MEDIA CONTACT: Annette Brown,
Marketing & Public Relations Manager

Temecula Valley Convention &
Visitors Bureau

951/252-2136; Annette@TemeculaCVB.com

 

TRAVEL TRADE CONTACT: Leslie
Mercado, Director of Sales

Temecula Valley Convention &
Visitors Bureau

951/252-2136; Leslie@TemeculaCVB.com

 

 

After Los Angeles:

10 Days in Southern California
including

Temecula Valley Southern
California Wine Country

 

TEMECULA VALLEY
Southern California Wine Country, April 20, 2012 - For international visitors,
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and LA/Ontario International Airport
(ONT) are the primary gateways to popular Southern California. After
experiencing LA's star attractions and hot spots, do this 10-day itinerary that
includes exploring the popular Southern California attractions of Palm Springs,
San Diego, and Orange County, plus a spectacular, fun and easy, detour to
discover casual, sunny, picturesque Temecula Valley Southern California Wine
Country. Experience Temecula Valley So Cal Wine Country, Downtown Old Town
Temecula, Pechanga Resort & Casino, and activities including hot air
ballooning, golfing, hiking, and horseback riding in the great outdoors; the
wonderful indulgences of food, wine, spa, casino gaming, and entertainment; and
specialty, and discount shopping - just about an hour from Palm Springs, San
Diego, or Orange County.

 

DEPART LOS ANGELES FOR PALM SPRINGS

Day 1 and
Day 2: Palm Springs

Ride up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway then dine with a dramatic view
at Peaks Restaurant. Back in the desert valley, discover the estates of
legendary Hollywood celebrities, or learn about mid-century modern architecture
on a guided tour.

 

DEPART PALM SPRINGS FOR TEMECULA VALLEY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WINE
COUNTRY

Day 3:
Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country Indulgence

Southern California's
largest wine region is Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country and no
Southern California visit is complete without fully indulging in its unique,
wine-country experiences. With more than 5,000 acres/2,023 hectares of rolling
hills and vineyards, and a big-open sky overhead, grape vines thrive in morning
air, refreshing and still.

 

Begin your dedicated
days in Temecula Valley with an exhilarating hot air balloon flight and a
commanding wine-country view. Launch at sunrise with A Grape Escape, California
Dreamin', D&D Ballooning, or Magical Adventures.

 

Then savor touring and
wine tasting in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. As more than
5,000 awards attests, the approximately 40 gracious and friendly, award-winning
wineries are gaining well-deserved recognition for making quality, premium
varietal wines, and proprietary blends. Many wineries are small; most are
family owned; and most are open daily for winery-to-winery tour and wine tasting.

 

Local
tour-and-transportation companies (limousines, vans, shuttles, trolleys,
coaches, and busses) make for relaxed, carefree, wine-country tours; many can
also provide gourmet, wine-country, picnic lunches. Meanwhile at Temecula
Valley Southern California Wine Country's 10 winery restaurants, talented chefs
expertly pair wines with fresh, local foods. Many winery restaurants feature
seasonal menus and many welcome groups by advance reservation.

 

The remainder of the
afternoon is for absolute relaxation. Men and women both appreciate South Coast
Winery's Grapeseed Spa. "Group therapy" is a yoga and wine tasting session
known as 'vino-vinyasa.' Indulge in aromatic massage, a signature grapeseed
facial, mud or seaweed wrap, and other nurturing, vine-based spa treatments.

 

Feeling wonderfully
rejuvenated, Thornton Winery is next. Thornton sparkling wines have earned more
medals than any other sparkling winery in major U.S. competitions. Enjoy a
sit-down wine and champagne tasting; and order accompanying appetizers. Then
dine at award-winning Café Champagne for the perfect combination of French
country elegance and contemporary cuisine.

 

End the evening with
Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country entertainment. Many wineries
host live music and concerts, especially in summer.

 

Day 4:
Temecula Valley's Great Outdoors and Later, Great Indoors

Your day in Temecula
Valley Southern California Wine Country's 'great outdoors' fully celebrates the
freedom of spectacular scenery, sunshine, fresh air, rolling hills, and big,
open spaces. Later, it is the 'great indoors' that is celebrated at the AAA
Four-Diamond Pechanga Resort & Casino. Bigger than any in Vegas, Pechanga
is the largest casino in the western U.S.

