Woodcrest

Canyon Ridge is a neighborhood that feels on the precipice of its identity as a hidden luxury of Southern California. On some streets, million-dollar Spanish-style homes peek out from behind long driveways and imposing fences. Two blocks over, chain-link fences and empty lots outnumber the houses along the narrow, sunbaked road that crumbles at the edges. The result is a rural, ranch-like atmosphere that is contained but not secluded. “Either people like it for what it is, or they don’t,” said Steve Maio, a real estate agent with Westcoe Realtors who has been selling homes in Canyon Ridge since the 1980s. “There’s no curbs, no sidewalks. It’s somewhat rural, but that’s what people tend to like about it.” A stroll through the streets of Canyon Ridge is likely to quickly turn into a hike as the roads crawl up the foothills of Estelle Mountain. The trek may be ideal for a meandering walk after dinner, but it won’t offer an opportunity to stop into a bakery for dessert. “It’s relatively hilly – you start off at the bottom and then it winds its way towards the top,” Maio said. “You can certainly walk around there if you’d like, but you aren’t really able to walk to shops or restaurants.” Most of the houses in Canyon Ridge have a heavy Spanish influence, with stucco and stone exteriors, terracotta tile roofs, and soft arches. Some imposing two-story homes, selling for around $1 million for a four-bedroom home, feel like luxury Mediterranean villas. Meanwhile, single-story three-bedroom Spanish Revival ranch homes embrace a humbler price tag around $650,000. Buyers with a vision and a desire to build a custom home can snag one of the empty lots, which generally range from a quarter to half an acre, for around $200,000. Landscaping includes gravel hardscapes, flowering trees, and desert views in every direction. As bucolic as Canyon Ridge may feel, there’s excitement to be had within a 10-minute drive. Van Buren Boulevard and its bus routes connect residents to Riverside Freeway, which provides access to some of the area’s attractions. The Castle Park amusement park, located 7 miles north of the neighborhood, includes 35 rides and attractions as well as a water play area, retail shops, and an arcade. In the evenings, catch a flick at the Van Buren Drive-In, a historic theater revamped in 2015 to include Digital Cinema projection for crisp images. For residents who wish to get a taste of the big-city life before retreating to their quiet community, Los Angeles is around a 90-minute drive – manageable for a day trip. If the brown desert landscape gets monotone, residents can surround themselves with bright greens, yellows and oranges at the California Citrus State Historic Park. In addition to the tree-lined scenery, the park provides an opportunity to learn about the history of the citrus industry in California. Visitors can explore paths through the Citrus Varietal Grove, climb to the knolls overlooking the 247-acre park, or head to the lower area for a quiet picnic. Although the rural location may suggest a backwoods experience, residents can explore cuisine from around the world within a five-minute drive. In the Woodcrest Plaza shopping center, located 3 miles East along Van Buren Boulevard, diners can get their enchilada fix at Maria’s Mexican Kitchen or grab Lebanese street sandwiches and shawarma bowls at Krazy Subs. Those who prefer to cook at home can travel 5 miles north of the neighborhood to stock up on fresh spices and produce while sipping an agua fresca at Northgate Gonzalez Market. For steak night, a Stater Bros. Markets location offers fresh meats 5 miles northeast of Canyon Ridge. Highly rated schools in the Riverside Unified School District offer varied and rigorous academic programs for students. Harrison Elementary School, located 3 miles north of the neighborhood, serves the area’s children through grade 6 and is given a B rating by Niche. Students then attend Frank Augustus Miller Middle School in nearby Woodcrest, located east of the neighborhood and rated A- by Niche. Student athletes will revel in the meticulously kept sports facilities at Arlington High School, located north of the city, while the scholarly minds will appreciate the academic rigor, including the biomedical science program, that earns the school a B grade from Niche. Rural but not secluded, Canyon Ridge has plenty of local color, flavor and history, with room to grow.

