uc riverside campus tour youtube

UCR offering webinars with campus tour guides

The video chats provide incoming students a preview of campus life

Every spring, hundreds of prospective college students flock to UC Riverside for a tour of the campus to help them decide where to go that fall.

With on-campus tours no longer possible, UCR is offering an online alternative. Last month, its team of student tour guides began offering Zoom meetings for high school and transfer students wanting to know more about the campus.

The goal is to provide students and their families a chance to connect with current students and answer their questions, said Cindy Flores, visitor relations manager with Undergraduate Admissions, who oversees campus tours .

In a typical April, the busiest month for tours, the campus gets between 300-500 visitors a day, she said.

When the campus closed March 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the office began exploring alternative options for those students.

Students who had already made tour reservations for April were invited to schedule an hour-long webinar as part of the pilot program. Over the course of a month, more than 60 participants joined the webinars.

The office has 30 student tour guides offering the online webinars, Flores said. Each webinar is limited to a small number of participants, so they can dialogue easily with the tour guide.

The tour guides, chatting from home, provide the same type of overview of UC Riverside’s history, academic offerings, and campus amenities they would in a regular tour. 

“We try to structure our conversation very similarly,” said Dianna Caal-Requena `20, a campus tour guide. “We try to get personal with people and let them have a conversation with a student because that’s what they want.”

A fourth-year student studying business administration, Caal-Requena has been a tour guide since her first year on campus. 

During recent webinars, she asked prospective students about their academic and extracurricular interests. She tailored her conversation to them, talking about her experience studying business administration to a student who expressed a similar interest. For a student interested in microbiology, Caal-Requena described the different degree options available.

Throughout the webinars, she encouraged them to ask questions and provided links to websites and email addresses for different resources in the Zoom chat box.

The office is also offering a specialized webinar featuring engineering students with a PowerPoint presentation about the laboratories at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.

Flores said the student tour guides are a great resource for incoming students since they can directly relate to what they will be going through.

“They’re really passionate about UCR, and it really shows,” Flores said. “The students really do walk away with a greater understanding of what UCR has to offer.”

For more information about the program go here .  

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If the embedded tour is not displaying properly, please visit https://tours.invisionstudio.com/UCR-School-of-Medicine .

Undergraduate Admissions

Bold Hearts. Brilliant Minds.

• Campus Tours FAQ

We’ve anticipated many of your campus tour questions and tried to answer them. If you have additional questions, please contact us [email protected] .

General Questions

Yes, permits are always required when parking in any UCR lot. The good news is that parking is complimentary if you reserve your tour/visit ahead of time, available in Lot 1. Please check in at the Lot 1 kiosk to pick up your pass. However, if for any reason you need to purchase a parking permit , an all-day pass ranges from $9–13 and paid parking is available in Lots 6 and 24.  Tip: We recommend entering UCR Lot 1  in Google Maps when driving to campus. 

There are many hotels near campus . Some hotels offer a discounted UCR rate if you request it. UCR is not affiliated or responsible for any third-party accommodations you arrange with the hotels listed. 

No, not at this time.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress for weather and temperature variations. Pants and closed-toe shoes are required for BCOE lab tours. 

With a beautiful campus like ours, any day is the best day! If you want the full campus experience, plan your visit for when classes are in session. But if you're looking for less hustle and bustle, plan it for the off season ( midterms/finals and summer quarter ).

Yes.  Highlander Day  happens every year in the spring, typically on a weekend in April and May. You'll have opportunities to connect with friendly faculty and students, take a tour, and discover academic, wellness, and career resources. 

For other admission happenings, visit  UC Riverside Events . To attend campus events that are open to the public, visit Events .

The Campus Tours Office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., excluding all national holidays. We are also open on select Saturdays during special events such as Discover Day and Highlander Day . 

Yes, the Highlander Union Building (HUB) Plaza Dining includes a full range of delicious options, including Chronic Tacos, Hibachi-San, The Habit, and Panda Express. If you need a coffee fix, stop by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (HUB), Ivan's (Hinderaker Hall), Bytes (Winston Chung Hall), Emerbee's (between MRB and MSE), or Starbucks (Market at Glen Mor).

UCR also has campus food trucks, Scotty's convenience stores, residential dining, and the signature Barn dining and entertainment venue.

