The Colony

The Colony at California Oaks is one of Southern California's most established 55+ active adult communities, set on rolling terrain in Murrieta with dramatic views of the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains. Built in two waves between 1989 and 2005 by Ryland Homes, Mastercraft Residential, and Crowell & David, the community comprises 1,501 single-family homes arranged around the David A. Rainville-designed California Oaks Golf Course, a 5,218-yard par-70 layout that winds through the entire development with lakes, doglegs, and challenging greens. Every home in The Colony backs to either the golf course or a greenbelt — a rare feature that gives the community its signature open, parklike feel. Homes were offered in more than 60 different floor plans, ranging from 947 to 2,100 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two- to two-and-a-half-car garages. Stucco exteriors, red tile roofs, arched details, and Mediterranean-inspired architecture give the neighborhood a consistent, timeless Southern California look. Lot sizes run roughly 3,920 to 7,840 square feet, and newer homes toward the tail end of build-out feature more open-concept layouts and upgraded finishes. Resales dominate the market today; no new construction is available. Life inside The Colony centers on the full-service clubhouse, which houses a fitness center, grand ballroom, performance and movie theater, library, beauty salon, music room, billiards room, card room, arts and crafts studios, and multiple meeting spaces. Outside, residents enjoy a resort-style outdoor pool and whirlpool spa, tennis courts, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, and miles of walking and biking paths that thread through the community. The Oaks Bar & Grill, overlooking the 9th green, serves lunch daily and doubles as a casual gathering spot for residents. A full-time on-site activities director and travel coordinator keep the calendar stacked. More than 30 clubs and interest groups meet regularly — aerobics, art group, bird watchers, book readers, bridge, bunco, bowling, cinema classics, comedy club, crocheting, drama, horseshoes, karaoke, photography, a singles group, stretching, walkers, wine tasting, Zumba, water volleyball, casino nights, computer classes, and more. Residents consistently describe the community as welcoming, with neighbors who connect through golf, paddle tennis, ping pong, and shared events. Security is a defining feature: The Colony is a 24-hour guard-gated community with three private entrances and round-the-clock access control. The HOA maintains common areas and amenities and organizes the full event calendar, with on-site professional management handling day-to-day operations. The location is a major draw. The Colony sits just north of Interstate 15, about half a mile from the on-ramp, with I-215 two miles west — putting Temecula Wine Country eight miles south, San Diego and Orange County beaches within roughly an hour, Palm Springs within 70 miles, and hiking in Joshua Tree or the San Gorgonio range within a two-hour drive. Loma Linda University Health-Murrieta sits about four miles away for medical care, and grocery shopping at Albertsons, Ralphs, and Sprouts Farmers Market is only minutes from the gate. For a well-priced, amenity-rich, golf-centered 55+ lifestyle in Southern California, The Colony has remained a go-to for more than three decades.