Moreno Valley West - Moreno Valley, CA

Spanish explorer, Juan Batista de Anza, recognized Moreno Valley's rich wildlife in 1774 after Native Americans had set up regional campsites. In 1883, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railways ran from the Mexican border into the area.

The town of Moreno was established in 1890 by the Bear Valley and Alessandro Development Company. As World War I ended, the War Department set up a training ground for the Air Corps in Moreno Valley, named March Field, now home to March Air Reserve Base.

In 1923, the Edgemont community was established, the second of three Moreno Valley communities, Sunnymead being the third. The city experienced population growth in the 1960s when the United States' engagement in the Vietnam war brought soldiers to March Field.

March Field Air Museum remains a historical landmark, holding annual exhibits with over 70 aircraft and 30,000 artifacts, while Studio B Art Gallery celebrates the arts.

Head down Frederick Street to Towngate Boulevard for Moreno Valley's restaurant hub. Here you find several chain restaurants and fast-food choices for burgers, sandwiches and other tastes. For the best pizzeria in town, locals direct you to Joe's Italian Restaurant on Alessandro Boulevard.

A long-time staple of the community, Joe's packs customers in. Its motto, "One bite 'n' we gotcha," proves the power of its food. Joe's barbecue pizza with gouda cheese and red onions rivals the mob boss, which combines meatballs, pepperoni, salami and other meats. Beyond pizza, try the authentic entrées such as the chicken marsala or "legendary" lasagna.

For the best local hangout with great Mexican food, stop at Loco Burrito on Sunnymead Boulevard. Loco serves tasty tacos with a nice selection of fillings, but residents like the unique American twists, as well. Order the cheesy taco, where you get a crispy taco shell made with melted cheese and stuffed with flavor. On Taco Tuesdays, don't miss the 99-cent specials.

When night hits the Inland Empire, check out Rene's Bar & Grill for the "best meal you'll have in Moreno Valley." According to locals, Rene's has a double-decker burger to swoon over. Combine the cozy bar with great drink prices and see why this place reigns as a nighttime favorite.

El Centenario Nightclub on Hemlock Avenue draws crowds to its live Latin music and diverse artists. The Grupo Norco Boyz rock the younger party-goers, while Bazukaso Norteno combines an accordion and a guitar for a unique sound.

Most people drive in West Moreno Valley, enjoying the easy access to state routes 60 and 91, along with Interstates 215 and 10. You find plenty of free parking throughout the city.

Call ahead for a taxi; Uber service may be less likely. Feel free to walk safely through the neighborhoods or travel by bike. Moreno Valley provides several bike lanes, so enjoy the mountain views while commuting.

Bus-riders use Riverside Transit Agency for public transportation. On RTA, locals may ride to nearby Riverside and catch Amtrak or Metrolink trains, as well as Greyhound buses.

Moreno Valley holds quite an honor. The recreational craze, foot golf, hits the Cottonwood Golf Center, inviting players to combine their soccer and golf skills. Cottonwood's lush course with Mo-Val's mountains in the backdrop provide participants with a satisfying recreational day. At this public course, foot golf players pay by round. To host an event, rent the facility's multipurpose room to celebrate a wedding, class reunion or quinceañera.

Those looking for the best neighborhood hiking head to Box Springs Mountain Park, famous locally for the "M" etched in the mountain's summit. A hike up Box Springs brings a thrilling reward. Local Mo-Val daredevils mountain bike from the big M, launching into the air. Moreno Valley heat brings out rattlesnakes and lizards, and coyotes roam the shadows. Residents know any hike must be taken with caution, so families with children should be wise. Little ones do enjoy spotting bunnies, however, and the free parking makes for a nice outing. Bring your dog for a hike up the trail and enjoy the view from the top.

For the best free movies during summer, check out the outdoor movies hosted at the Moreno Valley Conference & Recreation Center. From June until August, grab a blanket or beach chair and catch some flicks with the locals in Mo-Val on the lawn.

The low cost of living draws residents to Moreno Valley. A median one-bedroom rental runs $905.22, a significant break compared to $1,300 for an average rental in L.A.

Drivers also find a gas savings compared to L.A. County, sometimes close to 20 cents less per gallon. The national average runs about 10 percent less than Moreno Valley. For bus riders, the Riverside Transit Agency charges $1.50 base fare. Mo-Val locals can travel to the center of town for the base fare. A pint of beer at a local pub runs about $3.

Residents in West Mo-Val have several choices for groceries. Stater Brothers, Food 4 Less and WinCo provide economical shopping, and Cardenas Market sells quality foods. For the best farmers market, locals head to nearby Loma Linda. Every Tuesday night the Loma Linda Farmer's Market brings farming families to their downtown area to service the community.

For clothing, Mo-Val shoppers head to Moreno Valley Mall on Town Circle. Here you find traditional staples, Sears, JCPenney and Macy's, along with specialty shops such as Hollister Co. Described as "the new destination for cutting-edge teens," this store brings the California feeling to shopping. Fashioned like a beach house, Hollister sells CDs and jewelry, as well as casual duds that suit the California kid.

To peruse contemporary fashions and vintage finds, visit Out of My Kloset boutique. Proud to be the Inland Empire's first mobile boutique, this innovative shop on four wheels sells designer fragrances, trendy accessories and runway-inspired styles. Hire the owner to be your personal shopper, or request a private shopping party with Out of My Kloset.