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Sipping summer cocktails, relaxing poolside with light bites, or riding through the vineyards on horseback are great ways to experience Temecula Valley during the summer. Daytime temperatures can rise, but Temecula evenings are cool and breezy, providing respite from the heat. And the sunsets are spectacular.
This time of year, it’s best to visit mid-week, away from the weekend crowds. For more information on where to stay, wineries, events, restaurants, and more, go to www.visittemeculavalley.com.
Here are the top 10 things to do in Temecula Valley this summer:
Temecula Sunset Market debuts July 12
The first-ever Temecula Sunset Market debuts on Wednesday, July 12 from 5-9pm in Old Town Temecula at Town Square Park, just steps from City Hall. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, a gourmet food court, and some of the finest artisans of handmade goods and crafts in Southern California. The market is designed to bring a vibrant, family-friendly evening to Old Town Temecula, reminiscent of night markets internationally.
Old Town Music Festival returns June 17
Polish up your boots and head to the Old Town Music Festival on Saturday, June 17. The huge parking lot at the Stampede will transform into a fun-filled outdoor festival featuring a large stage, full bars, line dancing, mechanical bull riding, and more. Held from noon until 10pm, the entertainment line-up includes Big & Rich, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Coffey Anderson, Creed Fisher, Runaway June, and Cowboy Troy, among others. The VIP section is sold out; remaining tickets are $69.
Old Town debuts two new “hidden gem” wine bars
Old Town Front Street, also known as Old Town’s main street, is a fun place to explore, but there’s a lot going on off the beaten path. Head a few blocks east and you will discover two amazing establishments offering unique wines and culinary creations in drop-dead gorgeous tasting rooms. Two Travelers Wine Bar + Merchant is committed to discovering the world’s greatest wines and showcasing them alongside the best wines of the Temecula Valley. Corbeaux Wine & Tea House offers select teas cultivated from Japan, China, and India, as well as delicious wines and cocktails. Both places offer delicious, uniquely crafted small bites.
“Taste of Old Town” summer event returns July 25
Popular with locals and visitors alike, the Taste of Old Town is held twice each year, in July and December. Visitors can stroll through Old Town while enjoying tastes, sips, and live music at a variety of participating restaurants, tasting rooms, and retailers. The 2023 Summer Taste of Old Town will be held on Tuesday, July 25 from 5-8:30pm. Tickets are $30 each if purchased in advance and $40 at the door. Guests will be given wristbands, along with a map, to uncover several unique culinary, beverage, and entertainment options to enjoy. For more information, visit www.OldTownTemecula.org/events-tickets.
Swing into summer with live entertainment – from country to jazz
The award-winning South Coast Winery Resort & Spa recently kicked off its Rhythm on the Vine concert series and Pechanga Resort Casino offers an elite assortment of headline acts and concerts all summer long. For a full roster of upcoming live entertainment options in Old Town, Temecula Valley Wine Country, and Pechanga Resort Casino, go here.
Dip your toe in at The Cove, Pechanga Resort Casino
Whether you prefer to swim laps, lounge in a cabana, or dogpaddle up to the pool bar, Pechanga Resort Casino’s 4.5-acre tropical pool oasis, The Cove, is one of Temecula’s great summer escapes. This season, non-hotel guests can enjoy the experience by purchasing day passes (based on availability; always free to hotel guests). The Cove is massive, with four pools, three whirlpools, two twisty waterslides, a family pool, 27 cabanas, six daybeds, and an inviting swim-up bar. The Coveside Grill offers a full menu as well as craft cocktails, beer, and a variety of beverages, all served poolside.
Beat the heat in style at BOTTAIA Winery Pool Café + Cocktail Bar
Tucked way behind the BOTTAIA Winery, the Bottaia Pool Café + Cocktail Bar is designed to enhance the guest experience without crowds and operates by reservation only. An oasis of relaxation, visitors can relax on chaise lounges with vineyard views or enjoy private, Italian-style cabines. Small plates and entrees are served poolside, along with local and regional wines and traditional and modern cocktails. The BOTTAIA Pool Cafe + Cocktail Bar welcomes all ages and is open seasonally, Wednesday to Sunday.
Kick up your heels at a rental with its own Western town
Located in the hills of Southern California Wine Country, Old West Temecula is a one-of-a-kind vacation rental that includes a private Western town with a full-sized saloon and second-story balcony, a Bank with teller windows, a Sheriff's Office with a jail, a gold mine with a water tower, a 5,500-gallon waterfall fishpond, and more. The property has served as an authentic western film set and delights guests of all ages. It sleeps 16 guests, with eight bedrooms, including sleeping areas in the bank and jail.
Step back in time at the Old Town Palomar Inn Hotel
Take a step back in time – 1927, to be exact - at the Palomar Inn Hotel in the heart of Old Town Temecula. Recently refurbished, the owners carefully worked to preserve history while blending in modern comforts. The iconic building is now available as an entire hotel rental, which sleeps up to 12 people in 6 guestrooms, each decorated to commemorate a special time or event in the hotel’s nearly century-long history.
Circle the wagons and glamp at Old Town Ranch
Families and groups looking for a unique and one-of-a-kind western glamping experience will find that Old Town Ranch checks all the boxes. Six beautiful, hand-crafted Conestoga wagons allow guests to enjoy a pioneer experience without sacrificing the comforts of home. A communal fire pit, bocce ball, corn hole sets, farm animals, and a special seated bar and kitchen area for outdoor parties, make it perfect for group celebrations.
Visit Temecula Valley (VTV) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(6) destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting tourism-related businesses including wineries, restaurants, breweries, retail and specialty boutiques, hotels, short-term rentals, and more. For more information visit http://www.visittemeculavalley.com.
