Featuring some of the most affordable housing in all of California, the San Jacinto Valley city of Hemet is far removed from busy urban life: Riverside is about 34 miles northwest, Palm Springs is about 43 miles east and Los Angeles is 88 miles west. Hemet was first developed as a retirement community in the early 1960s, but in recent years, healthcare professionals, commuters and families with young children have been moving in. "They come here for job opportunities and the comparative affordability," says Vivian Arias, Hemet-based Realtor with Brubaker Culton Real Estate and Development. Hemet's public school system is well rated, and the city's home to Hemet Global Medical Center, a major employer, and more than 50 assisted living communities. Fishing, boating, hiking and biking are year-round area pastimes, both locally and in the mountain town of Idyllwild, and each spring since 1923, crowds have flocked to the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre for the annual theater adaptation of "Ramona," a famous novel about Southern California.
An aerial view of Hemet showing the many nearby retail options.
Trust Hemet Global Medical Center for compassionate and comprehensive medical care.
Visit the Ramona Bowl in Hemet for unforgettable outdoor performances.
Sierra Dawn Estates stands as a beacon of Hemet’s historical real estate landscape.
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Homes for nearly half the state median
The median home price in Hemet is $460,000, compared to California's median of roughly $905,000, Murrieta's $670,000 and Menifee's $600,000. "You could get a home in Murrieta or Menifee for about $600,000, but you won’t have a yard," says Arias. "In Hemet, you pay about the same price, and you get more space." Modest Craftsman-style bungalows and ranch-style homes here were built between the 1920s and late 1940s, while new traditional homes were built between the early 2000s and 2010s. The most affordable area in the city is the Downtown Hemet neighborhood, while larger homes with larger price tags are available in the Diamond Valley neighborhood. New subdivisions like Winchester are developing on the west side of town.
Hemet has a variety of home style but the most common is Spanish-style.
This is a typical Hemet row of homes at the California Mobile Home Park.
Spanish-style single-story homes boast throughout Hemet.
Single-Story homes with freshly cut grass are found in Hemet.
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Weekend escapes to rural Idyllwild
Residents can go fishing and boating at local Diamond Valley Lake, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Southern California, and go hiking and biking on the surrounding trails. Nearby at the roughly 500-acre Simpson Park, hiking trails climb as high as 2,500 feet, offering views over the lake and the San Jacinto Valley. About 23 miles from Hemet, Idyllwild is a small town in the San Jacinto Mountains, brimming with pine forests and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Hemet residents tend to visit Idyllwild for a peaceful weekend in the woods and shopping at locally owned boutiques.
In Downtown Hemet, the Hemet Museum is set in the former Santa Fe Train Depot, offering a little taste of Hemet history. "Our building was constructed in 1898," says Chuck Coker, museum docent and Director at Large of the Hemet Museum. "We teach people not only about Hemet but the entire history of San Jacinto Valley and regional history. When you come here, you'll see fossils from native animals that were dug up around the reservoir." Also downtown, the Hemet Public Library is home to hundreds of novels and CDs, and plenty of quiet spaces to enjoy them.
Explore a world of knowledge and adventure at Hemet Public Library.
Explore the fascinating exhibits that bring Hemet's past to life at the Hemet Museum.
Discover the tranquil beauty of Lake Diamond in Hemet.
Relax on a bench with a view at Simpson Park in Hemet.
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B rated schools in the city
Children in Hemet attend the Hemet Unified School District, which serves over 22,000 students with 28 schools and is rated an overall B by Niche. Of the district's seven high schools, six earn at least a B rating from Niche. In partnership with the district, The Hemet Valley Art Association provides scholarships for local high schoolers who want to pursue an education in art, as well as classes and workshops for students of all ages.
Newly Constructed Campus of Winchester Elementary School Located in the Winchester-San Jacinto Area
Aerial View of the Modern Campus at Winchester Elementary School in Winchester-San Jacinto
The courses at Rancho Viejo Middle School in Hemet encourage critical thinking and creativity.
Students are the highest priority at Tahquitz High School in Hemet.
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Dining downtown and the Ramona Theatre
Hemet has plans to turn its downtown area into a shopping and dining hub by 2030, centered around locally owned retail and restaurants. For now, standouts in the small downtown dining scene include Rocking K Ranch, specializing in steak and beer, and Destination Smokehouse & Eatery, serving up barbeque sandwiches and a menu full of slow-cooked meats. Also downtown, the Historic Hemet Theater was built in 1921 and is one of the oldest continually run single-screen movie theaters in the nation; the theater also stages performances by local bands who pay tribute to rock icons like Queen and Led Zeppelin. Residents can head to the Hemet Valley Mall for national retail chains, and to East Florida Avenue for dining options that include Mexican, sushi and sports bars.
Each year since 1923, the local Ramona Bowl Amphitheater has been staging "The Ramona Pageant," an epic play loosely based on "Ramona," the 1884 novel by Helen Hunt Jackson that explores the origins of Southern California. Several performances of the play are staged at this natural amphitheater between late April and early May, drawing crowds from all over the region. In summertime, the Ramona Bowl hosts the Concert Under the Stars series, featuring area musical acts.
Destination Smokehouse & Eatery in Downtown Hemet offers brisket, pulled pork, and more.
Step back in time with a show at the charming Historic Hemet Theatre.
Discover the magic of live performances at the Historic Hemet Theatre.
Discover a world of shopping at Hemet Valley Mall, your local retail destination.
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State routes lead to neighboring cities
Hemet sits at the junction of Highways 74 and 79; Highway 74 leads about 11 miles to Interstate 215, and Highway 79 leads roughly 16 miles to Interstate 10. Riverside Transit Agency, known as RTA, provides bus service in Hemet and throughout western Riverside County. Hemet Global Medical Center is the city's main hospital, and Palm Springs International Airport is about 50 miles away.
Lower crimes reported compared to the state and nation
According to FBI statistics from December 2023, the Hemet Police Department reported violent crime at an annual rate of about 6 incidents per 1,000 residents, compared to the California rate of about 10 and national rate of roughly 12. Property-related crime was reported at an annual rate of around 13 incidents per 1,000 residents, lower than the California rate of 20 and the national rate of 17.
Hemet lies on a portion of the San Jacinto Fault Zone, which is one of the most active faults in California and prone to earthquakes. However, many of the earthquakes are minor and do not do significant damage to property.
Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Kory Ross
Video By
Mary Desmond
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Deepa Kumar,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Hemet, CA sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Hemet, CA over the last 12 months is $460,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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