With 68oF/20oC December-January-February average, daytime-high temperatures, VisitTemecula.org announces the Top 10 Reasons to Fly South for the Winter to Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. Temecula Valley offers quality food and wine, outdoor recreation, entertainment, learning experiences, art and culture, spa indulgences, shopping, tours and excursions, and day trips to the desert and the sea. The popular boutique destination is located 1-hour from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs; and 1½ hours from Los Angeles and Hollywood; and includes the quality experiences of Downtown Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley Wine Country, Pechanga Resort & Casino, and the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail. 

“A quality, wine country experience in beautiful Southern California is tough to beat. That is how one acclaimed Temecula Valley artisan winemaker and winery owner describes the visitor experience. That and December-January-February average, daytime-high temperatures of 68oF/20oC, are the initial basis for colder-climate residents of the U.S. and Canada to fly south to Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country for the winter. There are 10 additional Reasons, too. Temecula Valley offers quality food and wine, outdoor recreation, entertainment, learning experiences, art and culture, spa indulgences, shopping, tours and excursions, and day trips to the desert and the sea,” explains Kimberly Adams, Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO, enthusiastically. Welcoming more than 2 million visitors each year and located 1-hour from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs; and 1½ hours from Los Angeles and Hollywood, the casual, picturesque Temecula Valley’s quality experiences include Downtown Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, Pechanga Resort & Casino, and the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail.

 

1-FOOD AND WINE in Temecula Valley

Foodies and aspiring foodies find much to savor in Temecula Valley. More winery restaurants than any other California wine region, premium quality award-winning wines that are the result of talented Temecula Valley winemakers’ efforts, and gracious and friendly Temecula Valley wineries are found in Wine County. Old Town Temecula offers a variety of independently owned restaurants, cafés and bistros, plus welcoming Old Town wine-tasting rooms.  Pechanga Resort and Casino features premiere restaurants offering memorable, fine dining as well as casual dining.

 

At Temecula Valley winery restaurants, talented chefs expertly pair award-winning varietals and proprietary blends with fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. Among wine country restaurants are Café Champagne at Thornton Winery, Carole’s Restaurant at Baily Winery, Creekside Grille at Wilson Creek Winery, Meritage restaurant at Callaway Vineyard & Winery, Pinnacle restaurant at Falkner Winery, Shorty’s Bistro at Mount Palomar Winery, The Restaurant at Ponte Family Estate Winery, and Vineyard Rose restaurant at South Coast Winery. Winery bistros open exclusively on Fridays-Sautrdays-Sundays, include Bel Vino Bistro at Bel Vino Winery, Maurice’s Kitchen at Maurice Car’rie Winery, MDO Bistro at Monte de Oro Winery, and The Restaurant at Leoness Cellars.

 

Known as Southern California Wine Country, the picturesque region of vineyards and rolling hills is recognized for the quality wines and wine grapes grown in the Temecula Valley and South Coast appellations. Especially on weekdays, winter visitors may experience chance occasions to converse with winemakers and winemaking family members. Less-busy weekdays also tend to provide for more personalized attention in winery tasting rooms; check winery websites for specials.

 

South Coast Winery (the 2013 California State Winery of the Year whose winemaker is included among the Top 100 Most Influential Winemakers in the U.S.) has a unique, perfectly lush NV Sparkling Pinot Grigio. Thornton Winery offers flights of Méthode Champenoise, and has an excellent NV Cuvee Rouge California sparkling wine. Many wineries have library wines and reserve wines, including Briar Rose with ultra-premium estate wines handcrafted in small lots with limited production.

 

At Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery, the 2010 Meritage “Tre Fratelli” is an elegant, estate blend. At Danza del Sol, the 2011 Temecula Valley Barbera is delicious and fruitful. Robert Renzoni Vineyards’ 2011 Temecula Valley Chardonnay has great oak and butter elements. Available only at the winery, Leoness Cellars’ signature selection 2010 Temecula Valley Syrah is rich, with a soft, lingering finish. Also at Leoness and crafted in a traditional Port style, the 2006 Cinsant dessert wine has elegant flavors of blackberry and black cherry influenced by just a touch of dark chocolate.

