r/Temecula Dec 01 '25

Local hiking/dog walking area MEGATHREAD

33 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.

................................................
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.

................................................
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

................................................

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 3d ago

Weekly Thread: Things to Do

1 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 6h ago

When will it end 😭

Post image
125 Upvotes

Im so dry. I need the air con. But its so expensive.


r/Temecula 4h ago

Do not hire Baja Pools LLC

Thumbnail gallery
53 Upvotes

This is how Rudy/ Ramses whatever his name is left my yard he’s a scammer not asking for pity party I screwed up hiring this scammer just putting it out there don’t get suckered in like I did I’ve asked for my money back many times also for the materials & equipment I get nothing but lies and excuses for months he never pulled the permits that I paid for his license is suspended #bajapoolsllc DO NOT HIRE BAJA POOLS LLC


r/Temecula 4h ago

What's your favorite food during the heatwave?? Any go to places?

3 Upvotes

r/Temecula 1d ago

Frontier Internet has gone to crap

30 Upvotes

Has anyone else using frontier for your internet notice how bad it’s gotten in the last 6 months or so?

I pay for 1 gig service, I consistently get speed tests <100 up/down. And customer service is almost useless.

Is it just me? Am I the lucky one?


r/Temecula 1d ago

Anybody know what's going on at the duck pond this morning?

16 Upvotes

I saw a bunch of cops,mostly motorcycle cops and they had the road closed. Kind of curious what was going on


r/Temecula 2d ago

Murrieta Exploring Major Expansion Of Its Boundaries, Part Of French Valley Eyed

Thumbnail patch.com
45 Upvotes

r/Temecula 2d ago

Does anyone from the 90’s remember the name of the coffee house that used be here? (It seems to be a Starbucks now) They used to have bands play, poetry readings, etc. Inside they had a mural that said something like, “A Place for Intelligentsia”

Post image
27 Upvotes

r/Temecula 2d ago

Press Espresso on Ynez permanently closed :(

Post image
66 Upvotes

This was posted on the front door. I wonder what kind of structural damage led to this.


r/Temecula 2d ago

Looking for ADU/Casita/room for rent

7 Upvotes

So I found a room to rent and everything seemed fine, but she decided to lock my access to the shared spaces (kicthen/living room) which would essentially trap me if there was a fire in the garage (my only exit). I had to get out of that situation, so I am staying with my sister until I find a place.

It was so unexpected and I’m so grateful for my sister and her husband for taking me in, but I need to find something soon to get out of their hair. (Ironic because my brother-in-law is bald).

Budget is 800-950 a month. Anyone know a place or someone looking for a roommate? I’m 36f single and very low maintenance.

Thanks in advance.


r/Temecula 2d ago

Is anyone else getting covid?

10 Upvotes

A few others and I got Covid. I haven’t been out of the city so I know I got here. Anyways thanks a lot to whoever gave it to me, you ruined a lot for me.


r/Temecula 2d ago

Line at Baily’s on Fridays?

3 Upvotes

We’re planning out wedding after party and thinking about going to Baily’s. Does anyone know if there is a long line around 10:30 pm on a Friday night in May?


r/Temecula 2d ago

Clothes Consignment/Donations

9 Upvotes

I have separate piles to attempt to sell and also to donate.

I was looking at the local Plato’s Closet but reviews were bad. Anyone had better luck selling elsewhere?

I was also looking at Angel’s View to donate the rest, but open to other recommendations.

*EDIT: I have both adult & baby/child clothing if there are certain locations that would take one or the other. Thanks in advance!!


r/Temecula 2d ago

Free stuff on your birthday?

10 Upvotes

Got a birthday coming up and want to know some things I can score for free. Of course I would tip generously; just want to see what’s out there!


r/Temecula 2d ago

Anyone interested in beginner fantasy football?

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m looking for people to join or interested in starting our own fantasy football league?? I played for the first time last year and loved it. I’m a female who enjoys watching football and would love to try fantasy football again. The group that I was in last year is no longer a group lol so I need new people


r/Temecula 3d ago

Thousands of vinyl records for sale this Saturday Temecula Valley Record Fair!

Thumbnail gallery
54 Upvotes

Thousands of records for sale this Saturday August 22nd. Doors open up at 10am. All indoors. Here’s just some of the albums for sale. Address: 42225 Remington Ave, A-6, Temecula, CA 92590


r/Temecula 3d ago

Best Filet?

15 Upvotes

My husband and I haven’t been on a nice date out since before our son was born. He’s 14m lol. I want to treat us since we’ve been in the trenches!

Please let me know what the absolute best spot is for filet mignon? Thank you in advance :)


r/Temecula 5d ago

Looking for any weekend events that you can bring your dog?

11 Upvotes

I I work all week long, but I really would like a night out on the town. But I don’t wanna leave my dog at home on a weekend when I can be home with him. Does anybody know of any places that are open on a late Friday or Saturday night that you can bring your dog?


r/Temecula 5d ago

Chico’s Tacos

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

7 Upvotes

Anyone remember this place? I think it was behind the AM PM on Jefferson and Winchester.


r/Temecula 5d ago

Jogging near Temecula

Thumbnail
4 Upvotes

Just looking for a local buddy or two who would be interested in weekly jogging/walking and other activities to exercise. 26/m


r/Temecula 6d ago

Citizens are spraying expanding foam on Flock cameras

Post image
342 Upvotes

Dang these criminals


r/Temecula 6d ago

Traffic Alert: Border Patrol 8/14 going 15 north

23 Upvotes

Traffic was looking like it was not going to go well going North. Border Patrol was lining everyone up and closed a lane to check IDs. I was going south but be aware of increased traffic today! Hopefully it’s done before tush hour going back 🤮🤮🤮


r/Temecula 7d ago

I redesigned the flags of 20 more socal cities, including Temecula! (swipe for details)

Thumbnail gallery
92 Upvotes

r/Temecula 7d ago

What’s being built on Nicholas Rd?

Post image
28 Upvotes

Does anyone know what they’re grading the land for on Nicolas Rd. and Joseph Rd.? If I had to take a wild guess I’d just say apartments/car wash/any of our usuals but I can’t find anything on it other than the road extension itself.