Annette Brown of Visit Temecula Valley, one of Southern California most engaging communities, e-mailed me this and I wanted to share it with you.
Welcoming more than 2 million visitors each year, the casual, picturesque Temecula Valley includes Southern California Wine Country, Downtown Old Town Temecula, and Pechanga Resort & Casino. I would like to add the Pala Resort & Casino to this list as it's another 20 minute further south on CA Highway 76. The popular getaway and vacation destination is located 60 minutes from San Diego, Orange County, and Palm Springs; 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Hollywood.
1-Temecula Olive Oil Company
Highly regarded olive growers and olive oil producers, the Temecula Olive Oil Company (TOOC) store and tasting room are a favorite Old Town Temecula inspiration for summer entertaining. TOOC garners an exceptional following for their sustainable practices, and quality, fresh, pure, and flavorful, 100% Southern California, 100% extra virgin olive oil. Founded in 2001, the company’s original retail shop and tasting room are located at the corner of Old Town Front and Main Streets. At the complimentary tasting bar, guests taste fresh Temecula olive oil the way nature intended. Savoring the purity illustrates that sustainable growing practices and the old world process make all the difference. TOOC offers a variety of limited edition, hand-blended Temecula olive oils like Caprice de Nature, White Truffle, Hickory Smoked, Fajita Frenzy, Picanté Pepper, Fresh Basil (made by crushing fresh, organic, California basil with the olives), de Luscious Lemon (made with fresh, California lemons), and Citrus Reserve (made with fresh blood oranges). TOOC balsamic vinegars include blends like Pomegranate, Hatch Chili, Vanilla and Fig (made with the essence of fresh, ripe California figs), and Honey Balsamic (made with honey from the bees at TOOC’s Olive View Ranch). TOOC is also a popular destination for thoughtful gifts including TOOC’s 100% Southern California natural olive oil, bath, and body products.
2-The Wine Tasting Rooms of Old Town Temecula
Visitors can swirl, sniff, and sip some of the many quality, award-winning, premium varietal, and proprietary blended wines of Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country in Downtown Old Town Temecula wine tasting rooms. The establishments are located within easy walking distance of each other. With many different varietals and styles along the Old Town Temecula Wine Walk, both wine aficionados and wine novices are sure to find wines they enjoy. The Curry Vineyard tasting room is casual and friendly, and features the wines of this Temecula Valley small-lot estate producer. At friendly and gracious Fazeli Cellars, the gregarious atmosphere celebrates both a rich cultural heritage of ancient traditions and Fazeli award-winning Temecula Valley wines. Lorimar Loft is the modern yet rustic, Old Town Temecula tasting room of Temecula Valley’s Lorimar Vineyards & Winery. Lorimar is popularly associated with their distinctive fusion of wine and art.
3-Patio and Porch Dining in Old Town Temecula
Dozens of independently owned restaurants and bistros in Downtown Old Town Temecula make each dining experience welcoming and unique. Among some of the most enjoyable dining is that set amidst the energy and excitement, hustle and bustle, along the sidewalks and thoroughfares of Old Town Front and Main Streets. Nestled in the middle of the block on Fifth Street, the outdoor patio at Palumbo’s Ristorante typically thrives with lively conversation. Southern Italian cuisine and a nice variety of local Temecula Valley wines share the spotlight. The bread, raviolis, sausage, meatballs, soups, and sauces are all freshly house-made, and meals are made-to-order. At a prime location on Front Street is Mad Madeline’s Grill with a popular wrap-around covered porch adjacent Old Town Temecula’s primary promenade. The hamburgers and cheeseburgers are consistently voted the best; meat is ground fresh daily and grilled, never fried. The award-winning menu also includes specialties like fresh-cut fries and real old-fashioned malts. In the middle of the uphill block on Main Street is the distinctive bungalow that houses Old Town Temecula’s popular gastro pub, the PUBlic House. The front patio is a comfortable, elevated, covered porch with a view to the heart of Old Town at the intersection of Front and Main. The seasonal menu features trendy and inspired fare like filet mignon finished with a blue cheese pecan crust. Save room for desert like the decadent chocolate s’mores.
4-The Luiseño Basket-Artistry Inspired Fountain in Old Town Temecula
At the base of Temecula Civic Center, the impressive fountain inspired by the textural design of Luiseño-basket artistry is Old Town Temecula’s most popular scene for memorable photo opportunities. The fountain bowl is covered in mosaic tile to resemble the exceptionally tight weave and renowned, beautiful textural design of a Luiseño grass-woven basket. Two granite walls flank the fountain and provide the water flowing into the bowl. The fountain is one of Old Town Temecula’s most admired landmarks.
