California : Safety by City
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Hemet, California is a smaller city in the Inland Empire of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Once known for its trailer parks and retirees, Hemet is turning a page in its own history and it’s a great time to visit.
This is a town that isn’t a show-off.
It embraces where it came from and where it wants to go.
It’s a diverse working-class community and most of the people here own their homes.
The slogan in the 1980s was “Hemet is Heaven” and has now transitioned to a tongue-in-cheek “Hemet is Hemet” after a crime wave swept the city after the 2008 housing crisis.
The location couldn’t be more ideal for someone with wanderlust.
You’re 90 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, the Los Angeles area beaches, San Diego, and Mexico.
Hemet doesn’t historically have the best reputation, but recent crime numbers paint an improving picture of this booming town.
It was ranked by Business Insider as one of the most miserable cities in America, but as one resident of Hemet posted on Reddit, ” I mean it, someone helps me to comprehend how this is apparently the worst place to live on earth.
Because I’m having a pretty nice time.”
Warnings & Dangers in Hemet
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium risk here. There are concerning violent crime and robbery numbers, but a good chunk of that is domestic issues or gang-on-gang crimes. It is by no means a top tourist destination, but it also doesn't try to be.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Riverside Transit Authority can get you around Hemet and to other locations in Riverside County. Metrolink does not have a Hemet stop. You also have cabs and rideshares as options. All are low risk, but you'll want a car if you are visiting Hemet and really want to explore the surrounding area.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
14 pickpockets were reported in Hemet in 2020, which isn't a high number, but it's more than other cities I've researched of similar size. There's still a low risk, but it's worth noting you still need to keep a good grip on personal belongings.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
There's a risk of earthquakes, wildfires, and extreme heat here. While a normal day is going to be warm and sunny, the bad things that can happen here can get really bad, so we're giving it a medium risk, hoping you'll educate yourself on these concerns. Sign up for Listos alerts to stay on top of any developments during your visit.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There's low risk if you are following good safety protocol and not wandering around town at night. This city has an edge to it, but there's not an overwhelming fear of being mugged at all times.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
There's a medium risk because this is part of a massive metropolitan area that is home to military bases, tourist attractions like Disneyland, and big corporations.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
You'll have a low risk of being scammed here as most are targeted at locals. Elderly residents are especially vulnerable to scams here. Tourists shouldn't be worried but always follow the "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" philosophy.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
There's a low risk for women who travel here, again, if you follow safety measures. There are dangers in this town, but if you're protecting yourself and not meeting up with someone you met online or getting drunk at a local sports bar, you shouldn't be worried.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water in Hemet is safe to use and there's a low risk, according to the most recent Water Quality Report. The utility states, "In 2020, your drinking water met all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and State drinking water health standards. There were no violations of maximum contaminate levels or any other water quality standards."
Safest Places to Visit in Hemet
Check out what’s going on at the Ramona Bowl during your visit.
This is home to an outdoor play that has been going on since 1923 called The Ramona Pageant.
Throughout the year, other events are held here as well, from performances to swap meets.
Get a prehistoric lesson at the Western Science Center, where you can see the bones of Wooley Mammoths and Mastodons.
You’ll be amazed at what the Southern California desert looked like during the ice age.
The Hemet Museum will walk you through the history of the city through the present day.
It’s great if you can plan a night of stargazing at Joshua Tree National Park after a day of hiking.
The spectacular views away from city lights will make you see the Milky Way in a whole new way.
Anglers, boaters, hikers, and bicyclists will love Diamond Valley Lake on the southwest corner of the city.
The Diamond Valley Marina has food and shopping options, so there are more amenities than a traditional park.
Look for the wildflower trail in spring to see beautiful fields of blooms.
At West Florida Avenue and North Kirby Street, you’ll find the Hemet Valley Mall and Hemet Village across the street if you want to do some shopping.
This is also the restaurant core of the city.
Places to Avoid in Hemet
Hemet isn’t really big enough to have huge swaths of neighborhoods to avoid.
Driving across the entire city takes 20 minutes at most.
The city boundaries are also jagged, so there are parts of town considered Hemet that are really unincorporated Riverside County.
You’ll want to avoid Florida Avenue after dark, but as one Redditor said, “I wouldn’t go walking around any main road at night in any city.”
There’s enough gang activity here now, and historically, that the police department has a Gang Task Force.
You’re not going to find a city in Riverside County that doesn’t have gang activity and there are a total of eight gang task forces throughout the county.
Avoid driving through neighborhoods if you don’t have a reason to be there.
This isn’t the kind of town where you want to marvel at the huge homes or unique architecture.
If you see a lot of graffiti in an area, that means there’s gang activity there, so avoid it.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Hemet
- Knowing some basic conversational Spanish will help here, as 32% of people here don’t speak English as their first language. Especially if you want to try some local Mexican establishments, that Spanish will help.
