Things to do in Temecula.
Where to eat, sip, dance and explore — plus the festivals and shows worth planning a trip around. Every pick has its own in-depth guide.
Restaurants
From a rooftop with Old Town views to an Argentine parrilla in a historic bank, these are the tables worth planning a day around.
1909
Historic Machado building, big patio, cocktails and craft beer.
Baily's Old Town Temecula
Old Town pioneer with brunch, dinner and live music on two stages.
Luke's On Front
Rooftop dining and craft cocktails with panoramic Old Town views.
Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse
Wood-fired parrilla steaks in a historic bank — with a vault tasting room.
E.A.T. Marketplace
Chef Leah Di Bernardo’s farm-to-table café and bakery.
Swing Inn Cafe
A 1927 Old Town landmark for homestyle breakfast and smoked BBQ.
The Brunch House
Family-owned, made-from-scratch brunch from two longtime chefs.
Small Barn
Wine-country bistro in the historic Knott family homestead.
Archive
Premium steaks, seafood, a whiskey program and Sunday jazz.
Cafes & Sweets
Morning coffee, French pastries, tea service and old-fashioned fudge — the slower pleasures of a Temecula day.
East Coffee
Handcrafted espresso, pastries, açaí bowls and a relaxed modern room.
Le Coffee Shop
French pastries, crêpes, quiches and croque-monsieurs in Old Town.
Corbeaux Wine & Tea House
French-Asian cuisine, house wines and teas from around the world.
Old Town Sweet Shop
Retro candy, fresh fudge, handmade chocolates and 20 ice-cream flavors.
Bars & Nightlife
Line dancing, natural-wine flights, vintage pinball and sommelier-led tastings once the sun goes down.
Temecula Stampede
Line dancing, two-stepping and bull riding at a huge country venue.
Two Travelers Wine Bar + Merchant
Sommelier-selected wines from around the world, plus oysters and charcuterie.
Coin-Op Game Room
Pinball, classic arcade games and drinks on Front Street.
Pamec Patio
Small-production natural wines, flights and patio pours in Old Town.
Attractions & Shows
History, live theater, open space and a world-class resort — Temecula beyond the tasting room.
Old Town Temecula
Western storefronts, historic buildings, dining and nightlife.
Pechanga Resort Casino
Casino, concerts, theater, spa, golf and dozens of restaurants.
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
Concerts, musicals, tribute acts and improv on Main Street.
Temecula Valley Museum
The valley’s story from the Luiseño to the railroad era.
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
9,000 acres of oak woodland, prairie and vernal pools.
Temecula Duck Pond & Veterans Memorial
A peaceful pond, walking paths and tributes to local veterans.
Pennypickle's Workshop
Temecula’s Children’s Museum: science through play.
Events & Festivals
The festivals, concerts and celebrations that fill Temecula’s calendar, from January’s Pow Wow to December’s light parade.
Old Town Temecula Farmers Market
Saturday mornings at Sixth & Front: local produce and artisan goods.
Pechanga Pow Wow
January’s celebration of song, dance and Native culture.
Temecula Valley Barrel Tasting Weekend
Taste wines straight from the barrel at dozens of wineries.
Pechanga Wine Festival & Chocolate Decadence
An early-spring pairing of wine and chocolate at Pechanga.
Temecula Rod Run
Old Town’s classic-car cruise and Show & Shine.
Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
Hot-air balloons, wine, food and music at Lake Skinner since 1983.
Temecula Fourth of July
Morning parade in Old Town and fireworks to close the day.
Thornton Winery Champagne Jazz Series
Live jazz, champagne and dinner in the vineyard at Thornton.
Temecula Valley International Film Festival
Independent cinema and filmmaker Q&As each October.
De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Celebration
A harvest-season day of tastings across De Portola Road.
Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade
Tree lighting and a lighted parade through Old Town.
Planning a Temecula trip beyond the vines
Most visitors build a Temecula weekend around three anchors: an afternoon of wine tasting, an evening in historic Old Town and one special event or show. Start with the calendar to see what is on during your dates, then choose restaurants, cafes and bars near your hotel or event. Old Town is compact and walkable, while wine country, Pechanga and Lake Skinner are a short drive away — which is where a chauffeured 1969 Cadillac comes in, linking every stop without anyone having to drive after a tasting.
The top 20 wedding venues in Temecula
Wineries, resorts, gardens and more — our guide to where to say “I do” in wine country.
See the wedding venuesWhat’s on in Temecula?
See every festival, concert and celebration on our month-by-month calendar.
Open the events calendarThings to do FAQ
What is there to do in Temecula besides wine tasting?
Temecula offers historic Old Town with restaurants, cafes and nightlife; Pechanga Resort Casino’s concerts, spa and golf; live theater at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater; the Temecula Valley Museum; hiking at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve; and annual events such as the Rod Run and the Balloon & Wine Festival.
Where should I eat in Old Town Temecula?
Popular picks include Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse, 1909, Small Barn, Luke’s On Front for rooftop views, Archive for steaks and seafood, E.A.T. Marketplace for farm-to-table, and Swing Inn Cafe for breakfast and barbecue.
How do I get around Temecula without driving?
Old Town is walkable, and for wine country, Pechanga and events, a chauffeured car is easiest. 1969 Caddy offers a chauffeured 1969 Cadillac convertible from $325 per hour, booked on DriveShare.
Let someone else drive.
Old Town dinners, Pechanga shows, festival days — arrive in a chauffeured 1969 Cadillac.