 

Callaway Vineyard & Winery features a duo of estate dessert wines: Late Harvest Chardonnay (with flavors of honey and pineapple) and Late Harvest Cabernet (delightful with fresh berries and chocolate desserts). Other established Temecula Valley wineries like Keyways, Maurice Car’rie, Mount Palomar, Van Roekel, and Wilson Creek always have great new wines. Other popular choices for big red wines are Bel Vino, Doffo, Foote Path, Lumiere, and Wiens. Large selections of both red and white varietals as well as proprietary blends are also found at Gershon Bachus, Lorimar, Miramonte, Monte de Oro, Ponte, and Oak Mountain. Mediterranean varietals are found at Churon, Cougar, and Europa Village.

 

Old Town Temecula features popular wine-tasting rooms like Fazeli Cellars and the Lorimar Loft, as well as a great variety of independently owned restaurants, cafés, and bistros. The variety includes Baily’s and Front Street Bar & Grill, Mad Madeline’s Grill, Nitza’s Pizza, Palumbo’s Ristorante, Parea, PUBlic House, Robin’s Nest Desserts, Rosa’s Cantina, Sweet Lumpy’s BBQ, Texas Lil’s Mesquite Grill, The Bank of Mexican Food, and The Gambling Cowboy.

 

The premiere restaurants of Pechanga Resort & Casino include Great Oak Steakhouse and Paisano’s Italian. Casual dining options include Journey’s End with indoor and outdoor daytime dining adjacent Pechanga’s acclaimed Journey golf course, as well as Bamboo, Kelsey’s Sports Bar & Grill, and The Pechanga Buffet.

 

Popular Temecula Valley breakfast eateries include the Vineyard Rose restaurant in Wine Country, and Front Street Bar & Grill in Old Town. The Vineyard Rose is also popular for weekend Saturday-Sunday brunch, and wine country’s Café Champagne and Creekside Grille for Sunday brunch. In Old Town Temecula, weekend breakfasts at The Bank of Mexican Food feature specialties like huevos rancheros; and on Sundays, Rosa’s Cantina features a breakfast buffet. The weekend brunch at The Pechanga Buffet – with 250 fresh items and multiple custom-order action stations -  is ever popular.

 

Winter get-aways often include a more carefree attitude toward indulging in dessert. Some of Temecula Valley’s most acclaimed desserts include Creekside Grille’s handcrafted, seasonally inspired crème brûlee (Wilson Creek Winery); Palumbo Ristorante’s classic tiramisu (Old Town Temecula); Farm House Kitchen restaurant’s famous bread pudding (Temecula Creek Inn); and Caffé Cocoa’s array of decadent, house-made temptations (Pechanga Resort & Casino).

 

Winter get-aways often make for more relaxed afternoons. One ideal destination is the Vineyard Rose Lounge for the Monday-through-Friday happy hour with California contemporary wine country appetizers and flights of three South Coast wines. Another ideal Temecula Valley destination is Journey’s Lounge for creative appetizers and local Black Market brewery’s Hefeweizen Ale. Black Market Brewing Company was the first to pioneer the craft brew scene in Temecula Valley. Open to visitors daily, the Black Market brewery produces award-winning, handcrafted ales like the Hefeweizen, a refreshing, unfiltered wheat beer with subtle, fruit-and-spice character. Also open daily, Wiens Brewing Company produces beers like the deep-golden Front Street Lager that is medium bodied with a honey-sweetness and a slight grassy/hoppy end. Aftershock Brewing Company, a small artisan brewery, is also open daily and makes beers like Tremor, a traditional pale ale, and Faultline, a huge Imperial IPA (9.3% ABV). The Bulldog Brewery, open Wednesday-through-Sunday, is recognized for beers like American Bull Amber, Pug’s Porter, and Boxer Brown Ale.

