Temecula

Temecula is a city in Riverside County in Southern California.

Understand

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

Tourism office

Get in

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 IATA), 45 minutes south, and Ontario (ONT IATA), 45 minutes north.

French Valley general aviation airport is located east of town. It is a popular location for small aircraft.

Get around

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.

See
  • Old Town Temecula. Just 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, 28653 Old Town Front St, toll-free: +1-866-654-8364. Retail shop and olive oil tasting -- a unique experience with helpful hosts who are happy to explain the differences in olive oil in detail. 
  • 🌍 Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes St, ☏ +1 951 694 6450. (updated Jul 2021)

Do
  • Wine Tasting. The 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 Festival. In June 
  • Out and About. Though 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 Casino. A 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, 42051 Main St, ☏ +1-866-OLD-TOWN (653-8696) (653-8696). 
  • The Temecula Rod Run. Annual hot rod festival in Old Town Temecula in February 
  • 🌍 Palomar Observatory. 
  • Textures Fiber Arts Show (Art Quilts at the Merc), 42051 Main St, toll-free: +1-866-653-8696. Various. 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. Free. 

Buy
  • Old Town Temecula. Considered the best area for tourists looking to pick up that nice little souvenir of Temecula. This area has many quaint and charming shops. 
  • The Promenade. A conventional shopping mall. The mall has gone under extentsive redesign to set itself as an upscale mall with shops including Coach and Apple. 

Eat

Temecula has more than its fair share of '50s-style diners, most located on the west side of the freeway, along Main Street. If you are looking for something less local, a drive up along Rancho California or Temecula Parkway/79 has numerous options for chain restaurants.

Drink

Lots of locally produced wine.

Breweries:

Sleep

Stay safe

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.

Go next
Routes through Temecula
Riverside (Via spur ) ← Lake Elsinore ←  N  S  → Fallbrook → San Diego


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