Known as a retirement community, Hemet, situated in the San Jacinto Valley, offers family-friendly adventures.
It is bountiful in natural resources and offers exciting and educational city attractions.
The pristine Diamond Valley Lake, a man-made reservoir, is located right next to the city as well.
For a peaceful retreat in nature or a trip with the whole family, check out the best things to do in Hemet, California.
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The Diamond Valley Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in Southern California, with the capacity to hold up to 260 billion gallons of water.
It serves to provide water during droughts and holds enough water to meet the area’s needs for up to six months.
Even though it is a man-made body of water, it is surrounded by natural beauty.
Have an outdoor adventure by following the hiking trails.
Climb the hills and view the pristine lake from above or get up close by following the trail around it.
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You’ll find beautiful wildflowers, which bloom during springtime, at the Wildflower Trail.
In addition to hiking, you can also go biking around the area.
In addition to these, there are also recreational facilities in the nearby Valley-Wide’s Diamond Valley Lake Community Park, including eight ball fields, three soccer fields, and four pickleball courts.
There are picnic areas and fitness trails as well.
If you’re looking for a place to cool off and enjoy water activities, head to Diamond Valley Lake Aquatic Center.
Take a dip in the heated 25-yard outdoor pool or have some fun with the kids going down the water slide.
If you want to get decent exercise before jumping in the pool, you can follow the fitness trails or take a swing at the pickleball court.
Have a private lesson if you want to practice and improve your technique.
Or, you can participate in a group lesson too if you would rather have company.
In addition to swimming lessons, you can learn how to play water polo and how to become a junior lifeguard.
Learn about the Huacaya alpacas in the Diamond Valley Alpacas, a small ranch dedicated to raising these beautiful creatures.
They are friendly, so you can get up close with them and even feed them.
If you have your own, they offer breeding services too.
To widen your knowledge, you can get a mentorship.
Check out the alpaca products they offer, including soft, high-quality alpaca fleece.
You can find them giving seminars and educational demonstrations as well.
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Delve into the prehistoric world in the Western Science Center, with more than a million specimens and artifacts.
It is a tribute to natural history and aims to educate people about the region and about sustainability.
Visitors can try the hands-on activities at Max’s Invention Labs.
The Neighborhood Fossils program brings the activities to your classroom, while the ICE Age Project connects schools so they can further expand their knowledge.
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For an amazing time with your school friends, book a field trip.
They also attend events, offering activities and displays, and you can send them an invite if you’re interested.
Their Max’s Mobile Museum provides an easy way to visit schools and events.
Check out their website to see their unique events and find details regarding exhibits and more.
If you want to go on a movie date or watch with the gang, try going to Regal Hemet Cinema.
Get a membership if you want perks and discounts on your movies.
Check out their website for the movie schedules and promos.
They also offer gift cards if you want to surprise your loved ones.
With a big “REGAL” spelled out on the building’s façade, it’s really hard to miss
Plus, it’s located right in the city center, so it’s easy to access from wherever you are in the city.
Challenge yourself on Echo Hills Golf Club’s 9-hole municipal course, with lush trees and well-maintained grass.
You’ll have wonderful views of the Umatilla River Valley, as the course sits on the hills nearby.
Before taking on the course, you can practice your swing at the driving range.
For your convenience, they offer cart rentals too.
If you need to stock up on gear and supplies, the club also has a pro shop.
After a match with your golf buddies, grab a bite or drink at the snack bar.
Check out their website for their membership rates and green fees.
If you want professional help, you can avail of golf lessons too.
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The Ramona Bowl Amphitheater is a large theater lodged in a little canyon.
Because of its location, it has great acoustics and beautiful natural sceneries.
In 1922, the area was discovered by Garnet Holme and the locals, and in 1923, the first production of Ramona, a play based on a novel by Helen Hunt Jackson, was held.
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The land the theater is on, as well as those surrounding it, were from 1925 onwards.
The first people who watched the plays here had to hike to the theater since there was no road to the top yet.
You can bring your kid for their Summer Youth Theatre too, where they can audition for a part in the play.
If you’re looking to visit, you can buy tickets online at their website.
Explore the arts and stimulate your creativity at the Diamond Valley Arts Center.
It is operated by the Diamond Valley Arts Council, a local organization founded in 2004 that advocates artistic expression and provides cultural opportunities.
Listen to the live music performances featuring different genres.
You can even watch plays or musical theater.
In addition, there are multiple events throughout the year where you can participate in hands-on activities and join in on the festivities.
If you’re interested in honing your artistic talent, sign up for art classes.
You can see their schedules, events, and more on their website.
If you love sitting in a boat surrounded by beautiful waters and natural beauty, head to the Diamond Valley Lake Marina.
They offer different kinds of boats that you can rent for the day, all catered for fishing lovers.
The lake is filled with different kinds of fish, including trout, bass, catfish, striper, and more.
Make sure to visit their website to see the rates for general fees and dry storage fees.
If you’re confident in your fishing skills, pack your gear and sign up for a fishing tournament.
The details regarding these can be found on their website as well.
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A 483.48-acre wilderness park, Simpson Park showcases the beauty of nature, with breathtaking views of the entire San Jacinto Valley.
The park is located just a few miles southeast of the city.
It has varying landscapes, with large rocks and lush flora and fauna.
Go hiking along the trails and enjoy the scenery.
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Follow the equestrian trail and feel the wind as you ride your favorite horse.
For a thrill, bring your mountain bike and traverse its rocky paths.
If you just want a laid-back time with your family and friends, you can have a barbecue and enjoy your meal on the tables at the picnic area.
Located in a quaint, historic building, Hemet Museum takes you back to the past, with a great collection of relics and artifacts, a lot of which provide information about its early settlers.
