Explore Temecula: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to California Wineries
Experience the Best of Temecula’s 50 Wineries and More
A CALIFORNIA city has become an ideal destination spot with almost 50 vast wineries to choose from. With breathtaking mountain views and the cool ocean breeze felt from over 30 miles away, Temecula, California, is the perfect getaway. Europa Village, a vineyard in Temecula, has three wineries modeled after France, Italy, and Spain. Located two hours south of Los Angeles and an hour and a half north of San Diego, Temecula is nestled into the outskirts of the California countryside. The city houses about 111,000 residents and boasts activities such as horseback riding, wine tastings, and hot air balloon rides. Temecula makes the ideal day trip, a fantastic two-day weekend getaway, or an entertaining spot for a family vacation.
WHY TEMECULA?
With nearly 50 active wineries, Temecula visitors can take their pick from a variety of indulgent vineyard experiences. However, one resort-style vineyard is lauded for being Disney-like. Europa Village has the goal “to transport you to the old-world villages of Spain, Italy, and France,” according to its website. The resort offers three different unique vineyard options. C’est la Vie, a French winery surrounded by rose gardens, has an intimate wine cave and tastings. Bolero, the vineyard’s Spanish winery, adopts a slower pace, mirroring the European lifestyle. The romantic spot has a backdrop of olive trees, wildflowers, and mosaic tiles for guests to enjoy on wine tastings. Europa’s newest winery, Vienza, opened in January and transports guests to old-world Italy. Roman columns adorn the outdoor space as you take in the views of the Tuscan vines. The winery also has an Italian deli and market that offers tastes of Italy that enhance the sensory experience. Visitors have raved about their experience at Europa, with one woman writing on TripAdvisor, “After being in Barcelona this summer they did a great job of [duplicating] the Spanish style.”
WHAT ARE THE BEST TEMECULA VACATION DEALS?
Many of the Temecula vineyards boast an opportunity to stay onsite overnight. Prices vary depending on the vineyard and its location, plus the duration of your visit. But for those looking to visit more than one vineyard who wish to establish a home base at a hotel or resort, Temecula has many affordable options. Many chain hotels have Temecula locations, including Embassy Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, and Hampton Inn & Suites. These options will cost about $140 per night and are all more affordable than staying onsite at a vineyard, which will cost upward of $220 per night. As far as flights go, many major hubs offer nonstop flights to Los Angeles, including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas, among others. These flights run between $100 and $300 on average. The nearest airport to Temecula is Carlsbad Airport which is about 26 miles away, compared to LAX, about 80 miles away. Travelers can also opt to fly into San Diego, which is about 90 minutes from Temecula. Either way, renting a car will make it much easier to get to Temecula from whichever airport you choose. Having a car will also be helpful in getting from vineyard to vineyard as you explore the region.
WHAT MAKES TEMECULA WORLD-CLASS?
While Temecula’s vineyards certainly make it a world-class destination – there are plenty of other reasons why it’s so highly regarded. Temecula has become the hot-air balloon ride capital of Southern California, according to Thrillist. You can opt to start your day by seeing the sunrise over the farmland and vineyards before you spend your day wine-tasting. The city also has a selection of golf courses that could enhance any vacation. If you are an animal lover, Temecula offers a range of horseback riding options while enjoying stops at wineries. Many have compared Temecula with Napa Valley, which is widely celebrated as one of the premier wine regions in the United States. However, Temecula has similar offerings at a lower price point. Travelers can save about $100 per night at major chain hotels depending on the time of year and duration of their stay. The lesser-known spot is also not as expansive as vineyards in Napa. This allows guests to get a more personalized and intimate experience while paying less.
WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO IN TEMECULA?
In addition to vineyards and hot air balloon rides, Temecula offers something for guests of all ages. With Legoland California less than an hour away from the city, vineyards offer kid-friendly wineries and other activities to make your trip enjoyable for everyone. Sugarplum Zoo and Chocolates was dubbed the world’s first chocolate shop and petting zoo, according to SD Today. The business offers handmade chocolate truffles as well as wine tastings for the off-age crowd. To occupy the kids, there is also a petting zoo with cows, camels, zebras, and pigs. At its core, Temecula is a town that was settled in the mid-1800s. Though people began to settle there in 1858, archaeologists have found evidence of civilization that dates back to at least 10,000 years ago, according to the city’s website. Visitors can enjoy the western-themed Old Town Temecula, which is the heart of the city. But for those interested in sampling the best wines in the area, it can be tough to narrow the list down. Some vineyards are well-known standouts, including Wiens Cellars which spans 150 acres with 27 different grapes planted on the land. It often hosts local artists that set up on the large outdoor patio space. Bottaia Winery has four wine-tasting options as well as a pool for guests of all ages. Meanwhile, Briar Rose Winery mirrors Disney’s Snow White’s picturesque cottage. A former Disney artisan originally built it as a gift for his wife and it is now a micro-winery that produces 3,500 cases.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TEMECULA?
Temecula has hot afternoons and cooler nights due to the ocean breeze, allowing the area to grow grapes of all variations, including Mediterranean varieties, according to Thrillist. In the morning, the wind is still and as it warms up just before noon, the rising hot air creates a vacuum that pulls the cool ocean air into the valley of the city, according to Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards. In the evenings, the mountain air cools down and as the air gets heavier, it flows into Temecula at night. The mountain gap between the city and the ocean is called the Rainbow Gap. Due to the unique temperature, mountain ranges and endless hilly vineyards, Temecula mirrors the beauty of Tuscany, Italy. Visitors will love the variety of dining and shopping offerings. The Goat & Vine, 1909 Temecula, and Devilicious Eatery & Tap Room are among the top-rated restaurants in town. There are also various chains, like In-N-Out, to make any visitor feel more at home.
