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Did you escape wine country on a moment’s notice? Good for you! This itinerary requires no tasting room appointments or restaurant reservations. For your spontaneity, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous wine, live music, gourmet food, and our arresting wine country views. This plan is best for 1-4 people; larger parties will have a more challenging time securing tables and tastings without booking ahead.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dining
The Goat & Vine
Haven Haus
The Cellar Bar
Vail Headquarters
Wine Tasting
Big Nose Winery
Palumbo Family Vineyards
Altisima Winery
Friday Afternoon
Shopping and Wine Tasting in Old Town Temecula
Spend the afternoon in Old Town Temecula. Take a stroll down Front Street to browse shops like the Temecula Olive Oil Company and The Mercantile, then head down Main Street to visit the charming family run Big Nose Winery on the grounds of the historic Hotel Temecula. With 13 award-winning wines and adorable setting, it’s hard to wrong there. 42100 Main St Suite D, Temecula, CA 92590
Dinner at The Goat & Vine
About an hour before you’d like to have dinner, put your name on the waitlist at the trendy The Goat & Vine. A local gem and one of the most popular establishments in town amongst locals and tourists alike, The Goat & Vine serves up hearth-fired pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, and their wine and beer list includes a few local selections. 41923 2nd St #103, Temecula, CA 92590
Saturday Itinerary
Breakfast in Old Town
For some down-home grub at a spot with some history, stop in at The Swing Inn Cafe in Old Town. A Temecula institution now owned by Dean Norris from Breaking Bad, the Swing Inn Cafe has been around in some form since the 1920s and is a favorite amongst locals and visitors alike. Open daily at 6 am. 28676 Old Town Front St, Temecula, CA 92590
If you prefer a more feminine vibe, check out Haven Haus Cafe on the other side of the street. Pretty-in-pink, you’ll find latte flights, decadent matcha concoctions, and an extensive list of egg, pancake, crepe, and waffle dishes that will keep you going all day. 28693 Old Town Front St Suite 101, Temecula, CA 92590
Saturday Wine-Tasting Begins at Palumbo
Palumbo Family Vineyards & Winery is a hidden gem just off the beaten path. The Palumbo family lives on the property and pour excellent (mostly) red wines. They have a lovely patio that overlooks the vineyard and neighboring horse properties, so if you’re not busy chatting away at the tasting bar, take your glass outside to enjoy. The connecting road from De Portola Road to their winery isn’t paved the entire distance, so Palumbo is best accessed from Rancho California Road. 40150 Barksdale Cir, Temecula, CA 92592
Palumbo is only open Friday through Monday; try Masia de la Vinya Winery instead if you’re here mid-week.
Lunch and Wine Tasting at Altisima Winery
Altisima Winery was an instant hit when they arrived on the scene in 2022. A gleaming white, modern structure, they have a large, beautiful tasting room and a lively Spanish fusion restaurant, Gaspar’s, that has a majestic view of the valley mountains. If there’s a wait for a table, put your name in with the host, then do a quick wine tasting to decide on a glass or bottle to have with lunch. 37440 De Portola Rd, Temecula, CA 92592
Dinner & Drinks at Not-So-Secret Hideaway
The Cellar Bar at the Ponte Vineyard Inn feels like a secret hideaway with it’s entrance just off the lobby of the inn. On the weekends, they have live music that can sometimes be loud and occasionally cheesy but always fun. You’ll find steak and salmon entrees on the menu, classic bar snacks like spinach-artichoke dip and nachos, and lighter fare like bruschetta and salads. The Cellar Bar also has a full bar if you’re done with wine for the day. Go early, before 7 pm, to be sure to get a table and hang out as long as you like. 35001 Rancho California Rd, Temecula, CA 92591
Sunday Itinerary
Breakfast at Vail Ranch HQ
Before you get on the road, grab a coffee and a treat at The Press Espresso. They have locations in Old Town and Vail Ranch Headquarters. Vail Headquarters, nestled between a row of big box stores, is a town square of historic buildings, and all that remains from the once 80,000-acre cattle ranch. Today, it is home to local restaurants, shops, Bare Knuckle Brewery, and Marshall Stuart’s new tasting room. If time allows, step inside to taste his fantastic wines. 32115 Temecula Pkwy, Temecula, CA 92592
Last-Minute Places to Stay
When you book through the “Reserve online” links below, Two Days in Temecula receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. The opinions on this page are entirely our own.
Hampton Inn & Suites Temecula
On Jefferson Street near Old Town, there is a stretch of chain hotels, and we stayed at several of them when we were house hunting. Hampton Inn was hands-down the best of the bunch.
Temecula Creek Inn
Temecula Creek Inn, on the west side of town, has an amazing restaurant, a golf course, and a pool. As a larger property, there’s a chance they’ll have some last minute rooms available.
South Coast Winery & Resort
South Coast Winery is another large property in wine country. They have a hotel and separate villas for guests. Their Vineyard Rose Cafe is a renowned restaurant in the area, and the spa has a small pool open to all hotel guests.
