It’s that time of the year when Canyon Lakers give thanks for the good in their lives. Besides family, friends, health & home, many of us are thankful to be able to live in such a great community. Some also make great sacrifice to live here, like commuting to work great distances every day, but it’s worth it. We put together a list of the things that we hear people express thanks for the most often in the community. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Sunsets
Wow! We have some amazing sunsets. If you’ve never gone down to the lake at dusk and just marveled at the beauty of the sunset over the water, you are really missing out. Try it sometime. Head down to Indian Beach, Holiday Harbor, or the aptly named Sunset Beach and soak it in. It’s a great way to end the day.
2. Low Cost of Living
Relatively speaking Canyon Lake is very affordable. Housing prices are reasonable especially for the area and the amenities. The taxes are low at just over 1% for every property in the area including new homes which is almost unheard of in most housing tracts. And our HOA at $248 is still a bargain for everything we enjoy. Look at new home tracts all around and many of their HOA’s are $100-$200 a month and they might get a park, a swimming pool, and some landscaping for the community. Go to Orange County and the same limited amenities will cost $300+. We have a private lake, gated security, 14 parks and beaches, equestrian center, tennis courts, lodge, campground and so much more. It’s really pretty amazing that our dues pay to maintain all of that and much of it’s use is free or extremely cheap.
3. The Lake
The lake that draws so many of us here is an incredible resource. We have the ability to boat, fish, water ski, wakeboard and more. And the best part is you’re in the water in 5 minute from anywhere in the community. Do you realize that there are only about a half dozen places in California where you can park your boat on the water right outside your back door. It’s such a unique recreation body of water.
4. Safety and Security
Canyon Lake certainly has some crime, but it’s so minor compared to many other communities. Violent crimes are so rare and most of the local crime is minor vandalism and theft. And for a city with nearly 15,000 inhabitants, the crime rate is pretty low. Overall, it’s still one of the safest cities in California every year.
5. Vibrant Community and Interesting People
If you’re open to meeting people, there is no shortage of interesting, colorful people in Canyon Lake. We have movie stars, world class athletes, amazing artists, self sacrificing public servants, and more than a handful of heroes not to mention all the good folks who have lived here at one time or another and left their mark on the community and humanity. Want to meet some of them? Just get out to the many events that are held inside the community every year.
6. Great Location
It’s been said that Southern California is America’s playground. And we are smack dab in the middle of it. Snow skiing an hour and a half away. The beach less than hour. Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs all easily drivable. There is so much richness, culture, art, and recreation all around us in every direction, that it’s hard some days to narrow down what to do!
7. Wildlife
The lake and our location and climate bring us some amazing winged wildlife – spotted owls, blue herons, hawks, ducks, geese and more. If you are a bird watcher or wildlife enthusiast, you don’t have to go far to see some beautiful species.
8. Volunteers
Our closeness as a community brings out the philanthropy and giving in others. Not many places have so many people willing to help out others in the community by volunteering their time and money the way Canyon Lakers do. And special recognition really goes to the many clubs that give so selflessly through their events and fundraisers like The Lions, Jr. Women’s Club, CLAWS and many others. And let’s not forget the Tuesday Work Group that does a lot of beautification projects on the golf course for free.
9. Great Weather
What else can we say? It’s the day before Thanksgiving and the temperature is 72 degrees and it’s a beautifully sunny day with not a cloud in the sky.
10. Things to Do All Year
It would be an understatement to say that Canyon Lake is a recreational community. With events like, Fiesta Day, Taco Tuesday, Christmas Boat Parade, The Car Show, 4th of July Spectacular, Weekly Farmers Market and more it’s impossible to get bored around here! To have so many well organized events that are within a walk or golf cart’s drive from your home is really something special that most cities and communities would envy.
Canyon Lake really is something special and a place to be thankful for. What part of our community are you thankful for and what other blessings do you have this Novemeber that you want to say “Thanks” for? Leave us a comment and let us know.
Canyon Lake has a new club dedicated to the sport of show skiing called the “ShowCal Skiers”. If you’ve ever seen a ski show at Sea World, Cypress Gardens, or Magic Mountain, then you’re familiar with the excitement and crowd pleasing action these show skiers provide. And in fact many of the members of Canyon Lake’s newest club have performed professionally at those ski show venues.
