Running in Murrieta, CA offers more than just exercise—it provides access to diverse terrain, year-round training conditions, and a supportive community that spans from casual joggers to competitive marathoners. With 16 named city trails covering 25+ miles, creek-side paths, sports-park loops, and access to the oak-studded highlands of the Santa Rosa Plateau, Murrieta delivers options for every type of runner. murrietaca.gov
We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide covering the best running routes, essential gear shops, local running groups, upcoming races, and seasonal considerations. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, building base mileage for a marathon, or simply maintaining cardiovascular fitness as part of your health routine, understanding Murrieta’s running landscape helps you maximize both performance and enjoyment.
Running in Murrieta: Diverse Terrain and Year-Round Conditions
Murrieta’s geographic position creates ideal running conditions for most of the year. The City publishes neighborhood “Fitness Routes” (downloadable PDFs) typically ranging ~0.7 to 3.8 miles that you can link together for longer weekday runs. This infrastructure, combined with proximity to regional trails and the Santa Rosa Plateau, means runners never lack variety.
The terrain ranges from flat, paved multi-use paths perfect for speed work to rolling dirt trails that build strength and provide softer surfaces for recovery runs. With smart planning around seasonal weather, you can train consistently year-round without the extremes common elsewhere in the U.S.
The Best Running Routes and Trails in Murrieta
1) Murrieta Creek Regional Trail
Type: Paved multi-use path (developing corridor)
Distance: Approx. ~4 miles of mostly paved path on the Temecula segment between Rotary Park and Diaz Pkwy (per the city’s interim map); locally, runners also highlight a ~1.5-mile continuous paved stretch near Diaz.
Overview: This city-to-city corridor will ultimately link Temecula and Murrieta. The currently open Temecula sections offer flat grades and few interruptions—great for tempos, easy mileage, and stroller runs. (Check each city’s interim map before you go; open segments can change as construction progresses.)
Key Features:
- Flat, mostly uninterrupted running with no stoplights on the paved segments
- Shared path (runners, cyclists, walkers) with light shade pockets
- Multiple access points from Temecula Town Square/Rotary Park and Diaz area
Best For: Tempo runs; long, even-pace efforts; beginners building mileage; stroller running.
2) City Fitness Routes
Type: Signed neighborhood loops
Distance: ~0.7–3.8 miles per route
Overview: Murrieta publishes seven designated Fitness Routes—Copper Canyon, Las Brisas, Los Alamos Hills, Mapleton, Murrieta Oaks, Torrey Pines, Town Square Park—with posted signage and downloadable PDFs. Link two or three for 5–8 miles without driving far from home.
Key Features:
- Measured segments for precise training (see PDFs)
- Sidewalks and neighborhood paths
- Free access during regular park hours (sunrise–sunset)
Best For: Weekday consistency; base building close to home.
3) Los Alamos Hills Sports Park
Address: 37000 (also listed as 36700) Ruth Ellen Way, Murrieta, CA
Distance: ~1.1-mile perimeter loop (about)
Overview: A well-maintained sports complex with parking and restrooms. Runners use the perimeter path for repeats, easy laps, and post-work sessions. The complex is well-lit for permitted uses; parks generally follow sunrise–sunset hours and field lighting is by reservation—plan accordingly.
Key Features: Ample parking, restrooms, water, flat/consistent surface.
Best For: Short intervals, measured repeats, safe solo running during permitted hours.
4) California Oaks Sports Park
Address: 40600 California Oaks Rd, Murrieta, CA
Distance: ~0.9-mile loop (popular option)
Overview: Centrally located and family-friendly; great for recovery runs, warm-ups, or running with kids/strollers. The City facility page lists the official address above (some third-party listings show 40550).
Best For: Recovery runs; family jogs; pre-/post-workout strides.
5) Warm Springs Park
Address: 39330 Via Temprano, Murrieta, CA
Distance: ~1.5 miles out-and-back (approx.)
Overview: A lesser-known city spot with packed-dirt walking/bike paths and gentle elevation—nice for softer-surface days without driving to remote trailheads.
Best For: Recovery days; easing into dirt; variety in the weekly loop.
6) Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve & Sylvan Meadows
Location: Off Clinton-Keith Rd (same general entrance)
Hours: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (strict)
Fees: $6 adult / $3 child at the Reserve; Sylvan Meadows same day-use fee + $2 per dog.
Dogs: No dogs on Ecological Reserve trails; leashed dogs allowed in Sylvan Meadows.
Overview: The region’s premier trail-running venue: rolling dirt mileage through oak woodlands and seasonal meadows with well-marked trails and classic loops (e.g., Scenic Loop ~7 miles). Great for long weekend runs and heat management thanks to intermittent shade; carry water—there are no fountains on trail.
Best For: Long runs; hill strength; weekend adventures.