Visit dining.ucr.edu to explore all options.

Reserving Your Tour

Yes. You must make a reservation in advance. This allows our staff to properly prepare for your tour. After making your reservation, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details about your visit. During spring and fall quarters, space is limited — we suggest reserving early.

Group tours for High School and Community College groups will be offered at a very limited capacity for the remainder of the 2022 academic school year.

You can cancel and schedule a new tour online using the link in your confirmation email. DO NOT schedule another tour until you cancel your first tour. Doing so creates a duplicate tour reservation. Thank you for letting us know. Canceling your tour allows us to open up space for other visitors.

We have lots of ways to explore UCR!

• Take a virtual tour  of labs, lecture halls, housing, and favorite student life spaces.
• Watch The College Tour video series  with 10 UCR students sharing their stories and what makes our campus so special.
• Download our self-guided tour map with campus landmarks and fun facts. If you're driving, a parking pass will be required.

No. Tours happen rain or shine! Please prepare for the weather accordingly. 

We sometimes have staff Campus Tour Guides who speak multiple languages, but that can change every quarter. Please call our office at (951) 827-8687 to inquire about the availability of your specific language. We also invite you to bring your own interpreter. Our Campus Tour Guide can customize the tour to allow time for your interpreter to translate for you throughout the tour.

Yes. Every tour option has an ADA route, making it wheelchair accessible. If needed, please request an ADA route in the "special accommodations" section of your reservation, so our office can plan accordingly.

No! UCR tours are free. We gladly welcome you to visit our campus and meet with our students, staff, and faculty. 

Our  Prospective Student/Family Tours  is for individual students and up to four (4) guests, such as parents, guardians, siblings, relatives. Register for a general campus tour or an information session. Complete a separate tour reservation for each prospective student to ensure they each receive a tour packet.

(Groups of 10 or more prospective students can make one reservation for all students and will be taken on a Group Tour .)

Yes. Children are allowed on tours. However, if a child requires the use of a stroller, please notify our staff ahead of time so we can adjust the tour route accordingly. 

About The Tour

The tour route typically follows a student’s walking path to class. It includes stops at a library, the Campus Store, the Highlander Union Building (HUB), popular student hangouts, and more. Each tour includes a brief history of UCR, as well as information about current academic programs, planned future growth, student life, and athletics.

Tours are led by current undergraduate students who are extremely knowledgeable about our campus and its programs. Student guides also share their personal UCR experiences, stories, and insights.

No. Unfortunately that would be disruptive to classes that are in session.

Group Residence Hall tours are currently not offered, but we have other options to explore on-campus housing. For more information, visit Housing . 

• Video: UC Riverside Housing Tour
• Video:  UCR Housing: Where "Living the Promise" Lives
• Virtual Housing Tour

Campus tours are last about 45-60 minutes.

If you arrive early, you might be able to join an earlier tour. Or, you could grab a bite to eat on campus at the Highlander Union Building (HUB) or hang out to chat with us and get answers to your questions.

If you arrive late, we will do our best to add you to our next available tour. Some tour options may not be available to tour if you arrive more than 10 minutes late. 

No. The general campus tour provides comprehensive information perfect for undergraduate students. Most graduate students meet with the department to which they are applying. Contact the appropriate department representatives to coordinate a personal meeting.

We recommend contacting the professor directly via email. Use the links below to find contact information.

• Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) Faculty
• College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) Faculty
• College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Faculty
• School of Business Faculty
• School of Education (SOE)
• School of Public Policy (SPP)

Group Tours

A "group" is considered 10 or more prospective students from any institution or organization (e.g., schools, community or religious organizations, camps). Schedule your High School/Community College Group Tour today!

Middle and Elementary School Group Tours are not offered during fall quarter. Tours will resume Winter 2023, and you will be able to register by mid-December. View availability .

Reservations for groups must be made at least two weeks in advance. We begin accepting reservations about one month prior to each quarter. Visit the UCR Academic Calendar to help you plan your visit. 

On-campus bus parking is not available. We recommend finding a place to park off-campus. Buses can drop students off at the bus stop across the street from  Lot 4 on West Campus Drive. California exempt vehicles such as vans may park in Lot 1 . When you arrive one of our tour guides will greet your group for check-in and proceed with your planned schedule. 

