Temecula

A historic town square surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills, with temperate weather and mountains rising in the distance: The town of Temecula and the Temecula Valley showcase some of California’s most spectacular features.

Why You Should Visit the Temecula Valley

The location of this Inland Empire gem, about an hour from San Diego and 90 minutes from Los Angeles, makes for an easy visit. Indeed, people come here for hyper-local cuisine (made, for instance, with Temecula Olive Oil), as well as for hiking, and hot-air ballooning. They also come for the Mediterranean-like climate—temperatures range from the 80s–90s in summer to the 60s–70s in winter. Perhaps most of all, however, they come to visit the nearly 50 wineries that dot the Temecula Valley. Italian, Spanish, and French grapes sprout from the area’s soil and mature in this unique atmosphere, resulting in small-batch vintages. And with many distributed only locally, these award-winning wines are ripe for discovery.

Old Town Temecula

Begin your explorations in the heart of the city, a charming area called Old Town. Here, modern California staples like farm-to-table restaurants and craft breweries are set among historical buildings that bring to mind Temecula’s 19th-century roots. Wooden boardwalks and old-timey storefronts add to the Old West feel of the place—you can even stay in the city’s first inn, the Hotel Temecula, which dates to the late 1800s.

Today, of course, accommodations of all kinds abound. Stay in a familiar chain close to Old Town, or choose a luxury hotel such as Temecula Creek Inn with a room looking out over rows of vines. No matter what option you choose, a trip to this gem that’s hidden in plain sight is one that will not disappoint.

Read on for tips on things to do in Temecula, Dining in Temecula Valley, visiting Temecula Valley Wine Country, and Guided Tours in Temecula Wine Country. For more recommendations, check out the favorite Temecula haunts of local winemaker Akash Patel.