Hollywood, History, and a Few Famous Guests

The Mission Inn has attracted notable guests since the early 1900s. Over the years, presidents including Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, and George W. Bush all spent time at the property. Richard and Pat Nixon were married at the hotel in 1940, while Ronald and Nancy Reagan spent their wedding night there in 1952.

Hollywood has also left its mark on The Mission Inn. If the property looks familiar, it may be because it has served as a backdrop for numerous film and television productions, including Nixon, Party of Five, and The Wild Party. Its guest list is just as star-studded, featuring everyone from Tom Hanks and Diane Keaton to Elizabeth Taylor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Muhammad Ali.

Rooms With Their Own Story

With 238 guestrooms, including 28 suites, spread throughout the historic property, The Mission Inn is anything but cookie-cutter. Many accommodations feature stained-glass windows, reading nooks, ornate fireplaces, cathedral ceilings, and views of the hotel's courtyards and gardens.

Some travelers opt for grand suites, while others choose more traditional guestrooms, but each reflects the character of the landmark itself. It's one of the many reasons no two stays at The Mission Inn feel exactly alike.

Come Hungry

With multiple restaurants, lounges, and afternoon tea service, dining is a major part of The Mission Inn experience. Guests can enjoy steaks and seafood at the AAA Four-Diamond Steakhouse at The Mission Inn, where wrought-iron gates and rich wood furnishings create a refined, old-world atmosphere. For something more casual, Bella Trattoria serves Italian favorites such as pastas, pizzas, and fresh focaccia in a European-inspired setting, while Las Campanas pairs authentic Mexican cuisine with garden patio dining, twinkling lights, and some of Riverside's most famous margaritas.

The flagship Mission Inn Restaurant remains a centerpiece of the property, serving fresh, flavorful cuisine beneath vaulted ceilings, colorful tilework, and ornate sconces. Outside, the Spanish Patio offers one of the hotel's most memorable dining settings, with al fresco tables arranged around a tiled fountain amid mission-style architecture. Visitors can also settle into the California Lounge for cocktails, enjoy a drink beneath the stained-glass dome of the Presidential Lounge, or slow down with the hotel's popular afternoon tea service.

Finally, families—and anyone with a sweet tooth—will want to save room for Candy Lane, a whimsical candy shop filled with colorful treats, nostalgic favorites, and playful décor. It's the kind of place that appeals just as much to kids as it does to kids at heart.

Beyond the Guest Room

For a taste of Tuscany without the transatlantic flight, head straight to the on-site Spa at The Mission Inn. Ranked among Condé Nast Traveler's Top 50 Hotel Spas in the United States, the retreat features hand-painted frescos, Venetian plaster, marble mosaic floors, and warm archways that feel worlds away from Southern California. Guests can choose from a full menu of massages, facials, and body treatments, making it a popular stop after a day spent exploring the property.

Guests can also join an ambassador-led history tour, relax beside the secluded pool, or get lost exploring the property's courtyards and gardens. Just beyond the hotel, Riverside's Mission Inn District offers museums, restaurants, theaters, and shops within easy walking distance, making it easy to turn a stay at The Mission Inn into a full Riverside getaway.

Explore more resorts and hotels across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.