March Field Air Museum

The March Field Air Museum sits beside March Air Reserve Base on the southern edge of Riverside, and it is one of the largest aviation museums in the western United States. March Field itself is among the oldest military air bases in the country, established in 1918 during the First World War, and the museum grew from a volunteer effort in the late twentieth century to preserve the history of the base and of American military flight. Today it displays dozens of aircraft, from early trainers and World War Two bombers through Cold War jets and reconnaissance planes, set both in indoor exhibit halls and across an open-air flight line where the big machines stand in rows against the sky. The star attraction for many visitors is the SR-71 Blackbird, the sleek high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that still holds legendary status, but the collection also includes bombers, fighters, transports and helicopters, as well as engines, uniforms, photographs and memorabilia that tell the human story behind the machines. The museum is a real museum rather than a theme park, and volunteers, many of them veterans, are often on hand to explain the aircraft and share their own recollections.

Plan your visit around the outdoor displays and the indoor galleries. The airpark is where most of the large aircraft stand, and visitors can walk among them and get close to the wings, engines and landing gear. Interpretive signs describe each aircraft's role, and some can be entered or viewed more closely on special days. Indoor galleries hold exhibits about the history of March Field, about air power and about specific eras and units. Together they make a good case for why the Inland Empire has a long relationship with aviation and the Air Force.

The weather shapes the experience. The airpark is open to the sun, with limited shade, so a summer midday visit can be punishing, and morning is the better time for the outdoor part of the visit. Winter and spring are comfortable and often clear enough for photographs with the San Jacinto and Santa Ana mountains in the background.

Bring a hat, sunscreen and water, and plan to cool off in the indoor galleries. The museum hosts events and air shows from time to time, and those bring larger crowds, extra aircraft and special activities, so check the calendar if you want a livelier experience, or avoid those days if you prefer calm.

Families with children will find plenty to enjoy, particularly youngsters who like planes and helicopters. The scale of the larger aircraft is the main draw, and a walk under a bomber's wing impresses visitors of any age. Photography enthusiasts and model builders tend to linger. The museum is on level ground and mostly accessible, though some displays involve uneven surfaces. Because it is next to an active base, you may see and hear military aircraft overhead, which adds atmosphere.

The museum sits close to major roads and about ten to fifteen minutes from downtown Riverside, which makes it easy to combine with a downtown lunch or with the Mission Inn. History buffs may also enjoy pairing it with the railway museum in Perris for a day devoted to transport heritage. Hours, admission and any base access rules can change, so check the museum site before you go and carry photo identification in case the visit is conducted through any controlled entry.