Temecula Parkway and Highway 79 Corridor to Warner Springs

For as long as we have been living in Warner Springs, we have watched citrus and avocado groves in Temeula disappear to be replaced by tract homes, and a stellar roadside produce stand surrounded by acres of open space burned down, to eventually be replaced by Walmart and Applebees. I confess, I enjoy the conveniences, and I was happy to see a Chipotle Burrito go in, and now we even have a Corner Bakery. We have Sprouts, and regular department stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and more. For as long as we have lived here, we have always said that Temecula will eventually build right up to the county line, and today more than ever, this looks like a very probable reality.

A few months ago, Rancho Water, Temecula's water utility company, purchased the Vail Lake Ranch, and of course, water rights. Nothing shady, I am sure, though I like to think I am watching something like the details of Chinatown unfold before my eyes, but with the annex of this major local water source, there truly is nothing stopping the growth of this city from creeping south along the Highway 79 towards pastoral, rural Warner Springs.

Once you cross that line into San Diego County, you find a very different philosophy on development in general. Subdividing parcels is next to impossible, or possible, but not cost effective, so from here on out it is highly unlikely you will ever see anything smaller than 8 acres, and where close to Cleveland National Forest or BLM lands, the minimum lot size can be 20, 40, or 80 acres. But agribusiness and eco-tourism is thriving. Just across from the County Line BBQ Cafe is over 300 acres of the Emerald Creek Winery, a commercial venture in the making, which not only enhances the views for onlookers on every side, but also promises to be a major success. Already providing employment for several lucky locals, they have also taken over management of the quaint County Line BBQ, and as their massive tasting room nears completion, the entire property gets more and more handsome each day. 

Driving further south you come to Oak Grove and Sunshine Summit, villages within Warner Springs. Sunshine Summit is host to 5 boutique wineries, Hawk Watch, Orrin, La Serenissima, Sierra Roble, and Shadow Mountain, as well as several quarter horse and thoroughbred race horse ranches, private homes and farms, with a few airbnb spots sprinkled in. Then the highway passes through an 8 mile stretch of open space, mostly owned by Vista Irrigation District, the controller of water rights from the San Luis Rey River and Lake Henshaw. 

Rounding a curve in the highway just past this open space of real estate no man's land, you are greeted by a rustic sign for the Warner Springs Ranch, 2500+- acres once owned by 1200 or so tenants in common. The property features natural mineral hot springs, a private air strip and glider port, equestrian center, several hundred casitas/hotel rooms, a lodge, golf course, 1840's era cantina and more, and was largely enjoyed as semi-private country club for several decades. In the 1980's plans were made which resulted in entitlements for several hundred homes to be built onsite, but no further action was taken, so the approval expired. The new owners of this fine property, Pacific Hospitality Group, has recently revived those plans, an application that would not be received without water and other feasibility studies. 

This just ensures that some very lively action is finally on its way to us here in the North Mountain region of San Diego's back country. Everything between Temecula to "downtown" Warner Springs along the Highway 79 corridor suddenly seems fair game again, "in the path of progress," and abuzz with activity. For just about everyone from the roadside farmer to the trained entrepreneur, there is the notion that the last many years of economic hardship for us locals may finally be giving way to a little free enterprise, as well as a little shot in the arm for property values. And I am not alone to feel relief that we have that insulation - that good old county line - which will keep the big city at bay just enough, and our sweet country lifestyle will be preserved here on the San Diego side. 

Great investment information? Mother says, "Yes!"

Come see what is available - everything from high end lux homes like this:

to the extreme mountain-perch-communal-artsy-off-grid-sustainable-cabin-farm set-up:

to what Goldilocks might call "just right....."

The time to consider beautiful Warner Springs has never been better. :)