Between San Diego & Riverside Is A Laid-Back City Full Of Parks, Trails, & Nearby Lakes

Southern California is known for its major cities such as Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach, and San Diego. However, there are some lesser-known spots with relaxed vibes and outdoor adventures galore. Between San Diego's world-renowned beaches (about 60 miles south) and Riverside's attractions (roughly 40 miles to the north) sits a lovely, laid-back city with parks, trails, nearby lakes to explore, hot springs to soak in, and wineries and breweries to try out: Murrieta.

Murrieta boasts dozens of parks and a variety of hiking trails. With an estimated 275 days of sun per year, you can have some great outdoor adventures. If you visit during a spring superbloom, when weather conditions are favorable, you can see fields of California poppies, verbena, sunflowers, and more. The phenomenon generally happens in March and April, when the average highs tend to be in the low 70s Fahrenheit — that's ideal hiking weather as well.

If you're looking to sip some wine in beautiful surroundings, you have a lot of places to choose from in the area. Just outside of Murrieta, Europa Village Wineries & Resort has three "villages" with different styles of wineries, including Bolero, a Spanish-inspired winery; C'est la Vie, a French-inspired winery; and the Italian-inspired Vienza. You can stay overnight or simply wander each village in the resort and enjoy tasting flights. You can also hit Robert Renzoni Vineyards nearby to try some award-winning vintages.

There are many hiking trails around the Murrieta area, including the trail to Tenaja Falls, an easy 1.6 miles in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. It's a good idea to download a map beforehand, as there isn't much service in the area, but the route takes you to a lovely waterfall. You may also like the Vernal Pool Trail, an easy 3.4-mile loop with a 285-foot elevation gain in the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve.

When it's hot outside, you can enjoy some water sports in nearby Lake Elsinore and Lake Skinner. Elsinore has a swimming beach, and both lakes are great for boating, though you may need permits first. The Lake Skinner Recreation Area also has a splash pad, fishing, horseback riding, and campsites.

However, parks are where Murrieta really stands out. With over 50 of them to choose from, you could try a new one every day and barely scratch the surface. Sykes Ranch Park is a quiet spot for birdwatching, where you won't be overwhelmed with other people. It has a 3.7-mile loop trail offering scenic views of the surrounding hills. (Bring sunscreen and water because there is no shade.) If you'd rather stay closer to the action, Town Square Park features an amphitheater, and it's right in downtown, making it a convenient place to relax after some shopping and dining. Alternatively, if you want to play some ball, there is the California Oaks Sports Park, with fields and a playground for the kids.

One fun place to dine and drink in Murrieta is 8 Bit Brewing Company. Not only does it have a wide variety of beers, but there are dishes like calamari fries, a wagyu smash burger, sandwiches (including a vegan chicken sandwich), and desserts, including two types of cheesecake and a "pizza cookie." There is also wine and a kids' menu. You may also want to check out Destination Smokehouse, a Texas-style barbecue spot. It's got weekly specials like Pork Rib Thursday and Taco Tuesday, and you can build your own platter with meats such as prime brisket and pork belly. There are also sandwiches, burgers, and seasonal dishes.

Murrieta is also known for Murrieta Hot Springs, a resort spa and wellness retreat. The mineral hot springs in the area were first discovered centuries ago, but the resort itself began in 1902. In 2026, it was voted "Best Hot Springs" and "Best Spa Resort" in the country by the USA Today 10Best readers' choice awards. There are more than 50 geothermal pools and other water experiences, and a number of restaurants as well. You can get a spa day pass or stay overnight and enjoy additional activities like aqua sound baths.

The closest airport to Murrieta is Ontario International Airport (ONT) at 48 miles away. However, you can also fly into San Diego International Airport (SAN), considered one of the world's most beautiful airports, at 67 miles away. If you're coming from LA, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is 87 miles away. It's a good idea to have a car so you can explore the parks and surrounding areas. You'll also be less than an hour from Escondido, a city full of wineries and family fun.