To Wineries and Beyond! Your (Sort Of) Comprehensive Guide to Temecula, California

Plenty of possibilities

Whatever your mood, there are many ways to fill a visit to Temecula with fun and engaging activities. Here are some terrific options.

Please your palate

Given that wine is the main thing Temecula is known for, it’s only right to start with food and drink, or, actually, drink and food.

• Wine: With nearly 50 wineries offering many award-winning vintages, Temecula wine country could tempt you to taste test to your heart’s content. If you are here during the week, you can purchase a SIP Passport. Starting at $75 per person, that gives you a number of tastings from participating wineries based on which passport you buy.

• Beer: The Temecula Ale Trail comprises ten breweries producing high-quality, award-winning beer. Each brewery offers a specialty, ranging from IPA, Sour, Stout and Hefeweizen to ales and mead.

• Olive Oil: There isn’t an olive oil trail or group of oileries in Temecula. There is, however, Temecula Olive Oil Company. Visit the downtown tasting room of this family-owned and operated business to check out the oils and balsamic vinegars on offer. Dive even deeper into the art of the olive by taking a ranch tour.

Get to know Temecula

Old Town Temecula sits on the other side of Interstate Highway 15 from the wineries and breweries. Its history has been preserved among the buildings on Main Street, and you’ll find plaques for notable events in the town’s past. Plus lots of shopping opportunities!

• The Little Temecula Valley Historical Museum: Located on the northern edge of town. This little museum provides an excellent overview of Temecula's who, what and where. The town is part of the history of the American West, from the days of the Spanish missions to the westward expansion triggered by the Gold Rush. If you’re curious about the city’s back story, you can spend a few hours getting to know the details.

• Temecula History and Ghost Tours: Extend your knowledge of the town with a walking tour. Choose between the history tour, the ghost tour, or do both. Your expert guide will color in Temecula’s past with interesting and perhaps chilling details.

• Shopping on Main Street: Browse the shops in Old Town and discover interesting finds, from antiques and chic styles to jewelry and the works of local artisans.

Do something daring

What gets your adrenaline pumping? Chances are you’ll find the adventure that suits you!

Hot-air ballooning

Temecula’s Balloon and Wine Festival is well attended by balloonists and spectators every spring. Any time of year, though, you can take your own hot air balloon ride over the Temecula Valley. Choose between a private or shared ride. A sunrise trip is delightful.

Sidecar tour

Here’s a different way to travel. Take a private motorcycle sidecar tour of wineries, breweries or the valley. You’re sure to get a different angle on the sights.

Pet an alpaca

Hawk Ranch in nearby Murietta is home to a wide range of animals on its 40 acres, including a herd of alpacas. Take a private tour lasting 1.5 to 2 hours to learn about the ranch and its animals.

Try your luck

What’s your game? You’re likely to find it at Pechanga Resort Casino, with 200,000 square feet of gaming space. Spend time with Lady Luck in a non-smoking environment that offers 5,500 slot machines, 152 table games, a High Limit Salon and private gaming rooms.

Pamper, relax, unwind

Be sure to take time to destress and just be.

Murietta Hot Springs Resort

A short drive from Temecula brings you to Murietta Hot Springs and its hot-spring-based wellness resort. It offers a unique blend of relaxation, revitalization and rejuvenation through its natural geothermal waters and wellness-based programs. The Spa at Murrieta Hot Springs Resort offers treatments that complement the benefits of the mineral waters, so you can take full advantage of the rejuvenating opportunities. And with a restaurant and a range of beautiful accommodations on site, you may have a hard time going off the property!

Pechanga Spa

Pechanga isn’t just a casino. There is also a full-service spa on premises offering a wide choice of massage and body treatments as well as hair and nail services. Take advantage of the knowledge handed down by Pechanga ancestors with the Journey of the Payomkawichum, blending the natural effects of meditation and quiet with healing massage. Again, with a restaurant and accommodations on site, you may have a hard time leaving!

Food and drink around Temecula

It’s hard to go wrong with your meals in Temecula. There are plenty of restaurant choices and a variety of cuisines to sample. This list just scratches the surface with excellent options to get you started.

• Bottega Italia is run by an Italian family that also owns its own vineyards. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served with a tantalizing menu including pizzas, pastas and solid main dishes. Try the family’s own wine with your meal or select from a great wine list. For cocktails, try the espresso martini, go classic with negroni or order another one of the tempting dinks on the menu. Be sure to leave room for some house-made gelato or a traditional Italian dessert.

• The Goat & Vine offers innovative pizza, salad and sandwich choices. With options like the fig and goat, steak gorgonzola and goats garden pizzas, it may be hard to move to choices like the brewhouse blue cheese salad or the hatch chile honey chicken sandwich. For dessert, it will be hard to choose between the sourdough bread pudding and the jacked cappuccino ice cream cake.

• The Restaurant at Ponte is an award-winning establishment located at the Ponte Winery. Excellent food, great service and stunning views ensure a memorable dining experience for lunch or dinner. Reservations are encouraged.

• Talia Kitchen is one of several eateries at Murietta Hot Springs. Open for dinner (reservations encouraged), the menu offers a healthy range of delicious dishes. Accompanied by an impressive collection of wines and crafted cocktails. This is the perfect way to end a relaxing day at the hot springs and spa.

• The Gambling Cowboy Chophouse & Saloon is a meat-lover’s paradise, but that doesn’t mean a lack of innovation in its menus. Yes, there is the 24-ounce ribeye steak, center-cut New York strip loin and slow-roasted prime rib for the purists. There is also the Queen of hearts, a filet and lobster combination, heirloom tomato basil salmon and blue cheese bacon-crusted filet mignon among the more daring choices. Breakfast and brunch are also served here.

Where to stay

Like Temecula restaurants, Temecula hotels offer a wide selection of styles, including members of popular chains. Here are some other properties to consider.

• Temecula Creek Inn is the place for golf aficionados. The 300-acre property includes three nine-hole golf courses, an oversized putting green, a driving range, and, of course, a pro shop. All rooms are suites with patios or balconies and there is a pool and hot tub to enjoy. The Corkfire Kitchen offers brunch, lunch and dinner fare, while The Lounge and CFK Patio are the places for cocktails and bar food.

• The Carter Estate Winery and Resort is a 112-acre facility specializing in the production of sparkling wine. Book a cozy bungalow or suite, enjoy the stunning views and stroll the vineyard. The Vineyard Grill is open for breakfast and lunch either in the restaurant or in your room.

• Inn at Churon Winery is a bed and breakfast hotel at the beautiful Churon Winery. Each room and suite has its own decor and personality, and all are well-appointed with excellent amenities. Cafe Churon is an informal cafe for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and you can get room service if you just want to stay in and enjoy your room.

• Ponte Vineyard Inn is a AAA four-diamond hotel located in another Temecula vineyard. The spacious rooms and suites all have a patio or balcony for enjoying the scenery. In addition to the Hotel at Ponte noted above, Bouquet and The Cellar offer other eating and drinking options.

Let’s make a memorable Temecula experience for you

Though I call this your comprehensive guide, there is a lot more to see, do, drink and eat in Temecula. When you work with me, I will curate an itinerary that fits your tastes, goals and budget perfectly. Contact me and let’s make your visit to Temecula a trip to remember!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our California page.