- Follow Inciweb online to keep track of wildfire activity, especially in the late summer and fall. Wildfires can start and spread quickly. Air quality can be ruined and there might be pre-planned power outages to prevent fires from spreading.
- Stargazing at Joshua Tree National Park is an incredible experience, but there are some safety guidelines. Bring a light, but not a traditional flashlight. Use red lights only or put a red film over your flashlight. This helps everyone see the sky better at night. Bring layers of clothing because it can get cool in the desert at night. Park rangers advise visiting when the moon is not full for better views of the stars.
- There are a lot of elderly people in this town living out their golden years. That might mean slower drivers or longer waits at cashiers. I know I’m a fast walker and slow walkers infuriate me. In a city with a large elderly population, be patient and respectful.
- There isn’t a lot of nightlife here, so don’t go looking for it without having a plan. There are mostly sports bars in Hemet. Wandering around at night could lead you into a troublesome area.
- There’s a Facebook group called Hemet Valley Incidents with more than 75,000 members. Follow this group to get updated information during your stay and interact with neighbors to ask safety questions in a safe forum.
- More than 4,000 potholes are fixed each in Hemet, and it’s through the help of visitors and locals that the city can fix them quickly. If you notice big potholes, report them on the city’s website.
- You can report non-emergency crimes to the police department through its website. This is for crimes like hit and runs, vandalism, theft, and lost items.
- This area is prone to earthquakes, and the locals are used to a little rumble here and there. It’s as common as a thunderstorm in the Midwest. If you aren’t sure about how to react during earthquakes, study up on the city’s emergency preparedness section.
- You’re going to see homeless people or panhandlers here, like any other city. There are spots along Florida Avenue where they hang out. Don’t give them money, just provide a firm “No” and move on.
So... How Safe Is Hemet Really?
Most crime rates are going down in key categories like violent crime, robbery, and theft.
The city had 14 murders in 2020.
Four of those were strangers and the rest were victims known by their assailants.
There were no victims over 50.
Here’s how the risks break down by the crimes most likely to impact tourists:
- Violent Crime: 1 in 258
- Robbery: 1 in 742
- Theft: 1 in 84
Redditors in Hemet are very vocal and interactive, so it’s a good idea to review some of those forums.
One newcomer wrote about his experience with crime in Hemet.
“Overall, I haven’t seen much crime either since I’ve moved here.
I did have a guy try to sell me pirated game discs, movies, and weed, all in the same pitch.
But that was my bad for trying to get a burger at 4 am.”
That’s a great example of why you shouldn’t be out late at night.
I’ve written more than 200 travel articles and there have only been two cities I could say “go for a run after dark because it’s not a big deal.”
Most cities are going to be riskier after dark.
There is a good deal of crime here, but only robbery is above the national average.
There’s also not a lot to do here, so unless you are visiting family or staying for work, there are more cities with better amenities in Riverside.
However, Hemet isn’t going to leave you bored with all the options in the 90-minute drive timeframe.
How Does Hemet Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Hemet | 65 |
| Philadelphia | 60 |
| Houston | 59 |
| Atlanta | 58 |
| St. Louis | 58 |
| Los Angeles | 56 |
| Oakland | 57 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
The Visa is already handled at the airport and you don't need to go through any process in Hemet.
Currency
You'll use the U.S. Dollar here. There's not a need to carry around a lot of cash as debit, credit, and mobile phone payments are widely accepted.
Weather
The main thing about the weather in Hemet and surrounding cities is the stark contrast between daytime highs and evening lows. For example, in July the average high is 98°(F) with an average low of 62°(F). Bring layers. In winter, you'll get near freezing at night but the highs will be in the upper 60s. You'll need to pack layers. Bring sturdy hiking boots if you plan to explore the Joshua Tree Mountains.
Airports
San Bernardino International Airport is 45 minutes north of Hemet. Palm Springs International Airport is an hour east. John Wayne Airport in Orange County is 90 minutes away. Los Angeles International Airport is going to be about a two-hour drive, but always check the traffic because you'll be driving through congested roads to get there.
Travel Insurance
You'll want travel insurance for a trip to Hemet, as those wildfires can shut down air traffic and roads.
Hemet Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 20 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 28 | 33 | 37 | 37 | 34 | 29 | 23 | 19 |
| Low °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| High °F | 68 | 68 | 72 | 77 | 82 | 91 | 99 | 99 | 93 | 84 | 73 | 66 |
| Low °F | 39 | 39 | 43 | 46 | 52 | 55 | 63 | 63 | 59 | 52 | 43 | 37 |
Most that don’t see the crime in Hemet live on the east side of Soboba Rd.
The rest has issues. I lived on valley view and had gunshots in the courtyard… As well I’ve lived on the east side that I could walk or jog day or nite and be safe.
Thanks to the governor they cleaned the streets of LA and brought gangs that were just recently out of jail to Hemet so LA is cleaner.
If that never happened Hemet would be the same cute nearly dead newlywed it was that I’ve known my whole life. My grandmother was born out here lots of my family live here and struggle with having to drive to the bad side “Hemet West” just to get food.
