Location: Temecula
Top Things to do in Temecula
10 Things to do in Temecula That You Shouldn't Miss
Located about an hour north of San Diego, Temecula is the home of more than 30 wineries, which offer tasting rooms and private tours. Seasonal festivals and vibrant nightlife will keep the fun alive at any time year, or any time of day. Gambling lovers won't want to miss the Pechanga Resort and Casino. If shopping is your thing, take a look at some of the area's exquisite boutiques, or stock up on local olive oils at the Temecula Olive Oil Company.
Restaurants in Temecula
1. Ponte Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 415 reviews
OPEN FOR CURBSIDE PICK-UP ONLY. Located in the heart of Temecula Wine Country, Ponte Winery sits on nearly 300 acres of vineyards. The winery offers guests a relaxing “Day in the Country” experience, with its spacious rustic-style tasting room, al fresco dining and elegant Italian gardens. Visitors can enjoy tours of the winemaking process, participate in special events like the Annual Grape Stomp Festival, or work with the winery’s event planners to create an exceptional wine country wedding or other group event. The Tasting Room is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tastings include 6 pours, and are $20 per person Wednesday – Friday, and $25 per person Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Guests arriving in a Limo or Bus must have a confirmed Limo Reservation to enter the winery between 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Reviewed By rustied - Portland, United States
My brother and his wife took my partner and me here for my birthday. Visiting sunny California is what this vineyard is all about. The service was excellent! The white wine I ordered was a sweet nectar from the gods themselves. It paired excellently with my food, which was the sea, a pasta dish with tons of seafood in a light cream sauce. Delicious! In fact the burger my partner had did not last long on his plate! Everything was great. We told the waitress that it was my birthday and my sister in law's and they brought out a really nice dish of ice cream covered in carmel sauce and shaved chocolate. It was all so very great!
2. Old Town Temecula
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,884 reviews
Reviewed By BaldEagleMorrow
Old Town Temecula is a wonderful experience of the 1800's So Cal architectural tradition, bumped into the 21st century. Restaurants as well as clothing, gift & antique stores present themselves as you navigate our boardwalk on either side of the street....plus varied music from the street lamps enlighten your exploration... Try it... you'll like it....
3. Wiens Family Cellars - Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Wiens Family Cellars is a Temecula winery located 7 miles East of the 15 on Rancho California Road in Temecula, Southern California. Wiens is especially known for their quality red wines, "Big Reds". When planning your trip to the Temecula wineries make sure to visit Wiens for a tour, wine tasting, and a picnic on our patio.
Reviewed By Smittyapolis - Tustin, United States
This is hidden gem down the road away from the more "commercial" wineries. I brought my dad here for his birthday and both we walked away having thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The reds, as it advertises, are truly exceptional - bold, linear, lots of rich fruit flavors. But the whites are quite delightful - very well-rounded with a variety of floral, fruity and creamy notes depending on your selection. This place is more intimate and you can enjoy a more in-depth conversation with your server, as opposed to some other place that will take your tickets and get you in-and-out. Wiens is fantastic, don't pass it by.
4. Wilson Creek Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 862 reviews
Wilson Creek Winery is warm and friendly, comfortable yet exhilarating, simple yet elegant, all inspirations from the Estate wines, vineyards and Mount Palomar in the distance. The Wilson family all join together to make your wine country experience an enjoyable one, one that you will remember! Home of the famous "Almond Sparkling Wine", Wilson Creek offers world-class wines, corporate event facilities, beautiful wedding venues, fun tasting room, wine club and Creekside Grille for vineyard view dining. Be sure to say “Hello” to one of the Wilson family, as they are always around the winery!
Reviewed By lma55806 - Duluth, United States
We really enjoyed our stop here, staff was awesome and super friendly, great wine, very nice facility and grounds,we especially liked the flavored sparkling wines and actually ordered some for the holidays once we got home,
5. Leoness Cellars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 482 reviews
Reviewed By tammieh2014 - Dresser, United States
This was our third time visiting Leoness Cellars. The first time back in 2018 I became a member, and have enjoyed getting their wines shipped to my home every quarter! For this “girls weekend” visit, we arranged a private tasting. Our private host was Jamison, ably assisted and “shadowed” by Sarina. Wow — we learned so much and tasted so many great wines! Jamison really knows his stuff and told us many interesting facts about wine, the history of the wine industry in Temecula, etc. I really enjoyed every single wine we tasted, and the four of us ended up buying a case! The views are the best in Temecula also, so after our private tasting, we enjoyed a glass of wine, really wonderful Brussels sprouts, and the truffle oil fries out on the member’s terrace. Can’t wait to go back next year!
