Anza in the Year 2000

Anza is an undiscovered bit of what America used to be. There is a community spirit willing to come to the aid of people in need, to wave hello as they pass. It has open spaces and you can actually see the beautiful sunsets.

With all these wonderful advantages Anza is still close to major metropolitan areas such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Palm Springs, is just a short drive to Temecula, Idyllwild, Hemet and the beach cities. There are a full range of business services in the area including doctors, dentists, market, hardware stores, veterinarians, lawyer, feed store, service stations, restaurants, along with other variety stores. There are two schools in the area, one private and one public. The public school is Kindergarten through High School.

There are nine churches and many service organizations, as well as the Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce and Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post. The organizations are active in many areas of interest and needs of the town. Anza has special events such as Gymkhana for all ages, Cowboy Days, Anza Days, with a big parade, and The Harvest Festival.

This area has one of the lowest crime rates in Riverside County. The police protection is the Riverside County Sheriff, with a branch office at Lake Hemet, which is within 15 miles of Anza. Fire protection is handled very nicely by the California Department of Forestry assisted by the Anza Volunteer Fire Department. The California Department of Forestry has a station in the heart of Anza. Their response is outstanding with excellent and well trained emergency personnel. In the event of a medical emergency, Anza is just minutes away by helicopter or ambulance from modern hospitals in Palm Desert, Hemet and Temecula.

Anza Valley has retained a sense of old California with a rich history. Bautista de Anza came through the heart of Anza on his expedition in 1774. The expedition came from Sonora, Mexico, and made its way across the desert and up Coyote Canyon. From the desert the mountain greenery must have been a most refreshing change. The expedition was led by Juan Bautista de Anza. The purpose of the expedition was to reach and settle the San Francisco Bay area in order to open upper California to Spanish trade and settlement. It was a days climb from the Borrego Desert to the mountain valley of what is now known as Anza.

The expedition found the valley inhabited by the Cahuilla Indians. The area was for many years known as the "Cahuilla Plains." The area and the Indians were immortalized by Helen Hunt Jackson when she wrote the story about "Ramona." The burial site of Ramona is on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation which is about 22,000 acres, and runs through the center of Anza Valley.

The valley is filled with a history of pioneers and Cahuilla Indians. The town is named after Juan Bautista de Anza.

It is said there is a view from every parcel in Anza. This is true. The community has the beautiful Cahuilla Mountains to the west, Thomas Mountains and the San Jacinto Mountains to the north, and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the east and the Beauty Mountain and Buckshorn Mountains to the south. The Cleveland National Forest, the San Bernardino National Forest and the Anza Borrego State Park make up thousands of acres bordering the Anza Valley.

With an elevation of approximately 4,000 feet the area has four mild seasons. The summer average daytime temperature is 70 to 90 degrees with cool nights. In the winter the average daytime temperature is 50 to 65 degrees.

Anza awaits your discovery. Discover America as it was and can be today.

Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce
56481 St Hwy 371, Anza

Local Groups and Organizations

Anza Community Hall
56630 Hwy. 371
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Civic Improvement League
P.O. Box 391000
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Lions
P.O. Box 390389
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Thimble Club
P.O. Box 390048
Anza, CA 92539

Anza V.F.W. Aux.
P.O. Box 390456
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Valley Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 391460
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Valley Radio Club
P.O. Box 390501
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Valley Society for the Creative Arts
P.O. Box 391397
Anza, CA 92539

Anza Volunteer Fire Department
P.O. Box 391132
Anza, CA 92539

DeAnza Heritage and Geneology Society
P.O. Box 391368
Anza, CA 92539

Garner Valley Volunteers
Trailsend Box 288
Mountain Center, CA 92361

HANDS Women Assisting Women
P.O. Box 390144
Anza, CA 92549

High Country Republican Women Federation
47990 Hwy. 371
Aguanga, CA 92302

Anza Valley Railway Society
P.O. Box 391144
Anza, CA 92539

Soroptimist International of the High Country
P.O. Box 390788
Anza, CA 92539

High Country Recreation
P.O. Box 390545
Anza, CA 92539

ANZA COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Hwy. 371 & Hill St., Anza
763-4664

ANZA BAPTIST CHURCH
39200 Foothill Dr., Anza
767-4937

ANZA SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
Hwy. 371 & Hill St., Anza
767-7681

CHURCH OF CHRIST
55125 Hwy. 371, Anza
763-5452

CHURCH OF INNER TRUTH
White Eagle Ranch on Joy Lane In Terwilliger
763-HOPE

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS, ANZA
3rd Sunday of each month, Anza Community, Hall. at 1 p.m.

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY. SAINTS, IDYLLWILD
Idyllwild Pine Cove Community Center
Franklin Drive, Idyllwild

HARMONY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Anza Communiy Hall
677-7244

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
58601 Burnt Valley Rd., Anza
763-4324

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH
Hwy. 371
763-5636

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
56095 Pena Rd.
763-4226

VALLEY GOSPEL CHAPEL (Assembly of God)
43295 Chapman Rd., Anza
763-4622

Riverside County Library System

SUMMER HOURS
As of July 11, 2000

SCHOOL HOURS
As of September

ANZA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION

by Jean Miernik

A COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR THE ANZA / AGUANGA AREA WITH SCHEDULED ROUTES TO HEMET, TEMECULA AND PALM DESERT AND THE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD

It was on Friday, June 12, 1998 that members of the Anza Valley, Seniors group met at the Riverside Transit Authority offices in Riverside and took possession of two 1992 Ford mini-vans for the purpose of transporting those in need of transportation to the local businesses in Anza and Aguanga and to various stops in Hemet, Temecula and Palm Springs.

Keys to the van were handed to Leon Miernik, Ruth Hodgdon, Jim Hock and Judy Thompson and that began the Anza Valley Transportation system sponsored by the Anza Valley Seniors.

With the help of volunteer drivers, 18 in all, service began on August 3, 1998 and ridership has been increasing since that date. After the success of the "Christmas Light" tours in Hemet, bi-monthly tours of local areas have been included in the bus schedule, as well as being available for charters.

At this time, the Board of Directors are holding bi-monthly meetings to continue the ongoing efforts of making this transportation system a success. The Board of Directors are: Grace Angelo, Treasurer; Jim Hock, Roger Hodgdon, Ruth Hodgdon, Jean Miernick, Secretary; Leon Miernik, Judy Thompson, President; Bill Yeadon and Pastor Bob Reece. Driver training meetings are held once a month.

The success of the Anza Valley Transportation lies with the dedication of its volunteers and the participation of the community which it serves.

Information concerning schedules, door-to-door pick-up, charters and tours-of-the mpnth may be obtained by calling 909-763-0141.

Transportation for all ages

ANZA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION

Effective November 1, 1999

LOCAL ANZA / AGUANGA ROUTE

Time permitting, driver will personalize your stops

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS & FRIDAY

Cost: $.50 per ride

Transportation for All Ages

ANZA. VALLEY TRANSPORTATION

Effective November 1, 1999

TEMECULA & HEMET

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

COST: $3.00 round trip or one way

Children under 12 --- half rare

Return Trip --- 3:00 p.m.

POLICIES:

• Seats available on first come, first served basis (except pre-arranged medical appointments)
• Children under 4 yrs/40 lbs. must be seatbelted in their own carseat
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by adult
• Wheelchairs by appointment only
• Schedule subject to cancelation due to unsafe weather conditions.

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People of Anza
Kamp Anza