 

With Temecula Valley
Southern California Wine Country's impressive, vacation-worthy golf courses,
golf is a wonderful way to start your day in the 'great outdoors.' Seven highly
regarded courses have great course design and are popular with golfers of all
skill levels for perfectly challenging year-round play. For challenge and
reward, golf at courses like Temecula Creek Inn (TCI); 350 acres/142 hectares
of rugged, natural beauty surround the valley's original, prestigious
championship course. TCI's highly rated, 27 holes include three distinctive nines:
the Creek Course with its traditional adjoining fairways; the Oaks Course with
its scenic beauty; and the precision-demanding Stonehouse Course. Play Journey
at Pechanga - widely recognized as one of California's finest courses. The
Arthur-Hills design snakes through native canyons and along the boulder-strewn
mountain, rising and falling 300 feet/91 meters in 18 holes. With a spectacular
view from the tee box, Journey's signature par 4, hole 6 has a breathtaking
175-foot/53-meter drop - the largest elevation drop on a California course.

 

After an early lunch,
proceed to the 8,300-acre/3,359-hectare Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
to hike and explore 40 miles/64 kilometers of trails. The Reserve protects
unique ecosystems like rare oak savannah and woodlands, riparian wetlands,
coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and bunchgrass prairie. Listen for small
songbirds and acorn woodpeckers; and watch for wildlife like red-shouldered
hawks, great horned owls, and distinguished, horned lizards. Trails are easy to
advanced, plus wheelchair-friendly; accessible sunrise to sunset, year-round;
and ideal for hiking as well as nature study and photography.

 

Next, saddle-up for a
guided, Wine Country Trails by Horseback ride through the vineyards - a great
way to experience Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country's natural,
seasonal richness first-hand. Rolling hills of trellised vines comprise vast
vineyard acreage making for a scenic, leisurely tour. Available year-round,
rides are on quality, well-seasoned horses.

 

Freshen-up for dinner,
and head to Pechanga Resort & Casino. With 10 excellent restaurants,
Pechanga has magnificent menus for every taste. The Great Oak Steakhouse
(namesake of the ancient tree visible from the back nine of the Journey golf
course) is an unforgettable dining experience in an atmosphere of understated
elegance. Indulge in the flavors of 100% Prime Angus Beef and wines from an
exceptional list of more than 900 vintages. Or dine more casual at Bamboo (with
authentic dishes prepared in the national style of Korea, Vietnam, and China)
or Blazing Noodles (with a delicious menu featuring the flavors of China and
Vietnam; plus Dim Sum, Saturdays and Sundays). Many of Pechanga's premiere
restaurants welcome groups by advance reservation.

 

Then check out
Pechanga Casino's gaming action. Within the 200,000-square foot/60,960-square
meter casino, enjoy high stakes wagering in the luxurious, High Limit Gaming
Area; nightly poker tournaments in the state-of-the-art Poker Room; any of the
130+ Table Games or 3,000+ Vegas-style slot machines.

 

Catch superstar
headline acts at year-round performances in the intimate, 1,200-seat, Pechanga
Theater. Laugh along with leading comedians at Comedy Club at Pechanga; and
dance to live rhythms at the Cabaret Lounge.

 

Day 5: Old
Town Temecula Culture and Indulgence

Downtown, Old Town Temecula
is Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country's unique
entertainment-dining-shopping district. Experience the pedestrian-friendly,
12-block neighborhood through history, art, food, and wine.

 

Discover Old Town
Temecula's historic Western glory days at the They Passed This Way Monument, a
huge granite memorial that is a testament to brave explorers and pioneers like
legendary scout Kit Carson and mountain man Jedediah Smith. Then explore the
Temecula Valley Museum and take a docent-guided, historical walking tour of Old
Town Temecula. Stroll the new Mission Revival-style Civic Center and admire the
remarkable fountain inspired by the design of native Luiseño basket artistry.

 

For lunch, savor
fresh, Mediterranean-inspired specialties paired with premium, local wines at
Soro's Mediterranean Grill. Then experience the artisan foods and wines of the
Old Town Temecula Tasting Trail. Taste the amazing, fresh, 100% California,
100% extra-virgin, hand-blended olive oil at Temecula Olive Oil Company. Find
satisfaction at Temecula Valley Cheese Company. Be intrigued by Old Town Spice
Merchants' herbs, spices, salts, and teas. Know temptation with Old Town Sweet
Shop's fresh fudge, caramel-apples, and chocolate-dipped treats. Discover also
Old Town Root Beer Company with over 500 sodas including 400 classic and
nostalgic, and 100 root beers. In between, visit The Gallery at The Merc to see
ever-changing, creative exhibits by local artists.

