Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County and one of the anchors of Southern California's Inland Empire, lying about 55 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the junction of major freeways. With roughly 325,000 residents, it is among the largest cities in the state, and its history as a center of California's citrus industry and its role as a university city have shaped its identity. The city's cultural heart is downtown, where the landmark Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, a grand early-20th-century landmark, anchors a walkable district of museums, theaters, and restaurants. The Riverside Art Museum, the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, and the Fox Performing Arts Theater give the city an arts presence that extends well beyond its inland-suburban reputation, while the annual Festival of Lights transforms the Mission Inn into a regional holiday destination. The University of California, Riverside, brings a major research university and tens of thousands of students to the city's eastern edge, adding lectures, athletics, and a youthful energy, alongside Riverside City College and other institutions. The city's neighborhoods range from the Craftsman and revival-style homes of the Wood Streets Historic District to the Mexican American-rooted Casa Blanca community and newer subdivisions across the eastern and southern edges. Riverside's transportation is a defining asset. The downtown Metrolink station is served by three commuter rail lines, including direct service to Los Angeles Union Station, and Amtrak's Southwest Chief stops in the city. With strong freeway access, proximity to the San Bernardino Mountains and Orange County, and a large parks system, Riverside suits commuters, university families, and residents seeking an established city with historic character and Inland Empire affordability.