Beyond the murals, palm trees and sidewalks of Casa Blanca are layers of history that might not be apparent at first glance. Casa Blanca, which translates to “white house,” gets its name from the white-plastered adobe house built here in 1878. Flash forward to the 1960s, when “Casa Blanca was an offshoot of Arlington. It’s where migrants who picked fruit lived,” says James Monks, Realtor and Manager at Windermere Tower Properties and third generation Riversider. “The community started with small 600 to 900 square foot shacks for laborers from Mexico. They stayed longer than the seasonal work,” Monks says, and now Casa Blanca is one of the oldest Mexican American communities in Southern California.
Casa Blanca residents are near Downtown and Mt. Rubidoux, which can be seen in the distance.
Vibrant murals adorn Lincoln Ave in Casa Blanca.
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An interwoven community
Casa Blanca is a neighborhood rich in community spaces. “The big thing is the Catholic church on Madison. It’s a hub of activity which serves those who are new to the country, many of whom are from Guatemala,” Monks says. St. Anthony Catholic Church offers masses in Spanish. In the heart of the neighborhood, Ysmael Villegas Community Center organizes volunteer projects for residents of all ages. The Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Service is another community hub: it’s easy to spot, thanks to its vibrant César Chavez mural by the basketball court. This nonprofit hosts free lunches for kids, weekly food drives and various community gatherings. Casa Blanca Library houses the biggest Spanish language collection of media in Riverside and functions as an extension campus for Riverside Community College.
Ysmael Villegas Community Center hosts a variety of programs and activities in Casa Blanca.
A colorful César Chavez mural provides a captivating backdrop at the Casa Blanca Home Services.
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Where to shop and eat
Burgers are popular in Casa Blanca, whether they’re from the local joint, Johnny’s Burgers, or the beloved national chain, In-N-Out Burger. Residents can shop local for groceries at Corona Farms Fresh Produce and Los Altos Meat Market, or head to Stater Bros. Markets. Residents can find more dining and shopping options along Indiana Avenue, from local takeout at European Deli Market to household essentials at The Home Depot.
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Johnny's Burgers in Casa Blanca.
Stater Bros in Casa Blanca offers residents a variety of fresh and organic products.
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California bungalows and ranch-style homes
Under blue skies, palm trees line neighborhood streets, with murals just around the corner from stucco homes. The area around Jefferson Street is largely industrial, while residences are centered around the Ysmael Villegas Center and Villegas Park. Single-family houses featuring terracotta tile roofs tend to be mid-sized California bungalows and ranch-styles. Most are valued at about $575,000, but buyers can get a three-bedroom midcentury for $390,000 or a more spacious newer build for $790,000.
There are single-story homes in the more established parts of the Casa Blanca neighborhood.
On the newer side of Casa Blanca, there are larger two-story homes.
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Enjoying the sunshine
Like all of SoCal, Casa Blanca has a warm climate. And getting outside means going to centrally located Villegas Park for its pool, playground and fenced-in soccer field. The park’s well-lit baseball field allows for evening games. For landscaping ideas best suited for the desert climate, the library’s garden can offer inspiration: it features plants that require minimal water.
Villegas Park in Casa Blanca features a pool and spacious playing fields.
Challenge friends to a game of basketball at Villegas Park.
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Getting around town
As the neighborhood’s major roadway, the Riverside Freeway can get congested at times. Railroad tracks run parallel to it and there are four rail crossings within the community. Cyclists may use the bike lanes along Lincoln Avenue or the paved Rosanna Scott Memorial Bicycle Trail along Victoria Avenue. Bus route 14 makes several stops along Indiana Avenue, which goes all the way to Loma Linda VA Hospital, 15 miles northeast. Alternatively, Riverside Community Hospital is about 4 miles away. For traveling longer distances, Ontario International Airport is about 21 miles away. It offers nonstop flights to a growing number of destinations, from Sacramento to Taiwan.
Schools serving the Casa Blanca area
Students living in Casa Blanca may attend schools within Riverside Unified School District. Nearby schools include Madison Elementary, rated B-Plus on Niche, Gage Middle, rated B and Ramona High School, rated B. The only school in the bounds of the neighborhood is Riverside Montessori School, a private option teaching prekindergarten through Grade 4. However, Casa Blanca Elementary is set to open in August of 2025 right in the center of the neighborhood. “Casa Blanca was one of the first neighborhoods to participate in bussing,” Monks says. “Hispanic and African American students had to get bussed over to the high school. But now, third generation homeowners finally will have a local school back. It’s a blue-collar success story.”
A view of Madison Elementary School in the heart of Magnolia Center.
Students of the Casa Blanca area can attend Matthew Gage Middle School.
Experience personalized attention and instruction at Ramona High School.
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Important to know
Gang presence has been documented here dating back to the 1960s, but activity has quieted since widespread arrests in 2020. As of 2024, The CAP Index crime score across all categories is at or around the national average.
Written By
Laura Copan
Photography Contributed By
Karl Le
Video By
Sara Warthen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Rodrigo Chavez,
an experienced agent in this area.
Welcome to this beautifully renovated and expanded Casa Blanca gem, offering nearly 1,900 sq. ft. of stylish, open-concept living. It has been thoughtfully reimagined with modern upgrades throughout, including new flooring, fresh interior and exterior paint, updated plumbing and electrical, and a brand-new roof.The kitchen and bathrooms feature brand-new cabinetry, sleek fixtures, and updated
Welcome to this charming single-family home offering the perfect blend of comfort, space, and outdoor living. Featuring 3 spacious bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, this home provides an open and inviting layout ideal for families and entertainers alike. Enjoy a bright living area, a functional kitchen with plenty of storage, and comfortable bedrooms that create a warm, welcoming feel throughout.
There is no other home like it in the area. 1/2 acre lot with two added units to original home. All have a separate entrance. The quiet neighborhood is ideal for the small to large family. Almost entire home has been remodeled. New kitchen in the main house. So much room for family and even more for entertaining. Add a pool or another ADU or two. Check with city but this lot is large.Not much
Month-to-month lease only. Landlord is actively marketing the property for sale; tenant to cooperate with showings and provide reasonable access with proper notice. - Beautifully renovated and expanded Casa Blanca home offering approximately 1,900 sq. ft. of open-concept living space. Recently upgraded throughout with new flooring, fresh interior and exterior paint, updated plumbing and
Property Id: 856617Look no further! This charming duplex located in the heart of Riverside offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. With easy access to the 91 freeway, you can easily travel to any destination of your choice. The property is also in close proximity to various amenities such as parks, museums, restaurants, hospitals, and downtown Riverside. The duplex comes with a large
Welcome to this charming single-story home located in a quiet, established neighborhood in Riverside. This property offers comfortable living with a spacious layout and a large private yard—perfect for family, pets, or outdoor gatherings.Home Features:3 Bedrooms / 1 BathroomBright living room with natural lightSpacious kitchen with good cabinet and counter spaceLaundry
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
