Enjoy more than just wine in Temecula

Temecula Olive Oil Company (Photo: Kristin Scharkey)

Over the past few years, I’ve loved driving State Route 74 over the mountains to get to San Diego, which takes me right through Temecula and onto Interstate 15. Clocking in at just over an hour away, Temecula is known as Southern California’s wine country and makes for a great day trip full of history, delicious food and plenty of wineries. Okay, so maybe a two-day trip is better if you like the wine – I know I do.

Heading west on 74, I make a left at the State Route 371 junction and head through the beautiful Anza Valley for 20 miles. Then, before the road ends at State Route 79 in Aguanga, I come upon Temecula Olive Oil Co. ranch, open Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can’t miss the olive trees! They have a store here (as well as at four other locations in Southern California) and also host ranch tours by appointment, but you are free to walk around on your own.

Peltzer Winery

Making a right on 79 toward Temecula, you’ll come across a full-sized metal stagecoach at the entrance of the outdoor gallery of sculptor Ricardo Breceda. Known for his metal work of larger-than-life animals that dot the landscape of Borrego Springs, Ricardo has work on display and for sale. As I pull in to check it out, Ricardo himself is there. Growing up in my father’s welding shop, I’ve always loved Ricardo’s work, and we have a cool chat about his plans for the space. Beyond the rows of art, the location has a few palapa shelters for picnics, and he tells me it is open to the public to enjoy anytime.

My next stop is a couple miles up the road: The Stagecoach Inn has been a favorite of mine for years. A giant soft serve ice cream cone marks the spot of this classic two-lane highway diner, named for the Butterfield Overland Mail stage line that used to run along the base of the mountains here in the 1800s. Literally the only place to eat for miles, it’s famous for homemade chili and burgers. There’s a full bar and gas pumps, as well as excellent soft serve. How could you not stop for it? The only time I haven’t stopped is when they are closed.

With the backcountry behind me, I continue through the newer parts of Temecula. Big box stores and shopping plazas line the road as I make it to my next destination: historic Old Town Temecula. Less than 10 blocks long, it has that Old West look with vintage wood buildings and sidewalks, and the best way to explore is on foot.

There are a handful of original buildings on Main Street that have been here since Temecula was just a dusty ol’ ranch town, and crossroads for the railroad and Butterfield Overland Mail. The original bank building is now a Mexican restaurant (aptly called The Bank) and further down is the historic Hotel Temecula. Rebuilt in 1891 after a fire destroyed the original 1883 building, it provided rooms and a restaurant for the train and stagecoach customers. Over the next century, it was home to the U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Border Patrol. Then in the sixties, it became a private residence. The new owners successfully saved the building from being developed and restored it back to its origins as a grand hotel. They’re currently open on the weekends only, with plans to open full-time in the future.

Read the rest by heading over to DESERT magazine, part of the USA Today Network!

A sculpture by Ricardo Breceda (Photo: Kristin Scharkey)