by Gabe Saglie
Temecula, California, has been a hot spot for hot air ballooning for more than 100 years. For today’s visitors, the activity can be a veritable rite of passage, and on most mornings, it’s awe-inspiring to see a kaleidoscope of basket-toting balloons floating across the sky at sunrise. No fewer than four companies offer ballooning experiences above Temecula, and for the uber-adventurous, skydiving is also an option. From a couple thousand feet up, citrus groves and vineyards extend for miles—a feast for the eyes.
Equidistant from San Diego and Los Angeles and surrounded by mountains, Temecula is easy to access just off the I-15 and is set on a plateau just 22 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Its climate leans Mediterranean, and with its bevy of unique enterprises, this charming town of about 110,000 residents delivers plenty of unexpected surprises for travelers.
It’s true that the finicky enophile might second-guess Temecula’s standing as a wine region, preferring areas further north. Vineyards here have certainly seen setbacks over the last few decades, as pest-driven diseases have forced replantings. Temecula is a well-established AVA, though, with sandy loam soils, more than two dozen grape varieties, and close to 50 wineries; Danza del Sol, Robert Renzoni Vineyards, and Wiens Family Cellars are standouts.
Thirsty guests have also given rise to other local beverage industries, and a distinct tasting trail is taking shape. Refuge Brewery takes inspiration from its Old World counterparts in Belgium and serves as a testing lab for Ss Brewtech home-brewing equipment; Batch Mead uses local ingredients for its line of meads and ciders; and the Distillery at Oak Mountain pours rotating craft cocktails at its Prohibition-style bar.
Such venues offer some of the best food in the area too—a fact most evident at Meritage Restaurant at Callaway Winery, where on-site greenhouses and gardens as well as sustainable produce from neighbor growers yield farm-to-table fare. E.A.T. Marketplace offers the same organic produce and local meats on its in-house menu as it does in its shop for patrons to take home, and the nearby Bottega Italia pizzeria and gelateria in Old Town feels classically Italian. In this area, history buffs can wander rustic sidewalks and wooden boardwalks lined with antique shops and artisan boutiques featuring locally made goods.
For even more unique experiences, visit Vail Headquarters, a historic park dating back to 1867 in which restoration and preservation efforts have created a community gathering spot with various shops and eateries. And at the Sugarplum Zoo, an exotic petting zoo—think camels, alpacas, and miniature horses—is joined by a chocolate shop and tasting room.
For value, consider weekday visits as well as trips during the winter months, when the crowds thin but Mother Nature still wows. Find out more at visittemeculavalley.com and temeculawines.org.
