West Side: Off Base Area of Town


Marine Corps
50-60 years old
Previously lived in: Oceanside, 29 Palms, Okinawa, Charlottesville
Bronze medal 6 reviews

"West Side of Murrieta: Many Tracts, Consistent Feel"

We live in this area and have since my spouse retired (USMC, Ret'd 2004), moved here for the schools and safety and proximity to military installations and family (they are closer to Los Angeles) as well as affordability. Most homes west of the 15 freeway are attached to either Cole Canyon Elementary (see my review on that neighborhood, Copper Canyon) or Murrieta Elementary in Old Town Murrieta. Many of the tracts built before 2004 have very low taxes and low/no HOA payment, making the monthly payment much more affordable than newer-built homes. There is a whole range of homes from the estate homes in La Cresta (usually 5+ acres with horses, etc.) and Bear Creek (golf course, gated with security guard 24/7, on golf course with HOAs for tennis and golf), to the Ranchos off Washington at Santa Fe -- big single story ranch style homes -- to mid-level tracts such as Pulte at Bremerton off of Hayes & Vineyard, as well as Countryside/Creekside to the sourth of Wasington and Vineyard. There are homes on mini-ranch style properties, as well as older tracts that have even lower prices and low taxes and no HOA. Because the area is west of the 15 freeway and all tend to go to those elementary schools and Thompson Middle School and Murrieta Valley High School, the area is referred to as West Side Murrieta, even though it is multiple different tracts of homes. Murrieta Valley High School has excellent AP programs and is International Baccalaureate (ID) certified, with the full IB certificates being earned for the first time in 2012. The West Side seems to be pushing to a switchover to IB, even in the elementary levels, though it hasn't happened yet. The high school offers many top level academic competition teams, from Robotics (1st in Worlds in 2012), to Virtual Enterprise (#1 in CA in 2016 and 3rd at Worlds in NY also in 2016), to mock trial (silver in the very competitive Riverside county in both 2012 and 2016) to model UN, and many more clubs and activities.

  • Family Friendly:
  • Pet Friendly: Yes
  • Recommended: Yes
  • How would you describe this Area of Town: parks and recreation, neighborhood
  • Recommendations: See above

