The Essential Guide to Murrieta, California

With the beaches of Orange County, the glitz and glamor of Los Angeles, and the quirky stretches of desert around Joshua Tree and Palm Springs, it can be easy to overlook the Inland Empire. But if you travel along Interstate 15 (that’s the 15 for Southern Californians), you’ll come across some of the most unique communities in the state, all surrounded by grassy rolling hills.

This is where you’ll find Murrieta, an oasis nestled among the Santa Rosa and Temescal mountains. In this case, “oasis” is a fitting description rather than an overstatement—the city is one of the few places in Southern California with geothermal springs. It’s anchored by Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, which reopened to the public in 2024 as a fully fledged spa and hotel after operating for nearly 30 years as a private religious retreat.

Though the resort has only been open for a few years, guests who pop in for a soak are partaking in a tradition that spans centuries. The Luiseño Indigenous people bathed in the springs’ mineral waters since time immemorial, and one of the site’s original owners, Fritz Guenther, built a bathhouse and a couple of cottages there in 1902—essentially, the area’s first wellness resort.

“It started with just some canvas tents,” says Marcus Coplin, the medical director at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort. “At one time in the early 20th century, it was the premier health resort in Southern California, and that’s the tradition that we’re revitalizing. By opening the spring back up, it’s bringing back this culture of respite and getting away from it all—but in your backyard.”

Here’s what you need to know before visiting Murrieta Hot Springs.

Best Things to Do

If you’re visiting Murrieta, chances are the hot springs are top of mind. The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort’s 46-acre property has a bathhouse, dozens of pools in a wide range of temperatures, and a serene lake ideal for shoreside lounging. “What we’ve been able to do is bring back that tradition of health and wellness through natural resources,” says Coplin. “Whether you’ve got aches and pains, you’re feeling burnt out, or you’re just looking for a weekend of revitalization and connection with people, our intention is to create a space where people can experience the feeling that the water leaves you with.”

To that end, the resort’s highlights include a cedar-panelled sauna with panoramic views of the mountains and a clay mask area. You can also book facials and massages or join a wellness class at the fitness center (though some classes are only open to overnight guests).

No matter what activities you have in mind, set aside at least a few hours for some dedicated soaking time in the mineral pools. Between hillside, lakeside, and bathhouse options, you can choose your own adventure while enjoying the benefits of the waters. 

“The water has a direct effect on the circulatory system and helps reduce inflammation and regulate pain,” says Coplin. “You put your body into a little bit of healthy stress through this geothermal water and what it has to impart through the minerals and the heat … It’s like exercising all the systems of your body. So, for most people, what they’re going to experience is increased mobility, reduced pain, and a deeper sense of rest.”

Naturally, you might struggle to drag yourself away from the resort and the springs. But once you venture out, the city of Murrieta—and the surrounding mountains—has tons of recreational opportunities. Horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, and off-highway vehicle trails await.  “Just outside of town, it’s like someone drew a line and you’re in California wilderness,” says Coplin. 

Not sure where to start? Set off in the direction of Tenaja Falls, one of the area’s most popular hikes for good reason. A 0.8-mile trail leads you to a gorgeous waterfall, which cascades down a series of small pools during the rainy winter months. 

If you’re seeking a slightly longer trek, you’ll be just a short drive away from the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. The reserve is criss-crossed with hikes like the Vernal Pools Trail, where you can stroll out to seasonal wetlands and century-plus-year-old adobe buildings. Just make sure to bring cash for the $6 day-use fee. “I recommend Santa Rosa Plateau for the more nature-based folks who want to enjoy the outdoors,” says Justin Lange, a Murrieta local and a sales manager at Mulligan Family Fun Center.

Back in town, visitors can also wander through Old Town Murrieta along Washington Avenue. Formerly a part of California’s epic Highway 395, the district is lined with stellar restaurants and mom-and-pop businesses. 

Sample offerings from local vineyards at Wine Ranch Grill and Cellars, and learn more about the city’s history at the Murrieta Museum. Or, if you’re traveling with little ones, swing by the Mulligan Family Fun Center for minigolf, laser tag, or arcade games.

Where to Eat and Drink

There are plenty of places to eat right in Old Town Murrieta.

The Crafted Scone, as its name implies, specializes in freshly baked sweet and savory scones, plus an array of teas and coffees. It’s next door to The Mill, a family-friendly Italian joint dishing up fun pastas and pies (herbed potato and spicy sausage pizza, anyone?) in heaping portions that are sure to satisfy even the hungriest diners.

Outside of Old Town, some of Murrieta’s best restaurants are tucked inside unassuming shopping plazas, like Honeycutt Farms Cafe. A local institution for more than 30 years, Honeycutt Farms is known for its homey breakfast and lunch dishes, including Southern-style biscuits and gravy and country-fried steak. Pair your meal with a specialty latte to kick your day off right.

Less than seven miles away, the neighboring city of Temecula, California, has an impressive restaurant selection of its own and a legendary wine and vineyard scene. Snag a table at Corbeaux Wine & Tea House, a hip joint serving tea-centric cocktails (the “Her Majesty” comes highly recommended) and elevated light bites in a cozy, speakeasy-esque space. 

Then again, the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort has plenty of dining options designed to complement your wellness experience, so you don’t need to leave the property to have a nice meal. During the day, you can visit the poolside Cafe Azuli for a light lunch and sip on cocktails and nonalcoholic “dovetails” from The Tortoise Shell bar. In the evenings, stop by Guenther’s Lounge for a nightcap or two. 

Excellent though all these options may be, the crown jewel of the resort’s restaurants is Talia Kitchen. This fine-dining spot serves a range of decadent dishes, from buttery seared scallops to goat cheese-stuffed chicken, as well as seasonal veggies—and you won’t want to skip on the desserts.

Where to Stay

Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is one of the most popular places to stay in town, and for good reason. The hotel has 174 rooms and suites, all with plush furnishings and impressive, hacienda-style architecture. Guests can access exclusive wellness classes and soak under the stars all night long. Should you stay in one of the Hillside Suites, you also get extra perks like a private outdoor tub and a double hammock outdoors on the patio. There are other great options in Murrieta, though, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Murrieta – Temecula.