The 29 Best Things to Do in Temecula, The Ultimate Guide

Temecula is a spectacular town that offers many adventures for its visitors. We have visited Temecula many times over the years and have always enjoyed the time we spent there. The wineries in Temecula’s Wine Country produce many award-winning wines. Old Town Temecula is a vibrant town and a great place to spend a few days. There are countless activities and places to explore in and around Temecula. You will not be disappointed when visiting this vibrant town. Keep reading to learn about the many things to do in Temecula!   

Visit Old Town Temecula

Spending the day in Old Town Temecula is a great way to explore the area and learn about its history and culture. Old Town is a quaint but vibrant area with many restaurants, shops, and places to visit. You will find many things to do in Old Town. You can easily spend the day exploring Old Town and taking in this great area in Temecula.  

See the Temecula Arches

As you enter Old Town, you will be greeted by the famous Old Town Arches. The arches are widely photographed. There are two arches in Old Town. They are located at both the South and North end of town. You will see the arches if you drive in from either direction.  

Visit Sam Hicks Monument Park

A few notable things to see while exploring Old Town include the Sam Hicks Monument Park. The park is located on Moreno Street, not far from Front Street. Sam Hicks Monument Park is a tribute to the founders of Temecula and has a large granite stone commemorating Temecula’s founders. The park is large, has a playground for children, and is in the same area where you will find the museum. Many community events are held at Sam Hicks Monument Park. 

Visit Town Square Park

Town Square Park is located across the street from Temecula City Hall. Town Square Park is a lovely, serene park where you can take a break from exploring Old Town or just sit and enjoy the area. The park has a beautiful fountain, which adds to the park’s nice atmosphere. 

Visit the Many Shops and Restaurants in Old Town Temecula

Old Town Temecula has many quaint shops and restaurants to choose from. You will find shops selling tea, lavender, olive oil, and many collectible and souvenir items. There are so many stores to explore on Old Town Front Street that you are guaranteed to find some pretty incredible items. One of my favorite stores is the Old Town Spice and Tea Merchants. I always find incredible teas and spices at this location. You can also order hot or cold tea and enjoy it on the outside patio. There is also a variety of antique shops where you can find one-of-a-kind items.

There are several restaurants in Old Town. A few of our favorites are Havana Kitchen and Swing Inn Cafe & BBQ. Havana Kitchen has a variety of Cuban selections, including Cuban pastries and coffee. The Swing in Cafe & BBQ has many delicious American BBQ selections. 

These are a couple of our favorite restaurants. However, there is a wide variety of restaurants in Old Town from which to choose.

Olive Oil Tasting in Temecula

The California climate is ideal for growing olives. It’s no surprise that California produces some of the best-tasting olive oil in the US. You can find olive oil tasting rooms in many California Central Coast towns, such as Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. Luckily, you don’t have to drive far to find great-tasting olive oil in Southern California. Temecula has a few places where you can taste and purchase incredible olive oil and vinegar.  

Olivedipity and Temecula Olive Oil Company have their store and tasting room in Old Town. Both stores are within walking distance from each other and offer tastings of their olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Both Olivedipity and Temecula Olive Oil Company are open daily.

The Olive Plantation is located in the Temecula Wine Country off Pauba Road. They are open during the weekend for tasting. 

Check Out Temecula’s Art Culture

Temecula has a rich art culture that is visible throughout town. There are several notable art pieces that you can see as you explore Old Town. One of the largest murals is the History of Temecula Mural, which is located on Mercedes Street and 6th Street. The mural was painted by Robin Golden and depicts Temecula’s history from 1858 through 1996.

Another notable piece is located outside on the grounds of City Hall. The Emigrant Trail is a mosaic by Carole Choucair Oueijan. The mosaic depicts Temecula’s important role as a gateway to the West. Many people emigrating to the West passed through town as they made their way to San Diego.

Visit the Temecula Valley Museum

The Temecula Valley Museum is located on Mercedes Street in Old Town. The museum has a variety of exhibits and is a great place to learn about the history of Temecula. There is a permanent collection and exhibits that change throughout the year. The museum also offers a walking tour of Temecula on Saturdays. You can make reservations for the walking tour on the Temecula Valley Museum website.