Available group tour slots are determined by staff availability and are listed on our reservation calendar. Any tour slot not listed has already been booked. 

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Insider’s Guide to Attractions and Activities Around UC Riverside

Visit the Botanical Gardens, tour UC Riverside and enjoy the many things to do around the university campus.

November 09, 2022

It’s schools like the University of California, Riverside, and UCR for short, that make obvious decisions even easier. From prospective students to their families and tourists in general, UC Riverside is an interesting locale for anyone to cross for a light and fluffy expedition. Drawing in tourists from everywhere, the university and its surroundings offer a variety of eccentric and exciting adventures. Museums, theaters, architecture, and hiking trails are all present in the city, making it even more aesthetically pleasing.

1. The Campus

Location: 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92521

UC Riverside is a campus full of surprises. Ranked as No. 19 on the Best Public Global Universities for Engineering in the United States by the U.S. News & World Report in 2021, the campus is always filled with forthcoming students scrutinizing the campus. If you’re visiting the campus , the tall bell tower with a hanging clock is one thing you shouldn’t miss out on. If you’re lucky, the gates at the back might even be open, granting you access to a smooth lift up the tower. On another note, the university library can be a cool place to go while at UC Riverside, CA . 

If you’re still wondering whether UC Riverside is right for you , there are plenty of aspects that can lead you right out of your doubts. Enjoy a series of world-renowned snacks and coffee shops on campus. If you share the millennial gene of working from a coffee shop, you might want to follow the tantalizing aroma of black gold – some might even call it coffee. Likewise, plentiful things are located on this nature-oriented campus, directly reflecting the history of the university and Riverside itself . Yes – the citrus green parks are what we’re referring to. Make sure you find the cumquat tree for a sour-sweet refreshing bite. 

2. UCR Botanical Gardens Trails

Location: 1 Botanic Gardens Dr, Riverside, CA 92507 Difficulty: Easy Time: 50 min Distance: 1.8 miles Elevation: 298 ft Route Type: Loop

As if the campus needed more reasons to pull students in, the UCR Botanical Garden hiking trail is there to give the students a soothing and beautiful hike from the botanical garden itself. Enjoy a series of greenhouses and mountains opening up in front of you on this short trail. The trail is pet-friendly, wheelchair friendly, and has active wildlife. Also, the trail is well known for its hikers as well as runners that enjoy trekking the trail on a fresh morning run. How’s this for fun things to do in Riverside ?

To add to this fiesta, the Botanical Garden of UC Riverside , lodged on university property, is completely free of charge. You will want to pass by this garden to embrace some grounded energy evoked by the various plant species, and invite some tranquility into your day. Get ready to be lured into the little rose garden, when the fragrance emitted from the colorful parade tickles you in the nose. Be sure to check out the turtles basking in the sun on the little pond, and the unique Ficus grove. If you’re interested in taking part in the plant preservation project, the garden welcomes donations.

3. Unity Escape Room

Location: 2015 W Park Ave #2b, Redlands, CA 92373

We won't sit here and antagonize the magic that is technology, but detaching from our cell phones for some quality bonding time with our surroundings can be a truly rewarding activity. In fact, one of the super fun things to do in UC Riverside – one that has become a tourist attraction – is the Unity Escape Room. While bonding with strangers can feel a little prudent, escape rooms are just the tool you need to have a precious connecting experience. Most times, tapping out of the virtual and engaging in face-to-face interactions with body language and everything in between can be the only refreshment you need. If you’re a student or a visitor at UC Riverside, sure enough, you’ll want to make some room in your day to escape into this charming adventure.

4. Fox Performing Arts Center

Location: 3801 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501

With an old-school, small theater setting, you’ll have the best seat in the house no matter where you’re placed in this Arts Center. Yes, UC Riverside might be the Engineering hub of California, but it doesn't mean it can’t look and sound artsy while doing it. With easy access to great food and ongoing shows, this is easily one of the great things to do in Riverside at night . Though it draws in a lot of art buffs, it still remains a tourist attraction, and one of the theaters you need to see .

5. Main Street Riverside

Location: Main Street, Riverside, CA

A charming pedestrian alleyway with a full blend of unique shops is only the beginning of what you can find here. This perfect shopping destination has everything you’ll want to find for you and your special someone. Besides the captivating shopping experience, the unique merchandise, and the vibrant atmosphere, trying the specialized cuisine and restaurants must be on your list of things to do in Riverside . And if you’re searching for pedestrian areas, you can also find many Riverside county parks to reset amongst beautiful nature.

6. Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

Location: 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501

The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is genuinely a confusing place at first glance given its extraordinary beauty, you almost second-guess what you’ve walked into. But we can assure you that this is a must-see Riverside landmark . Hosting up to ten US Presidents, countless luminaries, and even a movie star or two, this Mission Inn Hotel is the definition of Mediterranean Revival architecture. If you’re thinking majestic, this is it. Built around 1876 as a 12-room adobe, this place stood as a competitor to the Winchester Mystery House . Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a full-day treatment, be sure to clear up your schedule to meet this divinity on your trip to UC Riverside .

Often referred to as the Mission Revival, the Hotel soon grew into one of the west’s greatest getaways. If you’re still confused about its name, the founder, Frank Augustus Miller, traveled the world bringing back keepsakes and inspiration from the Orient, Europe, and Spain. So, enjoy a wonderful time basking in the international beauty of the Inn, the fine restaurants, and the luxurious jazz spa. But our greatest tip is to book your stay at Glenwood rooms, for an unimaginable view of the Spanish patio. 

7. Mission Inn Museum

Location: 3696 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501

Whether or not you’re staying in the hotel shouldn’t be a concern when considering visiting this divinity. A 75-minute walking tour inside the mission at the museum will give you the chance to learn about the mission’s history. You’ll be fascinated to find out that 7 million dollars worth of History is carefully picked and situated near the blissful UC Riverside . 

A chapel with 7 Tiffany stained-glass windows and a gold leaf cedar altar from the 1700s is a part of the museum’s unique selection, which is famed for destination weddings . You’ll be swept away by Henry Chapman's California mission paintings and the numerous tower bells. Be sure to take a closer look into the cupula to shower your eyes with the details of the miniature scenes from Ramona – Helen Jackson's book. 

Ever danced in the fantasy of becoming the President of the United States? We all have. Get ready because UC Riverside is where your dreams will come true. Outside, the Presidential lounge has a display of all of America’s presidents and even President Taft's chair – and yes, you can sit on it! Have your cameras fully charged, because you will want to make this moment last.

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Transcript with ScottyBot on 11/8/2021, 11:34:00 AM

University of California, Riverside

Undergraduate Admissions

BOLD HEARTS. BRILLIANT MINDS.

• We offer group tours to high schools (grades 9th-12th) and community colleges that work with prospective students.
• Group sizes range from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 75 guests. Our guided group tours are strictly limited to 75 total people, including chaperones. No exceptions. Groups larger than 75 will be directed to a self-guided tour.
• We require 1 adult chaperone for every 25 students and the chaperone is required to stay with the group for the entire duration of the tour.

Cancellations should be completed at least seven business days prior to the scheduled visit if possible. Please email [email protected] or call 951-827-8687. 

Please read the Group Contract carefully. UCR reserves the right to cancel reservations for groups that fail to meet our criteria listed in the Group Contract. 

Failure to meet any of the criteria may also prevent your ability to book future reservations with our office. 

• On-campus bus parking is not available at the moment. However, bus drop-off location is available across from LOT 4, in front of the RTA bus stop. Refer to confirmation email for additional information.
• If your group is interested in dining at Glasgow , our residential restaurant, please email the Glasgow Manager at [email protected] to make a reservation.
• We post all available tour dates and times one quarter at a time. If a date or time is missing, that means it is not available.

You may access our Self-Guided Tour Map  at any time if you want to explore campus on your own.  To schedule a group tour, please select any of the dates on the calendar in green. Dates that are not highlighted or in gray are not available.  Thank you for your interest in visiting our campus!

Extracurricular: Clifford Morrison puts microbiology to work in the garden

UC Riverside postdoctoral researcher is a master at turning food waste and yard trimmings into ‘black gold’

Everything you have been told about home composting is wrong. At least, oversimplified. That’s what you’ll conclude after you spend some time with UCR postdoctoral researcher and Master Gardener Clifford Morrison. He’s already got a Ph.D., in chemical and biological engineering, but if they’re ever handing out doctoral degrees for composting, Morrison will be among the first to collect his scroll.  For Morrison, breaking down food scraps and other organic matter into a rich soil is not only the climate-friendly thing to do; it’s chock full of tantalizing science. And it’s a perfect outside-the-lab, practical application of his academic research, in which he seeks to use microorganisms in environmental and agricultural solutions.  “Both my research and my involvement in composting are united by this core principle: utilizing environmental microbiology as a tool to solve real-world problems and promote sustainability,” Morrison said. 

