@californiathroughmylens]

She was doing something else this time but should be back on the next video!

[@vochaalloy33]

@@californiathroughmylens you guys make a great team

[@matthewpersonett186]

I Live within 5 minute walk. Never go unless you really like crowds. Any other time is fine. Eat at Heros bar and grill

[@christabellette]

i live right there in downtown, it is beautiful...but its definitely not as lit as it usually is

[@christophersanchez4641]

Awesome channel! Have you been to Tios Tacos in DT riverside? If not check out the photos on yelp really cool visuals and stuff!!!

[@ilovesparky13]

Christopher Sanchez Yum 😋 they have some great Mexican food 🤤👌🏽

[@TheLastAdventurer]

Can you experience any Christmas ghosts there??

[@californiathroughmylens]

You would know!

[@1984endgamee]

Epic. I proposed at that arch.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That's a great spot for a proposal!

[@Msalazar2011]

and Casey’s Cupcakes next to the Mission Inn!

[@mykidsmom7767]

Oh no! You tried the donuts.....those are not the regular donuts you are used to. Looks Mom's Mini Donuts up on Instagram to find our public events.

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for the comment, I will look it up!

[@josephfiamengo1161]

Hey I live here

[@mrey552]

The lights just weren't that impressive.

[@violetbf3773]

AWESOME!!!!!