That Cool Travel Couple

Temecula is located an hour and a half away from LA, and just over an hour away from San Diego. It’s inland, meaning it can get a little warm. Many of the places you’ll visit will have misters or lots of shade to help with that. It’s still best to try to time your visit for fall or spring so you’re not in the peak of the desert heat. Here are some tips to have the best weekend in Temecula!

We really enjoy starting our day in Old Town Temecula. If you’re looking for a snapshot of the Wild Wild West, then Old Town Temecula is the place for you. It is set on a small street with classic wooden buildings and wrought iron signage. It’s typically filled with people wandering between food, drinks and shopping. 

One of our favorite brunch spots is 1909. They have tons of delicious brunch offerings as well as boozy cocktails. Keep in mind they don’t have any meat substitutes though they do have some vegetarian options. We left very satisfied and full. 

The 1909 is right across the street from The Painted Garden. We love to check out this shop for unique and colorful garden accessories. They specialize in ceramics and metalwork shaped into various flowers and creatures to decorate the outdoor part of your house. There are also a few beautiful fountains featured that would make a delightful addition to any garden. 

Next to the Painted Garden is a jerky shop, specializing in all sorts of exotic meats along with classic staples. On their menu they list alligator, ostrich and even mushroom jerky! Adjacent to the jerky shop is an amazing olive oil and vinegar tasting room called Temecula Olive Oil Company. We truly believe that quality olive oil and vinegar can elevate your meal to the next level. Obviously, we HAD to stop in. In addition to oils and vinegar, they offer a wide selection of jams, jellies, spreads, olives, chocolate and much more. One of our favorites was the hatch chili vinegar. This is a must-stop shop while in Old Town Temecula.  

As you wander further down Old Town Front Street, you’ll find Old Town Records for your new record player. Further along is Au Savon de Provence which sells specialty soaps. Stop by Under the Willow for Taylor Swift-esque clothing finds. Watch a set at the Old Town Blues Club. Try your hand at the Coin-Op Game Room which has tons of old-fashioned arcade style games. There’s also plenty of antique shops, souvenir stores and many, many pubs, wine tasting rooms and breweries. BeGood restaurant gets an honorable mention for this awesome margarita sampler as well. 

If you’re coming with kids, you might want to check out Pennypickle’s Workshop. This is an exciting learning space with interactive exhibits designed for little ones. It’s conveniently located just off the Old Town Front Street. This will allow you to incorporate it seamlessly into your plans for the day. 

Temecula is a beautiful area with lots of rolling hills with vineyards tucked away. We really enjoy Temecula wine country and find it to be more laid back and casual than other wine countries. Prices are definitely lower than Napa or Sonoma. There are often tasty nibbles available on site (though this varies from winery to winery). Miramonte and Avensole wineries are a few local’s favorites, but you really can’t go wrong. 

Many of the wineries and vineyards in Temecula are associated with high quality restaurants. Definitely check out Wilson Creek Winery which has a delicious cheese board available and is also a great lunch spot. We loved visiting the Bouquet restaurant at Ponte Winery for a lovely meal and live music. 

As for accommodation in Temecula, be sure to book EARLY as space is quite limited! You could easily end up paying $300 a night for a motel room if you wait til the last minute. We have enjoyed camping nearby at Dripping Springs Campground (there are tons of other campgrounds near Temecula as well). We have also stayed in a few different AirBnB offerings in the area. These range from stand alone RV’s on a ranch to guesthouses on gorgeous vineyards. There are also several luxurious hotels in the area. These include South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, the Inn at Churon Winery, and Ponte Vineyard Inn. Temecula is not too far from Pechanga Casino either, if that’s your thing. The earlier you book, the better off you’ll be. Camping is always going to be the cheapest option – Dripping Springs cost us about $35 for two nights!).