If you have plans to travel with a pet or service animal, you’re not alone! New research indicates that the majority (54 percent) of dog and cat owners plan to travel with their pet in the next year. As a result, hotels and restaurants are re-evaluating policies and welcoming travelers with four-legged friends.  Here in the Temecula Valley, we love pets! There are several pet-friendly hotels and resorts that offer services and amenities for furry friends including luxurious pet beds, in-room treats, and even room service and restaurant menus. Many merchants in Old Town and throughout the greater Temecula Valley offer water bowls and treats. Here’s a list of pet-friendly places in Temecula:  Lazy Dog, also has Dog Menu  1909  Bluewater Grill  Texas Lil’s  Cork Fire Kitchen  Carol’s Restaurant at Baily Winery  Swing Inn Café  Devilicious  California Pizza Kitchen  8 Bit Brewing  Journey’s End at Pechanga  Spuntino Pizzeria  Akash Winery  Baily Vineyard & Winery  Carter Estate Winery  Chapin Family Vineyard  Cougar Winery, also offers K-9 Wine Club  Doffo Winery  Falkner Winery  Gershon Bachus Winery  Leoness Cellars  Lorimar Vineyards and Winery  Maurice Car’rie Winery  Miramonte Winery  Mount Palomar Winery  Oak Mountain Winery  Somerset Winery and Vineyard  South Coast Winery Resort & Spa  Thornton Winery  Vindemia Vineyard & Winery  Vitagliano Vineyards & Winery  Here are four tips to help make traveling with pets a little easier:  Create a packing list. Before you leave, make a list with every item your pet will need: safety seat, travel crate or harness, bowls, food, medications, water, toys, leash, poop bags, pet bed, etc. Keep all pet items in one backpack or tote for easy access.   Check pet policies. For hotels, ask for a room on ground level and find out about extra pet fees.   Call ahead when booking meals or experiences. If you plan to visit a restaurant or winery, contact the business first and ask about pet policies. Some businesses cannot allow pets because of insurance issues. BringFido and DogTrekker offer information and tips, as well.  Research Pet/Doggy Day Care at your destination. Most hotels and Short-Term Rentals do not allow pets left alone in the room. With day care, you can drop off your pet and enjoy yourself without worrying about whether they are distressed or barking and disturbing other guests.  We look forward to seeing you and your buddy in Southern California Wine Country! 

Here’s to team building in Temecula From breakout sessions in hot air balloons to off-sites on horseback, Temecula Valley offers unique experiences that help align your team. Contact us so we can help you create a memorable meeting with unique activities that will create connection and camaraderie. Team Up on a Tee Box Temecula features five golf courses offering a combined 99-holes of spectacular golf. Take your team to Temecula Creek Inn’s 27-Hole championship golf course, surrounded by more than 300 acres of natural beauty. The award-winning Journey at Pechanga Resort and Casino is consistently ranked among the nation’s best courses by Golf Week magazine. Make the Group Giddyup Saddle up at Green Acres Ranch and enjoy an equestrian experience while exploring the beautiful outdoors with your posse. See wine country in a whole new way by mounting up on horseback and going on a western style ranch ride and tour of a 50-acre working horse ranch. Perfect for beginners, this adventure will bring everyone together for a memorable day. Mix Up Some Serious Team Spirits At Galway Spirits, you and your team will discover how to make your own spirits and take home your own craft bottle with the Distillers Workshop Experience. The process of distilling spirits, honed over thousands of years, is a blend of art and science. Enjoy a lunch, a custom Galway T-shirt, and a comprehensive Galway Spirits tasting opportunity. Get Creative with a Paint and Sip Workshop Group painting encourages creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, while relieving stress. Book a Musical Chairs event to create shared works of art or try a collaborative painting. Or paint and sip together among the vineyards at South Coast Winery, Vitagliano Winery, or Peltzer Winery. Bond in a Barrel Room: The Wine Blending Lab Experience In this intimate experience, offered by BOTTAIA Winery, you will blend four separate wines into three distinct blends, identify which you prefer, and become a Winemaker for a day. This unforgettable experience immerses the team in the luxury and refinement inspired by professional tasting rooms in Italy. Each guest gets to bottle, cork, capsule, and take home their very own blend that same day. Reduce Stress with Yoga in the Vineyards A yoga session is the ideal ice breaker to include in any team building event! Attend a corporate team building yoga class at South Coast Winery where you will work on key teamwork elements. Together you will laugh, play, connect, and benefit from a dynamic workout. Or book a group class at Lorimar Winery to cultivate your team’s strength, agility, and trust through teamwork. Get Competitive with Your Own Bowling Tournament Booking an all-inclusive party at Round 1 inside Promenade Temecula ensures your group will enjoy unlimited bowling, karaoke, over 250 arcade games, billiards, and delicious eats. This is a great way to get rolling with your team in a fun and relaxed atmosphere and add a little competitive spirit for everyone to enjoy. Step Back in Time Old Town Discover some big-time small-town vibes in Old Town Temecula. Stroll along the wooden sidewalks to shop unique Temecula finds and antiques. Take your group to catch a play at the Temecula Community Theatre or dine at one of the many historic restaurants where everyone gets a seat at a truly delicious and vibrant table.

