Lake Elsinore, CA

Travel Guide

Aerial view of Lake Elsinore
Aerial view of Lake Elsinore
“But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, it's bloom is shed;
Or, like the snow-fall in the river,
A moment white, then melts forever.”

~Robert Burns

I went in search of meadows with purple flowers among the orange poppies and was rewarded with this ~ a ring of yellow mustards. And a contrasting sky with rain clouds to the south. 

Due to the recent winter rains in Southern California, hillsides are bursting  with colors of wildflowers. These hills especially are covered with mostly the poppies-California Flower. Soon the hills will turn brown unless we get more rains. Visitors are flocking to these hills by the thousands these past few weeks to witness this amazing phenomenon!

Hope you enjoy!

#ontheroad #ontheroadcontest
Winter rains in California, ending years of severe drought, caused the wild flowers to bloom almost all over California including the deserts east of San Diego. This is just about 70 miles north and east of San Diego, California.

 #nature contest
After a rainy February, California is experiencing super blooms everywhere! The poppy fields are blooming on the hills of Walker Canyon Trail a few miles north of Lake Elsinore on I-15

Where to stay in Lake Elsinore

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Lakeland Village

Lakeland Village might not have many top sights, but Lake Elsinore and Lake Elsinore City Hall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lakeland Village
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

4 out of 5
3649 Mission Inn Ave Riverside CA
The price is ¥28,044 per night from Mar 23 to Mar 24
¥28,044
¥37,999 total
Mar 23 - Mar 24
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Riverside. Enjoy a full-service spa, 4 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,252 reviews)
Beautiful property.

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Laguna Hills Lodge

Laguna Hills Lodge

2.5 out of 5
23932 Paseo De Valencia Laguna Hills CA
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Laguna Hills. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,932 reviews)
Great location and comfortable rooms

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

Laguna Hills Lodge
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Irvine Spectrum

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Irvine Spectrum

3 out of 5
14972 Sand Canyon Ave Irvine CA
The price is ¥14,277 per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
¥14,277
¥15,704 total
Mar 15 - Mar 16
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Irvine. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
6.8/10 (1,176 reviews)
Hotel itself is nice, part is newer, part is in a historic concrete silo building which was interesting and kind of cool. Only complaint is that when I checked in at 11:30PM, there was no mention of the water being off in the building. So when I tried to shower and get ready for my job interview ...

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Irvine Spectrum
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
San Clemente Inn

San Clemente Inn

3 out of 5
2600 Avenida Del Presidente San Clemente CA
Book a stay at this beach condo in San Clemente. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,466 reviews)
Worst hotel I’ve ever walked into in my life. From the moment I walked through the front door the front desk staff was judgmental., smug, rude, and un accommodating. You would be better off, taking your money and starting it on fire to get a better value. I do not recommend that anyone ever stay ...

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2026

San Clemente Inn
Capistrano Surfside Inn

Capistrano Surfside Inn

3 out of 5
34680 Coast Highway Dana Point CA
Book a stay at this beach condo in Dana Point. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (170 reviews)
Great view, great room, great staff, thank you!!!

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

Capistrano Surfside Inn
San Clemente Cove

San Clemente Cove

3 out of 5
104 S. Alameda Lane San Clemente CA
Book a stay at this beach condo in San Clemente. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and a sauna. Popular attractions San Clemente Pier and Dana Point Harbor ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (362 reviews)
Beach view was obstructed but it was still a great room. Very nice staff and great location. Very nice hot tub but sauna was out of order.

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

San Clemente Cove
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Lake Elsinore

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
28
5 - Excellent 19%
4 - Good
66
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
46
3 - Okay 31%
2 - Disappointing
7
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Just in town to visit a family member. More food options in the hotel would have been more convenient.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Was less expensive than hotels in Murrieta but more expensive than I would have wanted to pay. I didn’t realize that they were having a pay-per-view event in the bar so maybe that’s why.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Our first time to California, and we loved it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I went to Elisore High, in the early 90s. its cleaned up a a lot and has so much to offer now. It was good to be back home.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It was fine. We didn't go to any events other than see our family

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

No

Cities near Lake Elsinore

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