While neither the tribe nor seller Kelly Roberts disclosed financial details when the sale was announced in early May, county transaction records indicate the deal was finalized on May 28. The acquisition adds the Mission Inn to a growing collection of hospitality properties owned by the tribe through its San Manuel Investment Authority.

    The estimated purchase price was confirmed through filings reviewed by the Riverside County Assessor-Clerk Recorder’s Office. The transactions were completed through entities controlled by Roberts, a former Orange County resident and billionaire businesswoman.

    “The sale price is within $1,000 of the actual price,” said Melissa Garcia, chief deputy assessor-clerk recorder for Riverside County.

    County officials noted that the final valuation could be refined in the coming months as additional documentation is reviewed and processed to establish the complete chain of title and updated property assessments.

    “This could take a few months,” Garcia said.

    Records show the sale involved several separate properties. One transaction transferred ownership of the 238-room Mission Inn itself, while another included the adjacent parking structure located between Fifth and Sixth streets and bounded by Main and Orange streets. The deal also encompassed a vacant parcel and annex building that houses a bookstore along with offices for the Mission Inn Foundation and Museum.

    Based on transfer taxes and associated fees filed with the county, the hotel property accounted for roughly $29.23 million of the total sale price. The garage, vacant land and annex building were valued at approximately $3.68 million.

    Those figures were derived using documentary transfer taxes and local city taxes assessed during the transfer of ownership, according to county officials.

    A separate filing documented the transfer of the property’s alcoholic beverage license. The license was sold for $331,394.16 to Mission Inn Riverside BevCo LLC, a limited liability company operated by the San Manuel Nation.

    The filings were submitted by Historic Mission Inn Corp. and Mission District Associates LLC, both controlled by Roberts. County records identify attorney Patrick O’Brien as the designated agent authorized to receive legal notices and government correspondence on behalf of those entities.

    The buyer was listed as Mission Inn Riverside LLC, a company established by the tribe on April 24. Corporate filings with the California Secretary of State show the entity was created specifically to facilitate the purchase of the downtown Riverside properties.

    “The San Manuel Investment Authority is continuing to abide by the confidentiality of the agreement and aren’t able to provide additional comment,” said San Manuel spokesman Kenneth Shoji.

    Representatives for Roberts and her attorney did not respond to requests seeking additional comment regarding the transaction.

    Officials with the Riverside County Assessor-Clerk Recorder’s Office cautioned that large-scale property transactions often involve multiple documents and filings, meaning additional records connected to the sale could still emerge.

    “It is important to note that large or complex property transfers may be recorded through multiple documents,” said county spokesman Steven Nguyen. “As a result, the information reflected in any single recorded document may represent only one portion of the overall transaction.”

    The sale marks the end of an era for the Roberts family, which played a pivotal role in preserving the iconic Riverside landmark.

    Duane and Kelly Roberts became closely associated with the Mission Inn after stepping in to save the property from an uncertain future. The hotel had closed during the mid-1980s and passed through several owners before Duane Roberts purchased it in 1992 for $15.6 million.

    Before that acquisition, the Riverside Redevelopment Agency had purchased the property in 1976 and later sold it to Carley Capital Group in 1985. Carley launched a major restoration effort but filed for bankruptcy in 1988. According to a previous Press-Enterprise report, Chemical Bank and the redevelopment agency ultimately completed the $50 million renovation project before Roberts took ownership.

    Duane Roberts, widely credited with helping spark the revitalization of downtown Riverside through the reopening of the Mission Inn, passed away on Nov. 1, 2025.

    When the sale was announced earlier this year, Kelly Roberts said she planned to relocate to Palm Beach, Florida, as she entered a new chapter in life. Florida remains a popular destination for wealthy residents because it does not impose state income taxes, estate taxes or luxury taxes on qualifying residents.

    For the San Manuel Nation, the acquisition continues a decades-long strategy of expanding beyond gaming and diversifying its investment portfolio.

    The tribe began broadening its holdings in the early 2000s with investments in the Four Fires Residence Inn by Marriott in Washington, D.C., and the Three Fires Residence Inn in downtown Sacramento.

    In 2021, the tribe made headlines with its $650 million purchase of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, marking a significant expansion of its gaming interests beyond California.

    Its hospitality portfolio also includes the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, the Bear Springs Hotel in Highland, and The Draftsman hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia.

    The tribe further expanded its real estate holdings in 2016 with the acquisition of the historic Arrowhead Springs Hotel property in San Bernardino’s Waterman Canyon from Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, which had owned the 1,900-acre site since 1962.

    With the addition of the Mission Inn, one of Southern California’s most recognizable historic landmarks now joins an expanding portfolio of hospitality properties owned and operated by the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.

Source: Riverside County Assessor-Clerk Recorder records; statements from Melissa Garcia, Steven Nguyen, Kenneth Shoji; Southern California News Group reporting.