 

December 24 and Christmas Eve restaurant-dining options in Temecula Valley include Café Champagne at Thornton Winery, Meritage restaurant at Callaway, Pinnacle restaurant at Falkner, Shorty’s Bistro at Mount Palomar, The Restaurant at Ponte and Vineyard Rose at South Coast. In Old Town Temecula, dining options include Front Street Bar & Grill, Palumbo’s Ristorante, Robins’ Nest Desserts, Rosa’s Cantina, Sweet Lumpy’s BBQ, and The Gambling Cowboy. Additional dining choices are Temecula Creek Inn’s Farm House Kitchen; as well as Pechanga Resort & Casino’s Great Oak Steakhouse, Paisano’s Italian, Journey’s End, and The Pechanga Buffet.

 

For December 25 and Christmas dining, selections include Café Champagne at Thornton Winery, Vineyard Rose Restaurant at South Coast Winery; Temecula Creek Inn’s Farm House Kitchen; and Pechanga Resort & Casino’s Great Oak Steakhouse, Journey’s End, Bamboo, and The Pechanga Buffet.

 

Come January 2014, Temecula Valley celebrates California Restaurant Month. Daily through January 31, winter visitors can taste and savor at especially attractive prices the goodness and greatness that Temecula Valley chefs create. Featured are prix fixe/fixed price lunch and dinner menus, and other specials. As a Temecula Valley chef encourages, “the food is fresh; the wine is handcrafted; and the locals are welcoming.”

 

2-OUTDOOR ADVENTURES in Temecula Valley

Hot air balloon flights over Temecula Valley Wine Country, golf along the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail, equestrian experiences, and fishing at Lake Skinner are popular outdoor adventures for winter visitors in Temecula Valley. Take flight in A Grape Escape, California Dreamin’, D&D, or Magical Adventures hot air balloon for spectacular, early morning views of rolling hills and vineyards.

 

Seven excellently designed, vacation-worthy courses invite play along the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail including Journey at Pechanga, Temecula Creek, Cross Creek, RedHawk, Legends, Rancho California, and Pala Mesa. For equestrian experiences, winter visitors discover Saddle Up Wine Tours, Temecula Carriage Company, the Galway Downs Equestrian Center, and Vail Lake Stables.

 

For anglers, Lake Skinner is home to striped bass, largemouth bass, carp, and bluegill year-round; trout are also stocked in the winter. Boat rentals are offered at the marina, and California state fishing permits and licenses, as well as bait and tackle, are sold at the Lake Skinner Store.

 

3-OUTDOOR RECREATION in Temecula Valley

From the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, walking and jogging trails, to Temecula bicycle lanes and trails, picnics, and community parks, winter visitors have a variety of ways to enjoy the Temecula Valley climate and great outdoors. The nearly 9,000-acre/3,642-hectare Santa Rosa Plateau harbors some of California’s rarest landscapes and is a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts with 40 miles/64 kilometers of trails open daily sunrise-to-sunset.

 

Beside the Rainbow Gap, the Temecula Creek Inn (TCI) resort includes a well-marked 3-mile/nearly 2-kilometer trail that wraps around the property; walking and jogging guests appreciate TCI’s 350 private acres/141 private hectares, and watching Red Tail Hawks soar above. Temecula Class 1 walking trails are along Diaz Road in Uptown Temecula nearby Temecula Hotel Row, and adjacent the Northern Gateway Arch in Downtown Old Town Temecula. Cyclists will find bicycle rentals at The Bike Shop Temecula Valley and a “bike trails” map available online at VisitTemecula.org The map details Temecula bike lanes and trails.

 

For Southern California winter, dining alfresco, picnic fare to-go is available south of Old Town at Campini’s Italian Delicatessen, and in Uptown Temecula at E.A.T. – Extraordinary Artisan Table. One of the most nearby, picturesque picnic spots is Temecula Town Square Park overlooking Downtown Old Town Temecula. For alfresco, wine-country dining with panoramic views of vineyards, wineries like Bel Vino, Bella Vista, Cougar, Danza del Sol, Europa Village, Frangipani, Leoness, Maurice Car’rie, Oak Mountain, Robert Renzoni, Vindemia, Wiens, and the lower picnic area at Wilson Creek, allow outside food and picnics.

 

Temecula community parks also offer casual relaxation. Sam Hicks Monument Park near Old Town’s northern gateway arch has a large grass area and is popular for tossing a Frisbee, playing a game of chess or checkers, or reading a book. At the crossroads of Rancho California and Ynez, is the Temecula Duck Pond most popular for duck watching and duck feeding.

