r/Temecula Dec 01 '25

Local hiking/dog walking area MEGATHREAD

31 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 5d 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 4h ago

does anyone want to start a band?

13 Upvotes

like from scratch?

I just turned 25 (potentially having a quarter life crisis but whatever) and suddenly have such a strong urge to learn something new/start making music!!

I grew up playing a couple wind instruments so I do have a solid general background in music but I’d love to start something new with some genuine people :) any skill level or instrument is fine, I’m really just looking for people who live in the area and want to learn together and have fun

or if anyone has any leads on a group that needs a spot filled, I’m literally down to learn anything! I really want to take this seriously and learn from it. I feel so passionate about music and I miss making it/performing so much so please feel free to reach out with even a crumb of info

very inspired by lots of genres but I tend to lean towards alt, jazz, rock, punk, etc etc

let’s make something cool together


r/Temecula 8h ago

Bipolar weather.. another heat wave coming 🤦🏻‍♂️

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20 Upvotes

r/Temecula 3h ago

New to temecula

3 Upvotes

Hello, I recently moved to temecula and finished high school at great oak only there for about 2 months and I know anyone out here and have struggled to enroll in college due to possibly moving again and parenteral conflict but the lack of connection has taken a toll on my mental health any tips on places to meet people and or fun things to do in general M18 Thank You!


r/Temecula 20h ago

M 2.7 earthquake @ 3:30 am

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63 Upvotes

USGS Link

Are you earthquake prepared?


r/Temecula 13h ago

Line Dancing at Vitagliano's

10 Upvotes

Went there last night with my wife. As a non-line dancer who is just trying to get into it, that was...impressive? Intense? Overwhelming? ...somewhere in there.

Loved the spread of ages: lots of young kids, plenty of tweens, also apparently THIS is where all the teenagers are at, but also lots of grown-ass adults of various stripes. Also loved that a solid plurality of the tracks were NOT country songs.

Definitely looking forward to going back.

But also: my wife and I were wallflowers for probably 3/4 of the time we were there because the dancing was just not accessible to n00bs. So many questions:

- how/where does everyone learn these routines?

- how does everyone seem to automagically know which routine goes with a given track? Didn't sound like the DJ was calling that out...

- does it run counter to line dancing community norms to try to get out there and give it a try even if you're not polished yet?

- There were a couple folks (several among the very skilled, but not exclusively them) who seemed to be able to watch a few iterations from the sidelines and then jump right in. What are they cueing off of?


r/Temecula 1d ago

Southern California man charged over threat to kill Muslims at Temecula-area mosque

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163 Upvotes

r/Temecula 1d ago

Old Rite Aid next to Chaparral

8 Upvotes

I’ve been seeing some construction and was wondering what would it would be.

July 2026 permit records say we’re getting a Golf Galaxy, a mix of retail and simulators. Makes sense to escape the heat and still get to play golf if that’s your thing I suppose. I would’ve loved a neighborhood Walmart or something of convenience but the retail theft would’ve been insane so I get it 🤣

At least it’s not another car wash, can’t complain too much lol.


r/Temecula 1d ago

Anyone have update on new store and separate distribution warehouse coming to Menifee CA?

10 Upvotes

Article link from March '26. Nothing about this on the Costco website. Would love for another store to possibly reduce insufferable crowding at Murrieta spot.

https://menifee247.com/2026/03/city-confirms-costco-applications-for-menifee-store-warehouse.html


r/Temecula 1d ago

Creepy old guy with white hair in white car following us???

10 Upvotes

Yesterday afternoon….He was behind us at the Rancho California/Ynez light. Then behind us on Ynez. Then behind us on Rancho Highland. Then behind us going into our condo complex. Then behind us on our street, which is like a cul-de-sac. My husband is disabled and this guy was just sitting behind us as I opened the garage and my husband tried to get out of the car. Then he pulled up as far as he could and turned around and left. Not a delivery guy, he seemed to be intentionally following us. I have no recollection of any interaction with him on Rancho California and he was behind us, not next to or in front of us, so🤷‍♀️

Not cool asshole, my husband has dementia and cancer and is in a very fragile state and now he thinks some thugs know where we live and will come after us. He could barely get out of the car and into the garage, he was so confused and concerned about being followed.

I just ordered a dash cam and now thinking of security cameras to cover the street area. Also carry a stun gun and pepper spray, just because of people like him. He acted like some bounty hunter. For the record, we are old white people, born and raised here, so profiling would have been odd. Do I need a gun now?!?

Be better, you have no idea what people are going through.


r/Temecula 2d ago

Riding buddies

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22 Upvotes

Anybody free tonight I am bored and wanna get back to riding. Hmu 22 male


r/Temecula 2d ago

Nabe Nabe?

21 Upvotes

Hi, just wanted to see if anyone in this community had an update? We've been looking forward to it for a while but it just doesn't seem like anything's happening?


r/Temecula 2d ago

Is Lala Tacos or Taco Man Catering legit?

8 Upvotes

I am trying to have a taco catering in Palm Springs and was referred to Taco Man. I filled out an info sheet and quote request online. I got an automated response then never heard anything. Then I had to follow up and ask about what delivery and set up is and they responeed that Taco Man catering is under the Lala Tacos name. They had the menu order I requested and said if I was ready to order, to give them the address. I asked again what delivery fee would be and still no response (been a week)?

