La Cresta
Neighbors interconnected by lush horseback riding trails
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.
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Luxury living among farmland and vineyards
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.
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Dining down the hill
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.”
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Top-rated schools serve La Cresta students
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.
Written By
Isabel Butler
Photography Contributed By
Kory Ross
Video By
Taylor Noll
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Beth Good
Beth Good
SimpliHOM
(951) 379-3595
44 Total Sales
3 in La Cresta
$995K - $2.6M Price Range
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Leticia 'Leti' Vega
Leticia 'Leti' Vega
Century 21 Masters
(951) 441-3813
25 Total Sales
1 in La Cresta
$1,865,000 Price
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Sari Echo
Sari Echo
Berkshire Hathaway HomeService
(949) 979-7817
31 Total Sales
1 in La Cresta
$955,000 Price
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Jenny Jiang
Jenny Jiang
Universal Elite Inc.
(949) 390-5316
25 Total Sales
1 in La Cresta
$372,000 Price
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Cindy Chin
Cindy Chin
Responds QuicklyCindy Chin Realty
(949) 822-9846
85 Total Sales
1 in La Cresta
$2,695,000 Price
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Michele Sparks
Michele Sparks
Vista Sotheby's International Realty
(951) 346-1646
50 Total Sales
1 in La Cresta
$2,800,000 Price
Schools
Source:
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
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Parks in this Area
Serenity Park
- Basketball
- Bike Trails
- Dog Park
Serenity Dog Park
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Marna O'Brien Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Perret Park
- Basketball
- Lake
- Picnic Area
Oak Bluff's Playground
- Picnic Area
- Playground
Bear Valley Park
- Bike Trails
- Trails
- Hiking
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | La Cresta | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
La Cresta Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in La Cresta, Murrieta sell after 62 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in La Cresta, Murrieta over the last 12 months is $372,500, up 31% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$389,900
Median Sale Price
$372,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$372,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
82
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
31%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$254
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,231
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
1998
Months of Supply
0.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,657
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,573
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,484
Open Houses
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Sunday, Aug 31 - 4pm
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Saturday, Aug 212 - 3pm
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Sunday, Aug 31 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,581
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$124,835
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$154,552
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
38.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.9%
% Population in Labor Force
51.5%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
41°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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