 

4-ENTERTAINMENT in Temecula Valley

The winter holiday season in Temecula Valley offers a variety of seasonal music, concerts, theater, and dance. From Pechanga Theater’s “Paris by Night;” the Lorimar Winery Menorah Lighting, South Coast Winery strolling carolers and Christmas Tree Lighting, and Lorimar Winery “Christmas Movie in the Vines” with “Christmas Vacation.” To the “Nutcracker Ballet” and “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, sleigh-bell adorned horse-drawn carriage rides at Keyways Winery, and “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” by Chip Davis  at Pechanga Theater.

 

New Year’s Eve festivities in Temecula Valley include Old Town Temecula restaurant dining, live musical entertainment on Town Square, and The Great Temecula Grape Drop. Temecula Valley Wine Country offers winery-restaurant dining, and gala, themed New Year’s Eve celebrations with live musical entertainment at wineries including South Coast, Wiens, and Wilson Creek.

 

With premiere restaurant dining and simultaneous, multiple mega-celebrations, the New Year’s Eve scene at Pechanga Resort & Casino rivals Las Vegas. Celebrations include a live concert in the 1,200-seat Pechanga Theater, parties in the rooftop Eagle’s Nest nightclub and in the Grand Ballroom, live bands in the Cabaret, and a huge countdown to midnight on the casino floor. More than 75,000 people are expected at Pechanga for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

 

Meanwhile, throughout December-January-February, many wineries feature signature wine-and-live-music events. Along Rancho California Road, winter visitors head to Meritage at Callaway, Europa Village, Lorimar, Miramonte, Ponte, South Coast, and Wilson Creek. Along the De Portola Wine Trail, wine-and-live-music events are found at Leoness Cellars, Oak Mountain, and Robert Renzoni. Call or check websites for live-music schedules.

 

In Old Town Temecula, The MERC – a popular, 48-seat club with tall, 19th-century brick walls and excellent acoustics - has live Jazz acts (Thursdays); Classical musicians in chamber performances (Sundays); live Country music Opry-style (first and third Saturdays); and live Broadway-style Cabaret (the last Sunday of each month). Also in Old Town, January-February performances at the 361-seat proscenium Old Town Temecula Community Theater include “Annie,” and “A Few Good Men;” big band tributes to the Andrews Sisters, and to Buddy Rich; and “Aquarius: Summer of Love, The Musical.”

 

The 1,200-seat Pechanga Theater features top-name entertainment from rock to pop and jazz to country. December-8 is Merle Haggard; December-12, Willie Nelson; January-10-and-11, The Fab Four (Beatles Tribute Band); and February-14-and-15, Englebert Humperdinck. Additional concerts and shows can be found on the Pechanga Resort & Casino website.

 

The 270-seat Comedy Club at Pechanga offers shows Fridays and Saturdays. The Cabaret Lounge features live music, DJs, and karaoke. With a 200,000 square-foot/18,581 square-meter casino floor, Pechanga Casino is the largest in the Western United States. Winter visitors can enjoy the High Limit gaming area with High Limit Gaming Salon, the 54-table state-of-the-art non-smoking Poker Room, 134 table games, 3,400 slot and video poker machines, and the most technologically advanced, modern, and comfortable (700-seat) Bingo facility in the U.S.

 

Winter visitors also enjoy new, top, first-run movies at the Promenade Temecula 15-screen cinema. The Edwards Temecula Stadium 15 movie theater also features IMAX.

 

5-LEARNING EXPERIENCES in Temecula Valley

For history buffs, the Temecula Valley Visitors Center provides visitors a ‘free’ self-guided Old Town Temecula Historic Walking Tour map/brochure; the publication includes historic landmarks within the Old Town shopping-dining-entertainment district. The historic They Passed This Way granite monument, located near Old Town’s northern gateway arch, is a tribute to brave explores and adventuresome pioneers who traveled to Temecula in the years as the American West was settled. Etched in the granite memorial are dozens of names – like legendary scout Kit Carson and pioneer merchant Simon Levi. Nearby is the Temecula Valley Museum with exhibits depicting key stories in Temecula Valley history.

