Escape to the inspiring and captivating Mission Inn!

Thursday, August 28th, 2014 Issue 35, Volume 18.

"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express."

-- Francis Bacon

Imagine sitting in a 100-year-old patio courtyard surrounded by vibrant red bougainvillea twining and twirling around static iron balconies. You look up and see a Della Robbia-style Madonna and Child plaque on a high Moorish-type wall with a thousand intricate curves. Red Spanish tile walkways show slight dips from a hundred years of footfall. Twittering birds flit to a fountain trickling small streams of water to separate basins. Does this sound like a peaceful, somewhat exotic destination? Does it make you want to reach for your passport and be whisked off to Spain or Morocco?

Even though this courtyard with its terra-cotta tones resembles a captivating destination like Spain, it is right here in Southern California Riverside to be exact. For me it is reminiscent of a trip to Spain. Others might be taken back to a time in Morocco or Italy but most will probably just revel in the immediate beauty of this historic hotel called the Mission Inn.

One of the joys of traveling is to be transported to a world that is inspiring and beautiful... and will serve to awaken the senses. A visit to the Mission Inn will do just that.

This National Historic Landmark has inspired many a dignitary. Ten U.S. presidents have visited, including President Richard Nixon and his wife Pat, who were married at the Mission Inn. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy spent their wedding night at the hotel. In 1926, Crown Prince Gustavus and Princess Louise of Sweden were guests.

The Mission Inn is close enough for lunch, and distant enough for an overnight stay. Built in "Mission Revival" style, the hotel has had various construction phases, but the first wing was completed by Frank Miller in 1903, over a 100 years ago.

This architectural showpiece is furnished with priceless treasures and unique objects that Miller collected during his world Advertisement [ Fallbrook Mattress ] travels. He amassed a staggering amount of bells, 400 of which can be found on the grounds of the inn. Tiffany stained glass windows, Chinese vases and various architectural accoutrements unite in a delightful array of the eclectic like a small-scale Hearst Castle.

Guests are free to wander most of the property and discover a myriad of architectural wonders a Spanish-style chapel, fountains, reflecting pools, intricately fashioned doors and colorful tiled roofs. Like the Hearst Castle, there is something fascinating around every corner.

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Escape to the inspiring and captivating Mission Inn!