Beyond the tasting room: Old Town history, a community theater, balloon flights at dawn, oak-woodland trails, and where to spend the evening.
·2 min read
Old Town Temecula after dark.Credit: Photo: SoCal-Queen💋 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Wine may be the headline, but Temecula is a full weekend even if you never lift a glass. The city's Old Town keeps its history close to the street, the hills to the west hold one of Southern California's rarest landscapes, and the valley itself, best seen at dawn from a balloon basket, is the reason people come back.
These eight picks mix the essential and the overlooked. Each listing links to its official site; hours and prices change, so check before you go. For wine, see our guide to the best Temecula wineries. To put it all together, read the perfect Temecula weekend.
01
Walk Old Town Temecula
The historic heart of the city, centered on Old Town Front Street and Main Street, is where Temecula's past is most visible: false-front storefronts, saloons, tasting rooms, shops and restaurants. Go early for an easy stroll, or late for dinner and a show.
Old Town Front Street & Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590
Old Town Temecula's streetscape.Credit: Photo: John Ward Jdubphoto.com / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
02
Temecula Valley Museum
The city's museum tells the valley's story, with rotating exhibits and programs such as "Out of the Archives" on the fourth Sunday of the month. On select Saturdays, hour-long walking tours of Old Town's historic buildings leave the museum at 10:30 a.m.; the city lists the cost at $5 per person, with advance registration. Listed hours: Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Temecula Valley Museum.Credit: Photo: Superraptor123 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
03
See a show at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater
A performing-arts venue in the middle of Old Town, programming classical, dance, big band and more. Check the season calendar and pair a performance with dinner nearby.
The Old Town Temecula Community Theater.Credit: Photo: Superraptor123 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
04
Taste at the Temecula Olive Oil Company
A tasting with no wine involved: the company's Old Town room sits on the corner of Old Town Front and Main streets. A good stop with kids, or before an afternoon in Wine Country.
Temecula Olive Oil Company, Old Town Temecula.Credit: Photo: cultivar413 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
05
Spend an afternoon in Wine Country
East of I-15, Rancho California Road and De Portola Road link dozens of wineries, from Callaway (established in 1974 as the valley's first winery) to resort estates with restaurants and spas. Choose two or three and linger; see our guide to the best Temecula wineries.
A Temecula vineyard. General scene.Credit: Photo: michael c / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
06
Float over the valley in a hot air balloon
Ballooning over the vineyards is a Temecula signature. Flights launch early and depend on the weather; book with an operator, or look at lodging packages such as South Coast Winery's, which bundles a shared balloon ride with an overnight stay.
Inside a balloon envelope at a Temecula balloon festival.Credit: Photo: Nan Fry from kimberling city, Missouri, United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
07
Hike the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
About 9,000 acres of Engelmann oak woodland, bunchgrass prairie and seasonal vernal pools at the southern end of the Santa Ana Mountains, per Riverside County Parks. The visitor center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; trails are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and dogs are not allowed on trails.
One of the largest casino resorts in the United States, per Pechanga, with 200,000 square feet of smoke-free gaming space. Its Great Oak Steakhouse has held AAA's Four Diamond Award since 2011, according to the resort.