“In pale moonlight...the wisteria’s scent...comes from far away.” -Yosa Buson, Japanese poet  Each Spring in the Temecula Valley, Wisteria trees put on a spectacular display of wonderfully fragrant flowers with cascading blooms. If you’re planning a trip here in late April or early May, it’s worth seeking them out.   Known botanically as Wisteria sinensis, Wisteria first came to the U.S. in the early 1800s from Asia. This woody vine boasts stunning blooms within the first five years of planting, grows 10 to 25 feet or higher, and can live for a hundred years or more.   There are several places in the Temecula Valley where you can marvel at this stunning perennial vine, which makes a picture-perfect backdrop for family or engagement photos and instagrammable moments. Here are some of our favorite spots:   #1 South Coast Winery #2 Somerset Winery #3 Ponte Vineyard Inn #4 Palumbo Winery #5 Robert Renzoni Winery #6 Miramonte Winery #7 Lorimar Winery #8 Temecula Carriage Company AUTHOR: NORMA MARLOWE Norma Marlowe is the Director of Public Relations for Visit Temecula Valley. You may see her out and about entertaining journalists, enjoying a glass of wine in Southern California Wine Country, or dining in Old Town.    

With its fairy-tale vineyards and gorgeous rolling hills, Temecula is a fantastic destination for fun and romance. Couples looking for a flawless backdrop and memorable experience will find no shortage of amazing places to pop the question or steal a kiss. And with nearly 50 wineries (and counting), most are more than happy to help visitors arrange for unique and memorable marriage proposals. We recommend spending some time in Temecula before choosing the location that suits you and your beloved best. Here are ten suggestions:  In Southern California Wine Country  #1 Briar Rose Winery How about a proposal right out of a fairytale? The original owner, a Disney Imagineer, created it as replica of Snow White’s cottage. Pristine, beautiful, and with storybook grounds, this is an enchanting option, particularly for couples who are Disney fans. An ideal spot: under the olive tree.  #2 Maurice Car’rie Vineyards This gorgeous 75-acre estate vineyard is notable because it was one of the first operational wineries in the Temecula Valley. In addition to its historical charm and beautiful views, its top-selling menu item is Sourdough Bread with Brie, which can be enjoyed on the winery’s lovely picnic grounds with a bottle of wine. Another great spot: in front of the barn.  #3 Ponte Winery and Hotel Pop the question at this beautiful winery, which is surrounded by vineyard views just steps away from its award-winning al fresco restaurant featuring beautiful views and manicured gardens. Ponte Winery also operates a 90-room boutique hotel with elegant interiors, fine amenities, and a relaxing ambiance. Recommended spot: near the beautiful pond.  #4 South Coast Winery Resort & Spa Resort guests will enjoy a relaxing stay at this 132-room luxury resort which includes a winery, restaurant, hotel, and spa. Each room offers a deep soaking tub, private patio, and fireplace. Enjoy dinner at the resort’s Vineyard Rose restaurant or a Couple’s Massage at the Grapeseed Spa for extra pampering. Two great places to pop the question: along the Serenity Path or in the private gazebo near the back of the property.  #5 The New Inn For luxury at its finest in the heart of Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country, the New Inn offers five exclusive, uniquely designed villas with names like “Endless Love,” “Modern Romance.” Guests will enjoy breathtaking views from private patios. Take advantage of in-room dining and propose in one of the Inn’s luxurious private rooms. White linens, candles, and flowers are included. #6 Up In the Air Hot Air Balloon. Proposing in a hot air balloon over rolling hills and lush vineyards makes for an incredibly memorable proposal. It’s a good idea to inform the pilot and crew ahead of time and be careful not to drop the ring over the side!  #7 In the Great Outdoors Rose Haven Heritage Garden. This beautiful garden sits on 3-1/2 acres and is home to approximately 2,000 roses: hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers, and mini roses. It is beautiful any time of year, but April and May offer the most colorful blooms. Located just a few miles south of Old Town Temecula, this romantic rose garden has several wonderful spots for proposals or small wedding ceremonies, including a hillside gazebo with panoramic views.  #8 Harveston Lake Harveston Lake Park is picturesque, charming, and tranquil, and a fabulous place for an afternoon or sunset proposal. The community’s Lake House is a private facility for residents and guests, but there is plenty of space for the public, as well. Visitors can pop the question beneath a beautiful open-air gazebo, while enjoying a lakeside picnic, or on a rented pedal boat. #9 Temecula Carriage Company A private horse-drawn carriage allows you to enjoy the vineyards, get off the beaten path, and connect with that special someone. Departing from the Temecula Carriage House, travel to a secluded vineyard setting for your proposal. You also have the option of enjoying a picnic and/or wine.  #10 Vail Lake For nature enthusiasts and campers, an overnight stay at Vail Lake is magical. Guests can stay in RVs, tents, or deluxe cabins and enjoy a variety of recreational activities on-site. This KOA Campground also offers a café for breakfast, maintained restrooms, lunch and dinner, and a bar serving cocktails and live music. The Vailocity Bike Park offers 25 miles of world-class trails. Why not ride to the top of a hill with a beautiful view and pop that question?