The Temecula Valley Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

Visit Pennypickle’s Workshop Temecula Children’s Museum

Pennypickle’s Workshop is one of the best things to do with children in Temecula. There are a variety of hands-on activities, experiments, and gadgets for children to play with. Pennypickle’s Workshop focuses on science exhibits and makes learning about science fun for kids.

The museum has several different theme rooms where children can explore and learn about different things, such as music, electricity, chemistry, and visual perception, to name a few. The museum is an incredible place for kids and has won a few awards. 

Pennypickle’s Workshop is open Tuesday through Sunday. There are three sessions offered Tuesday through Saturday and two sessions offered on Sunday. The admission price for the museum is $10.00.

Enjoy the Temecula Sunset Market

If you want a great way to spend the evening, the Temecula Sunset Market is a great option. The market has a food court with several options to choose from. You will also find various artisan and craft items available for purchase. The market also features entertainment and is a great way to spend the evening with family. 

The Temecula Sunset Market reminded us of the night markets in other places we have visited, such as on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands and Hawaii. If you want to take the family out for the evening, consider visiting the Temecula Sunset Market. With several vendors to see and options for food and entertainment, the Temecula Sunset Market makes for a perfect family evening. 

The Temecula Sunset Market is held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. The market runs from 5 pm to 9 pm. 

Take an Old Temecula Walking Tour

A walking tour of Old Town is a great way to explore Old Town Temecula. While exploring Old Town on your own is easy, there is more to learn and explore when going on a guided walking tour. Walking Tours are narrated by locals with in-depth knowledge of the history of Temecula. When you take a walking tour led by a local, you will undoubtedly learn many things about Temecula that you would otherwise miss by walking around town on your own. Also, there are a variety of walking tours available. 

History Walking Tours

A history walking tour is a great choice if you want to learn in-depth information about the history and culture of Temecula. Locals lead history tours, so you will learn many details about Temecula’s history.  

Ghost Walking Tours

A Ghost Walking Tour is an off-the-beaten-path way of exploring Old Town Temecula. Ghost walking tours occur at night and are led by locals with lots of knowledge about Temecula. They also have paranormal experience and use paranormal tools such as EMF meters on the tour. They also share their electronic voice phenomena recordings of ghost voices on the tour. Ghost walking tours are an exciting way to spend the evening exploring Temecula. And you might even find a ghost on your tour!

Temecula Urban Adventure Quest

Urban Adventure Quest is an exciting adventure that takes you throughout Temecula. You solve clues and complete challenges, all while seeing the sites of Temecula and learning about the local history of Temecula. If this sounds similar to The Amazing Race, you’re right! Of course, the quest is on a smaller scale.

The quest takes about two hours to complete, and you get points for solving the clues and completing the challenges.  The best part of the quest is exploring Temecula and learning things about the town that you might not know. This is one of the best family-friendly activities to do in Temecula.

You can find this fun adventure in many cities throughout the world. We had a fun adventure very similar to this on Catalina Island. It is always a blast and definitely worth doing.

Visit Temecula Valley Wineries

California has several well-known wine regions, such as the Central Coast wine region, where Paso Robles is located, and the Northern California wine region, where Napa and Sonoma are located. The Temecula Valley is Southern California’s wine country. Temecula Wine Country has over 45 wineries to explore, each with various wines to taste and purchase. You will find varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Super Tuscan, Merlot, Chardonnay, and many others. The wines in Temecula’s Wine Country are superb, and it’s worth spending a day or two exploring the wineries there.

If you want a great place to eat while exploring wine country, consider eating at one of the wineries. Many wineries have onsite restaurants or grills and offer food or small plates for purchase. We have eaten at several restaurants in wine country, and they have been fabulous. A few of our favorites include Ponte Winery, Miramonte, and Wilson Creek. The food was absolutely wonderful at all of these locations. 

A few wineries, such as Miramonte Winery, have smaller plates available or charcuterie boards that pair perfectly with their wines. Many wineries also have live entertainment and music and extended hours during the weekend. Exploring Temecula’s wineries is one of the best things to do in Temecula.

