Bordered west by the rolling Santa Ana Mountains and east by hills of vineyards, the city of Temecula has made a name for itself as the heart of Southern California Wine Country. This southwest Riverside County city is home to more than 110,000 residents, with a strong tourism industry that distinguishes it from neighboring cities of Murrieta, Menifee and Lake Elsinore. Working its way toward becoming a burgeoning tech and manufacturing sector, major employers like Millipore Sigma and Mythos support a diverse workforce here. With a median age range of 36, many residents here are families with young children and retirees, but the growing tech field means incoming young professionals. Other major employers are the Temecula Valley Unified School District and — just outside of city limits — Pechanga Resort and Casino.
The city’s journey began in 900 A.D. with the Luiseño Indians who called the area “Temeku”, followed by the establishment of Rancho Temecula in 1845. However, it was the planting of the first commercial vineyard in 1968 that set the stage for Temecula’s transformation. The completion of Interstate 15 in the early 1980s accelerated growth, leading to the city’s incorporation in 1989. Since then, Temecula has rapidly evolved, combining its historical wine country charm with a diverse economy. "It's a bit cliché, but Temecula has been able to retain its small-town charm while growing into a modern city," says Tracy Frick, the community services manager at the Temecula Valley Museum. "I always run into people I know while walking through Old Town, shopping at the Promenade Mall or seeing a show at the Community Theater," says Frick. Between Old Town and the residential side of the city runs Interstate 15, allowing residents a direct drive to Riverside or San Diego County.
Pechanga Resort & Casino is located inside the city of Temecula for guests to enjoy.
Acres of vineyards grow all through out the city of Temecula.
Relax and enjoy the grounds at the City of Temecula Civic Center.
Check out the local vendors every Saturday at the Old Town Temecula Farmers' Market.
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Homes to the east, mountain greenery to the west
East of Interstate 15, Temecula is almost entirely residential. West of the 15, thousands of acres of mountainous greenery provide the 8,400-acre Santa Rosa Plateau and miles of agricultural land. Many of the neighborhoods are master planned, with popular ones including Redhawk, Crowne Hill, and Country Road Estates; the dominant housing style in each neighborhood are Spanish Revivals, most built between the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Prices are much higher in the hills near the Santa Rosa Plateau and near the vineyards, where residents live in large mansions on a few acres of land ranging from $4 million to $7 million. As of October 2024, the average home sells for $828,672, up 3% from 2023.
The city is planning to build 467 new homes just west of Old Town Temecula, part of a larger plan that’ll eventually comprise 1,750 homes in the 270-acre Altair Specific Plan. This development will include an elementary school, retail options and small parks. The housing mix includes detached three-story single-family homes; 156 two- and three-story duplexes; and 45 buildings containing 212 attached two-and three-story “rowhouses”.
A peaceful Temecula neighborhood, where comfort meets scenic Southern California beauty.
Find your next dream home when coming to the beautiful city of Temecula.
Welcoming homes line the streets of Temecula, blending city living with wine-country charm.
Many Temecula homes have a rustic charm with modern elegance.
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An A-rated district
Public school students may attend the Temecula Valley Unified School District, graded an A overall and ranked the second-best school district in Riverside County by Niche. All of the district's schools are within the suburban portion of the city, so students can easily walk to school on the community sidewalks. The Temecula Valley Unified School District has a total of 33 schools: 18 elementary, 7 middle and 3 comprehensive high schools. Higher education in Temecula includes the four-year California State University San Marcos at Temecula, which serves roughly 15,000 students, and the local campus of the two-year Mt. San Jacinto College.
The teams at Temecula Valley High School are some of the best in Temecula.
French Valley Elementary School located on Cady Road in Winchester near Temecula.
Students enjoy the atmosphere at Rancho Vista High School in Temecula.
Chaparral High School is a highly rated school in Temecula.
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Balloon & Wine Festival hosts major acts
From the 128-acre Ronald Reagan Sports Park to smaller individual parks tucked away within neighborhoods, Temecula is filled with playgrounds, picnic areas and open ball fields. Kids cool off on hot days at the splash pad at Margarita Community Park, while the older crowd tends to veer toward the city's golf courses. Among the most popular courses in the area are Temecula Creek, Redhawk Golf Course and Temeku Hills Golf and Country Club.