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    On Wednesday, May 20, workers were seen removing the paintings “California Alps” and “Charge Up San Juan Hill” from inside the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Both pieces had been displayed at the hotel for generations and were originally purchased by Miller more than 100 years ago.

    Witnesses watched as crews carefully lifted the paintings from the walls, wrapped them in protective plastic and carried them through the hotel lobby. “California Alps” had been displayed prominently near the reception desk and elevators, while “Charge Up San Juan Hill” hung inside the hotel steakhouse overlooking the lobby area.

    The removals happened openly in front of guests, visitors and staff members, some of whom stopped to photograph the unusual scene.

    The artwork reportedly has been taken into the possession of hotel owner Kelly Roberts just days before escrow is expected to close on the sale of the Mission Inn to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation tribe. Roberts’ attorney declined to comment regarding the situation.

    The move quickly sparked criticism from local preservation advocates who say the paintings are deeply tied to Riverside’s history and the legacy of the Mission Inn itself.

    “It feels vindictive,” Riverside City Councilmember Philip Falcone said. Falcone, who previously worked as a docent at the Mission Inn, criticized the timing of the removals. “The sale closes in a week. They have one foot out the door and at the 11th hour, they do a smash-and-grab. I just can’t fathom it.”

    The Mission Inn occupies an entire downtown city block bordered by Mission Inn Avenue, Orange Street, Main Street and Sixth Street. Known for blending mission-style architecture with European-inspired design, the property has become one of Riverside’s most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions.

    According to Falcone, Roberts contacted him earlier this month to discuss the hotel sale. During that conversation, he said she voiced frustration with both the city and California’s business climate, claiming the city had not adequately supported the hotel over the years.

    Falcone believes the paintings’ removal feels personal and unnecessary, adding that he suspects the artwork could eventually be sold privately.

    The paintings themselves carry significant historical value.

    “California Alps,” painted in 1874 by artist William Keith, depicts the Sierra Nevada mountain range and measures approximately 6 feet by 10 feet. Frank Miller purchased the painting during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and historians believe it had remained inside the Mission Inn ever since.

    The second painting, “Charge Up San Juan Hill,” was painted around 1900 by Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin. The artwork portrays Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War as they charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

    Miller acquired that painting at a San Francisco auction in 1917. Historians note the piece likely carried special meaning for him because President Roosevelt visited and stayed at the Mission Inn in 1903.

    Both works are referenced in the book “Historic Mission Inn,” published by Friends of the Mission Inn. The publication describes “California Alps” as one of the hotel’s most treasured possessions. Naturalist John Muir reportedly once called the painting “the bible of the Sierras.”

    The book also notes that “Charge Up San Juan Hill” had been intentionally placed inside one of the hotel’s premier dining areas to enhance the atmosphere of the room.

    By Wednesday afternoon, the spaces where the paintings once hung had been reduced to empty walls marked by faded paint outlines and discoloration.

    James Ranger, who has served as a Mission Inn docent for the past eight years, said he was stunned watching the paintings leave the building.

    “I couldn’t believe it was happening, but it was,” Ranger said.

    Ranger and others noted that several historically significant items have disappeared from the Mission Inn over the decades, particularly after ownership changes beginning in the 1950s. Former hotel owner Ben Swig reportedly auctioned off various pieces during the 1950s and 1960s, while other artifacts vanished over time.

    Duane Roberts purchased the long-shuttered Mission Inn in 1992 and restored the property alongside his wife Kelly. Roberts died in November at age 88, and escrow on the sale of the hotel is expected to close May 28.

    Questions also remain about the whereabouts of other well-known pieces that once decorated the property, including a small painting titled “Arch Beach,” a statue of the goddess Pomona and a Steinway piano.

    Perhaps the most famous missing item is the oversized Taft chair that once sat in the hotel lobby. Built for President William Howard Taft’s visit in 1909, the chair became a popular attraction where visitors often posed for humorous photos because of its unusually large size.

    Some visitors say the chair has been missing since as early as 2023, although others only recently noticed its disappearance.

    During a Wednesday meeting of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board, Old Riverside Foundation President Dave Stolte warned that the removal of historically important pieces threatens the integrity of the landmark property.

    “The absence of the chair, the paintings and other priceless cultural resources diminishes the integrity of the landmark and the public’s ability to understand Frank Miller’s vision,” Stolte said.

    He added that once historically significant items are removed from the property and placed into private hands, recovering them becomes increasingly difficult.

    Although Falcone acknowledged Roberts likely has the legal right to remove the artwork, he said many residents view the move as disrespectful to both Frank Miller’s vision and Riverside’s cultural history.

    “It feels like her flipping us off on her way out the door,” Falcone said.

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    Officials announced Monday that the San Manuel Investment Authority, through affiliated entities, has reached an agreement to acquire the property at 3649 Mission Inn Avenue. The purchase price has not been made public, but the deal could be finalized as early as the end of May.

