Curator’s statement
When friends told us about the magical wine country just outside San Diego called Temecula, we couldn’t wait to plan a trip. As it turns out, the holidays presented the best time for us to get away, and a 6-night adventure was exactly what we needed. We departed on Christmas Day, which worked out perfectly in terms of fewer crowds and less hassle, and we returned home on New Year’s Eve Day, which was just as easy. Our itinerary included picking up a rental car at the SAN airport and spending 2 nights in Temecula. Followed by a car drop-off and 4 nights in San Diego. We were admittedly nervous that everything would be closed on Christmas Day — and quite a few stores and restaurants were, in fact, closed — but we did plenty of research in advance so as not to be left without food (or wine!) on our first day. Once we arrived in Temecula, the weather was delightful, and there was a bit of holiday cheer around every corner. With the right planning and expectations, a holiday trip to SoCal is an excellent idea!
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Things to do in San Diego
Temecula:
Robert Renzoni Vineyards: Reserve the Grandioso Tour and Tasting — totally worth the splurge! Delicious Italian wine, and if you opt in for the tour and tasting, you’ll experience several reserve wines (and a hearty meat and cheese board) not available to general visitors.
Altisima Winery: A newer winery specializing in Spanish wine (our favorite!) and incredible views of the mountains.
Europa Village Wineries and Resort: Also a newer winery made up of three distinct sections: Spanish, Italian and French. The Italian section includes a great market and igloos that can be reserved during the holiday season.
San Diego:
Seaport Village: Located at the harbor, next to the convention center, this area is full of beach shops and restaurants. Stroll to the other end for up-close views of the USS Midway.
San Diego Zoo: Always a fan favorite and a must-see when visiting San Diego. Pandas are back! (Tickets to see the pandas sell out fast, so book in advance if possible) And don’t forget the koalas — my absolute favorite “exotic” creatures on earth.
Fashion Valley: Great outdoor shopping mall that has been around forever. There a continuous updates to shops and restaurants to offer visitors a tremendous variety, from casual to luxury and everything in between.
Day trips:
La Jolla: A beautiful town just north of San Diego with stunning ocean views and hordes of seals and sea lions that provide hours of entertainment.
Coronado: Another lovely beach town across the bridge from downtown. Check out the Hotel del Coronado, which opened in 1888 and is affectionately known as “the del”. The holiday season is extra special at “the del”, complete with beach igloos and outdoor ice skating.
Places to eat & drink in San Diego
Temecula:
Vintage Rose at South Coast Winery: For dinner on Christmas Day: (one of the only restaurants open on 12/25 – reservations are a must!).
Mama Rosa’s Trattoria at Robert Renzoni Winery: Perfect for a lunch break in between wineries.
Bolero: An excellent Spanish restaurant in Europa Village.
San Diego:
Puesta: Delicious fish tacos and margaritas (we visited the La Jolla location) (reservations recommended).
Teo’s Kitchen: A Mission Beach “dive bar” with fantastic tacos, cold beer and lively locals.
Cowboy Star: Excellent steakhouse located in downtown San Diego. We sat at the chef’s table and were mesmerized by how efficiently the kitchen team worked during a very busy Friday night.
Barra Oliba: New, cozy (and delicious!) spot for Spanish tapas in Little Italy.
Bencotto: Authentic Italian dishes in Little Italy.
Water Grill: Gorgeous space and great seafood spot located downtown.
Need to know
If you’re hesitant to head to Temecula and San Diego during the holidays because you think it might be too quiet or too cold, I strongly encourage you to book the trip and enjoy! Temecula in December is, indeed, quieter than usual, but you'll avoid the crowds and heat that come with the summer months. During our stay, the weather stayed in the high 50’s and low 60’s, with a little extra chill at night. Perfect for layering, exploring, and, of course, wine tasting. Temecula may also be California Wine Country’s best-kept secret – 47 wineries and counting in an absolutely gorgeous setting. And San Diego is full of holiday decor — from the hotel lobbies to the pop-up bars — you won’t be able to help feeling the spirit of the season at every turn.
Travel Advisor
Julia Booher
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