 

Many Temecula Valley Wineries offer specially designed tours, wine tasting, and other educational events that can inspire winter visitors to expand their wine knowledge and appreciation. Because each is unique, multiple experiences at different wineries over the course of a winter Temecula Valley visit combine to become especially enriching. Most educational winery offerings require advance reservations so a call-in-advance is suggested.

 

Bel Vino Winery has a Vine to Wine tour and tasting experience; Briar Rose, seated wine tasting with wine education by a staff sommelier; and Callaway, an informative tour from the demonstration vines to crush pad, fermentation cellars, and barrel room. Danza del Sol offers a VIP tasting as does Leoness Cellars, while the Journey through Miramonte tour provides insights into the creative process with VIP access to the winery property. By prior appointment, Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery provides a mini-tour and tasting; also offered by prior appointment only is an exclusive Barrel Tasting, Tour and Lunch with the Winemaker. California-certified sustainable Ponte Family Estate has the Ponte tour and tasting experience, and South Coast Winery, a behind-the-scenes winery tour followed by wine tasting and cheese pairing.

 

Weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) also include tours and tastings available by advance reservation. Falkner Winery offers an in-depth educational tour; while Keyways Vineyard & Winery offers a 2½-hour Winemaking Tasting Tour that includes food and wine pairing. Thornton Winery offers an educational tour specifically about the Méthode Champenoise sparkling wine process, and the Wines Family Cellars seated wine tasting in the cellar room includes a flight of reserve and limited red wines.

 

Wine Country events also provide learning experiences. The Temecula Wine Country Harvest Celebration Barrel Tasting Weekend is November-2-and-3. Falkner Winery offers monthly wine appreciation classes and Europa Village has on-going wine appreciation classes.

 

For epicureans, Lorimar Winery offers foodie events with entertaining and interactive cooking demonstrations. By advance reservation, Temecula Community Services offers the hands-on Dessert Workshop: Créme Brulee, Mini Tartlets, & Napoleon, December-11. Other mini-epicurean workshops may be available weekdays at Temecula Olive Oil Company, Old Town Tea & Spice Merchants, and E.A.T. – Extraordinary Artisan Table. All epicurean events require advance reservations and attendance is limited.

 

Temecula Olive Oil Company also provides opportunities by advance reservation to tour the Olive Ranch, learn of sustainable growing practices, of the olive harvest, of the mill and press, and to taste fresh, 100% California, 100% extra virgin Temecula Olive Oil. Tours are December 14 and 28; January 11 and 25; and February 8 and 22.

 

6-ART AND CULTURE in Temecula Valley

Temecula Valley offers winter visitors a variety of art and culture. The Lorimar Galleries at Lorimar Winery in Temecula Valley Wine Country and at the Lorimar Loft wine-tasting room in Old Town Temecula feature the works of local established artists including Jami Tobey, photographer Bodhi Smith, and metal artist Eric Burnett. Parea restaurant in Old Town provides diners the opportunity to view the fine works of established, local, and world artists; exhibits change monthly. On-exhibit at Pechanga Resort & Casino is the fine art of Todd White including 11 original, oil-on-canvas paintings described as “Rat Pack meets Picasso” and depicting lively-and-colorful gaming scenes.

 

The beautiful and compelling, Luiseño basket-artistry inspired fountain in Old Town Temecula at the base of Temecula Town Square and the Civic Center, is a photo-opportunity landmark; artist, Christopher Pardell. At the northern and southern entrances to Old Town, granite columns support ironwork gateway-arches depicting Temecula history including Temecula Valley’s cattle-ranching 1800s-to-1960s Western glory days, and the first U.S. Post Office in Temecula in 1859; artist, Bob Morris.

 

The “History of Temecula” mural chronicles the Butterfield stagecoach, railroad era, backcountry cattle drives, vineyards, and hot air balloon flights; artist, Robin Golden. The historic First National Temecula Bank is now The Bank of Mexican Food. By advance reservation, guests dine in The Vault with its life-size, 3-dimensional, 1914-inspired, hand-painted mural; artist, Jill Roberts.