Go on a Temecula Wine Tasting Tour

If you want to explore several wineries and taste the delicious wines of Temecula, you can do it safely by signing up for a wine tour. On a wine tour, you will visit several wineries and taste the wines at each of your stops. Wine tours offer the added benefit of having a designated driver while visiting several wine country wineries. The tasting pours at many of the wineries are generous, and having a designated driver is very important. A wine tour is the perfect solution. 

There are several winery tours to choose from. Many wine tour operators will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off after your tour. Or you can meet your tour at a designated meeting location. I have taken a wine tour a couple of times, and it really is a great way to explore the wineries. The tour buses are air-conditioned and smaller-sized tour buses, making the experience more intimate than touristy. You will not be driving with 50 other people on the bus. The buses are a perfect size if you are touring the area with several friends. 

Stop By One of the Temecula Valley Farmers’ Market

Temecula is a great location near many farm areas. If you are interested in buying fresh produce or fruit, you should visit one of Temecula’s farmer’s markets. There are three farmers’ markets that occur in Temecula throughout the week. Each farmers’ market is located in a different part of the city. The farmers’ markets have local vendors selling produce, fruit, handcrafted items, and artisan goods.

Old Town Temecula Farmer’s Market 

The Old Town Temecula Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm. You will find the farmer’s market on Sixth & Front Street in Old Town Temecula.

Promenade Temecula Farmer’s Market

The Promenade Temecula Farmer’s Market is held every Wednesday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. You will find the farmer’s market at 40640 Winchester Road, right outside the JC Penny department store.

Vail Headquarter’s Certified Farmer’s Market

The Vail Headquarter’s Certified Farmer’s Market is held every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. You will find the farmers market on the Vail Headquarters grounds at 32115 Temecula Parkway.

Visit Vail Headquarters Temecula

Vail Headquarters Temecula is a living historic park located in the heart of Temecula. Several events are held at Vail Headquarters, such as the farmer’s market, moonlight markets, and family movie nights. There are several restaurants to choose from, such as Bulgogi and Ramen, and The Smoke House. There are a few shops to visit, such as the mercantile store, which has many items for sale, and the Apothecary store, where you will find wonderfully scented candles and soaps. Vail Headquarters hosts Sunday Fundays which is a great event for families. There is also a train for the kids to ride and many outdoor games such as horseshoes, bean bag toss, and storytelling for kids.  

Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival

If you are in Temecula during springtime, you should attend the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival. The festival is held during spring, around the end of May or early June. The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival is a three-day festival held at the Lake Skinner recreation area that offers a wide range of entertainment and activities. There are over 100 vendors, wine tasting, a beer garden, and many craft breweries and wineries on-site. The festival has many live performances throughout the weekend. One of the main attractions is the opportunity to ride one of the hot air balloons. The Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival is a unique experience and a great event that should not be missed.

There are several hotels in the area to choose from, or if you want an elevated adventure, Lake Skinner has campsites available if you’d like to camp while attending the festival. 

Take a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride

If you want an exciting thing to do in Temecula, look no further than going on an early morning hot air balloon ride. The hot air balloon takes you on a sunrise tour over Temecula’s wine country, vineyards, rolling hills, and citrus groves. There are several companies in the area that offer hot air balloon excursions. On your guided tour, you will enjoy sailing over the Temecula Valley while you enjoy a sparkling drink. The views of the sunrise over the Temecula Valley are spectacular. This is truly an unforgettable experience.

Visit Local Craft Breweries in Temecula

If you thought that Temecula was only about wine, you will be pleasantly surprised to find many craft breweries in Temecula and the surrounding area. The local brewery scene is growing in Temecula. Not surprisingly, many craft breweries are producing award-winning craft beers. Several craft breweries have live music and offer food such as pizza, salads, and other small bites. A few breweries to visit in Temecula are:

• 8 Bit Brewing Company
• Black Market Brewing Co.
• Batch Mead – also offers hard cider at their brewery.
• Ironfire Brewing Company
• Relentless Brewing Company – also has a location in Los Angeles.
• Stone Church Brewing

Visit One of the Scenic Golf Courses in Temecula

If you like to play golf, you are in luck. There are a few scenic golf courses where you can spend a great day golfing. The golf courses have wonderful views of the local mountains and valleys. The great sunny weather in Temecula offers many perfect days for golfing. Local golf clubs include Journey, located at Pechanga Casino and Resort, Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course, Cross Creek Golf Club, and Red Hawk Golf Course.