Local Favorites

  • Restaurants: The Mill, Downtown Pub (new), Anthony's
  • Happy Hour Spot: Anthony's and Downtown Pub
  • Gym / Fitness: NC3
  • Shopping: Ralph's, Savers, Kohl's, Target, Walmart
  • Doctors: Dr Russell Soon (military friendly dentist in Temecula), Dr Rome Walter in E. Murrieta
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# Name City State Overall Rating Distance
1 Murrieta Murrieta CA 3.7 mi
2 Murrieta, California Murrieta CA 6.1 mi
3 Temecula, California Temecula CA 8.1 mi
4 Lake Rancho Viejo Fallbrook CA 16.6 mi
5 Downtown San Clemente CA 24.6 mi
6 Downtown Oceanside Oceanside CA 26.7 mi
7 Carlsbad Carlsbad CA 28.9 mi
8 Encinitas Encinitas CA 36.4 mi
9 Torrey Highlands San Diego CA 41.1 mi
10 Mira Mesa San Diego CA 44.5 mi
11 Wine Country area of Scripps Ranch San Diego CA 45.2 mi
12 University City San Diego CA 48.5 mi
13 La Jolla La Jolla CA 49.4 mi
# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Tenaja Canyon Academy Murrieta CA 92563-9461 Public K-12 7 0.5 mi
2 Murrieta Elementary School Murrieta CA 92562 Public K-5 8 0.7 mi
3 E. Hale Curran Elementary School Murrieta CA 92562-1903 Public K-5 7 1.3 mi
4 Cole Canyon Elementary School Murrietta CA 92562-5092 Public K-5 9 1.6 mi
5 Avaxat Elementary School Murrieta CA 92562 Public K-5 6 2.5 mi
6 Antelope Hills Elementary School Murrieta CA 92562-2311 Public K-5 8 2.9 mi
7 Tovashal Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563 Public K-5 8 3 mi
8 Rail Ranch Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-5020 Public K-6 8 3 mi
9 Alta Murrieta Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563 Public K-5 9 3.2 mi
10 Ronald Reagan Elementary School Wildomar CA 92595-7683 Public K-6 4 3.2 mi
11 Donald Graham Elementary School Wildomar CA 92595-9686 Public K-5 5 3.7 mi
12 Daniel N. Buchanan Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-6384 Public K-5 8 3.9 mi
13 Wildomar Elementary School Wildomar CA 92595-7441 Public K-5 4 4.1 mi
14 Ysabel Barnett Elementary School Temecula CA 92591-4586 Public K-5 9 4.1 mi
15 Monte Vista Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-2753 Public K-5 7 4.5 mi
16 Nicolas Valley Elementary School Temecula CA 92591-7302 Public K-5 8 5.7 mi
17 William Collier Elementary School Wildomar CA 92595-8272 Public K-5 4 5.9 mi
18 Temecula Elementary School Temecula CA 92591-4789 Public K-5 6 5.9 mi
19 Oak Meadows Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-7429 Public K-5 7 6.1 mi
20 Lisa J. Mails Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-2346 Public K-7 8 6.3 mi
21 Alamos Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-3242 Public K-5 8 6.4 mi
22 Mosaica Online Academy of Los Angeles Temecula CA 92591 Public K-12 9 6.4 mi
23 Evans Ranch Elementary School Menifee CA 92584-7342 Public K-5 6 6.5 mi
24 Vail Elementary School Temecula CA 92592-2228 Public K-5 6 6.5 mi
25 Rancho Elementary School Temecula CA 92591-5080 Public K-5 9 6.7 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Thompson Middle School Murrietta CA 92562-9198 Public 6-8 8 0.4 mi
2 Tenaja Canyon Academy Murrieta CA 92563-9461 Public K-12 7 0.5 mi
3 Shivela Middle School Murrieta CA 92562-5807 Public 6-8 7 1.6 mi
4 David A. Brown Middle School Wildomar CA 92595-9632 Public 6-8 5 3.6 mi
5 Warm Springs Middle School Murrieta CA 92563-8002 Public 6-8 7 4.3 mi
6 James L. Day Middle School Temecula CA 92591-1849 Public 6-8 8 5 mi
7 Margarita Middle School Temecula CA 92591-1528 Public 6-8 7 6.3 mi
8 Lisa J. Mails Elementary School Murrieta CA 92563-2346 Public K-7 8 6.3 mi
9 Dorothy McElhinney Middle School Murrieta CA 92563-2346 Public 6-8 8 6.3 mi
