French Valley facts for kids

French Valley is a special area in southwestern Riverside County, California. It's located near cities like Hemet, Winchester, Murrieta, and Temecula. This valley is part of a bigger flat area called the Plains of Leon. Water from French Valley flows into the Temecula Basin through small streams. These streams eventually join the Santa Margarita River.

The Story of French Valley

Early Settlers in the Valley

Since the late 1800s, French Valley was home to many French people. They were mostly farmers who grew grain and raised sheep. After a big war in Europe called the Franco-Prussian War, many French-speaking people moved to America. They were looking for a new home.

Some of the first families to settle in French Valley were the Giagnaires, Labrucheies, Vials, Pourroys, and Nicolases. A train network eventually reached nearby towns like Temecula and Murrieta. However, it did not reach the area where these French families lived. The name "French Valley" was first used in a report in 1913.

Big Changes Over Time

Life in French Valley stayed pretty traditional for a long time. But in 1964, a big change happened. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California bought 6,000 acres of land. They wanted to build a large water storage area called the Skinner Reservoir.

This new lake started operating in 1976. Many ranches and farms were covered by the water when the lake was filled. It changed the landscape of the valley forever.

Modern Developments

In 1989, the French Valley Airport opened. It was built on land that used to belong to the Borel family. A few years later, in 1993, a jail was built in the area. This jail later became known as the Southwest Justice Center.

French Valley is also important for nature. In 2007, a large part of the valley, about 702 acres, was set aside. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife made it a special wildlife area. This helps protect the plants and animals that live there.

Exploring French Valley

Where is French Valley?

French Valley is located very close to popular cities like Temecula and Murrieta. You can reach these cities in about 10 minutes. It's also easy to get to major highways like the 15 and 215 freeways.

The area is less than 15 minutes away from the famous Temecula Valley Wine Country. You can also quickly visit Old Town Temecula, which is a historic and fun place. The nearby French Valley Airport is named after this valley.

French Valley is part of a larger area in Southern California called the Inland Empire.

Weather in the Valley

The weather in French Valley is usually quite nice. Winters are mild, with daytime temperatures often in the 60s degrees Fahrenheit. At night, temperatures usually drop into the 40s degrees Fahrenheit.

Summers in French Valley are very warm. The average temperature is around 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, it can even get as hot as 107 degrees Fahrenheit!

Schools and Education

If you live in French Valley, the local schools are part of the Temecula Valley Unified School District. This means students in French Valley attend schools within this district.