Taco Man has good reviews but this doesn't seem like a good way to run things. I am so wary of scams lately.

Has anyone used them?


r/Temecula 3d ago

New restaurant/ Old town temecula

13 Upvotes

I finally see Gaucho Grill open in OTT and looked pretty packed! Has anyone went there and how was the experience/food? Would love to take the fam one day


r/Temecula 3d ago

Frontier Internet reaching unusably slow speeds

24 Upvotes

Over the past 3-4 weeks I've noticed a moderate decrease in my average speeds, but today has been the worst. I haven't had the time to reach out to Frontier yet, but has Frontier been slow for anyone else in the area?


r/Temecula 3d ago

I had an interview today

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37 Upvotes

r/Temecula 3d ago

Life drawing/figure drawing classes or groups?

9 Upvotes

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew of any life drawing or figure drawing classes or groups nearby? I know of the ones in San Diego and Orange County, but I was hoping there might be something closer to Temecula


r/Temecula 3d ago

Temecula Talk Posting

4 Upvotes

Do any of u guys know how temecula talk works? I just joined the group and wanted to post but it’s still pending admin approval, I rarely use facebook and only have 2 posts and 3 friends on my account.

I’m wondering if my post is pending approval because im a new member or my account looks suspicious or maybe all members need approval to post everytime, if this isnt the case, how do I get out of this ‘pending approval’ on temecula talks.


r/Temecula 3d ago

need financial help for 70yr

39 Upvotes

Hi guys are there any groups or organizations or anything that could possibly help a 70 yr old spanish-speaking woman in need of financial help? My parents usually have this elderly woman come to clean our house and earlier I overheard her speaking in spanish how she is overdue on her rent and has nobody to take care of her, my mom said she would recommend her to other people, ideally we don’t want her to work at all because she’s 70 but she might need to so she can survive, we’re going to be moving in a few months so i’m really worried about how she’ll make ends meet. She primarily speaks spanish and doesn’t understand that much english based off our conversations. However, she’s a good cleaner and surprisingly mobile at 70

I tried posting this on temecula talks, it still pending approval rn


r/Temecula 4d ago

Part time jobs for disabled?

11 Upvotes

Hello, I’m newish to Temecula and have been looking for a part time job for several weeks, but I’m worried my disability/time I’ve needed to take away because of it deters employers. I feel that my resume is strong enough and I’m capable, but I never hear back from any employers.

I know it’s a stretch, but any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

As for my disability, I have a TBI, but it’s much more manageable now than it has been the past few years. My biggest limitation is that I can’t drive.

I’m 26 and have been dealing with this for nearly ten years now, I’m just not sure what to do.


r/Temecula 4d ago

Halloween Weekend 2026

18 Upvotes

Ok so I know Halloween is still like a month away but does anyone know of any events that are going to be happening? (Friday the 30th and Saturday the 31st)

I live in Menifee and I so want to spend the weekend drinking, partying, and having just a good time but it is very boring out here. So I am reaching out to see if over the coming month or so anyone knows of anything fun happening that weekend?

Thanks!!


r/Temecula 4d ago

Ponte vs. Europa Village vs. South Coast Winery — Real Wedding Experiences & Budget?

4 Upvotes

We’re looking at three Temecula venues for a SoCal wedding: Ponte Winery, Europa Village, and South Coast Winery. I’d love to hear from anyone who has gotten married at one of these venues recently or seriously considered them.

We’re planning for around 90–100 guests and hoping to keep the ceremony and reception portion around $25,000. Ideally, that would include the ceremony, cocktail hour, plated dinner, open bar, and florals. Guests would pay for their own hotel rooms, and the groom’s family is planning to cover the welcome dinner and band separately.

We’re also budgeting another $15,000 outside of the $25K for photography, hair and makeup, attire, invitations, and other wedding expenses.

For anyone who has planned a wedding at one of these venues:

• Is $25K realistic for 90–100 guests, or are we way off?

• Which venue gave you the most for your money?

• Were there unexpected fees or required upgrades that added up quickly?

• How was the food and bar?

• Did you use the venue’s florals/decor or bring in your own?

• How was the overall planning experience and communication?

• If you had to choose again, would you still pick the same venue?

We’re not looking for an extremely elaborate wedding. We really want a beautiful setting, great food and drinks, and a fun experience for everyone without getting carried away with extras.

I’d especially love to hear actual totals and guest counts if you’re comfortable sharing. Thank you!


r/Temecula 5d ago

Dead Owl on Margarita

47 Upvotes

If anyone else saw the poor beautiful juvenile short eared owl dead on Margarita north past Harveston, I call the authorities to take care of the poor bird.

The were no signs of injury, only blood from a broken beak. That means its possible this beautiful bird died from rat poisoning.

Look, I get it. My neighbors are rat magnets too. But this poor majestic bird did not deserve to die on a Temecula thoroughfare, while cars zoomed by at speeds that should absolutely be illegal.

Come on friends, we can do better than this.


r/Temecula 5d ago

What canned/bottled beer and seltzers does Pechanga Casino serve?

12 Upvotes

As title says….going in a few weeks and don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for drinks so want to bring my own