 

Before and after
dinner, experience Old Town's friendly, wine tasting rooms. All are within
walking distance of each other; feature the wines of Temecula Valley Southern
California Wine Country's boutique wineries; and many host live music weekly.
Lorimar Winery's Old Town Tasting Room showcases the work of local artists, is
relaxed and trendy, and one of the most popular for a structured tasting or a
glass of premium, handcrafted wine.

 

For a satisfying
Italian dinner with exceptional service, take pleasure in Palumbo's Ristorante.
The menu includes 'the best' minestrone, lasagna, and gnocchi; and a nice
variety of award-winning, Temecula Valley Southern California wines. An
assortment of 21 independently owned, Old Town Temecula restaurants provide a
great variety of dining experiences; many welcome groups by advance reservation.

 

Day 6:
Temecula Valley Specialty and Discount Shopping

Specialty and discount
shopping in Temecula Valley is the highlighted activity of the day. From Old
Town Temecula to the Lake Elsinore Outlets and back for experiencing Promenade
Temecula, the wide range of stores encourages passionate and enthusiastic
shopping.

 

Old Town Temecula is
home to a collection of 60+ independently owned stores with something for
everyone - from art, antiques, and collectibles; home garden, and décor;
crafts; fashions and accessories; and other specialties like Temecula Lavender
Company and Old California Lavender's candles, and signature bath and body
products. Shop The Farmer's Wife, a popular favorite for beautiful purses,
jewelry, and gifts. For unique and educational toys for children, be sure to
explore Pennypickle's Workshop. Also travel across the river from Old Town
Front Street to Granny's Attic and Antiques for one-of-a-kind, vintage home
accessories and clothing. Lunch at Front Street Bar & Grill where patio
dining is grand and the menu features delicious gourmet burgers.

 

Lake Elsinore Outlets
with 50+ discounted and factory stores at the northwest corner of the valley is
your next destination. Here you can shop for name-brand footwear in stores like
Bass, NIKE, Reebok, SKECHERS, and Vans. Linger over the merchandise in popular
outlets like Bath and Body Works, GAP, and Guess.

 

Then it's on to
Promenade Temecula for distinctive, trendy stores; upscale, specialty
boutiques; and lively and unique shops. Browse and explore some 100, specialty
stores like Apple, Express, Coldwater Creek, The Walking Company,
Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Papyrus, and Barnes & Noble Booksellers plus
anchors like Macy's.

 

With your bounty
acquired, it's time for dinner at one of 7 restaurants like poplar P.F. Chang's
China Bistro. After dinner, consider catching a first-run movie at the Edwards
Temecula Stadium 15 or IMAX Theater.

 

Where To
Stay in Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country

Sixteen inviting
hotels, motels and resorts are located conveniently just off the 1-15 freeway -
minutes even steps from Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley Southern California
Wine Country, and Pechanga Resort & Casino. With guest rooms for every
budget, visitors enjoy accommodations ranging from luxurious, AAA Four Diamond
hospitality to clean, comfortable, friendly, and economical.

 

Sincere, conveniences
and consistencies are at brand hotels. Consider: Quality Inn Wine Country; La
Quinta Inn & Suites Temecula; Fairfield Inn & Suites Temecula; Extended
Stay America - Temecula Wine Country; Holiday Inn Express; Best Western Country
Inn; Springhill Suites Temecula Valley Wine Country; Hampton Inn & Suites
Temecula; Embassy Suites Temecula Valley Wine Country; Motel 6 Temecula - Rancho
California; Rodeway Inn; and Ramada Old Town Temecula. For historical
accommodations dating to 1927, consider The Palomar Inn Hotel. For relaxed and
inviting, canyon and valley resorts, consider Temecula Creek Inn and Pechanga
Resort & Casino.

 

DEPART TEMECULA VALLEY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY FOR SAN DIEGO

Day 7 and Day 8: San Diego

By day, explore the excellent
San Diego Zoo, and Balboa Park's museums and gardens. By night, experience a
dinner cruise on San Diego Harbor or renowned dining in the Gaslamp Quarter.

 

DEPART SAN DIEGO FOR ORANGE COUNTY

Day 9 and
Day 10: Orange County

Discover the magic at Disneyland
Park and Disney California Adventure Park. For a very Southern California coastal
experience, see the yachts on the harbor at Newport Beach, then ride the ferry
to charming Balboa Island.

 

RETURN TO LOS ANGELES

 

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

 

To learn more about
Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, please go to the official
website of the Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau,
VisitTemecula.org. For media assistance, please contact Annette Brown,
Marketing & Public Relations Manager, at 951/252-2136 or
Annette@TemeculaCVB.com. For travel trade assistance, please contact Leslie
Mercado, Director of Sales, at 951/252-2136 or Leslie@TemeculaCVB.com.

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