Temescal Valley

The tales of Horsethief Canyon Ranch are as tall as the Santa Ana Mountains. According to local lore, 19th-century outlaws descended on the canyon because it was riddled with hidden trails that made it easy to smuggle stolen horses. Though thievery gave the area its name, today the canyon is home to a peaceful neighborhood in the Temescal Valley. California’s Route 15 is just a short distance away, but most homes in Horsethief Canyon Ranch have a rural vibe, thanks to the quiet streets and mountain views. From the 1980s to the 2000s, builders in the area favored the Spanish Revival style. Stucco walls and terra-cotta roof tiles offer durability and allow the local homes to maintain a consistent temperature in the desert climate. The planned community features mostly single-family houses running between $600,000 and $800,000, with modest driveways and attached multi-car garages. Solar panels, spacious patios and in-ground pools are also standard. The community offers scant shopping and dining opportunities, so a car is essential for getting to the grocery store or grabbing dinner. Likewise, most residents drive to work in either Anaheim or Los Angeles. The closest major highway, Route 15, offers access to Corona city center, which offers more retail and dining options. “There’s only so much you can do locally, but it’s more affordable here,” says Jennifer Larson, a Realtor with The Top Results Group at RE/MAX Top Producers. “It’s a community that’s great for commuters.” Most students start at Luiseño School, which runs through eighth grade and received a Niche grade of B. Temescal Canyon High School earned a B-plus from Niche and offers a highly rated Associated Student Body Program where students can learn valuable leadership skills. Nearby, A-rated Centennial High School is the only high school in the district to provide the International Baccalaureate program. Horsethief Canyon Park and its 50 acres of recreational space are at the heart of the neighborhood. With two dog parks, play areas, soccer fields, hiking and horse trails, the park feels far removed from city life. Clematis Drive Park and Indian Creek Park are also nearby, both featuring large playsets perfect for horseplay . The Horsethief Canyon Ranch Community Center includes a pool, tennis courts, and a fitness center, while Skull Canyon Ziplines, across the highway, tempts thrill-seekers with four zipline courses and a three-level Sky Gym. Seasonal family-friendly happenings in the area include an Easter egg hunt and Snow Day, during which The Shops at Dos Lagos transform into a winter wonderland. “Temescal Valley is considered part of Corona, but it’s really a community of its own,” Larson says. Tucked between Route 15 and DePalma Road, The Shops at Sycamore Creek include Xpadas Bar & Grill, a recent addition to the shopping center that has become a local favorite for pub grub with a creative flair. Further north, the Dos Lagos shopping mall features a brewery and a luxury movie theater, while lakeside dining and upscale comfort food are on the menu at Reunion Kitchen + Drink. Two miles north of Horsethief Canyon Ranch, the Glen Eden Sun Club is a family-friendly nudist resort that has been in business since 1963. While the resort isn’t part of the planned community, newcomers to the area might not wish to confuse it with Glen Ivy Hot Springs, a posh spa further up Route 15.

Set against a natural backdrop of expansive montane peaks and 400,000 acres of woodlands from the Cleveland National Forest, Sycamore Creek is a master-planned community tucked in the enclave of Temescal Valley. The scenic scape encompasses a 71-acre natural preserve with a riparian corridor that sits alongside a myriad of walking trails, hilltops and 12 neighborhood parks. Once an area of small farms, lemon groves and mineral mines for homesteaders in the late 1800s, Sycamore Creek has now transformed into “a friendly community that is in tune with its serene surroundings,” says Maggie Chen, a real estate broker with over 20 years of experience at Universal Elite Realty. “People always see neighbors out playing with their kids or taking walks with their dogs.” When meandering through the winding streets and cul-de-sacs of Sycamore Creek’s hillside neighborhood, one will pass columns of young trees lined along sidewalks and modern light posts. Most stucco-finished wood houses in the area are single-family and multi-family homes built in Spanish Colonial Revival, Cape Cod or Tuscan styles. Depending on the season, thoughtfully designed front lawns are embellished with holiday décor elements, further accentuating the neighborhood’s warm, communal character. Primarily built in the early 2000s, homes in this Riverside County community have lot sizes that average around 6,500 square feet, allowing space for a patio or treehouse setup in the backyard. The average four-bedroom single-family house is around 3,055 square feet, priced between $600,000 and $945,000. Residents tend to stay in the neighborhood for many years, which can lead to limited availability on the housing market. When strolling on the Dos Lagos Park’s grounds and shaded walkway, one might find waterfowls, turtles and other wildlife gathered near the park’s duck pond. Families walk to Deleo Regional Sports Park or Sycamore Creek Sports Park for football, baseball, tennis, basketball and soccer games. There is even a skating rink at Deleo Skate Park for residents to enjoy. Other parks such as California Meadows Park have playgrounds, along with grills and picnic areas for alfresco gatherings. Residents at Sycamore Creek also have access to the