Building Your Training Routes
Weekday Options (3–5 miles): Combine two Fitness Routes using the City PDFs—e.g., link Los Alamos Hills with Mapleton for an easy 4-ish mile neighborhood loop.
Flat Speed Work (6–8 miles): Use the Murrieta Creek paved segment from Temecula Town Square/Rotary Park toward Diaz for a stoplight-free out-and-back, adding side spurs as open.
Long Run (10–12+ miles): Santa Rosa Plateau Scenic Loop plus Sylvan Meadows extensions—start early to avoid heat and respect the 7a–6p hours and day-use fees.
Where to Get Running Gear
Road Runner Sports – Temecula
Address: 40620 Winchester Rd, Suite B, Temecula, CA — opened January 2024; hosts packet pickups, team nights, and events. Services include 3D foot scans and gait analysis
DICK’S Sporting Goods – Promenade Temecula
Address: 40710 Winchester Rd, Temecula, CA 92591 (The Promenade Mall). Broad footwear/apparel/accessories selection and convenient location.
Big 5 Sporting Goods – Murrieta
Address: 25274 Madison Ave, Murrieta, CA 92562. Budget-friendly essentials (socks, belts, basic nutrition) with extended evening hours most days.
Local Running Groups and Community
Murrieta Temecula Valley Runners (Facebook): Open, all paces; good for finding long-run partners and ad-hoc workouts.
Old Town Temecula Run Club (@oldtowntemecula_runclub): Wednesdays ~6 p.m. from Quail in Old Town; typically 2–3 miles, social pace. Check IG for weekly posts/time.
Emerging/other crews: Regional aggregators and FB/Strava list pods like Murrieta Running Group, KD Endurance, and Moms RUN This Town—handy if you’re matching schedules.
2025 Race Calendar
Temecula Half Marathon, 10K & 5K — Sun, Nov 2, 2025 — Peltzer Winery (40275 Calle Contento). Scenic wine-country courses with a post-race festival; details and maps on the official site.
Temecula Turkey Trot & Food Drive (5K) — Thu, Nov 27, 2025 — Start 7:00 a.m. — 28582 Harveston Dr, Temecula. Family-friendly; flat and fast.
Murrieta Turkey Trot (5K/10K) — Thu, Nov 27, 2025 — Town Square Park, Downtown Murrieta. Downtown start/finish; confirm week-of for parking and course map.
(City calendars also list pop-up fun runs; scan seasonally.)
Seasonal Training Considerations
Spring (Mar–May): Average highs roughly ~67–77°F; excellent for workouts and volume.
Summer (Jun–Sep): Hot afternoons; “hot season” average highs >84°F with Aug ~88/63°F—go dawn/dusk and hydrate.
Fall (Oct–Nov): Highs ease ~83→76°F through October; prime race weather returns.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Generally runnable; Dec ~66/42°F in Temecula—layer up and watch for rain/frost.
Important Access Information and Safety
City park hours: Generally sunrise–sunset unless a permit is issued; field lighting is by reservation through Community Services (951-304-PARK / 7275).
Santa Rosa Plateau & Sylvan Meadows: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. access; fees apply; no dogs on Reserve trails; leashed dogs allowed in Sylvan Meadows.
Personal safety: Park in well-lit areas, keep valuables out of sight, and consider running with a partner or group for dark-hour sessions.
Sample Training Day for New Murrieta Runners
Morning (6–8 a.m.): Easy 6–8 miles on the Murrieta Creek Regional Trail from Town Square/Rotary Park—flat and steady.
Midday: Shoe fit and 3D foot scan at Road Runner Sports (Winchester Rd), or quick pickups at DICK’S.
Evening (before sunset): Short repeat set at Los Alamos Hills Sports Park using the perimeter loop.
Optimizing Your Running Performance
Consistent running builds cardiovascular fitness, but maximizing performance requires addressing recovery, nutrition, and hormonal health—especially for men 35+. If you’re battling persistent fatigue, slower recovery, or plateauing despite solid training, a comprehensive health review can unlock progress.
Schedule an appointment with Huddle Men’s Health to explore personalized strategies (from nutrition and recovery protocols to hormone optimization) that support stronger training blocks, faster recovery, and better race-day outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there adequate lighting for early or late runs?
Sports parks are lit by reservation; general parks follow sunrise–sunset. Plan pre-dawn or dusk runs on neighborhood routes or join group runs for safety
Can I run with my dog?
City parks/paths: generally leash required. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve: no dogs; Sylvan Meadows: dogs on leash allowed.
Best soft-surface long run?
Santa Rosa Plateau + Sylvan Meadows—rolling dirt, shade pockets, multiple loops; fees & hours apply.
Flattest spot for speed work?
Murrieta Creek paved segments on the Temecula side (Rotary Park ↔ Diaz) offer the most continuous, stoplight-free running nearby.
Where can I access official trail maps?
City Trails hub and Fitness Routes PDFs; interim maps for the Murrieta Creek corridor are posted by both cities