    Tribal leaders emphasized that the property will remain a non-gaming destination. “The Mission Inn holds a special place in our hearts,” said Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “Generations of our family have enjoyed its unique atmosphere and the memories created there. We understand its importance to Riverside and the broader region and look forward to continuing its legacy as part of our hospitality portfolio.”

    For years, the inn has been closely associated with Kelly Roberts and her late husband Duane Roberts, who helped transform the property into a premier destination. When the couple purchased it in the mid-1990s for a reported $15.6 million, the building had been closed for years and faced possible demolition.

    Since then, the property has undergone extensive restoration while maintaining its historic character. Today, the 238-room hotel carries a AAA Four Diamond designation and remains one of the region’s most visited attractions.

    “It has been the honor of a lifetime to care for The Mission Inn,” Kelly Roberts said in a statement. “Duane and I dedicated ourselves to preserving its history while preparing it for the future. I’m proud of what we accomplished and grateful to the team, the community and every guest who has been part of its story. I’m confident the San Manuel Nation will continue that legacy with care and vision.”

    The inn traces its origins back to 1876, when it began as a small adobe boarding house. Under founder Frank Miller, the property expanded significantly in the early 1900s, evolving into a full-service hotel with more than 200 rooms. Its design incorporates Mission Revival architecture along with elements inspired by over 20 California missions.

    Additional expansions followed over the years, including the Cloister, Spanish Wing and Rotunda Wing, which was completed in 1931. Miller also curated an extensive collection of artifacts, artwork and furnishings from around the world, many of which remain on display today. Among its most notable features is a historic bell dating back to 1247.

    Over the decades, the Mission Inn has welcomed numerous high-profile guests, including U.S. presidents, entertainers and state officials, further cementing its place in California history.

    The acquisition adds to the growing portfolio of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, which includes luxury and resort properties across the country such as the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club, Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, and Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in San Bernardino County, among others.

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RIVERSIDE, CA — The famed “Festival of Lights” will return to downtown Riverside in just over two weeks and continue to the start of 2025, featuring millions of lights, holiday displays, caroling, Santa Claus and other entertainment on the pedestrian mall.

Like last year, this year’s fest will begin the weekend prior to Thanksgiving. The switch-on ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Prior to 2023, the ceremonies were traditionally held the day after Thanksgiving, but according to organizers, there’s now an emphasis on getting a head start on the season’s activities.

Last year’s switch-on drew thousands of spectators. Organizers said this year’s switch-on will include a free concert featuring Matt Mauser & The Tijuana Dogs, as well as Richard Goodall, winner of the 2024 “America’s Got Talent” contest.

This will be the fest’s 32nd anniversary.

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa owner Duane Roberts, who inaugurated the tradition in 1992, said in 2023 that the festival consistently draws up to 500,000 visitors over a one-month span, “all thrilled to watch the display come to life through the holidays.”

Switch-on events were rescinded in November 2020 and November 2021. The 2020 event was prohibited because of the COVID lockdowns, and the City Council decided to forgo the 2021 switch-on as a precautionary measure. The ceremony got back on track in 2022.

The nightly fest features the century-old inn bathed in multi-colored hues, with hundreds of animated characters, including elves, toy soldiers, nutcrackers and angels, visible on banisters, balconies and ledges.

Towering Christmas trees and wooden soldiers traditionally line the way outside and into the hotel, where visitors also encounter a mistletoe measuring 12-by-8 feet.

There will be live musical entertainment weekly, photos with Santa Claus, as well as artisan booths and food vendors up and down the Main Street pedestrian mall. The city also festoons light standards and other municipal property with displays and lights.

Although festivities will stop on Dec. 31, the lights are slated to stay on through the first week of January.

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The Runs is one of the Mission Inn’s main fundraising events for their Foundation. In the past few years, the Golden Era Productions’ Truth About Drugs Running Team has participated in the run with thousands of other runners. This year the Golden Era Team decided that, if the Mission Inn Run were not happening in Riverside, then they would take part in it at the Golden Era Productions location in The San Jacinto Valley. The 5k, 10K and half-marathon running course spreads throughout the 525-acre campus with protocols kept in place, passing “The Castle film Studios,” winding around all the sports facilities, which include the basketball course and volleyball courts, a 3.3 – acre lake and a running course with exercise stations.

The run got off to a patriotic start with the lovely voice of Linda Greilich belting out our National Anthem. Twenty-two runners participated, having already registered to support the Mission Inn Foundation.

One enthusiastic racer, Ben Sproule, commented, “I usually participate in all the local runs, so it was great to get our team together again to do this run. I truly miss the camaraderie with other fellow 5K runners that I have met throughout the years.

Golden Era’s Truth About Drugs Program is the largest international and most comprehensive non-governmental drug educational and prevention programs of its kind. Overseen by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, the program provides effective drug educational resources videos, booklets and other teaching aids (in 18 different languages) that grab the attention of young people and leave them informed. The documentaries for this program were produced by Golden Era Productions. All of the materials are and downloadable. For more detailed information, go to drugfreeworld.org. Just sayin’.

rustystrait@gmail.com

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