association’s Club House and Swim Club. Amenities include two large swimming pools, jacuzzies and splash pads, a fitness center, tennis courts and a garden for meditation. Families often participate in local events like the annual Santa Claus Parade, where Santa rides through the neighborhood in a fire truck (courtesy of the local fire station) and hands out candy canes to children. Other activities, such as the Halloween Décor Contest and Winter Celebration horse carriage rides, also occupy residents’ events calendar. "It’s such a fun neighborhood to live in," adds Chen. “In the summer, there are movie nights in the parks, and nature lovers go to the regional park for hikes and all kinds of sports activities.” Golfers can take a five to 10-minute drive and perfect their swings at Eagle Glen and Trilogy golf courses. Most stores are at the community’s retail center, the Shops at Dos Lagos. The shopping plaza has a Vons grocery store, local fashion boutiques and a movie theater. Glen Ivy Hot Springs, a resort featuring mineral baths and mud pools, is a popular destination for self-care. Chain restaurants such as Applebee’s and P.F. Chang’s are convenient options for eating out. The youngest learners in Sycamore Creek can attend Todd Elementary serving children from kindergarten to the eighth grade which receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Students then attend Centennial High School or Santiago High School. While both schools earn an A from Niche, Centennial High has an advanced sports program with 14 varsity teams including golf, water polo, wrestling and tennis. On the other hand, Santiago High is known for its college preparatory elective curriculum named AVID. This recently established program has helped enrolled students successfully earn admission into four-year universities. Private schooling is available at Morgan Academy, which serves students from pre-kindergarten to the ninth grade. The neighborhood is most accessible by car, and residents drive one to two miles for basic grocery and shopping errands. State Route 91 and Interstate 15 are also within a mile distance for commuters heading to surrounding areas in Riverside, Orange County, San Diego and beyond. Ontario International Airport is the closest airport for flights.

Once a 19th-century gold-mining destination, today Gavilan Hills has evolved into an equestrian community inhabited by those looking for a relatively quiet life with scenic views. “This area is for people who don’t want to live in the city,” explains Marla Booth, Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens. In these parts, horses are just as common as people – it’s a 21st-century Wild West, and residents might have to walk a mile or two before encountering their nearest neighbor. Homes here are situated few and far between with the exception of single-story manufactured houses, which are priced around $200,000. Larger, Spanish-influenced three and four-bedroom builds range from the low $600,000s to upwards of a million dollars. “Having a few acres to yourself isn’t uncommon,” Booth says, and some of these properties even include backyard swimming pools. Red and brown barrel-tiled roofs stand out against the blue sky, which remains clear most days thanks to Southern California’s dependably dry weather. Yards here are expansive, and, along with horses, some residents use them to store off-road vehicles like ATVs and motorcycles. Gavilan Hills’ vast landscape is ideal for those looking to buy their own parcel of land. Depending on their home address, students in Gavilan Hills are zoned to schools within neighboring communities including the Lake Elsinore Unified School District. Kids can attend Machado or Elsinore Elementary, both of which received a C rating from the educational review site, Niche. For junior high, it’s Elsinore or Terra Cotta Middle, which scored rankings of B-minus and a C, respectively. Temescal Canyon and Lakeside High, both of which received B-plus rantings, offer additional support through the English Learner program. In Gavilan Hills, the weekends are all about enjoying nature. Townies and travelers alike can enjoy Harford Springs Reserve, a park famous for its wildflowers that spans 300 acres and sits 2,000 feet above sea level. In the wintertime, trails are covered with a light dusting of snow thanks to the high elevation. A drive south to the Walker Canyon Trailhead provides residents with access to a 9.2-mile-long path popular with committed runners and bird-watching enthusiasts. Considering it’s one of the only spots for a cold beer and a quick snack within a 10 mile radius, Gavilan Hills Ranch Market is a local go-to. For a wider selection of dining options, Booth recommends making the trip down the hill. Costco Wholesale in Corona sells everything from groceries to home appliances, and residents will want to stock up on gas while they’re out and about – there are no stations in Gavilan Hills. Outside the classroom, kids can perfect the art of horseback riding at local spots like Whispering Oak Stables, which offers both introductory lessons and summer camp options. Thrill seekers head to Skull Canyon Ziplines for a weekend ropes course or bond with friends and family members in a Jungle Island Paintball tournament. For their medical needs, Gavilan Hills residents can head 15 miles up Interstate 15 to reach the Corona Regional Medical Center. The facility has a 160-bed acute care hospital as well as a 78-bed rehabilitation campus. Or just under 25 miles away, there's Southwest Healthcare Rancho Springs Hospital, ranked one of the best hospitals for maternity care.

