r/Temecula • • Dec 01 '25

Local hiking/dog walking area MEGATHREAD

37 Upvotes

I would like to share my local knowledge of Temecula hikes, and also see if anyone has good recommendations matching the criteria below, even if it's just a quiet wine country dirt road that's public or is possible to get owner permission for respectful access for dogwalking or even just hiking.

What inspired this: there was a post a few months ago here with beautiful photos of someone dogwalking on the dirt section of La Serena Way heading east into Wine Country from Butterfield Stage Rd, and when I went to check it out last weekend, there is now a "NO TRESPASSING" sign.

Frustratingly, many local hikes have become private property in the past few years:

-De Luz Overlook, now private property and it even had an adjacent hill where you can see a sliver of the ocean, from Temecula! Was off of Ridge Park Drive/Vincent Moraga Drive.

-De Portola Rd starting from Butterfield Stage Park: now under construction. It was a nice dirt road to walk on.

-Temecula to Vail Lake Overlook and Oak Mountain hike which is BLM land but the accesses are private: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/temecula-to-vail-lake-overlook-and-oak-mountain (For this one I actually do have access permission from an alternate entrance, but the drive is roughly an hour round trip.)

-The "951" mountain biking trails on the west side of Temecula below Rancho CA Rd, now that there's new construction I'm not aware of how to access. (Not good for dogs anyways since need to quickly watch out for mountain bikers but it was nice to hike on). https://www.trailforks.com/region/951-trails-12888/

I'm trying to find local hikes that are NOT an hour-ish round trip drive, to hike or dogwalk at after work in the winter before sunset. Real trails or dirt roads, no paved paths or adjacent to frequent road traffic.

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Top contenders that don't fit the bill, because trying to reach them before the winter sunset after work from south Temecula, especially near wine country:

-My favorite if I have more time: French Valley Wildlife Area, technically in Winchester, because it's like an hour round-trip drive: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/French-Valley-WA

-Dripping Springs: only 15 minutes to drive to, but the long walk from the parking lot from the paved street to the actual trail is a bummer and eats too much time.

-Vail Lake: also close by, but they charge a fee for entry ($10 per person for hiking weekdays and $15 on weekends!) and sometimes have a line to get in which also eats time. I don't think the lake itself is reachable/visible at all on foot by sunset from the parking lot.

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Honorable mentions, mostly Murrieta or otherwise too far away for me:

-Sykes Ranch: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sykes-ranch-park-loop
-Santa Rosa Plateau, like an hour round-trip and they charge a fee
-Sylvan Meadows
-Murrieta Overlook, you start on the Wishal Trail to Cole Canyon but once crossing the usually dry creek, you make a right instead of a left and climb up: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/wiashal-trail-loop-to-cole-canyon
-Santa Margarita River
-Monserate Mountain, not that far away but I really don't like you can hear the highway for most of the intro and I don't think you can summit and return by sunset.
-Los Alamos Loop: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/rancho-los-alamos-loop
-Durham Loop Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/dunham-loop-trail

+ -Iodine Springs Reserve https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/iodine-springs-loop

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2 winners from this thread came from u/Stretchatetch

  1. Sommers Bend - park at the sports park and there's some decent trails to walk on

  2. Temecula Creek Trail at Temecula Creek Park is also good. Besides the main trail there are more dirt trail offshoots https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/temecula-creek-park


r/Temecula • • 1d ago

Weekly Thread: Things to Do

4 Upvotes

Post events people might be interested in in this thread. Small business owners are welcome to plug their businesses here as well.


r/Temecula • • 4h ago

Temecula native Rachel Haggstrom, who grew up on her family’s citrus farm, now runs a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paso Robles

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47 Upvotes

r/Temecula • • 1h ago

Hiring CSR Position Part Time

• Upvotes

HIRING: Back Office Customer Support Specialist

Pay: $20/hour (20 hours per week to start, 40 hours available once trained)

Location: Fully Remote but will be transitioning to In-Office in Temecula once the show room is ready.

