Temecula is a city in Riverside County in the southeastern corner of California. Before modern-day Temecula was settled, the area was inhabited for several centuries by the Temecula Native Americans. American settlers began moving into the area during the mid-19th century, and for several decades, there were regular conflicts with the local Native Americans. However, the Pechanga Reservation was established only six miles from Temecula in 1882. Around the turn of the 20th century, the Temecula area had become a major shipping point for cattle and grain. The city did not become officially incorporated until December 1, 1989.
As of 2022, Temecula's population is approximately 111,000. The city is most known for its championship golf courses, consistently beautiful weather, and award-winning wineries. If you're a wine enthusiast, make a point to stop by destinations like the Wiens Family Cellars, the Ponte Family Estate Winery, and Leoness Cellars. You could also head out on a Destination Temecula Wine Tour to enjoy tastings and visit several superb wineries. The area is also known for its popular hot-air balloon adventures. You could take a ride in one of the amazing balloons through A Grape Escape Balloon Adventure or California Dreamin' Balloon Adventures.Â
While you're in town, explore Old Town Temecula, a historic district filled with art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and antique stores. You may also want to grab some tasty fresh produce at the Old Town Temecula Farmer's Market or learn all about the area at the Temecula Valley Museum. If you're in the mood for some live entertainment, you could catch a concert at the Pechanga Theater, which is one of the most popular performance venues in the region.
If you feel like shopping during your visit to Temecula, head to the Promenade Mall to explore the various specialty shops and chain stores. When you're looking for a family-friendly activity, consider observing the many cool animals at the Sugarplum Zoo.
Campgrounds Near Temecula, California
One quality campground in the Temecula area is the Wilderness Lakes RV Resort, which boasts a whopping 523 RV campsites with full hookups. The park, which covers 80 beautiful acres, features a general store, and there are several great golf courses within a 10-minute drive. There are also lots of amenities, including a clubhouse, a swimming pool, a fitness center, laundry facilities, and many more.
Another excellent place to camp is the Lake Park RV Resort and Lodge, which is known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful scenery. The campground boasts a helpful staff, well-maintained facilities, and a variety of amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, cable television, and a swimming pool. The park features 150 full-hookup RV campsites with lovely views of the nearby lake.
You could also stay at the Crane Lakeside Park and RV Resort, which offers 121 RV campsites. The sites have full hookups, and during your stay, you'll have access to laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, showers, restrooms, and cable television. Plus, there are nearby opportunities for swimming, fishing, waterskiing, boating, windsurfing, and various other activities.
State Parks Near Temecula, California
Mount San Jacinto State Park comprises 14,000 acres in California's Riverside County. The park's most impressive feature is the majestic San Jacinto Peak, which towers above the area at 10,834 feet. Other aspects of the park include granite peaks, mountain meadows, sub-alpine forests, and wilderness areas. Visitors can enjoy all sorts of recreational activities, such as hiking, geocaching, horseback riding, skiing, and picnicking. Additionally, the popular park is part of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which runs all the way from Mexico to Canada.
Lake Perris State Recreation Area is a peaceful waterfront park situated about 65 miles south of Los Angeles, California. The 8,000-acre park is known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and pristine blue waters. Because of its abundance of interesting species, the area is a popular spot for bird-watching and wildlife viewing. Some of the creatures you might see while exploring include roadrunners, bobcats, bald eagles, deer, and raccoons. During your visit, you could also enjoy lunch at one of the numerous picnic sites, go hiking, biking, or horseback riding along one of the trails, or head to the lake for some swimming, boating, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Alternatively, you could make your way to Big Rock for a day of exhilarating climbing.
If you enjoy activities like sunbathing, surfing, and swimming, then San Onofre State Beach is a must-visit destination. The picturesque area is most known for the world-class surfing at Surf Beach, but visitors can also partake in kayaking, biking, and wildlife viewing. If you're lucky, you might spot a sea lion, dolphin, or whale during your visit.
National Sites Near Temecula, California
Cabrillo National Monument is a lovely coastal site situated on the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, California. The monument commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in San Diego Bay in 1542. Cabrillo was the very first European to set foot on the United States West Coast. During your visit to the site, you can check out the historic lighthouse, explore the fascinating tidepools, and browse the interesting exhibits at the on-site visitor center. While you're at the monument, you can both enjoy recreational activities and learn about the unique history of the area.
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is a 156,671-acre site that features beaches, valleys, hills, and majestic coastal mountains near Los Angeles. The area is home to a village film set built by Paramount Pictures, which is still used to shoot western movies to this day. Visitors to the scenic natural haven can partake in various recreational activities, including mountaineering, sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and surfing. There are also fascinating museums to explore, like the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum, and the Leonis Adobe Museum.
At César E. Chávez National Monument, you can learn all about how César E. Chávez brought working conditions on farmlands in the United States to light in the 1960s. Features of the site include a visitor center, a rose garden, a cactus garden, and the gravesites of Chávez and his wife. The monument doesn't offer any guided tours, but visitors are free to explore the many interesting sites on their own. At the visitor center, there are various films and exhibits that give an interesting insight into the life and work of Chávez.
National Forests Near Temecula, California
The nearest national forest to Temecula is Cleveland National Forest, which encompasses 460,000 acres and has an arid Mediterranean climate. The forest is a popular recreation area where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities. For example, there are peaceful picnic areas, scenic multi-use trails, and several excellent climbing destinations. During your visit, you could also stop by the Mount Laguna Observatory, where you can enjoy some incredible views of the area. Hiking enthusiasts exploring the forest will definitely want to check out exceptional routes like the Sunset Trail, the Big Laguna Trail, and the Garnet Peak Trail.
Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Temecula, San Bernardino National Forest covers 823,000 acres and is split into two main divisions. Both sections of the forest are home to towering mountains and lush woodlands, and there are seven separate wilderness areas as well. Many climbing enthusiasts make a point to visit Tahquitz Rock, a majestic rock formation that's just under 9,000 feet high. The area contains many fantastic hiking trails, including the Castle Rock Trail and the Bonita Falls Trail. And if you visit during the winter, you'll find great opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Another beautiful national forest near Temecula is Angeles National Forest. Originally established in 1908, the lush natural haven encompasses around 700,000 acres, including five designated wilderness areas. Wildlife enthusiasts visiting the forest should watch for gray foxes, black bears, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, bighorn sheep, and other cool species. If you enjoy water-based recreation, you could enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, and boating at spots like Pyramid Lake, Castaic Lake, and Crystal Lake. There are some top-notch hiking opportunities around the forest as well, such as Trail Canyon Falls, Mount Baden Powell Trail, and Millard Canyon Falls Trail.