6. Doffo Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
Reviewed By V907EVmichaelo - San Diego, United States
Had the great pleasure of visiting Doffo Winery today. My brother and sister-in-law were here in San Diego for several days visiting my wife and I before he had to go to a conference. I scheduled a trip to the Temecula Wine Country for us and our first and best stop was at Doffo. First off the decor is killer awesome! Vintage motorcycles and and great things are there to see. Melody greeted us like we were old friends and was just super helpful throughout our time there. Thank you Melody, you are wonderful! While we were there we were lucky enough to meet Damian and what a great guy! Earlier this summer my wife and I spent a week up in Napa and Paso Robles, where some pretty great wines are made. Let say this; Napa and Paso Robles wineries nothing over Doffo. Every wine we tasted we not only enjoyed but were pleasantly surprised at how outstanding each one was. Our favorite one is "Lucca". Not only is it amazing but it is the name of our youngest grandson whose mother grew up across the boarder from Argentina in Chile. We are without doubt join the legacy wine club. The rest of the time in the Temecula Wine Country was very nice, but Doffo stood out by far. Temecula has a great future ahead of it with wineries such as Doffo producing such outstanding wines.
7. Lorimar Vineyards and Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 186 reviews
What began as a long-time dream for Brother-in-laws Lawrie Lipton and Mark Manfield, came to fruition with the opening of Lorimar Vineyards and Winery. In fact, the name Lorimar itself was formed by combining Lawrie and Mark's first names. Lorimar's Old Town location was opened in 2009 while the Wine Country property was under construction. Featuring breathtaking views of Mount Palomar and the Santa Ana Mountains, Lorimar features live music on the sunset patio every weekend all year long. Guests will also enjoy relaxing by the stone fireplace surrounded by a living art gallery, filled with works from many local artists. Balanced with warm sunny days and cool nights, the vines flourish and produce excellent fruit in our climate. The soil composition of decomposed granite and clay drains well and is ideal for retaining moisture reserves deep below the surface roots. "Our goal is to create a Fusion of Wine, Art, Music and Food"
Reviewed By Sherstur - Williamstown, United States
Our first time in Temecula, we had a lot of fun at this winery. There was live music playing on a Thursday afternoon. We did not do a tasting but had a tasty lunch with drinks. I enjoyed the sauvignon blanc with the fromage plate. My friend, a pinot grigio lover, had the vineyard blend wine recommended by the waitress. The guys had Octoberfest beers and we split a goat cheese and fig flatbread and chicken salad sandwich. All were delicious. The fromage plate was an especially good value with beautifully veined cheeses, grapes, sundried tomatoes, artichokes and an entire sleeve of wheat crackers. We would return if in the area.
8. Vindemia Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 377 reviews
Vindemia is a family owned and operated winery in Temecula beautifully nestled on the Temecula hillside with the perfect blend of European style and a casual Southern California feel. Priding themselves on growing and harvesting their grapes and to bring out the best ripeness in the fruit for crafting quality wines.
Reviewed By T1899ZDmelissas
We popped into this boutique little winery and we’re not disappointed. Great wine, great setting, Gino was super informative and a pleasure to converse with. Dog friendly which is a plus. This is a cute little spot to not miss.
9. Peltzer Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 103 reviews
Welcome to Peltzer Farm & Winery. Our 25 acres of vineyards and homestead are located on the wine country path of the Calle Contento Trail in the Temecula Valley. Peltzer offers a quaint farm atmosphere and an industrial-chic winery with a vintage feel. We invite you to breakaway from the mainstream for the day and see why Peltzer rules the roost. Please see our website for Special Hours of operation.
Reviewed By TRAVELBAG40 - Barnsley, United Kingdom
Fantastic setting, lovely building and the wine tasting was great. Sampled 6 wines and our friends kinky bought us 2 Zinfandels and Pinot Grigio for my birthday. Really enjoyed my visit and thrilled with the wine I got
10. Miramonte Winery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 293 reviews
Miramonte Winery is Southern California's premier artisan winery, specializing in adventurous, succulent Rhone-based varietal wines. Our winery is also known for its casual contemporary-chic tasting room, and jam packed music and events calendar. We invite you to come visit the winery that's taking Temecula Valley to new heights.
Reviewed By ladyzire - Temecula, United States
Met with friends for a lovely afternoon of winetasting. Beautiful setting on the patio with spectacular views of vineyards and wine country! Service was great and loved the Albarino wine.
