Rubidoux is located at the base of Mount Rubidoux in western Riverside County, just northwest of the city of Riverside on Highway 60. A trek up Mount Rubidoux is a good warm-up for the many recreational opportunities available local and offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the area.
Rubidoux's drive-in movie theater is one of only two drive-ins remaining in Southern California, the other being the Azusa. Through the years, Rubidoux has retained the classic Californian drive-in look. The Rubidoux drive-in is also the setting for the weekend swap meet; another reason the city attracts so many visitors.
The Jurupa Unified School District serves the educational needs of Rubidoux students and is comprised of sixteen elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools and one adult education facility. Several institutions of higher learning are also located in the area including Riverside Community College, the University of California at Riverside, California State University at San Bernardino, Loma Linda University and California State Polytechnic University at Pomona.
Morning skies are often decorated with flecks of bright color as glider enthusiasts pursue favorable air currents in the Hemet/Lake Elsinore area. To the south, hot air ballooning has become so popular that it is honored with a yearly festival, which draws participants and spectators from far and wide to Temecula.
Bicycle trails connect to the famous "Crest to Coast" route along the Santa Ana River with camping facilities along the way. Miles of equestrian trails are also available, as are horses to rent. Bowling centers and skating rinks offer state-of-the art equipment and feature catering facilities and banquet rooms.
Golfers can choose from a variety of public and private courses in the area including local favorites Jurupa Hills and Paradise Knolls. The venerable Victoria Club is the area's oldest course. The two-year-old Moreno Valley Ranch Country Club is the newest. Indian Hills Country Club offers the challenge of golfing on well-manicured hills. Canyon Crest Country Club offers some of the finest golf, tennis, and swimming programs, along with a wide variety of social and family activities.
The beautiful mountains to the north offer both snow and water skiing. Their lakes are popular for boating, fishing, swimming, and sightseeing. Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are year round resorts with villages of specialty shops and seasonal festivals.
Almost three-dozen county parks offer natural hiking environments and interpretive nature displays. State parks include Lake Perris, which boasts a popular water park as well as riding, hiking, and camping facilities, and Lake Elsinore with RV hookups and boat launching ramps.
The history of the community dates back to the mid-1800s when Louis Robidoux built the first gristmill in the region in 1846. The mill provided flour, a popular but scarce commodity, for settlers and American troops. A flood washed the mill away in 1862. The Robidoux Grist Mill Site has become an historical landmark. Louis Robidoux died in 1868 and his rancho was sold to Louis Prevost.