Repurposing food waste — banana peels, coffee grinds, that browned head of lettuce in the way-down refrigerator drawer — has increasingly become a cause célèbre. A state law aims to reduce organic waste in landfills by 75%, and food waste — environmentally friendly when properly composted — produces methane gas when compressed without oxygen in a landfill. Methane is 84 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. “Put simply, composting is like cooking a special recipe for the soil,” said Morrison, who works in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering. “What intrigues me the most is how this process, which occurs naturally, can be optimized through human ingenuity. By engineering it to be faster, more efficient, and more productive in our own hands, we can significantly enhance its benefits.” Morrison, 32, who was a first-generation college student, recalls a childhood in rural, wooded northeast Texas, near Shreveport, Louisiana, that spurred an interest in natural processes, then gardening and composting, “witnessing firsthand the breakdown of organic matter and its revitalization into nutrient-rich soil.”  During his four years in Riverside, he graduated from the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener program  , then founded its composting effort at the Master Gardener’s Grow Lab, a Riverside plot used for horticultural experimentation. He volunteers there every Saturday for several hours.  Describing the science of composting to Master Gardener trainees, Morrison defies conventional composting wisdom. Common practice holds that three parts brown should be combined with one part green. Carbon-rich “brown” includes leaves, old newspapers, and cardboard; nitrogen-rich “green” includes kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and grass trimmings.

Morrison says “hot composting” — the fast-acting dynamic that yields rich compost — means not only the correct green-to-brown ratios, but it also involves the right amount of moisture and aeration. This provides an environment in which microorganisms thrive, breaking down organic matter. That breakdown, in turn, creates heat, which further speeds the process.  “Composting, to me, is a fascinating intersection of microbiology and biological engineering. Just as the brewing of beer or the making of yogurt harnesses microbiological processes for human benefit, composting represents a deliberate intervention in the natural decomposition cycle,” he said.  If there are any doubts who’s right — the three-browns-to-one-green YouTube gardening pundits or the scientist Morrison — consider Morrison’s results. Within about three days, his 3-foot-by-3-foot pile of leaves and grass billows steam when prodded with a pitchfork. Within two to three weeks, the mixture has been converted into what gardeners call “black gold” — dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich, earthy-scented compost. “His approach is much more scientific than I had been used to, and he gets great results,” said Lucy Heyming, a Master Gardener and owner of the five-acre Riverside property that includes the Growlab. “He increased and expanded my knowledge of the science behind the composting process, the various microbes, and steps involved in order to obtain a product that is healthy for our soils because of the addition of the nutrients found in compost.” Morrison has turned his corner of the Growlab into a veritable compost factory, generating more than 2,000 pounds of finished compost in the past two years. A portion of the compost is sold at Master Gardener events. 

“Volunteering at the Grow Lab brings me a unique sense of satisfaction that complements what I experience in my regular job,” he said. “My involvement at the Grow Lab allows me to connect directly with the local community. This direct engagement is incredibly fulfilling. I'm not just sharing knowledge; I'm actively participating in creating a more sustainable environment.” Morrison plans to expand his “compost activism” by advocating for local composting policies, securing subsidies for composting bins, starting community gardens and composting sites, and teaching the science of composting at school and community events. Editor’s note: The UCCE Master Gardener Plant Sale and Compost Workshop will be April 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Morrison will be there leading composting workshops — try and stump him with your most complex compost questions. For more information, visit this Facebook posting by the UCCE Master Gardeners of Riverside County. 

Extracurricular is a new ongoing series spotlighting hobbies, interests, and passion projects by UCR students, faculty, and staff members. If you have suggestions for future profiles please contact [email protected]

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The Priority Deadline for Incoming First-Year students to apply for housing has been extended to May 29!

Don't Miss Out on Your Mail: Change Your Address!

Moving off campus after the semester ends? Planning on living in a different location? Don’t forget to add changing your address to your to-do list before you go! Click here to learn more.