Company: Budget Windows & Doors

Your role will be to support our Back Office Manager with appointment scheduling/handling, lead outreach/followups. Data Entry, putting together customer quotes & CRM maintenance.

No industry experience, paid training is provided for the right candidate.

Phone customer support experience is required.

CRM experience is a big plus.

Must be proficient in English, Spanish is a big plus.

Please email me your resume at [info@budgetwindows.com](mailto:info@budgetwindows.com) if interested, thank you!


r/Temecula • • 20h ago

Data center proposed at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds (35 min up the 215): the fair board meets Wed Oct 28 at 4pm

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97 Upvotes

Might seem far from Temecula, but the Lake Perris Fairgrounds is state land meant for all of Riverside County, and there's a data center proposed there right next to Lake Perris. Quick rundown:

- In August the 46th DAA (the board that runs the fairgrounds / Southern California Fair) signed a nonbinding agreement with a company called Global Stack. The plan on about five acres is an edge data center, a parking garage and a helipad.

- Perris voted 5-0 on Oct 13 to ban data centers citywide (first of two votes), but the fairgrounds is outside city limits, so the ban doesn't reach it. The fair board is the only one that can end the agreement.

- Ventura's fair board voted to end its agreement with the same company in September, and Santa Barbara's Earl Warren Showgrounds said it won't consider a data center.

- Either side can end the agreement with 30 days' notice.

The board meets Wednesday, Oct 28 at 4pm, Administration Building, 18700 Lake Perris Dr. Ending the agreement isn't on the agenda, but public comment (item 5) is early and open to anyone, in person or on Zoom, so you don't have to make the drive. You can also email the board.

Agenda, Zoom link and a ready-to-send email: https://savelakeperris.com


r/Temecula • • 57m ago

For anyone looking for Halloween activities this weekend!

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• Upvotes

r/Temecula • • 19h ago

I'm looking for a <2k car

8 Upvotes

I'm young and just moved into the area, I'm super low on money but need a car to get around. I got 2k for a car and am hoping to save some of it. If anyone has a running car with a clean title that they are trying to get rid of hit me up.


r/Temecula • • 1d ago

LOST DOG - 12 years old, female yorkie mix.

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27 Upvotes

Posting for my neighbor who is heartbroken. Please keep an eye out. She is chipped.


r/Temecula • • 20h ago

Figure drawing

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4 Upvotes

Hello beautiful people. I love to draw and I know there are many others who also love to do so. I want create a figure drawing class here in Temecula or Murrieta for us. Please let me know if this something that sounds like something your interested in. Comment below. Has I move forward on making this happen I will be in contact.


r/Temecula • • 1d ago

Women’s Social Groups

29 Upvotes

I’m looking for a group that gets together on the weekends, without children in attendance. Hopefully, women aged 35 to 55, maybe once a month. Does this exist in our area? Perhaps 1-2 times per month, not mandatory to attend every single time. Maybe some active-type activities. Non-political.

My kids are grown, my husband is a homebody and I’m bored.


r/Temecula • • 1d ago

18 years old, any ideas for places to meet people?

17 Upvotes

Hey, can’t believe I’m asking this on reddit but I’ve kinda just been super depressed after graduating from Great Oak and I want to get out and meet people for the first time. Anyone have any ideas? Preferably somewhat around my age lol?

Please don’t say college or school because I’m very very cognizant of that fact. I’m taking a gap year then going into nursing haha.

Thanks in advance :)


r/Temecula • • 1d ago

Watching NHL Games

6 Upvotes

Any sports bars/restaurants that have NHL games on? Went to Burgers and Beer last night but they didn’t seem to have the NHL channels. Thanks!


r/Temecula • • 1d ago

Figure Drawing

3 Upvotes

I wanted to create a figure around here. Looking to see I can make this happen. How many would interested in joining a class?


r/Temecula • • 2d ago

Looking for catering recommendations in the area!