 

Some Temecula Valley Wine Country architecture is exceptional and imaginative – from the sleek, modern elegance of the two-story Callaway Vineyard & Winery tasting room with exposed stainless steel beams and vast expanses of glass windows for 250-300o views of wine country to the Tuscan-style Lorimar Winery estate amidst adjoining acres of orange groves and vineyards. Described as an architectural masterpiece is the hilltop, round-edifice Pinnacle restaurant at Falkner Winery with panoramic views of mountains and vineyards. Thornton Winery is an elegant French-style chateau. With alabaster chandeliers and chiseled travertine floors, Monte de Oro Winery is especially noted for its tasting room floor with see-through glass for views of the subterranean wine cellar below.

 

Evoking whimsy and enchantment, the Briar Rose Winery estate includes replicas of Snow White’s cottage built by one of many artisans who built the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland at Disneyland Park. Also of note: Doffo Winery opens it Moto Barrel Room with a private collection of 100 racing and vintage motorcycles, to visitors Thursday and Sunday mornings at 11am.

 

7-SPA INDULGENCES in Temecula Valley

Winter visitors appreciate the relaxing, nurturing, and rejuvenating experiences offered by a trio of Temecula Valley spas: the GrapeSeed Spa at South Coast Winery, Spa Pechanga at Pechanga Resort & Casino, and the admired, family-owned Murrieta Day Spa.

 

The GrapeSeed Spa is distinguished for providing total, vintage relaxation, innovative vine-based treatments, and body rituals like botanical wraps, and for its yoga studio, couples rooms, and poolside cabanas. Inquire about GrapeSeed Spa seasonal specials like the La Dolce Vita package that includes a lush, anti-oxidant rich, aromatic chocolate massage; an autumn glow facial with 30% ARCONA pumpkin enzyme peel that leaves the skin vibrant and glowing; and a complimentary chocolate shot glass brimful with South Coast Winery’s award-winning Black Jack Port.

 

Spa Pechanga is notable for an atmosphere of tranquility, luxurious massage and facial therapy, foot reflexology, a complete menu of upgrades, couples serenity packages, and quiet waters – a bath for newfound harmony. Inquire about Spa Pechanga monthly specials like the Liquid Gold Facial and 24 Karat Gold Masque much-desired by celebrities for its facial firming and wrinkle-reducing qualities; and the full body and hand Hot Stone Massage designed to melt away stress and improve circulation.

 

Murrieta Day Spa is a popular retreat with a heated mineral pool, dry sauna, full-service salon, and a café featuring Temecula Valley wines and sparkling wines. The suite of signature services offered includes facials, massage, and body treatments. Among specialty, seasonally inspired packages is the Winter Escape that includes European facial, Swedish massage, salt glow, spa pedicure, and lunch.

 

8-SHOPPING in Temecula Valley

Uniquely celebrated for year-round shopping expeditions are three primary Temecula Valley shopping destinations: Temecula Valley Wine Country, Downtown Old Town Temecula, and Promenade Temecula.

 

In Temecula Valley Wine Country, winter visitors find nearly 40 wineries at which to taste the valley’s premium, quality award-winning wines, and purchase favorites for entertaining at home and for giving as gifts. Many wineries host gift areas and winery gift shops, among the most acclaimed are the retail rooms at Callaway, Lorimar, and Ponte wineries. A weekend craft fair at Maurice Car’rie Winery is also a popular stop for winter visitors.

 

In Old Town Temecula’s 60+ unique, family-owned-and-operated specialty stores, weekdays mean more personalized attention and potential assistance from shop-owner merchants themselves. At Temecula Olive Oil Company, experience fresh, 100% California, 100% extra-virgin, hand-blended Temecula olive oil and balsamic vinegars at the complimentary-daily tasting bar. Then shop for artisan blends like fresh basil olive oil and pomegranate vinegar. The shelves at Old Town Spice & Tea Merchants are laden with plump, glass canisters of loose teas, herbs, spices, salts, and blends; accessories and books combine to create exceptionally thoughtful gifts. Old Town Sweet Shop’s chocolatiers make fresh chocolates, nut clusters, chocolate barks, chocolate covered bacon, and other treats. Among Temecula Lavender Company’s many popular items are salt scrubs and lotions. Old Town Root Beer Company features a crazy variety of bottled sodas; and Granny’s Attic & Antiques, a wild range of truly unique items.

