Our major bragging points are that the first "Fast and Furious" movie shot that one scene on Domenigoni Parkway and that one guy from "One Tree Hill" is from here. The airport is the gateway to a major Scientology hub. There are too many factoids about Hemet to remember. We may be running out of water but there are two things we'll never run out of: churches and old people.
1. When someone outside of the Inland Empire asks where you are from, you have to create elaborate mental maps for them.
Do I say, San Diego? LA? Palm Springs? We are at an odd place, really. Like, if you drew a line between Los Angeles and San Diego, then made a triangle with the point going inland, chances are you would end up fairly close to Hemet, but that is so difficult to communicate. As someone who now lives in New York, my best advice would be to choose one and stick with it or keep it vague with a simple "Southern California."
2. You have been to at least one Quinceañera or Sweet Sixteen at The Wheel House.
Whether it was your best friend or your cousin, chances are you were either invited to or were a part of a party at The Wheel House. While the fancy drapery on the ceiling may have dressed the place up, you can never quite forget the spills you took on your roller skates at your team parties when you were growing up. Despite this, the place did clean up quite nicely.
3. You went to In-n-Out after most of the football games in high school.
Whether you were sporting maroon and gray, red and yellow or green and gold, chances are you were at In-n-Out on Friday nights between September and November. It may have taken 30 years to get your burger, but it always seemed worth it.
4. You have nightmares about the heat you experienced at the Ramona Pageant in fourth grade
Was it beautiful? Yes. Was it an important story? Yes. Did a small piece of me die? Yes. While I understand its importance and would go see it again, I will never forget the hours of baking in the sun watching the story of Ramona unfold in front of me all those years ago. Bonus points if you were a Rock Indian.
5. You have nicknames for the Hemet Valley Mall, like the "Hemet Small" or the "Hemet Hall"
Once flourishing, the mall has definitely seen better days. Thanks to Hobby Lobby and the eyebrow place, it manages to stay afloat. If you grew up in Hemet, chances are you remember when Hobby Lobby was Harris', then became Forever 21, then Spirit and now Hobby Lobby.
6. You heard rumors in high school about an abandoned asylum by Hemet High.
Bonus points if you ever went to it. Turns out it was never an insane asylum, just an abandoned mansion, sorry to burst your bubble.
7. You are still scared of going into the Orange Groves at night.
Covering the hills at the end of Stetson in East Hemet, the Orange Groves make a beautiful backdrop in the daytime, however, at night, they get scary. Maybe it's the fact that stolen cars are usually recovered here or the fact that you can only see into them for a few yards at night, they are a great place to scare younger siblings.
8. You know the best views of the city are from Diamond Valley Lake or Simpson Park.
From above, Hemet is beautiful. Surrounded by mountains, it is more photogenic than most girls running in the Miss Hemet pageant. Both spots offer great views and are also home to some of the best hiking spots in the valley.
9. You remember two distinct time periods: Pre- and Post- Diamond Valley Lake
Prior to the lake, the number of mammoths we knew lived in prehistoric Hemet was much lower. Along with the lake came lots of cool stuff like the museum, Aquatic Center, hiking trails, fishing and did I mention the mammoth fossils?
10. You know that Idyllwild is pretty much the perfect local getaway
Visiting the local mountains, or going "up the hill" if you are a local, is pretty much a favorite activity. Whether you visit during winter for the snow or go up over summer to walk around town, chances are that you love Idyllwild and its wonderfully odd inhabitants. The camping, lakes, hiking trails and quaint vibe makes it the best place for a quick trip, or a week-long camping expedition.
11. You know, in your heart, that Hemet is not too bad.
Hemet is an hour away from the beach and an hour away from the snow. Whether you like to admit it or not, Hemet is not the absolute worst place (San Jacinto does exist). You may hate it for the most part, but it still holds a special place in your heart.
