Summer is almost over. Days, or at least daylight, is less each day—and, yes, soon the 95° - 100° heat will begin to cool. However, don’t fret and don’t be sad, there is time enough before mid fall for a great late summer fall get-away. However, money is short—airline tickets are out of the question (not to mention time restrictions). A great recommendation: You can enjoy a full three or four day, fun-filled vacation on only one full tank of gas from anywhere in Riverside or San Bernardino. Where is this spot, you might ask? I believe it is right in front of our noses—TEMECULA!
Your days can be filled by golf, wine tasting, adventurous dining, hot-air ballooning, concert enjoyment, gambling, even fishing and water sports. Let Temecula be your next destination for a most enjoyable and affordable fun get-away.

Wineries and Winery Dining
Plan a tour of wine tasting of any or all of the 21 different wineries in Temecula. The micro climate of this region is perfect for grape growing and wine production. Many of the wineries offer tasting (for a small fee) as well as tours including great restaurant dining. Here is a short list of not-to-miss wineries:

D=Dinner - T=Tasting and G=Free glass

• Callaway (founded by pro-golfer Ely Callaway in 1968) T
• Churon (also has an inn) T
• Falkner T & G
• Baily T, G, D
• Hart (founded in 1970 by Joe Hart and remains a family-owned and operated winery) T & G
• Keyways (founded in 1989) T & G (Note: See close-up story on page 6.)
• Ponte Family Estate (opened 2003) T, G, D
• South Coast Winery is a resort, spa, winery and a major venue for weddings T, G, Catering
• Thornton (opened 1988 and most known for their Champagne, as well as their restaurant by the same name. Features a summer concert series T, G, D
• Wilson Greek (family owned) T

A full review, tour and tastings of the above 10 wineries will take a full day and a half. Plan, however, a lunch on one day and dinner on the other day (both at the wineries, of course) and make it a full two day get-away. Almost all Temecula wineries offer wine tasting for you to sample the different wines they produce. Most wineries offer wine tasting for under $10, and that usually includes tasting 5-6 different wines. In addition, some wineries include a free souvenir wine glass with the tasting. In addition to the above wineries, there are also 11 other fine wineries to visit if your stay is longer.

Water Sports, Fishing and Hot-Air Ballooning
All of the above activities can be found at Skinner Lake just east of the wineries on the same road.

Places to Stay
I am only going to suggest and recommend the following three places to stay; however, there are many more that are just as nice in Temecula:

• Temecula Creek Inn Resort Sits on over 300 acres of country ranch beauty and features 27 holes of championship golf. Meeting facilities available, as well as a 180-year-old quaint stone house; a perfect setting for wedding receptions and unique private dinners. Dining at Temecula Creek Inn Resort is located at the award winner Temet Grill. This inn is quiet luxury with great dining, and without the golf, at a very affordable price. Temecula Creek Inn is located on 44501 Rainbow Canyon Road, and the phone number is (760) 728-9100.

• Embassy Suites Hotel
The Embassy Suites Hotel is part of the Embassy Hotel chain. It is very affordable and conveniently located in the center of the Temecula Valley. It is located at 29345 Rancho California Road, and the phone number is (951) 676-5656.

• Pachanga Casino
A mega hotel and Indian gaming casino. It is located literally nine minutes from the wineries. This casino has at least 3,000 slot machines, four restaurants, multiple bars, and a show- room seating over 1,000. Pachanga Casino books big name entertainers. They have even book Bob Dyan—yikes! The casino is located at 45000 Pechanga Parkway, and the phone number is (951) 587- 0484.

So now you have a little taste of why I really like the Temecula Valley—and only a little more than an hour from my home.

For more information go to Temecula-wineries.com.