Fall Day in Temecula, CA — POLINA RAYKOV

It’s the most wonderful time of year, fall! Time for pumpkins, crunching leaves, scary movies, cuddling under blankets, and candy (lots of it). Fall is hands down my favorite season and I found one of the most amazing spots to spend a day and truly feel the season surrounding you. Temecula is actually one of Devon and I’s favorite trips to this day, we had such a relaxing time, the people are beyond friendly, and the wine just keeps flowing.

+PR Tip: Do this trip on a weekend so you can have a Saturday there, the farmers market is a MUST.

Start your day at The Press Espresso, this place has killer coffee but really I was all about the whiskey bundt cake, and of course don’t miss out on this lovely photo op. Next head over to the farmers market, it’s every Saturday from 8:00am - 12:30pm. The locals are welcoming and everything is extremely fresh. We went home with nectarines, melon, apple jam (find the people with the colorful lid jars, they make all types of homemade jams), and even some beef jerky.

By now it’s probably noon and you’re about ready to get that wine pouring, first drive through Briar Rose Winery, we didn’t taste the wine here but it was adorable to see, looks just like Snow White’s Cottage.

Next off to Oak Mountain Winery you go! This is one that’s worth doing the full tasting because you’ll get a tour of the grounds, wine cave, and even wrap up with a chocolate paired tasting. Make sure to call and book ahead. My favorite wine at Oak Mountain was the sparkling raspberry, we even went home with a bottle and shared it on our winter trip in Utah! If you’re ready for lunch, stay and eat outside of the tasting room, the view is gorgeous. I highly recommend the tacos but the menu may change every season so whatever you go with, I am sure it will be phenomenal!

Third stop, Miramonte Winery. This one’s nice because they also have beer options if anyone in your company just isn’t into the whole wine thing… crazy people. Their system is a bit different, you buy a card for a certain number of tastings but you’re allowed to share. So if you’re with a group just start with one card that way everyone can try something and if you fall in love you can order a full glass.

If you only have one day in Temecula this would be a great time to head into Old Town, give that wine a break, and explore the antique shops, candy shops, and everything else there is to see! Make sure to go into the candy shop and get into fall spirit with one of their mouth drooling caramel apples… I buy one EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Dinner time is around the corner so you have a few options…

Ballast Point has scrumptious bar food and fire pits outside so it’s a more relaxed setting.

1909 has creative dishes and juicy burgers but they’re always busy so call ahead.

Or just head up to another winery with a restaurant area, after all you came for the wine right?!

Now for the fall festivities. Pumpkin patch, haunted house, zoo, and live music at Peltzer Pumpkin Farm, you’ll want to spend a good chunk of time here. Walk around the pumpkin patch and go pet goats first, those close earliest. You can buy a pumpkin to take home and carve or just pick out a mini one for decoration! When you’re all wrapped up here head inside of the winery and catch the live music, stunning fall decorations, and grab a drink. There are cocktails available so you can just sit back and relax! The entire place makes for amazing photo spots especially if you’re coming with your man or even a group of girlfriends. We did the haunted house here, I wouldn’t say it was my favorite one but it wasn’t expensive and we got some good screams out if it so if you’re into that sort of thing, go for it!

Not ready to go home? Across the way you’ll see a winery that typically plays live country music on weekends so just follow the music and head that way. This was an amazing way to wrap up our fall day in Temecula.

+PR Tip: Bring layers, even though it feels warm during the day, the night gets chilly and you’ll want to wrap up. I mean it’s fall anyway, don’t you want to wear that cute flannel and boots that have been patiently waiting for their turn?

KEEP CREEPIN’,
POLI