Away from the rest of Corona, The Retreat is separated into a gated community and open residential streets. The gated community is monitored 24-7 by security. The seclusion and extra security create a deeper sense of privacy in Riverside County. “People don’t know it’s here,” says real estate agent Larry Gage from Team Gage Real Estate Center, who has lived in the area since the neighborhood was built. “We’re just up the hill and out of the way.” The open residential areas line the 15, offering access to other Corona neighborhoods. For residents living and moving to The Retreat, both the isolation and the accessibility increase the comfort of this beautiful neighborhood in Southern California. With around five different builders for the gated community, homes will vary, from modern twists on the Spanish Revivals with lots of slanted tile roofs and asymmetry to Craftsman-style homes in dusty earth tones. Lots typically span from 3000 to 4000 square feet, creating a spacious feel to the suburb. Many floorplans have two stories with 3 to 4 bedrooms. Single-story options are also available with the same amount of square footage. In the open residential areas, two-story Spanish-style homes are the standard. Throughout the neighborhood, cul-de-sacs and wide sidewalks encourage connection. Because of the home and lot sizes, houses in this neighborhood usually start at around $900,000. Larger houses and lots can go for over $2 million. Many homeowners in the neighborhood are beginning to invest in home improvements and additions. Gage says residents have a lot of equity right now, so it’s common to start seeing more backyard pools and upgraded landscaping. Temescal Valley Elementary comes with high ratings, receiving an A from Niche. Middle school students can attend El Cerrito Middle, which Niche awarded an A-minus overall. Their accelerated sixth-grade program helps students transition to block scheduling and multiple teachers. For high school, Santiago High School allows students to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) and Career Tech Education (CTE) courses. Dual enrollment with Norco College is also available. Santiago earns an A from Niche. Residents can enjoy the lovely California weather in Retreat Park within the gated community. The park provides several amenities like outdoor exercise equipment and a large, open grassy area. Outside of the gates, California Meadows Park has similar green lawn and basketball courts. The Retreat also borders the Cleveland National Forest, where hikers can explore the Santa Ana Mountains through trails of varying difficulty. While the Champions Club at The Retreat has closed its greens to golfers, residents can still reserve the clubhouse on the grounds for events, with exceptional catering from the in-house team. The pool is open in the summertime for residents with social memberships through the HOA. Avid golfers in The Retreat area have easy access to other local golf courses, including those in Eagle Glen, Trilogy and Dos Lagos. The current owner of the golf course closed it with plans to turn it into more housing, Gage says it’s unlikely homeowners will give their ok. The Retreat’s proximity to the 15 makes it easy to access restaurants and commercial centers in the Corona area. The Crossings at Corona is just over 3 miles away and the Shops at Dos Lagos is within 2 miles of the community, each offering popular commercial chains and local eateries. Residents love eating at Reunion Kitchen and Drink, which brings a local feel to hearty, high-end dishes. Miguel’s California Mexican Cocina and Cantina was founded by Corona locals. Their flan is even a family recipe. Popular chains like Target and Trader Joe’s are open for grocery shopping. Transportation in Trilogy mainly relies on cars, but the wide streets and large garages make it easy to navigate. Within the gated section of the neighborhood, residents must park in their garages or driveways, and this is enforced by the community’s security guards. Most people in The Retreat commute about 30 into Orange County, which they can access through the fast-track lanes and the 15.