Temecula

Temecula is known for its wine and Balloon and Wine Festival.

Tourism office

• Temecula Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau

  phone: +1 951-491-6085
  address: 28690 Mercedes Street, Suite A
  Pick up maps, visitors guides, event listings, coupons and get the inside information on where to visit from the staff. Open daily.

By car

Temecula is located about an hour north of San Diego on Interstate 15. It is an hour south of San Bernardino on Interstate 15, and about an hour south of Riverside on Interstate 215. State Route 79 also passes through the town, heading north to Hemet and south to Julian.

By plane

The closest airports are located in San Diego (SAN), 45 minutes south, and Ontario (ONT), 45 minutes north.
French Valley general aviation airport is located east of town. It is a popular location for small aircraft.

Beware that though Temecula is serviced by some buses, they are unreliable at best. Thus, Temecula has virtually NO public transportation. If you are visiting, you should either have your own car or rent one, as the city is very spread out and the lack of public transport makes driving a necessity.

• Aall In Limo & Party Bus

  phone: +1 858 336-1894
  address: 28071 Diaz Rd. Suite #A3

• Masterpiece Limousine

  phone: +1 858 483-5466
  address: 4365 Mission Bay Dr
  5 hours

• San Diego Limousine

• Royalty Limousine

  phone: +1 858 922-7225
  address: 14414 poway rd
  5 hours

• Old Town TemeculaJust west of the I-15, exit Rancho California and turn right on Jefferson/Old Town Front Street. This is the oldest and most historic part of town, complete with old western architecture and charming shops and restaurants. There is a lot of new development going on and it's worth taking half a day exploring Old Town.

• Temecula Olive Oil Company

  address: 28653 Old Town Front St
  Retail shop and olive oil tasting a unique experience with helpful hosts who are happy to explain the differences in olive oil in detail.

• Wine TastingThe Temecula valley has 30+ wineries with tasting rooms, including Callaway (owned by the same family as the golf club company) other popular choices include Thornton, Stuart Cellars, Mount Palomar, Wilson Creek and Falkner. The Grapeline Wine Country Shuttle picks up at all local hotels and takes you out for a full day of wine tasting.

• Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine FestivalIn June

• Out and AboutThough there are a fair few shops and restaurants, Temecula (especially downtown) is not known as a late night club/bar scene, with the exception of Pechanga. Much of that is changing as many of the restaurants and bars are providing night time entertainment, such as kareoke at Texas Lils or live music at The Edge and The Collective.

• Pechanga Resort and CasinoA Las Vegas gaming experience in Southern California home to a modern night club, several up-scale restaurants and food court, and theatre which plays host to many famous acts touring across the country

• Old Town Temecula Community Theater

  phone: +1-866-OLD-TOWN (653-8696)
  address: 42051 Main St

• The Temecula Rod RunAnnual hot rod festival in Old Town Temecula in February

• Palomar Observatory

• Textures Fiber Arts Show

  address: 42051 Main St
  Art quilts on display Oct 1, to Nov 28, 2010. Open during theater hours and other select times. Artist reception Oct 1, 2010 5:30p-7p. Outdoor quilt show Oct 2 sponsored by the Valley of the Mist Quilt Guild.

• Old Town TemeculaConsidered the best area for tourists looking to pick up that nice little souvenir of Temecula. This area has many quaint and charming shops.

• The PromenadeA conventional shopping mall. The mall has gone under extentsive redesign to set itself as an upscale mall with shops including Coach and Apple.

Temecula has more than its fair share of '50s-style diners, most located on the west side of the freeway, along Main Street.

• The Bank of Mexican FoodGood Mexican food in what used to be the area bank.

• If you are looking for something less local, a drive up along Rancho California or Temecula Parkway/79 has numerous options for chain restaurants.

Breakfast Establishments:

• The Broken Yolk Cafe

  address: 26495 Ynez Rd

• Mo's Egg House

  phone: +1 951 506-7708
  address: 27405 Jefferson Ave

• Original Pancake House

  phone: +1 951-296-9016
  address: 41377 Margarita Road Suite F101

Lots of locally produced wine.

• Temecula Beer & Wine GardenSmall and friendly outdoor bar located in Old Town near the bus depot and Sweet Lumpy's Barbeque.

• La Cereza WineryLocated on Rancho California. This winery has wine tasting and a cigar bar.

• Wiens

• Wilson Creek Winery

• Leonesse Cellars

Breweries:

• Temecula Breweries

• Iron Fire Brewing Co

  address: 42095 Zevo Drive Suite #1

• Best Western Country Inn

  phone: +1 951 676-7378
  address: 27706 Jefferson Ave

• Holiday Inn Express

  phone: +1 951 699-2444
  address: 27660 Jefferson Ave

• Motel 6 Temecula - Rancho California

  phone: +1 951 676-7199
  address: 41900 Moreno Dr

• Quality Inn

  phone: +1 951 296-3788
  address: 27338 Jefferson Ave

• Temecula Hotels

Temecula is considered to be one of the safest cities in all of California. Virtually every area of town is considered safe to walk, but caution should be taken walking at night in the area around the apartment complexes on Pujol Street near Old Town, and the area of the apartment complexes just east of the Rancho California/Ynez intersection across from the Temecula Town Center.
Though still relatively safe, there has been an increase in gang activity and the usual related crimes: drugs, car thefts and assaults.

• Los Angeles and Orange County are accessible via 15N to 91W. Try to avoid travel during rush hours.
• San Diego, to the south, is accessible via 15S.
• Oceanside and Carlsbad are among the closer beach communities and can be accessed via 15S to 78W.
• Idyllwild is a nearby mountain resort.