University of California Citrus Experiment Station

The University of California Citrus Experiment Station is a research facility in Riverside that spans 475 acres and contains laboratory buildings, test fields, and citrus groves. The grounds feature dedicated experimental areas where scientists conduct studies on plant varieties, soil conditions, and growing methods for citrus crops.

The station was founded in 1907 on Mount Rubidoux with just 23 acres before moving to its present location in 1914 to better serve Southern California's expanding citrus industry. The relocation allowed the facility to grow its research operations and conduct experiments on larger plots of land.

The research facility maintains the Citrus Variety Collection, featuring two specimens of each thousand citrus types, representing global agricultural diversity.

The facility houses an extensive collection of citrus samples used for research and comparison, allowing visitors to see the diversity of fruit varieties maintained on site. Plan your visit with realistic expectations for a working research station where field activities and experimental work vary throughout the year depending on growing seasons.

The station maintains a living collection of around one thousand different citrus varieties, with multiple specimens of each type to preserve genetic material for future research. This collection represents one of the most comprehensive repositories of citrus genetics and supports breeding and conservation efforts globally.