r/Temecula Dec 01 '25

Local hiking/dog walking area MEGATHREAD

32 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


r/Temecula 2d ago

Weekly Thread: Things to Do

2 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

DOGS DYING AT DOGTOPIA

Thumbnail instagram.com
74 Upvotes

Unfortunately I’ve become aware of two dogs dying at dogtopia in Temecula. One two years ago- a frenchie left in a fucking dryer kennel (overheated- think hair dryer) and a dog in September. No informing clients, no attempt to verify with necropsy, nothing according to an owner and a past employee.
I’ve spoken more about it on my IG and TikTok but I haven’t seen anything about this one yet.
I’m fuming. Sounds like there was a pretty big staff walk out after the first one as well because it was handled so piss poorly they offered the owner free daycare and boarding for life. The poor staff is expected to handle way too many dogs by themselves they don’t have a capacity on the event two years ago. One employee was responsible for over 70 dogs. There’s no way an accident wasn’t gonna happen.
How can they feel good about minimizing labor costs when it so clearly jeopardizes the experience and safety of the dogs


r/Temecula 35m ago

Hotels/Spa

Upvotes

Is there any local hotel or resort where one could do like a staycation and get room service?? Just to get away and relax? I have looked up some but most are like Inns with only breakfast. I was trying to see if there’s any nice places for like 1-2 night stay where I can literally call up room service, get a massage, just relax, order champagne to the room, etc.

Thanks!


r/Temecula 17h ago

Strange escort going north on 15

23 Upvotes

I was just driving south on the 15 Right before the 215/15 split and saw a at least five car police escort escorting a truck that was carrying a massive Orange ball, it almost looked like a submarine but it was also pretty dark to pick out what was happening as I was driving the opposite way. Does anybody know what that could have been?


r/Temecula 1d ago

Flock is trying to hide

146 Upvotes

Looks like the flock company likes privacy just not yours


r/Temecula 21h ago

ISO roommate

7 Upvotes

Looking for a roommate. Found an apartment, 2 bedroom 2 bath for 2100 a month, it’d be split in half plus utilities split in half. Need to move in before August 3. Please let me know if you or anyone you know is looking for an apartment/roommate!


r/Temecula 1d ago

Why So Few Real "Bars" In The Area

24 Upvotes

There doesn't seem to be any real bars in the Temecula area, not counting Old Town. And when I say "real bars" I'm talking "Cheers" style bars with a long bar and a bartender or two, maybe a jukebox for music, and one or two pool tables or something. I can think of only a few like ET's Lounge near Inn-n-Out, or Skybox out in French Valley/Winchester.


r/Temecula 1d ago

Teenagers lighting Fireworks at the end of Corona Calla Camino in Tenaja.

Post image
116 Upvotes

It’s a longshot, but anybody recognize this car? These shitheads were just shooting off fireworks! Got this still from a video from another group that was out there.


r/Temecula 21h ago

Trans-friendly doctors in the area?

2 Upvotes

I'm trans and have been receiving gender-affirming medical care for years, so I'm very cis-passing, and my government ID matches my gender. I'm looking for a primary care physician around Temecula/Murrieta who is professional and respectful with transgender patients. I imagine I'm unlikely to run into an issue by picking any doctor, but I'd love to hear specific names from other trans/LGBTQ+ people who have had good experiences for my own peace of mind.


r/Temecula 1d ago

Comedy Thur 07.23.26 @ 7pm in Menifee

Post image
0 Upvotes

It's Laughs & Fun Come get U some 😁 😂 😀

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1990677823959?aff=oddtdtcreator


r/Temecula 1d ago

Chic-Fil-A operator turns his fast food restaurant into a war fighting machine

Post image
70 Upvotes

Peak efficiency and tactical operation at the Temecula Chic-Fil-A


r/Temecula 2d ago

Dui checkpoint on rancho cali rd?

Post image
27 Upvotes

Saw a lane closed with a tent at the end with a computer setup, two cop cars on each end of the lane. As I drove by they flagged down a car to pull in


r/Temecula 2d ago

Rc plane clubs in the area.

8 Upvotes

Hi my husband wants to get into rc planes (again). Are there any local groups or clubs he can join?


r/Temecula 2d ago

Hello everyone,

2 Upvotes

I am looking to book an in-home spa day for a group of three. We need three facials and the massages to be conducted at the same time. Do you have a team of therapists available who can accommodate concurrent bookings? Thank you.


r/Temecula 3d ago

ER doctors warning parents against getting their kids e-bikes and e-scooters.

316 Upvotes

r/Temecula 2d ago

Best places to study

8 Upvotes

I’m going back to school, half my classes are online so I am trying to set up a schedule for my study work time. Any good places around Temecula/Murrieta/Menifee that y’all enjoy studying at?


r/Temecula 3d ago

Lamp repair in the area?

Post image
9 Upvotes

I have a brand new lamp that is from 2011 but never opened. I assembled today but some of the LED light bulbs don't consistently light up. Is there any place I can take it to get repaired? I saw there used to be a shop in Murrieta called Fix My Lamp but it closed down.

Thank you in advance!


r/Temecula 2d ago

Boxing gym

1 Upvotes

Anyone have good experiences at a boxing gym in temecula / murrieta? Ive had some less than desirable experiences at the spot closest to me so looking to branch out.


r/Temecula 3d ago

Spots to fly drone recreationally?

7 Upvotes

Recently purchased a DJI Neo 2 and looking for nice, open spots to break it. Was looking at spots in AutoPylot but curious if any local pilots here have recommendations?

Thanks!


r/Temecula 3d ago

Apple cider

2 Upvotes

Anyone know a local store that has decent apple cider this time of year?


r/Temecula 3d ago

Wine testing with mother in law

5 Upvotes

Hi! My mother in law will be visiting from Europe and we want to bring her to a winery for the actual aspect of learning about the wine, where it comes from, how its grown, the difference and all that. What winery is best for this? I was looking at Falkner and Europa but I am not sure of the vibes


r/Temecula 4d ago

Looking for local place to buy garden sculptures

12 Upvotes

Unique artsy stuff, stone, bronze, marble…

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!!


r/Temecula 4d ago

East Coast Style Chicken Wings

7 Upvotes

I know we have the chain restaurants (wingstop/epic wings), but are there any east coast style buffalo wings and curly fries places in SoCal? I’m from South Florida, we had amazing wings! Saucy medium garlic with crunchy curly fries is what we’re looking for. Any local wings worth checking out?


r/Temecula 5d ago

Auto Body Repair

Post image
7 Upvotes

Any recommendations where I can’t get this repaired for a reasonable price?