5-Specialty Shopping in Old Town Temecula
Year-round, intriguing shopping in 60+ individually owned specialty stores is one of Old Town Temecula’s hallmark activities. With fields locally grown in Temecula Valley Wine Country, Old Town’s charming Temecula Lavender Company features pure, small-batch signature products for bath, body and home. Testers are often available to sample lavender lotion, lavender scrub, or lavender body butter. The Gardener’s Cottage features a wide variety of fanciful gifts. Namesake garden-related items feature whimsical characters like fairies, frogs, rabbits, gnomes, and dragonflies. At Old Town Spice & Tea Merchants, recycled 100-year-old barn beams support shelves laden with glass jars of fine spices, herbs, blends, sea salts, and loose teas. Different products are available to sample daily. Around the block is Old Town Root Beer featuring the family-recipe namesake beverage as well as 200 other root beers and a crazy variety of 300 other classic, nostalgic, and novelty sodas. Down the block and across the street, Old Town Sweet Shop has fresh fudge, truffles, hand-scooped ice cream, and a spectacular selection of Jelly Bellys® and retro candy. Just across the river from Old Town Temecula is Granny’s Attic and Antiques. A vast variety of collectibles, antiques, and vintage clothing are featured as well as one-of-a-kind American furniture dating to the 1800s.
6-EAT Marketplace and a Picnic at Old Town Temecula’s Town Square Park
Newly relocated in Old Town Temecula is EAT Marketplace, an eternal champion of Slow Food and advocate for local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans for more than 14 years. The casual, friendly, locally foraged eatery and marketplace is ideal for purchasing food-to-go. Creative meals, baked goods, and snacks are created from regionally sourced, sustainably minded ingredients. Let the ever-changing fresh, seasonal menu inspire then proceed along Main Street to Town Square Park, an ideal spot to picnic. The expanse of lawn, trees, and benches are inviting. The view to the west includes an overview of the Old Town District, the Main Street Bridge over the river as it makes its way to the Pacific Ocean, and the untouched chaparral-covered hills beyond.
7-Old Town Temecula Art Galleries:
Gallery at The MERC and Art Gallery at Temecula Civic Center
The exceptional work of local artists is showcased at two intimate venues in the Old Town Temecula historic district. New exhibits are featured on a rotating basis throughout the year at Gallery at The MERC and Art Gallery at Temecula Civic Center.
8-Live Music in Old Town Temecula
Once part of the historic 1891 Mercantile building, The MERC is an intimate club-style performance space with tall nineteenth-century brick walls and excellent acoustics. The revolving variety of live musical entertainment includes notable jazz artists, popular country talent, and classic chamber performances, as well as themed cabaret evenings with the best of Broadway, classic films, beloved songwriters, specific eras, and genres.
The outdoor courtyard stage at Front Street Bar & Grill hosts live music Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. The late nineteenth-century ambiance of The Gambling Cowboy features live music Friday and Saturday nights. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings feature live music at PUBlic House. On Friday and Saturday nights, Old Town wine tasting rooms, Curry Vineyards, Fazeli Cellars, and Lorimar Loft host live music.
Additionally, Old Town Temecula features Hot Summer Nights on Friday evenings July 11 through August 29. Bands play on patios, in parking lots, and on special stages throughout the Old Town district. Each week is a new sound with bands ranging from blues, reggae, and tribute, to alternative rock, beach, and country.
*Information is believed accurate but may be subject to change.
ABOUT TEMECULA VALLEY AND VISIT TEMECULA VALLEY
With natural gifts of climate and geography, bolstered by Pu’eska Mountain, the Rainbow Gap, and Santa Margarita Gap, Temecula Valley is widely recognized for its scenic vineyards, award-winning wines, and gracious and friendly wineries as Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country. The popular boutique destination also includes Downtown Old Town Temecula, Pechanga Resort & Casino, and the Temecula Wine Country Golf Trail, and is home to three-time award-winning California Golden State Winery of the Year, South Coast Winery.
Visit Temecula Valley (formerly the Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau), the region’s official tourism marketing organization and resource for visitors is online including a complete daily Event Calendar at VisitTemeculaValley.com; “Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country” on Facebook; and @Visit_Temecula on Twitter. Visit Temecula Valley also welcomes ad agencies, location scouts, writers, and directors online at FilmTemecula.com. The Temecula Valley Visitors Center is located in Downtown Old Town Temecula (Third Street and Mercedes) adjacent the Old Town Temecula Parking Garage. For visitor information and assistance, call 888/363-2852 or 951/491-6085.