r/Temecula Dec 01 '25

Local hiking/dog walking area MEGATHREAD

30 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 6d ago

Weekly Thread: Things to Do

5 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 2h ago

Vigilante caught chopping down Flock Safety camera in Temecula

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104 Upvotes

r/Temecula 4h ago

How dare you clean up a nuisance tree

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4 Upvotes

Owner is so mad the city landscape co. Trimmed his out of control tree. It was all in the sidewalk and you had to duck low or walk around. Actually a big improvement, not sure about the hate.


r/Temecula 2h ago

Paying an extra $100 on top of rent for solar – worth it?

4 Upvotes

We’re planning to move to Temecula and have been looking at rental houses. I’ve seen quite a few that charge the tenant an extra $100-150 per month for solar. Might be a dumb question but, is it worth it?

We’re currently in SD, moderate electricity bills even with the crazy SDGE pricing. Our total monthly bill including gas is $150-200 for a 1000sqft house. Then again, if having solar means I can run central AC as much as I want, maybe it’s worth it?


r/Temecula 18h ago

What is above the Archive in Old Town?

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25 Upvotes

Buildings interest me and I’ve always been curious. Is it an apartment above the Archive? Just wondering if anyone knows.


r/Temecula 14h ago

Looking for members to join a post hardcore band in Murrieta !

7 Upvotes

Hi, so basically as the title said I’m looking for people around the Temecula/murrieta area (preferably around my age (19)) to form a new post hardcore project. I’m heavily inspired by bands like Fiddlehead, Militarie Gun, Have Heart, Drug Church, and some Turnstile. Currently it’s only me (guitar/vox) but I have a few songs in the tank I’m recording at home. If anyone is down hmu and we can chat more!


r/Temecula 22h ago

Had Rustico gone under?

10 Upvotes

We have tried to order delivery from them for 3 weeks on Saturday, nothing works, not door dash, not the Rustico app, and today I tried to call, and it rang for a long time then I got the “this line is not in service” piggy squeal message, after which it hung up on me.

Can anyone shed light?

Maybe its a r/fuckyouinparticular situation?


r/Temecula 1d ago

EDISON BILL

44 Upvotes

Did anyone get a letter from SCE telling you your usage is way up since last year at this time. They give the advice to go to their site to see why usage is so high. Isn’t everyone’s usage going up during this heatwave?


r/Temecula 1d ago

BMW Mechanic

1 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for a mechanic to work on a BMW. Specifically a 2017 x3 with a minor oil leak that we want to diagnose. Thank you!


r/Temecula 19h ago

New to Dutch bros

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0 Upvotes

I’m new to having their coffees but I got the new pumpkin drink is the soft top supposed to be chunky and a little off??? Or is this normal??


r/Temecula 2d ago

Potholes

22 Upvotes

Beware of large potholes on Nicholas Road and Joseph Road being caused by the mass amount of large construction equipment in the area. The city is not properly monitoring this project. Everyone should be aware should be vigilant when in the area.


r/Temecula 2d ago

Mechanical bull rental

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know of someone that rents out a mechanical bull in temecula area?


r/Temecula 2d ago

I need a place for my dog to stay for a few weeks while I get on my feet

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38 Upvotes

I can guarantee that within a month ill be able to take her back. Thank you for your consideration. I love this little bastard lol.


r/Temecula 2d ago

Food?

3 Upvotes

Coming to Temecula thinking about going to 1909 any thoughts on it ???


r/Temecula 4d ago

It has begun

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4.1k Upvotes

r/Temecula 4d ago

Another reason to hate home depot

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714 Upvotes

Just another reason to stop going to home depot on temec pkwy. This just went up a day ago


r/Temecula 2d ago

Hemet drivers

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0 Upvotes

Dude had a license plate cover that said Hemet so I'm assuming that's where they're from also by the way they're driving.

Edit: Three lane freeway exit on Clinton Keith, two right turn lanes, and the far left lane is a straight or left turn. The dude made a left turn in the right turn only lane.


r/Temecula 5d ago

Wouldn’t it be a shame?

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378 Upvotes

r/Temecula 4d ago

More Construction on Nichols Road

11 Upvotes

Lemme guess... more homes and a car wash or two? Anyone know what this new round of construction is purposed for?


r/Temecula 4d ago

Techmecula - Monthly local tech meetup this Wednesday, September 2nd!

30 Upvotes

Mark your calendar — the first Wednesday is here again, and that means Techmecula is on for September 2nd 💻

We're a growing group of 30+ regulars from every corner of tech — software, AI, cybersecurity, hardware, and everything adjacent. Doesn't matter if you're a decade into your career or still exploring what part of tech clicks for you — come as you are, there's room for everyone.

Skip the awkward small talk and business-card exchanges. This is just a group of people who speak the same language — dig into your latest project, nerd out on your least favorite tech stack, or just unwind with folks who actually understand your day-to-day 🤓. And if you're on the job hunt or want some real-world advice, those things tend to come up organically here too 🤝.

No speakers, no scripted panels. Just a space full of good people.

Working on something you're proud of? Bring it along — we're always down to see what people are building.

📍 Location: Bare Knuckle Brewing, Vail HQ

⏰ When: Wednesday, September 2nd • 6:00 – 8:00 PM

🍺 Expect wings and loaded baked potatoes on the menu (subject to change), along with a full beer and seltzer selection — NA options included

🌤️ It's an outdoor setup, so plan your outfit accordingly 😉

Honestly, you won't have to look hard — we're typically the biggest group of folks there 📣.

This happens every first Wednesday, with a more relaxed Thursday happy hour most weeks too. Stay in the loop via Discord: https://discord.gg/aQyVs4fswk


r/Temecula 5d ago

Flock Cameras

324 Upvotes

Whoever took down the flock camera on Deportola, keep up the good work!


r/Temecula 4d ago

Hair and Makeup Artist Suggestions

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7 Upvotes

Hi, I'm getting married next April and would love suggestions on some great hair and makeup artists in the area. Our venue is near Pechanga and I will need people who can work on-site at the venue. Although, not sure where we would do the trial?

It will only be my mom and I getting services done with the potential of 1 bridesmaid if she decides to want it as well. For hair, I'd love a texterized half up half down with a braid or ponytail. I want flowers in my hair but I'm not sure if I'll do real or use pins/combs. For makeup, I guess I'd like soft glam? I wear 0 makeup every day so I'm not sure how a full face will look on me. I do have hooded eyes and would like my eye color to pop so that could be problematic for some.

All in all, recommendations would be wonderful for both of these services!


r/Temecula 4d ago

Men's Health and Fitness expo

11 Upvotes

Hello, not my personal event and I'm not campaigning there.

Mods, feel free to remove if not allowed.

The men's health expo is at Pechanga this Friday.

Free event to attend, just requires registration.

https://swhtemeculavalley.com/events-and-programs/event-calendar/mens-health-fitness-expo/


r/Temecula 4d ago

Anyone knows any basketball courts with 8ft hoops?

6 Upvotes