If you need a hospital I would travel to Murrieta, Banning Beaumont, or anywhere else than Hemet Hospital.
That Hospital is so bad they have a wall of names that has people’s names that passed away there.
The safest part of Hemet is Soboba Casino & Indian territory as well east Hemet. The rest of Hemet good luck always keep your guard up.
Not a good place to call home
I lived in Hemet for 8 years, and the crime rate is very high. The schools are pretty much run by the kids, not the staff.
One of my sons was bullied from 1st grade to 7th grade and was jumped in 7th grade by another student while 3 other kids took a video of the incident to post on social media.
I moved away from Hemet in 2019, and I would never ever move back. It’s scary after dark for sure but, you need to be aware of your surroundings during the day. There are a lot of really good people that live there but, the criminals wreck it. Thieves will steal yard deco, and car theft is unreal. I had 2 cars stolen in the matter of 1 month, car theft is really high.
The shopping is good, and there are a lot of stores to choose from. It gets extremely hot during the summer.
The problem with Hemet
Hemet is just like Moreno Valley, ten years ago. An undesirable population of people moved from South Central LA to here, and turned the town into a ghetto. This use to be a great, and very quiet town, and now it’s a crime infested hell hole.
Not a good City
I’ve lived in 12 states, 22 cities, three foreign countries and this is the worst! Garbage is strewn alongside many roads and never picked up by the city.
Traffic enforcement is nonexistent! People all seemed pissed off, probably because they live here!
This town is full of Rednecks, “Mississippi West.” Roads are all full of potholes and the city never seems to do anything about it. Absolutely no nightlife at all! I’m only here for family reasons.
I moved to HEMET 7 yrs ago because of the real estate opportunities and things have been getting increasingly better every single year…. I really enjoy living here….yes we have crime but nothing compared to the big cities…and yes we have homeless people but no large encampments… the people that do the trash talking are usually the ones causing the problems…. Be the solution…. Not the problem.
Meanwhile In Hemet, ca
I’ve lived here 20yrs. Within the past 10, this town has gone to hell in a hand basket. It’s still a beautiful place from the outskirts. Just the people whom have recently moved her make this place terribly. The color of moral has become distorted.
I bought my house 10 years ago I think is a city like others. I am happy to live here. Hemet need a change of its authorities total change. No more politics.
.
The person who wrote this review needs to get out more often and not just look at the real estate opportunities the area has to offer.
The major majority of the good real estate opportunity areas are in areas that have a low crime rate.
Hemet is a cesspool riddled with high crime, underpaid understaffed police dept.
A corrupt Mayor who doesn’t even live in Hemet and who is never seen in Hemet making any public appearances to improve this town.
I have lived in Hemet for 23 years, I can tell you of several streets (like Western Ave) which have never been resurfaced. Sure Florida Blvd looks very nice when you first come into town, but just because the icing looks good, doesn’t mean the cake tastes good.
Bad city has some decent parts
The person who wrote this is so wrong a month ago a kid from the school was murdered by his classmates a week ago drive by shooting killed a man a block from school drugs gangs murders and homeless. ever heard of the gated ghetto I have seen it is a terrible community to live in and it 12 years it has not bounced back. Why do you think houses here are like 100 or 200 grand. Hemet doesn’t seem like its getting better either with a corrupt police force and rising crime rates. If your going to move there move to sierra dawns estate or seven hills.
The town that was beautiful
My family moved to Hemet in 1957. Then a beautiful town with apricot and walnut orchards. The senor ctizens would get around in golf carts. I was ten and would go to the movie theater at night. I at 74 now do not recognize the town. I left Hemet in 1970 at age 23. The beautiful High School was demolished. The original downtown does not exist. So sad..
Dying
I grew up here, graduated in 2018 and recently returned back to Hemet after three years. I believe that Hemet is on life support. I don’t believe there is much hope for this town unless a freeway is built or a major corporation moves here. From what I’ve gathered the residents of my hometown have little sense of community, passion, and drive for where they live. I don’t blame them. In some towns, you can see the opportunity and are excited for the future. Hemet is not that. That being said, I love the night skies, San Jacinto mountains, and the orchards in East Hemet. Overall, it would make little sense to move for any reason other than to save money.
The Rebirth Hemet
I’ve got duped into buying a house in Hemet 6 years ago. I’m originally from an affluent area of Los Angeles. I’ve been many places around the world in my career and put Hemet in the same category as “old” Compton, CA. I say “old” because at least Compton is improving. Hemet is dying, I see the empty store fronts, (CVS, Michaels, Bed Bath Beyond. Hometown Buffet etc. are now moved. I could mention a lot more why should I? The residents here know, but won’t admit the this horse be put out of its misery and shot! Look at San Jacinto next door, we’re on the outside looking in when it comes to Progress. We need to throw away the Abacus and at least use a ballpoint pen, for God’s sake we’re in the 21st Century!