Murrieta

Murrieta is a city in Riverside County, California, spreading across gentle hills and valleys between Los Angeles and San Diego. The residential neighborhoods fan out over rolling terrain with streets that follow the natural shape of the land.

The California Southern Railroad laid tracks through the valley in 1882, connecting the region to the southern transcontinental route. The rails brought travelers and goods into the valleys and allowed small settlements to grow.

The name comes from Juan Murrieta, a 19th-century Spanish rancher who ran cattle across the land where the city now sits. His herds grazed through the valleys and hills that are now covered with homes and public facilities.

Interstate 15 runs through the area and connects the neighborhoods with nearby towns across Southern California. Roads wind through hills and valleys, with the terrain affecting travel time between different parts of town.

Hot springs in the area led to the opening of Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, which drew visitors during the first half of the 20th century. Guests traveled to the valleys to enjoy the thermal baths and the dry air of the region.

Location: Riverside County

Inception: 1991

Elevation above the sea: 334 m

Website: https://murrietaca.gov

GPS coordinates: 33.56944,-117.20250

Latest update: December 15, 2025 08:15