Overview
Hemet is a city in Riverside County in Southern California.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hemet
Hemet Museum
A small museum located in a historic railroad depot showcasing the history of the town of Hemet.
Western Science Center
The Science Center presents archaeological and paleontological artifacts and fossils including Max and Xena, mastadon and mammoth fossils uncovered during the excavation of Diamond Lake.
Historic Hemet Theater
The Historic Hemet Theater was built in 1917, and opened its doors in 1921. It is one of the first buildings in Hemet to have been built with poured cement, making it fire and earthquake proof — a quality that came in ha…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 98°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Temecula)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport, Palm Springs — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SBD San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino — 29 mi away (major hub). Directions
Hemet is served by Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) routes 27 and 212, feeding from metropolitan Riverside. Amtrak also offers bus feeder service into Hemet, when you ride an Amtrak line.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Historic Hemet Theater, Hemet Museum
- Lunch Taco Shop
- Afternoon Western Science Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Hemet is served by Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) routes 27 and 212, feeding from metropolitan Riverside. Amtrak also offers bus feeder service into Hemet, when you ride an Amtrak line.
See
Do
Do Historic Hemet Theater
The Historic Hemet Theater was built in 1917, and opened its doors in 1921. It is one of the first buildings in Hemet to have been built with poured cement, making it fire and earthquake proof — a quality that came in handy when the corner building caught fire in 2011. The theater is non-profit: all proceeds go directly to restorative purposes. Their Facebook page is regularly updated with current events and film showings.
Eat
Eat Taco Shop
If food is to be had in Hemet, Taco Shop should be your stop.
Sleep
Stay safe
Hemet has had an increasing drugs and crime problem caused in large part by the weak local economy (causing many locals to jokingly refer to their town as "Hemeth"). Tourists are, as a rule, not targeted, but it would still be wise to exercise caution in the city center and the neighbourhood to the west of it after dark and steer clear of motorcycle gangs at all times.
Go next
Idyllwild is a mountain resort 30 minutes by car from Hemet.
Nearby
Beaumont
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
Banning
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Perris
City / town · 9 listings · 14 mi away
Idyllwild
City / town · 46 listings · 15 mi away
Temecula
City / town · 38 listings · 18 mi away
Moreno Valley
City / town · 3 listings · 20 mi away
Lake Elsinore
City / town · 7 listings · 20 mi away
Redlands
City / town · 23 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.