Have a Family Outing at Mulligan Family Fun Center

If you prefer mini-golf, then Mulligan Family Fun Center is the perfect place! There are lots of fun things to do at Mulligan Family Fun Center. You will find an 18-hole mini golf course where you can enjoy a round of mini golf with the whole family. There are several other fun activities to enjoy, such as go-karts, laser tag, batting cages, a water park, an arcade with lots of arcade games, and a few rides for the kids. Food is sold at the fun center. 

There are so many activities available that you and your family will have an exciting and fun-filled day.  Mulligan Family Fun Center is located in Murrieta, very close to Temecula.

Visit Pechanga Resort Casino

If you want to try your luck at a local casino, you can visit Pechanga Resort Casino. Pechanga Resort Casino is a large Las Vegas-style casino located in Temecula. It is one of the largest casinos in the state. Pechanga has many types of slot machines and table games, such as Blackjack, Craps, and Roulette. 

Pechanga Resort Casino is a full resort with suite-style rooms, beautiful grounds, and an RV resort if you are traveling by RV. There are also Vegas-style events, such as concerts by many well-known artists. You can easily spend the weekend enjoying a stay at Pechanga.

Enjoy a Spa Day

If you are looking for some downtime, then a spa day might be the perfect idea. There are several places where you can enjoy a serene spa day. A few favorite places include some of the wineries in Temecula. 

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is one of my favorite places for a spa day. Their Grapeseed Spa offers many services, including deep tissue massages and, my personal favorite, the hot stone massage. There are also many facials to choose from, hair and nail services, and many other spa packages. 

Spa Pechanga at Pechanga Resort and Casino is also a great spa. They offer many spa services and body treatments which include healing native botanicals. A day at Spa Pechanga is rejuvenating and worth every penny.

Hiking/Walking Trails

If you like getting some steps in while on vacation or want to find a nice place to relax, enjoy the scenery, or have a picnic, you should visit one of Temecula’s parks. You will find walking trails, lakes, picnic areas, and a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere to get away from everything. First off, is one of the best walking trails that you will find in Old Town. 

Old Town Creek Walk

Old Town Creek Walk is part of a 17-mile city-wide trail that connects the Wine Country to Old Town and continues to Murrieta and Lake Elsinore. You can walk or bike along the trail. You will find the trail on Main Street just past Front Street. The trail goes alongside Murrieta Creek. You can decide how far you want to walk as this trail can be long since it is part of the 17-mile city-wide trail. 

Harveston Lake Park

Harveston Lake Park is a 17-acre park with a picturesque lake. The park has a children’s play area, picnic areas, and restroom facilities. If you want to get in some steps, you can go on a nice leisurely walk around the lake. The trail around the lake is 0.8 miles with little to no incline and lots of shade. During the summer months, you can rent pedal boats and go on a leisurely cruise around the lake. Harveston Lake Park is dog-friendly. However, you should keep your furry friend on a leash. 

Temecula Duck Pond and Park

Temecula Duck Pond and Park is a park along Rancho California Road in Temecula. The park is home to various waterfowl, including ducks. The park has a children’s play area and a nice lake with walking trails where you can get your steps in. At the park, you will also find a Veteran’s Memorial dedicated to the men and women who served in the American military. 

The park is dog-friendly. However, you should keep your furry friend on a leash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to a few questions we have been asked to help you plan the perfect getaway.

Is Temecula Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Temecula is definitely worth Visiting! There are many things to do in Temecula. If you are looking to do something other than wine tasting when visiting Temecula, you will find many options to keep you busy. If you are a wine lover, Temecula’s Wine Country is the perfect place to visit. You definitely have a great time while visiting Temecula!

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