The city's biggest event is the annual Balloon & Wine Festival, held a few miles west of town at Lake Skinner. Along with reservable balloon rides and samplings of the valley's best vintages, the festival hosts popular music acts.
Spend an afternoon on the greens at Temeku Hills Golf And Country Club in Temecula.
Skinner Lake is a great recreational spot for the residents of Temecula.
Temecula is known for its lush vineyards and very popular wineries.
Team up with a pickleball partner for a match at Margarita Park in Temecula.
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Historic Old Town Temecula
Old Town Temecula is the heart of the city, home to several restaurants and eateries, as well as historical landmarks like the Chapel of Memories, the city’s first church building, built in 1917. The district has two main streets; Old Town Front Street and Mercedes Street, packed with antique shops and restaurants in Spanish-style old-west buildings.
A few of the most popular spots in Old Town are the Old Town Blues Club for live music and dancing, and the Temecula Stampede, one of the largest country western music venues on the West Coast. Farm-to-table restaurants dot the area, providing locally sourced, fresh dining options.
Set 3 miles southeast of Temecula, Pechanga Resort Casino is one of the largest casinos in the United States. Owned by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.
the resort features a spa and golf course in addition to 11 bars and restaurants. "It isn't technically in Temecula, but it plays a key role in local economy," says David Babiracki, Realtor and Owner of Option West Realty. "It's a big reason people visit the area."
For shopping, residents frequent the Promenade Temecula mall, conveniently located just up I-15 from Old Town. The Promenade boasts a selection of trendy retail shops, department stores, and various dining options. It also serves as an alternative nightlife destination, with late-night shopping and dining choices in a more modern setting.
Chapel of Memories, is the city of Temecula's first church building, built in 1917.
The Promenade in Temecula offers ampule shopping for just about anything that you need.
Temecula residents can shop at small mom-and-pop shops like Under the Willow.
Old Town Temecula near Santa Rosa Plateau features a variety of retail and restaurant options.
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Easy commuter access for professionals
The Riverside Transit Agency serves 10 bus routes within the Temecula Valley area, and Interstate 15 and State Route 79 are the cities two major highways. Commuters can hop on I-15 for a 50-mile drive north to Riverside or a 60-mile drive south to San Diego. The Ontario International Airport is about 52 miles north while the San Diego International Airport is about 60 miles south. With over 90 miles of bike lanes and sidewalks throughout the city that connect residents to parks and schools within the suburbs, driving isn’t always a necessity for Temecula residents. The biggest hospital in the city is Temecula Valley.
High wildfire risk and moderate crime rates
Temecula typically experiences hot, dry summers from July through September and mild winters from December to March. The Santa Ana Mountains surround the city, causing high wildfire risk particularly during the summer. In summer 2024, the Pauba brush fire spread about 101 acres just east of Pechanga Resort and Casino, causing residents to evacuate. The city has implemented CAL Fire Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Action Plan to help prevent the amount of destruction, a three-step plan that includes incorporating fire-resistant plants, detailing evacuation routes and removing flammable items
According to the FBI, the Temecula Police Department reported a rate of 54 incidents per 100,000 residents in December 2023, lower than California's rate of 99 incidents per 100,000, and the United States rate of 120. California's property crime rates in December 2023 were 195 per 100,000; Temecula's was 190. Almost all incidents occur in the commercial areas west of I-15 and around the Promenade shopping center, while the residential area to the east experiences virtually no crime.
Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department help protect the city of Temecula.
Dry hills surround some parts of Temecula, making fire risk more prone.
Riverside County Fire Department helps maintain the safety of residents living in Temecula.
Temecula experiences hot and dry summers, as the fire watch is on high alert during that time.
Craig Flint Is the broker/owner of NET GAINS REAL ESTATE and is now in his 44th year as a dedicated full-time real estate professional. Craig's career accomplishments span a broad range of real estate experience, including resales, new home sales, lending, and consulting. In addition, Craig has been recognized as a top producer nationally and locally in listings and closed sales. Craig continues to focus on the consumer's need for an alternative to the high commission structure of traditional real estate by offering a full-service, low set fee real estate model. So whether you are looking to buy or sell, give Craig a call today!
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