10 Mosaica Online Academy of Los Angeles Temecula CA 92591 Public K-12 9 6.4 mi
11 Menifee Valley Middle School Menifee CA 92584-9197 Public 6-8 6 6.6 mi
12 Bella Vista Middle School Murrieta CA 92563-3243 Public 6-8 8 6.7 mi
13 Canyon Lake Middle School Lake Elsinore CA 92532-2534 Public 6-8 5 7.3 mi
14 Lakeland Village School Lake Elsinore CA 92530 Public K-8 2 7.4 mi
15 Temecula Middle School Temecula CA 92592-3800 Public 6-8 9 8.3 mi
16 Susan H. Nelson Temecula CA 92592-2772 Public 6-12 NR 8.5 mi
17 Bell Mountain Middle School Menifee CA 92584-8498 Public 6-8 8 8.6 mi
18 Erle Stanley Gardner Middle School Temecula CA 92592-4400 Public 6-8 9 9.1 mi
19 Vail Ranch Middle School Temecula CA 92592-1184 Public 6-8 9 10.1 mi
20 Elsinore Middle School Lake Elsinore CA 92530-3318 Public 6-8 4 10.2 mi
21 Keith Mccarthy Academy Lake Elsinore CA 92530-2711 Public K-12 NR 10.5 mi
22 Hans Christensen Middle School Menifee CA 92586-9291 Public 6-8 6 11 mi
23 Vallecitos Elementary School Rainbow CA 92028-9795 Public K-8 6 11.1 mi
24 Ethan A Chase Middle School Menifee CA 92585-9289 Public 6-8 4 11.5 mi
25 Santa Margarita Academy Fallbrook CA 92028-2108 Public 4-8 NR 12.3 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Murrieta Valley High School Murrieta CA 92562-6235 Public 9-12 9 0.5 mi
2 Creekside High School Murrietta CA 92562-9461 Public 9-12 NR 0.5 mi
3 Tenaja Canyon Academy Murrieta CA 92563-9461 Public K-12 7 0.5 mi
4 Murrieta Mesa High School Murrieta CA 92562-9018 Public 9-12 9 1.3 mi
5 Vista Murrieta High School Murrieta CA 92563-2465 Public 9-12 9 3.8 mi
6 Chaparral High School Temecula CA 92591-7348 Public 9-12 8 4.6 mi
7 Elsinore High School Wildomar CA 92595-9181 Public 9-12 7 5.4 mi
8 Mosaica Online Academy of Los Angeles Temecula CA 92591 Public K-12 9 6.4 mi
9 Temecula Valley High School Temecula CA 92592-3516 Public 9-12 8 7.4 mi
10 Paloma Valley High School Menifee CA 92584-9368 Public 9-12 8 7.4 mi
11 Rancho Vista High School Temecula CA 92592-6200 Public 9-12 NR 8.5 mi
12 Susan H. Nelson Temecula CA 92592-2772 Public 6-12 NR 8.5 mi
13 Ortega High School Lake Elsinore CA 92530-1230 Public 9-12 NR 10.5 mi
14 Keith Mccarthy Academy Lake Elsinore CA 92530-2711 Public K-12 NR 10.5 mi
15 Great Oak High School Temecula CA 92592-1283 Public 9-12 9 10.6 mi
16 Lakeside High School Lake Elsinore CA 92530-7802 Public 9-12 6 11.7 mi
17 Temescal Canyon High School Lake Elsinore CA 92532-1912 Public 9-12 8 12.1 mi
18 Heritage High School Romoland CA 92585-3230 Public 9-12 6 13.5 mi
19 Perris Lake High (Continuation) School Perris CA 92570-4544 Public 9-12 NR 14.6 mi
20 Ivy High (Continuation) School Fallbrook CA 92028-4500 Public 9-12 NR 14.7 mi
21 Oasis High (Alternative) School Fallbrook CA 92028-4500 Public 9-12 NR 14.7 mi
22 Fallbrook High School Fallbrook CA 92028-4429 Public 9-12 7 14.8 mi
23 The Academy Community Day Perris CA 92570-2464 Public 7-12 NR 15 mi
24 Extended Learning Center Perris CA 92570 Public n/a NR 15.9 mi
25 West Valley High School Hemet CA 92545-9257 Public 9-12 6 16.4 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Las Brisas Christian Academy Murrieta CA 92562 Private PK-4, 6 NR 0.3 mi
2 Oak Grove Center / Jack Weaver Murrieta CA 92562 Private K-12 NR 0.4 mi
3 Murrieta Valley Christian Academy Murrieta CA 92562 Private 1-12 NR 0.5 mi
4 Calvary Murrieta Christian Schools Murrieta CA 92562 Private K-12 NR 0.9 mi
5 Cal Oaks Christian Academy Murrieta CA 92562 Private 1-12 NR 1.1 mi
6 Veritas Academy Murrieta CA 92562 Private 5-12 NR 1.2 mi
7 Sierra Springs Christian Murrieta CA 92562 Private 1-12 NR 1.2 mi
8 New Life Academy Murrieta CA 92562 Private 6-12 NR 1.2 mi
