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 ."
East Hemet stretches north as the Santa Rosa Hills form a rugged southern boundary.
Scenic bench at Simpson Park offers sweeping views of East Hemet and the valley below.
1/2
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.
Distinctive Spanish-style architecture defines many residential streets in East Hemet.
East Hemet features rows of stucco homes with red tile roofs in Spanish revival style.
1/2
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.
Students love the modern campus at Ramona Elementary School in East Hemet.
Acacia Middle School serves students living in East Hemet.
Students can find the skills to succeed at Hemet High School.
1/3
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.
Simpson Park’s scenic trails offer sweeping views and quiet nature walks in Hemet.
Afternoon hoops at Jim Venable Park draw locals to nearby Valle Vista’s outdoor courts.
1/2
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.
El Patron offers Mexican-fusion fare and a lively nightclub scene in East Hemet.
Hemet Valley Mall features big box stores and casual shopping near East Hemet.
1/2
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.
Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre hosts outdoor performances in the hills of East Hemet.
Live music adds energy to the weekend crowd at Hemet Farmer’s Market near East Hemet.
1/2
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.
Hemet Global Medical Center provides full-service care for East Hemet and surrounding areas.
East Hemet riders use Riverside Transit and GoMicro, though some areas rely on cars.
1/2
Written By
Ginny West
Photography Contributed By
Kory Ross
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Noemy Arellano,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Welcome to 26802 Girard Street, a modest, mid-century gem tucked into the heart of Hemet that’s ready for a new chapter. Built in the early 1950s, this 944-square-foot home features 2 cozy bedrooms and 1 full bath, all sitting on a generous 5,662-sq-ft lot. Walking through the front door, you’ll find a floor plan that flows naturally, with warm living space and a classic fireplace that hints at
Welcome to this beautifully maintained single-story home located in a quiet and desirable neighborhood of Hemet. This light-filled residence offers a comfortable and thoughtfully designed floor plan, perfect for families, first-time buyers, or those looking to downsize without sacrificing space.Step inside to an inviting open-concept living area featuring vaulted ceilings and generous natural
Welcome to this stunning 2021-built home, where modern comfort meets incredible value! Featuring 1,729 sq. ft. of open-concept living on a spacious 7,405 sq. ft. lot, this gem comes with NO MELLO-ROOS or HOA and energy-efficient solar panels at just $66/month—keeping your utility costs low.Step inside to find 3 bedrooms and 2 Baths and stylish recessed lighting throughout. The spacious
1.49 Acres with pad area and shed building in the Hills just above East Hemet. Two APN#s with this sale. Desirable neighborhood of estate homes with great views of the Valley and Mountains. Great location with a rural feel yet just minutes outside the city. Zoning is R-1-1 and elevation is 2166 Feet. No HOA. Adjacent lots available for sale from same owner for anyone wanting a larger parcel in
1.11 Acres with pad area in the Hills just above East Hemet. This lot has a water meter. Desirable neighborhood of estate homes with great views of the Valley and Mountains. Great location with a rural feel yet just minutes outside the city. Zoning is R-1-1 and elevation is 2134 Feet. No HOA. Adjacent lots available for sale from same owner for anyone wanting a larger parcel in this area.
Move-in ready 2-bedroom, 1-bath end unit upstairs apartment located on the quieter south side of Hemet! Step inside this cozy 900 sq. ft. end unit with open and bright living room.. The kitchen boasts granite countertops and comes equipped with a stove and refrigerator, making meal prep a breeze. Enjoy the convenience of central AC and heat, plus an onsite laundry room in this gated,
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