 

Saturday mornings feature the Old Town Temecula Certified Farmers Market. The festive market features a bounty of local, organic, exotic, and conventional fruits and vegetables, citrus and avocados, fresh-cut flowers, fresh baked-goods, and artisan foods. Even visitors with a farmers market in their own hometowns are impressed with Saturday mornings in Old Town.

 

With a distinctive, indoor-outdoor lifestyle layout, Promenade Temecula includes more than 170 specialty shops and sought-after-stores including Macy’s, H&M, Brighton, G by Guess, The Walking Company, Williams-Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. From the latest technology at The Apple Store and the new concept Disney Store to the timeless pieces at Coach, shoppers will find a variety of brands, styles, and current trends.

 

9-TOURS AND EXCURSIONS in Temecula Valley

From the thoughtful collection of self-guided winery tours with suggested itineraries available online from the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association – to the ease and comfort of Temecula Valley Wine Country tours and transportation provided by local, professional companies, winter visitors find a variety of means to explore the picturesque valley of vineyards, wineries, and rolling hills. Knowledgeably guided wine-tour packaged experiences are offered via a variety of vehicles: cable car, executive van, Hummer, Jeep, limousine, trolley, and luxury motor coach.

 

Local, professional Temecula Valley tour companies include A Vineyard Tour of Temecula, Brewers Empire Trolley, Destination Temecula, DeVine Tours, Rockin’ Wine Tours, and Temecula Valley Jeep & Wine Tours. Additional popular, local, professional companies are The Grapeline Wine Tours, The Winemakers Tour, Winenormous, and Wine Rover Tours.

 

10-DAY TRIPS  from Temecula Valley TO THE DESERT AND THE SEA

Temecula Valley’s central, Southern California location is ideal for winter visitors’ day trips to the nearby desert (Palm Springs) and to the sea (Oceanside). Each destination offers a variety of experiences from which to choose. Many, local, professional Temecula Valley transportation companies welcome inquiries about round-trip transportation to many Southern California destinations.

 

In Palm Springs, ascend 2½ miles/4 kilometers from the desert floor to the pristine wilderness of the San Jacinto Mountains aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Hike and picnic, or snowfall permitting, rent snowshoes or cross-country skis, poles and boots at the Tramway, to navigate through the forest. Palm Springs is noted for mid-century modern architecture; a map of landmarks including many desert modernism treasures is available at the Palm Springs Visitor Center. Or experience the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies in its farewell season. The legendary musical variety show is a Broadway-caliber celebration of the songs, dance, and comedy of the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s; all show dates include matinees.

 

In Oceanside, stroll the historic pier for panoramic Pacific views. On the large stretch of sand north of the pier, watch surfers maneuver the waves. At the California Surf Museum, learn about legendary surfers and the history of surfboards. Oceanside’s Mission San Luis Rey was founded in 1798, as the 18th and largest of the 21 California missions established along El Camino Real. The cross-shaped church is considered the most architecturally graceful of California missions; the mission’s museum offers self-guided tours.

 

*Information is believed accurate but may be subject to change.

 

ABOUT TEMECULA VALLEY AND THE TEMECULA VALLEY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

With natural gifts of climate and geography, bolstered by Pu’eska Mountain, the Rainbow Gap, and the Santa Margarita Gap, Temecula Valley is widely recognized for its vineyards, quality wines, and gracious and friendly wineries as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The popular boutique destination received TripAdvisors’ Travelers Choice “Best U.S. Wine Destination” Top 10 award, and is home to the 2013 California State Winery of the Year, South Coast Winery.

 

The Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, the region’s official tourism marketing organization and resource for visitors, is online including a complete, daily Events Calendar at VisitTemecula.org; “Temecula  Valley Southern California Wine Country” on Facebook; and @Visit_Temecula on Twitter. The Temecula Valley Visitors Center in Downtown Old Town Temecula (Third Street and Mercedes adjacent the free Old Town Temecula Parking Garage) is open 7 days. For visitor information and assistance, call 888/363-2852 or 951/491-6085.