Hemet

Hemet, known for its retirement communities and proximity to Diamond Valley Lake, frequently experiences traffic incidents along CA-74. These accidents impact both local travel and access to outdoor attractions in the area.

Hemet is one of two cities in Riverside County, California forming the San Jacinto Valley, with the other city being San Jacinto. Originally inhabited by the Cahuilla tribe of Native Americans, Hemet was cattle ranching country in the early 19th century, and later became a trading center for the agricultural farmers in the Valley who produced olives, walnuts, apricots, peaches and citrus fruit. Hemet incorporated in 1910 and experienced a growth spurt that outpaced its infrastructure. The 1960s saw an increase in residential housing development, and the area became home to many new residents who worked in nearby Riverside and San Bernardino but enjoyed the rural-feel of Hemet as the place to live and raise their families. By 2014, Hemet was home to approximately 83,000 residents.