Mission Inn

There it is, rising from Riverside's 215 freeway, among strip malls and aging buildings, like the crown jewel of Suburbia.

The Mission Inn Riverside is a national historic landmark that has hosted 10 U.S. Presidents, countless luminaries, and even a movie star or two.

Not to be confused with the Sonoma Mission Inn or Fairmont Mission Inn, the beautiful Mission Inn Resort & Spa began its life in 1876 as a 12-room adobe and soon grew into one of the West's grandest getaways.

Miller’s parents, who had higher hopes for their son, weren’t thrilled that Frank was abandoning his education to run an inn. But after promising he’d never smoke, drink or curse, they gave him their blessing. Together, with his new wife Isabelle Demarest Hardenburg, Frank began an architectural transformation on the hotel that was eccentric, yet totally beautiful.

It would take owner Frank Miller 30 years to realize his vision for the Mission Inn Hotel Riverside, as he traveled the world, bringing back souvenirs and inspiration from the Orient, Europe and Spain.

The California missions were also a huge influence. The six-bell campanario gracing the entrance is modeled after San Gabriel Mission, the arches are based on those found at Mission San Juan Capistrano, and the wood beams inside the Music Room were inspired by Mission San Miguel. The Court of the Orient boasts a large golden Buddha and other far Eastern delights.

“Frank had a great vision” said Susan Deering, a docent at the Mission Inn Foundation/Museum. “During the 1880s, the West was getting a lot of publicity, especially with Helen Hunt Jackson’s book ‘Ramona.’ Frank built his hotel to compete with other grand hotels of the time.”

The vine-and-lantern draped pergola, which still graces the front entrance, originally led guests on the 1-mile path from the railway station to the hotel in grand style.

“Frank was very much a showman, often dressing as a Franciscan monk and walking around the hotel,” said Deering. “He wanted you to feel like you were in a special place.”

As the hotel gained popularity, Frank and Isabelle had the luxury of traveling themselves. “Frank became a big souvenir buyer, putting his finds anywhere and everywhere in the hotel,” said Deering.  “He was the poor man’s William Randolph Hearst.”

Today, the Mission Inn Riverside CA remains one of California's premiere destination hotels, hosting four fine restaurants, an upscale jazz lounge, and luxurious Kelly's Mission Inn spa. If you can, book a stay in the Glenwood rooms, which overlook the Spanish Patio.

You'll have a great view of the 16th-century Glockenspiel, which rotates every 15 minutes with figures of an Indian, Junipero Serra, Juan Baptista De Anza and a Franciscan Monk. “It still works,” said Deering. “It rotates every 15 minutes with an Indian, Junipero Serra, Juan Baptista De Anza and a Franciscan Monk. Allis didn’t live to see its completion, but the staff dressed up  and stood inside the clock for her so she could see what it was going to look like.”

If you decide to visit the Mission Inn resort, I highly recommend the 75-minute walking tour, offered by docents at the Mission Inn Museum.

It's a great way to see parts of the hotel that aren't open to the general public and learn a little bit more about the Mission Inn history.

One of the most mysterious sights inside the hotel and along the roof line are tiny 4-foot doors, seemingly leading to nowhere.

“Frank ran the hotel with his sister, Alice, whom he didn’t always get along with,” said Deering. “Lore has it that Alice was a big woman, and Frank was much smaller, so he may have retreated into those doors when he needed some quiet time away from his sister.” Alice managed the hotel until her death in 1940s.

Part hotel, part museum, the Mission Inn's antiques have an estimated worth of at least $7 million.

The St. Francis of Assisi chapel, site of countless Mission Inn weddings, is home to seven Tiffany stained glass windows and a gold-leaf Rayas cedar altar from the 1700s.

The Mission Inn hotel is also famous for historic bell collection (including the oldest dated bell on record from A.D. 1247 and the Nanking Temple Bell), and the only complete set of Henry Chapman Fords California Mission paintings. Look closely into the cupola and youll see tiny scenes from Helen Hunt Jackson's book, Ramona, in each window.

In 1891, President Benjamin Harrison became the first U.S. president to visit Frank Miller's famous hotel. You can see portraits of other visiting presidents on the walls outside the Presidential Lounge, and even sit in President William Taft's large chair, which was commissioned by Miller for a banquet.

Whether you come for the day, or sneak away for a long weekend, you're sure to enjoy this historic piece of Americana.

The Mission Inn Riverside is located at 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA 92501. Call (951) 784-0300 or visit www.missioninn.com

For reservations at Kelly's Spa at the Mission Inn, call (800) 440-5910. For Mission Inn Tours, call (951) 788-9556 or visit www.missioninnmuseum.com