Check out its historical photographs, arranged to provide you with a wonderful, hassle-free experience.
Spend your afternoon lazing around in its café, dining and drinking coffee alfresco.
It hosts school programs as well, where your kid can learn about Hemet and the San Jacinto Valley and participate in a scavenger hunt.
The museum is owned by the Hemet Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to preserve the area’s history.
It hosts events occasionally, and you can check out the details on its website.
The Reed Valley Ranch is an 835-acre property with gorgeous natural landscapes all around, with oak groves, valleys, and hills.
It was settled in 1867 and has been family-operated for quite a long time.
The Spanish-style ranch house fits perfectly in the rustic environment.
Here, you’ll find well-raised Angus cattle, and the farm also produces top-class beef.
If you want to stay overnight, the bunkhouse has a full bathroom and can accommodate up to eight guests.
If you prefer to sleep in an RV, there are RV hookups as well.
You won’t have to worry about meals, too, as the barn offers food service, equipped with a fridge, stove, and sink.
Given its gorgeous sceneries, it has been a frequented site for films and photography shoots.
For those looking to polish their horseback riding skills, the ranch also offers classes.
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It’s always showtime in Historic Hemet Theater, entertaining audiences since 1921.
It’s one of the oldest theaters in the United States.
The building it’s in has been renovated numerous times and is still standing strong thanks to its reinforced concrete construction.
For an enjoyable time with your family and friends, get some tickets and watch a concert or film.
Spectate its live theater performances and feel part of the action.
Before visiting, make sure to visit its website to know which shows will be played.
For a day full of fun recreational activities, take your family out to Mary Henley Park, a 16-acre park right in the heart of the city.
Let your kids around any, or both, of the two playgrounds.
Compete with your friends at the half basketball court.
Lounge at the gazebo or bring some snacks and have a bite at a picnic table.
If you just want to take a leisurely walk, there’s a path on the sidewalk surrounding the park.
It’s also a common venue for local events, so make sure to check online if there’s going to be an event here when you visit.
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If you have some extra time, pay a visit to the Hemet Maze Stone.
It’s a large stone with a pictograph that looks like a maze.
It is said that this marking is at least 500 years old, and there has been no explanation of the symbol’s meaning.
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After taking a look at the petroglyph, you can go hiking or take a walk on its trail too.
You can bring your dog, provided that he is on a leash.
Have a blast at the Wheelhouse Skating Rink, a large roller-skating rink that’s great for family activities.
If you don’t have your own pair, you can rent roller skates here.
After enjoying the rink, you can grab a light snack, gulp down a pint of beer, and even have a glass of wine.
They offer both individual and family roller skating memberships, perfect if you want to come regularly with your family.
If you’re looking for an event venue, you can rent out the banquet hall too.
They also accept private parties, and they offer birthday packages.
Check out McSweeney Park if you are the athletic kind or simply a regular Tom in the mood for some outdoor sports.
It has facilities for your favorite ball games like baseball, soccer, and basketball.
This park also features a large area filled with trees and flowers.
If you want to hone your photographic abilities, this location is ideal.
You may also read a book, relax under the shade, and meet new people if you’re bored.
Bring your child to White Brook Farm if you’re sick of watching them glued to a screen all day.
Choose from its January–May, the September–December semester sessions, or the summer camp farm schools.
At the end of each semester, students gather for a day of fun at the Farmers Market.
They’ll gain hands-on experience with farming tasks like gardening and caring for animals and the chance to engage in some good old-fashioned farmyard play.
Students will also learn how to utilize compost, as well as how to conduct soil and temperature tests, design gardens, plant and harvest a variety of plants, and use compost.
Here, they will experience a fun, delicious journey, with numerous stops along the way, from potatoes to strawberries and beyond.
And, who doesn’t long to hold newborn sheep, goats, or pigs and perhaps even feed them from a bottle?
The farm school also teaches students about caring for and feeding farm animals.
They’ll have a blast as they learn to bathe, brush, and style them.
If you’re looking for a good time bowling in Hemet, head to AMF Hemet Lanes.
Take advantage of its state-of-the-art facilities with bowlers of all skill levels in mind.
Bowling at AMF is a terrific way to spend time with friends while getting some exercise, whether you’re a youngster or an expert.
There’s also a snack bar where you can get pizza, beers, and more.
White Brook Farm holds league games and gatherings of all kinds.
In addition, it features a pro shop.
Staff is helpful, and the lanes and bathrooms are spotless.
Downtown Hemet Farmer’s Market began as a harvest celebration in 2018.
It is committed to helping local companies and donating to worthy causes.
The market lies in the heart of Hemet.
You may find merchants setting up and selling their wares on any given Saturday.
At least biannually, the farmer’s market hosts a toy and food drive to benefit the local kids and the needy.
The vast majority of its suppliers are family-run operations in the immediate area.
You’ll find everything, from accessories to ceramics, all handmade and unique!
After sightseeing and trying what Hemet offers, relax at Dream Spa services.
Since 2014, Hemet has been home to Dream Spa.
Its knowledgeable therapists can adjust their massage to focus on any particular problem.
Staff members here are helpful and friendly.
Swedish massage is Dream Spa Foot & Body Massage’s most popular offering.
It also offers Thai, aromatherapy, deep tissue, reflexology, hot stone massage, and other treatments.
Hemet is an advocate of the arts, hosting the well-known Ramona Pageant, an outdoor play featuring an art center, theaters, and museums.
Immerse yourself in nature, visit its parks and enjoy outdoor recreational activities.
It’s a great vacation spot for the whole family.
For a memorable trip, make sure to check the best things to do in Hemet, California, listed above.
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