Rolling hills dotted with spacious, single-family homes are what residents come home to in the Lake Hills and Victoria Grove neighborhoods of Riverside County, California. Located just south of the city of Riverside, it offers stunning views with an easy commute to the city. “It’s a safe, hilltop community that's centrally located but still up and away from everything. And depending on where you are, you might get views of the city lights at night, the surrounding hillsides or Lake Mathews,” says Realtor Chris Taylor a Lake Hills resident since 2008 who is a top seller in the area. Homes in Lake Hills and Victoria Grove are predominantly single-family houses built from the 1980s to today. Its hillside vistas are peppered with views of the clay roofing and neutral-toned stucco walls distinctive of Mission Revival style architecture, building materials that can help regulate temperature and prevent overheating. Both single and multi-story housing options are available is sizes ranging from 1,400 to 5,300 square feet. Its winding streets offer stunning views of the landscape. Prices range from around $900,000 to upwards of $1.3 million depending on the size of the home. The neighborhood’s parks are perfect for unwinding and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Locals can take a swim in the pool and relax in the grass at Lake Hills Reserve Park. In the springtime, residents can watch the hills come alive with blooming flora. “There are lots of little parks scattered throughout the area, alongside larger parks like Lake Hills Reserve,” Taylor says. Residents head just a few miles south to reach Lake Matthews Estelle Mountain Reserve, a large reservoir surrounded by thousands of acres of environmentally protected land. Recreational water uses are off-limits at the reservoir, but there are plenty of trails and parks surrounding it, including Harford Springs Reserve, Walker Canyon Ecological Reserve and the Indian Truck Trail. Within the neighborhood, residents can shop for fresh produce at Victoria Grove Produce Market, or head over to the farmstands next door in Arlington Heights. For everything else, locals make their way to Corona Hills Plaza, about 4 miles northwest. The shopping plaza offers a range of big box and grocery stores like 99 Ranch Market, Costco, Vons, Home Depot and Walmart where residents find everything they need. It’s also home to a variety of restaurants, including well-known chains like Texas Roadhouse and Gen Korean BBQ House. This area is split between two school districts: Riverside Unified School District and Alvord Unified School District. Young students living in the western side of the neighborhood attend Alvord schools, including Lake Hills Elementary School, which holds an A-minus rating from Niche, as well as B-rated Ysmael Villegas Middle School and A-minus-rated Hillcrest High School. Students in the eastern side of the neighborhood attend Riverside schools, including Lake Mathews Elementary School and Frank Augustus Miller Middle School, which both hold A-minus rating from Niche, while upperclassmen attend B-rated Arlington High School. Both school districts offer stellar educational opportunities and are one of the reasons for this area’s increasing popularity. Lake Hills and Victoria Grove are located just south of Riverside and east of the city of Corona. The neighborhood is about 2 miles from the nearest on ramp to State Route 91, also known as the Riverside Freeway. The highway gives residents a straight shot to Riverside’s downtown district, about 12 miles north of the neighborhood. It’s about 24 miles to San Bernardino, the main economic and cultural hub of the Inland Empire.

Lake Mathews is a quiet mountain community located around Lake Mathews, a reservoir serving over a million people in Southern California. During the day here, residents can spend some time outside hiking and enjoying the sunny weather. While at night, they can observe the starry sky without light pollution clouding their views. To preserve the reservoir’s water quality and to ensure the preservation of wildlife, Lake Mathews and some of the surrounding land remain inaccessible, offering residents a remote lifestyle. Many are drawn to this neighborhood for its diverse home styles and picturesque views. Almost all the homes in Lake Mathews are custom-built and range from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet with a median sales price of $791,500. A custom, 2,000-square-foot ranch-style home can go for $800,000, while a custom, 4000-square-foot two-story home can sell for $1.8 million. Custom builds mean that the streets contour the landscape’s natural topography. Some houses cut into the hillside, offering panoramic lake and landscape views, while others sit on large 2-to-3-acre parcels. Styles range from contemporary properties with Tudor-inspired features to Spanish Revivals. Larry Robillard, an associate broker at Realty Masters and Associates with over thirty years of experience in the real estate market, says, “Homes here have a country feel to them. People can be in Southern California but feel like they’re out in the country.” Part of this feeling could be due to the fact that Lake Mathews doesn't have an abundance of streetlights, and many streets do not feature sidewalks. “It’s somewhat of an isolated community,” Robillard says. “To the north is Lake Mathews, and to the east is the Mathews Estelle Mountain Reserve. To the west is open space that will not be developed.” This secluded lifestyle offers locals private and expansive lots. Less than 18 miles from Lake Mathews sits Lake Perris State Recreation Area. Residents and visitors alike enjoy views of the distant rocky mountains while swimming in the lake’s cold water. Or they can enjoy other water-oriented activities like scuba diving and boating. Photographers love taking snapshots of the area’s blooming wildflowers, like the orange California poppies, while birdwatchers quietly wait to catch a glimpse of local wildlife. At Dos Lagos Park, visitors walk around a pond, spotting local wildlife as they enjoy the serene environment. California Citrus State Historic Park is another great outdoor spot. Only a 10-mile drive from Lake Mathews, this park is perfect for a picnic among the orange groves or for learning about the cultivation of citrus fruits in Southern California. Outdoor enthusiasts can even take a hike to explore the different citrus varieties. Residents can pick up everyday essentials and grab a burrito at Lake Mathews General Store and Deli. Gavilan Hills Ranch Market also offers quick essentials, while Victoria Grove Produce Market is a hot spot for fresh fruits and vegetables. Or for breakfast-out, the family-owned Rodeo Café serves traditional American food with a Mexican twist every day of the week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Restaurants like the Club 80’s Bar and Grill are perfect for those who love retro music. Hosting events like '80s and '90s dance parties, this club offers patrons a place to eat, drink and dance to their heart’s content. Students here attend schools that are part of the Riverside Unified School District, like Lake Mathews Elementary School, a California Distinguished School; Frank Augustus Miller Middle, which has received multiple Models of Excellence awards; and Martin Luther King High School, recipient of The Golden Bell Award. With such notable accolades, it should come as no surprise that all three schools receive ratings of A-minus or higher from Niche. Most Lake Mathews residents are car-dependent. Healthcare workers enjoy their proximity to the Riverside Community Hospital, which is around 20 miles away via Cajalco Road. Another major employer near Lake Mathews is Collins Aerospace, which is less than 20 miles away. Riverside is just 19 miles east via California 91. Those wanting to explore other cities head around 28 miles north via Interstate 15 to the Ontario International Airport.