Lake Elsinore, CA

158 Apartments for Rent

Magical healing properties--bestowed by 300 sulfur springs, no less--drew Native Americans to Lake Elsinore before recorded history.

Lake Elsinore boasts the largest natural lake in Southern California, historic buildings and some of the least expensive housing in the region. The city sprawls over 41 square miles of brown high desert terrain and scrub brush, which includes about 5 square miles of the lake in the southwest corner. The ground rises to the hills in the north and east, and the Santa Ana Mountains to the southwest, which are outside city limits. Most of the city, including downtown, stays in the relative flatter areas around the lake. A few planned and gated housing developments hug the higher elevations.

Apartments

You’ll find apartments in Lake Elsinore come in different costs and sizes. Expect your new abode to have air conditioning, ceilings fans, dishwasher, basic cable and, in higher-priced units, a balcony or patio. As for your apartment community, standard amenities usually feature a laundry room, covered parking, swimming pool and, in some cases, a playground.

The Hills

The best neighborhoods are in the hills, such as Alberhill and Canyon Hill. Unfortunately, no apartment complexes exist in these higher enclaves, although you’ll sometimes find home and condo rentals. Apartments for rent cluster in the flatter areas surrounding the lake. In general, stick to north of the lake for the better communities, with the ones in the northwest having the safest neighborhoods.

Living in Lake Elsinore

If heat is your thing, you’ll bask in the 100-plus degrees that fry those without air conditioning for at least seven days during the summer. Summer highs otherwise average 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and winter lows average 36 degrees. Cool off at the lake with swimming, boating and fishing for bass and catfish. You can also skydive or visit the nearby Cleveland National Forest for hiking and mountain biking. The historic downtown offers shopping in real and faux Victorian buildings.

Gas up the car to reach these destinations. If there’s any place with public transportation that’s more challenging than Los Angeles, it’s Lake Elsinore. Your wheels are essential, even for the quickest errands. If you can avoid traffic, major freeway connections rush you to Orange County or L.A. in one hour, Riverside in 45 minutes or San Diego in 75 minutes.

Lake Elsinore stands worthy of an apartment rental due to its year-round sunshine for lots of outdoor activities, connections to major populations centers and some of the best values in city apartments. So, find an apartment there as soon as you can.