East Hemet’s location shapes recreation and travel
East Hemet is a quiet suburban community in the Inland Empire, located on the outskirts of Hemet . Its southern portion rests in the Santa Rosa Hills, while the San Jacinto Mountains rise to the east. The rugged terrain offers scenic views and outdoor recreation but has also limited highway development. “We’re pretty well located between Palm Springs , San Diego and Los Angeles , but we’re about 15 miles off the freeway, so that’s keeping a ceiling on our prices,” says Loni Vogler, Realtor and owner of Vogler Realty, who has lived in the Hemet area for more than 30 years. “Affordability is what drives our market. You get more bang for your buck than in Riverside or Temecula ."
Housing prices are generally lower than in Riverside or Temecula
Palo verde trees and tall palms line the flat streets in the northern part of the community, where most homes rest along curving roads or cul-de-sacs in planned neighborhoods. The southern portion’s streets climb steep hillsides, with custom-built residences on large, sloping parcels.
In Riverside, the median sale price is around $650,000, and Temecula’s is closer to $780,000. The majority of sales in East Hemet fall below both figures. Ranch-style houses built between the mid-to-late 1900s generally sell for $260,000 to $500,000, while Spanish-style residences with backyard pools may cost between $500,000 and $690,000. Homes with elevated views or spacious lots typically run between $690,000 and $970,000. There are also a few condos, and recent sales have ranged from $250,000 to $260,000. Environmental risks include the possibility of wildfires and flooding, and residents should familiarize themselves with emergency procedures.
The Hemet school district has charter and specialty options
The Hemet Unified School District serves local students and holds an overall B-minus rating from Niche. Some children attend Ramona Elementary School, rated a C, followed by Acacia Middle School, which earns a C-minus. Hemet High School gets a B, and its Building Assets, Reducing Risk program helps ninth-grade students set goals and transition smoothly into high school. Middle and high school students can also enter a lottery to attend Western Center Academy, a district charter school with an A-plus rating. Families may also request transfers to nonzoned schools or specialized programs within the district, and placement approval is based on space and whether the student is in good standing.
East Hemet is close to a variety of parks and hiking areas
East Hemet is known for its access to outdoor recreation. Just south is Simpson Park, which spans nearly 500 acres in the Santa Rosa Hills. It has a picnic area and trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The expansive Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument lies to the east, providing additional opportunities for exploring. Diamond Valley Lake is a few miles west; it's a manmade lake is popular for boating and fishing.
Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District also maintains several green spaces, such as Jim Venable Exchange Club Park in neighboring Valle Vista . It offers a large playground, outdoor fitness equipment and pickleball courts. Golfers can play the nearby nine-hole Echo Hills Golf Course or the 18-hole course at Seven Hills Golf Club Hemet, both of which are open to the public. For indoor recreation, Hemet’s Airtopia Adventure Park is a popular destination that features a high ropes course and trampolines.
Florida Avenue offers shopping, dining and some nightlife
Most businesses are concentrated in shopping centers along the busy Florida Avenue corridor. The closest grocery store is Stater Bros. Markets. As far as area restaurants, Vogler recommends Rodolfo’s Cucina Italiana and El Patron. “El Patron also has a cool nightclub,” Vogler says. “They serve some traditional Mexican dishes, but they also have a lot of fusion-type entrees.” The Hemet Valley Mall, larger grocery stores and big-box retail chains are farther west on Florida Avenue.
The Ramona Bowl hosts a historic play and community events
One of East Hemet’s most notable landmarks is the Ramona Bowl, an amphitheater overlooking the Santa Rosa Hills. For more than a century, it has been the venue for “Ramona,” an outdoor play depicting the lifestyles and struggles of 1800s Californians. The amphitheater also hosts a variety of concerts and community events, including a seasonal farmers market.
East Hemet residents often rely on cars for commuting
Bike lanes and sidewalks line some area roads. There are Riverside Transit Agency bus stops along East Florida Avenue, and sections of East Hemet also have access to the GoMicro shuttle service, but other parts are car dependent. The Hemet Global Medical Center is a few miles from East Hemet, and it provides emergency care and job opportunities.
Many residents commute for work, and San Jacinto Street and Florida Avenue — or state Route 74 — are the two main thoroughfares. Interstate 215 is about 15 miles away. Temecula and Riverside are both within a 40-mile drive, and San Diego and Los Angeles are around 90 miles away. Palm Springs International Airport, about 50 miles northeast, offers direct flights to several U.S. and Canadian destinations.