9 St. Francis College Preparatory High School Murrieta CA 92562 Private 9-11 NR 1.5 mi
10 Murrieta Springs Adventist Christian Murrieta CA 92562 Private K-10 NR 1.8 mi
11 Emmanuel Christian School Wildomar CA 92595 Private 1-12 NR 3 mi
12 Heritage Christian Academy Murrieta CA 92562 Private 7-12 NR 3.1 mi
13 Murrieta Valley Christian School Murrieta CA 92562 Private 1-12 NR 3.5 mi
14 Murrieta Valley Christian School Murrieta CA 92562 Private 1-12 NR 3.6 mi
15 Anne Sullivan Preschool and Kindergarten Wildomar CA 92595 Private PK-K & ungraded NR 3.8 mi
16 City Day School Murrieta CA 92563 Private 1-12 NR 4 mi
17 Tutor Time Child Care/Learning Center Murrieta CA 92563 Private K NR 4 mi
18 California Lutheran High School Lake Elsinore CA 92530 Private 9-12 NR 4.1 mi
19 Faith Baptist Academy Wildomar CA 92595 Private K-12 NR 4.2 mi
20 Big Springs Educational Therapy Center and School Temecula CA 92590 Private 7-9 NR 4.3 mi
21 Cornerstone Christian Wildomar CA 92595 Private K-12 NR 4.6 mi
22 Safe Harbor Christian Academy Temecula CA 92590 Private 1-12 NR 4.6 mi
23 Bundy Canyon Christian Wildomar CA 92595 Private K-8 NR 4.6 mi
24 Temecula Montessori Academy Temecula CA 92590 Private K-2 NR 4.8 mi
25 Windmill Christian Academy Wildomar CA 92595 Private K-12 NR 5.1 mi
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# Name City State Zip Type Level Rating Distance
1 Sycamore Academy Of Science And Cultural Arts Wildomar CA 92595-7317 Charter K-8 4 2.7 mi
2 River Springs Charter School Temecula CA 92590 Charter K-12 6 5.6 mi
3 Mosaica Online Academy Of Southern California Temecula CA 92590 Charter K-12 NR 6.6 mi
4 Keegan Academy Temecula CA 92590 Charter PK-6 NR 6.6 mi
5 Context: Middle School Temecula Temecula CA 92592 Charter 6-8 NR 7.5 mi
6 Temecula Valley Charter School Winchester CA 92596 Charter K-8 8 8.2 mi
7 Temecula Preparatory School Winchester CA 92596-8450 Charter K-12 9 8.2 mi
8 Santa Rosa Academy Menifee CA 92584-8376 Charter K-12 7 8.6 mi
9 Southern California Online Academy Lake Elsinore CA 92530 Charter PK-12 6 10.5 mi
10 Rai Online Charter School Fallbrook CA 92028 Charter K-12 5 11.1 mi
11 Willow Tree Fallbrook CA 92028 Charter K-4 NR 12 mi
12 Choice 2000 On-Line School Perris CA 92570 Charter 7-12 NR 15.5 mi
13 California Military Institute Perris CA 92570-1958 Charter 5-12 6 16.1 mi
14 Vivian Banks Charter School Pala CA 92059 Charter K-5 4 16.1 mi
15 Innovative Horizons Charter School Perris CA 92570-1968 Charter K-8 5 16.4 mi
16 Western Center Academy Hemet CA 92543-9706 Charter 6-11 10 18.3 mi
17 Pathways Academy Charter Bonsall CA 92003 Charter K-12 NR 18.4 mi
18 Nuview Bridge Early College High School Nuevo CA 92567 Charter 9-12 9 19.2 mi
19 Baypoint Prepatory Academy Hemet CA 92544 Charter K-12 NR 19.8 mi
20 Sbe - Baypoint Preparatory Academy Hemet CA 92544 Charter K-12 NR 19.8 mi
21 College Prep High Hemet CA 92544 Charter 9-12 8 20.4 mi
22 Hemet Academy For Applied Academics And Technology Hemet CA 92544 Charter 9-12 NR 20.5 mi
23 Riverside County Education Academy Moreno Valley CA 92553 Charter 9-12 NR 20.9 mi
24 San Jacinto Valley Academy San Jacinto CA 92583-2729 Charter K-12 6 22 mi
25 Guajome Learning Center Vista CA 92083 Charter K-12 NR 22.9 mi
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Base Distance
Camp Pendleton 17.4 mi.
March Air Reserve Base 22.8 mi.
Miramar MCAS 47.8 mi.
# Address Type City State Bedrooms Bathrooms Distance
1 41458 Ashburn Rd For Rent Temecula CA 4 2.5 6.7 mi
2 45295 Via Vela For Rent Temecula CA 3 2.5 8.7 mi
3 10343 Caminito Aralia #60 For Rent SAN DIEGO CA 1 1 46.3 mi

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