Mining began in the early 1880s with the discovery of a significant quartz lode by miner Luther Menifee Wilson, from whom Menifee derived its name.
Early development of the Menifee area began with Sun City in the early 1960s, as an active retirement community by Del Webb, a building contractor from Phoenix, Arizona. Sun City is located in the northwestern part of Menifee and features a mix of residential and commercial activity.
The Menifee area later grew during the late 1980s and early 1990s as a master-planned community. However, a lack of resources such as industry-oriented occupations and high-density retail and commercial businesses caused many residents to drive to cities such as Temecula or Murrieta to shop, dine, or work.
In recent years, however, there has been substantial growth in Menifee, attracting many new residents from all areas of Southern California such as San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles.