Old Town Temecula
Photo: John Ward (Jdubphoto.com), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Before the wineries, there was Old Town. Temecula’s historic district along Front Street preserves the look and feel of a Western ranching town — boardwalks, wooden facades and buildings that date back more than a century — while bustling with modern restaurants, wine bars, shops and entertainment.
A walk through history
Many of Old Town’s buildings have stories that Visit Temecula Valley highlights. The Burnham Store on Main Street dates to the 1890s and is now The Merc. The Machado Store at Front and Main dates to 1909 and is now the restaurant 1909. The Knott House at Front and Fifth, from 1913, is now Small Barn. Mother’s Café at Front and Third, from 1927, is now the Swing Inn Cafe. Walking Front Street is a tour of these layered lives.
Eating and drinking
Old Town is Temecula’s densest dining district. Highlights include Gaucho Grill’s wood-fired Argentine steaks in a historic bank, 1909’s patio and cocktails, Small Barn’s porch-side bistro, Archive’s steaks and whiskey, Luke’s On Front’s rooftop views, E.A.T. Marketplace’s farm-to-table café and the Swing Inn’s breakfasts and barbecue. Wine bars such as Two Travelers and Pamec Patio, and cafés like Le Coffee Shop and Corbeaux Wine & Tea House, round out the scene.
Things to do
Beyond food and drink, Old Town offers live shows at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, local history at the Temecula Valley Museum, hands-on science at Pennypickle’s Workshop, nostalgic treats at the Old Town Sweet Shop, line dancing at the Temecula Stampede and arcade fun at Coin-Op Game Room. On Saturday mornings, the farmers market fills Sixth and Front Streets. Throughout the year, Old Town hosts signature events such as the Temecula Rod Run, the Fourth of July parade and Santa’s Electric Light Parade.
Tips for visiting
- Park once and walk — or let a chauffeur drop you on Front Street.
- Visit Saturday morning for the farmers market.
- Stay into the evening when the lights and music come on.
- Check the events calendar; Old Town hosts many festivals.
Who will love Old Town Temecula
Everyone. Families, couples, history buffs, foodies and nightlife lovers all find something here. Old Town is also the perfect backdrop for a classic car: a red 1969 Cadillac convertible on Front Street, framed by wooden storefronts and Western signs, looks like a scene from another era — and makes for unforgettable wedding, engagement and celebration photos.
A chauffeured day often ends here, after an afternoon in wine country: a sunset drive back into town, photos with the car, dinner on Front Street and perhaps live music or a show afterward. With a driver waiting, the whole evening is easy.
Planning your visit
Temecula’s attractions and shows are easy to combine with wine country, Old Town and dining into a full day. Check schedules and buy tickets in advance for performances and popular programs, and confirm hours before you go, since seasonal changes and private events can affect access. Weekdays are generally quieter than weekends, and mornings are best for outdoor attractions before the afternoon heat in summer. Families should allow plenty of time for younger children to explore. If you are planning a celebration — an anniversary, a birthday or a date night — a show or attraction makes a great centerpiece, and a chauffeured 1969 Cadillac turns the arrival and the ride home into part of the occasion.
Best time to go
Weekday mornings tend to be quietest; check the official website for hours, closures and showtimes before you go, especially around holidays.
Make a day of it
A sample Temecula day built around Old Town Temecula:
- Late morning — chauffeured pickup at your hotel and a slow cruise up Rancho California Road.
- Afternoon — two winery tastings with a lunch stop in wine country.
- Golden hour — drop-off on Old Town Front Street for photos with the car.
- Evening — Old Town Temecula, then a ride back to your hotel with the top down.
Old Town Temecula at a glance
| Category | Historic district |
|---|---|
| Address | Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590 |
| Area | Old Town Temecula |
| Good to know | Walkable; restaurants, wine bars, shops, theater, museum and Saturday farmers market |
| Website | www.visittemeculavalley.com/things-to-do/old-town |
Getting to Old Town Temecula in a 1969 Cadillac
Old Town Temecula is compact and walkable, but parking on Front Street fills quickly on weekends and during events. Arriving by chauffeured 1969 Cadillac solves that neatly: your driver drops you at the door, waits or circles back, and collects you when you are ready — and a red convertible on Front Street’s Western boardwalks makes for the most photographed arrival in town.
Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum, booked and protected through DriveShare. Tell us where you want to go and we will build the route — Old Town Temecula plus a winery or two, a sunset stop and a ride home.
Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare
More things to do nearby
- 1909 — restaurants
- Baily's Old Town Temecula — restaurants
- Luke's On Front — restaurants
- Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse — restaurants
- E.A.T. Marketplace — restaurants
All things to do in Temecula → · Month-by-month events calendar → · Temecula wineries →
Frequently asked questions
Where is Old Town Temecula?
Old Town Temecula is at Old Town Front Street, Temecula, CA 92590, in Old Town Temecula.
What is Old Town Temecula known for?
Old Town Temecula is known for its historic Western-style buildings along Front Street, walkable restaurants, wine bars and nightlife, antique and specialty shops, the community theater, the Temecula Valley Museum and the Saturday farmers market.
Can I arrive at Old Town Temecula in a classic car?
Yes. 1969 Caddy offers a chauffeured red 1969 Cadillac DeVille convertible from $325 per hour (three-hour minimum), booked on DriveShare. We plan the drop-off and pickup around Old Town Temecula and can add nearby wineries to the same booking.
Arrive at Old Town Temecula in style.
A chauffeured 1969 Cadillac convertible for your Temecula day — booked on DriveShare.