Murrieta

In the center of California’s Inland Empire sits La Cresta, a natural retreat from busy urban living without the feel of rural seclusion. Just a short drive from retail and restaurants and under an hour away from some of California’s biggest city hubs, the area gives its residents the tranquil residential life they seek and a connection to modern living. "Generally, people move to La Cresta when they’re not happy with an urban environment, or they want open spaces to raise their animals or do agriculture,” says Kelly Smith, Realtor with Allison James Estates & Homes who is a longtime La Cresta resident and founder of community website LaCresta.com. “This area is remote, but it has all the urban conveniences. It’s shockingly convenient. It’s a surprise to everyone when they come here for the first time.” Part of what makes La Cresta unique is how close it is to untamed nature, such as the Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve, the Cleveland National Forest and the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. With so much access to trails, it’s no surprise to see La Cresta community members regularly hiking, biking and horseback riding throughout the neighborhood. Smith says, “The most important thing about our community is our interconnecting trails. People ride their horses and hike on the trails, and they go for miles and miles and miles.” Lining many of the trails are magnificent Englemann Oak trees, rare and protected evergreens indigenous to the region that provide welcome shade from California’s bright sun and dry heat. However, even with the heat, the neighborhood is surprisingly temperate. Year-round, cool ocean breezes move through the neighborhood, which is about 12 miles from the Pacific and 2,000 feet above the Temecula and Murrieta valleys. Homes in La Cresta are generally priced between $1 million and $4 million for three to six bedrooms and bathrooms, and the architectural styles of the homes blend in with the natural beauty of the plateau. One- and two-story Spanish Revival and Craftsman style estates feature earthy brown and beige stucco exteriors and faded red tile roofs, or classic gray siding and grand wrap-around porches. Undeveloped lots sold at a required 5-acre minimum are also available anywhere between $200,000 and $1 million for those who prefer to build a custom home from the ground up. The sprawling plateau offers plenty of space to use as farmland, equestrian training grounds or even a personal vineyard. While La Cresta might feel miles away from urban life, diverse dining options are less than a 10-minute drive from the entrance of the community. Weekend brunch is popular at Finch, where traditional American fare and health-conscious bites are paired with handcrafted cocktails. For an evening out, Angelo’s Italian is a local favorite because of the authentic and fresh cuisine its Sicilian owners serve. Many other international options are also nearby, from Mexican to Japanese delicacies. Less than a 15-minute drive down the road, Barons Market provides locals with groceries and quick meal solutions, like a hot soup bar and a squeeze-it-yourself orange juice press. Unlike many grocers, Barons doesn't run sales or accept coupons and rewards cards because they consider those approaches "gimmicks." Shoppers can buy ingredients in bulk, which spares La Cresta residents the need to leave home to restock their pantries frequently. According to Smith, locals often choose a night in rather than a dinner out. “We love to stay on the hill. You minimize your need to go out to dinner because when you go out to dinner, you miss a sunset up here.” Students can attend Cole Canyon Elementary, a public school in the neighboring city of Murrieta with an A rating on Niche. Cole Canyon prioritizes equitable access to education for its students, and underserved students are performing at above-average rates, successfully closing the achievement gap. Generally, students continue their education at Thompson Middle School, followed by Murrieta Valley High School, an authorized International Baccalaureate World School with a 99% graduation rate. Each school earns an A-minus and an A rating on Niche.com, respectively. Most Murrieta Valley High students are highly involved in athletics, and some even partake in unusually adventurous extracurricular activities, like the school’s motorsports club, Dirty Wheels.