to
Update
is a city located in Southwestern Riverside County, California, United States. The city encompasses approximately 50 square miles with an overall population of approximately 74,500. The City of Menifee includes the diverse lifestyle communities of Menifee, Sun City, Quail Valley, Paloma Valley and portions of Romoland.
Menifee is known for its picturesque qualities, with scenic views of the San Jacinto Mountains, the San Bernardino Mountains, Mt. Baldy, and Santa Ana Mountains above Lake Elsinore.
The area was originally inhabited by the Luiseno and Pechanga Indian Tribes, and in the 1700s, the area fell under the Spanish empire. The area was eventually annexed into the United States from Mexico in 1850 under California's statehood.
Farming activity beginning in the mid-1800s was concentrated in the Menifee area, and mining activity began in the early 1880s with the discovery of a significant quartz lode by miner Luther Menifee Wilson. Menifee derived its name from that mining operation.
Early development of the City of Menifee began with Sun City in the early 1960s as the concept of an active retirement community was envisioned by Del Webb, a major building contractor from Phoenix, Arizona. Sun City is centrally located within the City of Menifee with a mix of residential and commercial activity.
The Menifee area began to grow further in 1989 with the master-planned community of Menifee Lakes and continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in California. Quail Valley is a semi-rural residential community in the northwestern section of the city, and Romoland is a residential and commercial community located in the northeastern section of the city.
On June 3, 2008, the residents of the communities encompassing the City of Menifee voted to incorporate into Riverside County's 26th city. The new City of Menifee was officially established on October 1, 2008. (from of Menifee Official Website in the About Menifee section)