5 Upvotes

I’m planning a celebration for my grandma’s 80th birthday and need a caterer for 40-50 guests. This is an intimate, family event at a relative's house. We’re open to any cuisine (Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, etc.), so I’d love to hear about your favorites.

I’m new to the area and don’t know anyone here yet, so I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has used a caterer they loved.

Thank you so much!!


r/Temecula • • 2d ago

Kitty needs a savior

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36 Upvotes

Lyla underwent surgery to have her eye removed, but despite everything she’s been through, she’s pulling through and remains one of the sweetest, friendliest cats

It looks like her owners dumped her and left her to be sick all alone. She’s healthy now, she just need love and a family

We are looking for a foster in temecula

Can anyone open their heart and home to foster her? She deserves a chance at life


r/Temecula • • 2d ago

Any good dim sum joints?

11 Upvotes

Originally from San Diego, but havent found any dim sum places in Riverside/Temecula/Murrieta/Menifee. When I google dim sum, I just get typical ameri-chinese joints.


r/Temecula • • 2d ago

ISA certified arborist

11 Upvotes

Had a good experience with Great Green Arborists. Came quickly, very knowledgeable, clean. I’m very pleased.


r/Temecula • • 3d ago

Bianco Files Claim To Get County To Cover Legal Fees

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73 Upvotes

The guy in the closet wants MORE of our money for his bad choices. These should be his consequences, not ours.


r/Temecula • • 3d ago

Anybody else’s kids been sick?

12 Upvotes

My kid been sick since Monday. Missed school the rest of week. Fever. Cough. No energy.

Something going around?


r/Temecula • • 3d ago

Is there a fine

9 Upvotes

For throwing wrong stuff in trash bin ? ?


r/Temecula • • 3d ago

Temegreen!

9 Upvotes

Everything has gotten so green listerine over here!


r/Temecula • • 3d ago

I posted my senior resource directory here last week — I took your feedback and made a bunch of changes

17 Upvotes

A week or so ago I shared Senior Support Finder here and got some really useful feedback from people in the area.

Since then I’ve been working through the things people pointed out.

A few examples:

  • transportation searches were improved and I added more local transportation options
  • home-safety and fall-prevention searches were fixed
  • I added wills, trusts and estate-planning resources
  • I added senior-placement help for families trying to find assisted living
  • I added palliative-care resources
  • someone recently searched for activities for a senior with early dementia, so I researched that gap and added two local programs
  • provider pages were redesigned so Call / Website / Directions are now immediately visible instead of buried farther down the page

The directory is now at 100 local providers and community resources across Temecula Valley and Southwest Riverside County.

If you’re helping a parent, grandparent or older neighbor, I’d love for you to try it again:

seniorsupportfinder.com

Search for the problem the way you’d actually say it.

If something still gives you a bad result, no result, or information that looks wrong, tell me. I’m actually using those searches and comments to decide what gets fixed or added next.


r/Temecula • • 3d ago

Anyone know where a spirit Halloween is open near here?

0 Upvotes

r/Temecula • • 4d ago

Accountant help for 1st year small business

5 Upvotes

So i started a business (LLC) on the side and need accounting help. I use quick books to track mileage and to send estimates and invoices. I provide a product that I make and do charge sales tax.

I have basically kept about 65 percent of all the money ive made this year to pay taxes at the end of the year. The time is coming and need a recommendation for an accountant near me.


r/Temecula • • 5d ago

Don't Forget to Vote!!

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111 Upvotes

I know it's still pretty far from the election, but don't forget to vote! Especially if you are younger. Carefully review everything on your ballot and do research, first. For the ballot initiatives/propositions, the information in the voter guide/sample ballot is very helpful. (The photo is of current ballot returns for the city of Temecula).

Also, if you want to make sure that your ballot is received if you drop it off or mail it, you can sign up receive alerts here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-status/wheres-my-ballot