Woodcrest, once a land of orange groves as far as the eye could see, is now a bustling little CDP next to Riverside, California. It's become such a desirable location, the population nearly doubled since the turn of the new millennium, and the Riverside is now eyeballing it for annexation.
Despite its name, the area of Woodcrest, which sits just south of Riverside, is more desert-like than forest filled
Woodcrest, once a land of orange groves as far as the eye could see, is now a bustling little CDP next to Riverside, California. It's become such a desirable location, the population nearly doubled since the turn of the new millennium, and the Riverside is now eyeballing it for annexation.
Despite its name, the area of Woodcrest, which sits just south of Riverside, is more desert-like than forest filled. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have plenty of greenery, even with its arid climate. Parks, a couple lakes and plenty of trails are available for making the most of Mother Nature, and there's never any lack of outdoorsy activities. Woodcrest is pretty sleepy for those who prefer a restful main residence. But don't worry party animals; big city living is nearby in Riverside, a college town boasting plenty of delicious restaurants, bars, cinemas and recreational opportunities suitable for every age bracket. So whether you prefer a relaxing evening snuggled up with Netflix or a raging night taking down shots or seeing the latest blockbuster, Woodcrest has you covered.
Some need to know info for migrating to the great Inland Empire (IE) desert includes planning well in advance. Though there are several housing developments in, uh, development, the vacancy rate leaves something to be desired. Of course, if you're looking for home rentals, you're in luck, because rental apartments are just harder to come by in this suburban neighborhood. Homeowners far outweigh renters, so be ready to haggle and hunt for a few months until you find the one-bedroom apartment of your dreams. And don't count on month-to-month leases. Folks here like to stick around for a while.
Woodcrest is usually described as a neighborhood of Riverside, especially since R-Side is thinking of incorporating it into its territory in the near future. That said, Woodcrest does have two distinctive neighborhoods that most people reference when referring to it.
Canyon Ridge: Brace yourself for big lots; this area of Woodcrest is known for its charming single-family homes for rent and gorgeous green lots. Ample space between homes makes it feel luxurious, but there aren't a lot of amenities, surprise surprise. There is a golf course, so you won't be without entertainment. Plus, you have easy access to the 215.
Woodcrest Acres: This section was one of the original subdivisions in Woodcrest, created back in 1926. It featured oodles of orange groves, which are pretty much nonexistent now. Instead, charming houses and condos are available, though they're a little smaller than in Canyon Ridge. Access is plentiful, as most residences are found on the bustling Van Buren Boulevard, which hooks up with the 91 and the 215 freeways.
Living in Woodcrest is all about balance: high and low, urban and suburban. It even has hints of rural. The point is, Woodcrest has a little of everything, and it can suit a wide variety of folks. There aren't many apartments, and there aren't many in-neighborhood amenities, but what's around the greater area is nearly limitless. Folks here tend to be homebodies during the week and branch out either to the dunes, the mall or a concert hall on the weekends. You do you, in Woodcrest, and it will keep you happy.
From Point A to Point B
Let's not beat around the bush -- you're gonna need a car. Public transportation is iffy at best, and car culture is strong in these lands. Though Riverside has some public buses, the Woodcrest places to rent don't get served very well, and the WalkScore is an abysmal 40. You're not gonna make it anywhere without a set of reliable wheels. Fortunately, there is tons of parking and you'll never have to worry about searching for a spot in almost any direction you go. You can enjoy a day of biking, but it's not a reasonable way to get to work, run errands or do anything but joyride. As for commutes, they can range quite a bit. Heading to Moreno Valley can be a bit rough during rush hour, but for the most part getting anywhere within 30 miles is a breeze.
Where the Wind Blows
Southern California, and Woodcrest with it, enjoys lovely weather for most, if not all, of the year. But the desert can get chilly at night, so expect the traditional "winter" months to call for sweaters and heaters. This area is also known to get pretty blustery and the wind can whip up dust, pollutants and allergens. The windy months are between late summer and fall, and the wind brings with it more than mussed hair and chapped skin -- it brings a risk of out of control fires. It also tears down trees and fells telephone poles. Respect the wind.
Make a Play
First off, most people define recreation in terms of food here. When the evening or weekend rolls around, most people are thinking with their stomachs. Though Woodcrest itself has somewhat limited options (mostly taco shops and pizza joints, not that there's anything wrong with that), the areas surrounding Woodcrest, most notably Riverside, but Moreno Valley and Corona too, are spoiled for tasty options. If you like sushi, Italian, frozen yogurt, Thai, Mediterranean or Brazilian, you can find impressive representatives of each, plus many more. There's Famous Joe's Italian Kitchen, Mexican Kitchen, Farmer Boys and Chopstix to get you started in the area. But eating until you pop isn't the only fun to be had.
The Inland Empire, which includes Riverside, Woodcrest, Moreno Valley and others, has plentiful ATV trails and plenty of areas for camping, hiking, walking, biking and so on. And while many people love to do these things year round, thanks to the glorious Southern California weather, it's important to note that summers here get toasty warm. As in, the summertime temps reach over 100 degrees on the regular; so finding a cool, shady spot to enjoy an iced beverage is a necessity. Therefore, pools, sprinklers, A / C units and margaritas are commonplace come June, but suiting up for trailblazing in August is popular, but sweaty.
