February 3 ~ 12
Mostly come here for a little R&R, catching up on life chores, to visit some wineries and because it's only an hour from San Diego. Outdoor Resorts (outdoor-resorts.com) has a place here called Rancho California. It's very nice; our site has an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and large patio overlooking a lake. Only downside, it's in Anguanga which it turns out is 15 miles from Temecula.
The weather is pretty miserable the entire time, cold and rainy. But we get a good break one day to visit the
South Coast Winery (
southcoastwinery.com)and opt for the tour with private tasting. ($25 pp).
It's an interesting tour, taking us places we've never been in a winery before. Our small group consists of three young couples from scattered places throughout the country and us. We quite enjoy their company.
Our guide leads us from the fields, to the large vat holding rooms where we get to have a few tastings, through the barrel and bottling rooms.
The tasting room is large and mobbed.... far more crowded than the ones we visited in Santa Barbara.
We're go to a private dining room off their restaurant (this is also a resort and spa) where we're led through a very good tasting with paired cheeses and fruit.
The wine is good, not spectacular, but it's a very pleasant afternoon.
The weather, on the whole however, is not cooperating for us to take advantage of the small par 3 course on the property. But, on a couple of nights, we get to enjoy the setting.
There's a casino in Temecula called
Pechanga (
pechanga.com) that has what sounds like a very good golf course. Besides a hotel, the resort also has RV facilities (which we've found a lot of casinos do). We decide to move there for a couple of days. We'll be closer to things and also we find out being a resort guest reduces the greens fees from $150 pp to $75 and to $49 playing after noon. Too good to pass up.
Pechanga Casino Resort
The RV facilities are adequate and we decide to "play" a little before dinner. I quickly win $75 on the slots (had it up to $103, but of course let that slide). Have dinner at their Asian restaurant which is pretty awful and promptly give back my winnings at my former lucky slot.
Journey Golf Course is a lovely Arthur Hills design that's only been open two years. The surrounding terrain is mountainous with huge changes in elevation and puncuated with a good bit of water. Played from the whites, it's a good test for us....from the back tees, yikes!
The course is dotted with Indian landmarks...never could find an explanation of them, but they were interesting to see on a course.
We knew we wouldn't make it around because we didn't get off until 1:30 and it gets cold and dark here real fast as the sun drops behind the mountains. Okay with me, playing horribly and must admit the "Beware of Rattlesnake" signs, plus the howl of coyotes from the mountains (and one running across the fairway) were beginning to creep me out!
Had the obligatory gin and tonic around the fire in the clubhouse.
We are definitely in the mood to seek some sun...we're heading back to Indio tomorrow....seems to be the only place in the entire country that's warm.
Rick trained polo ponies when he was in high school and college and introduced me to the game which we really enjoy watching on occasion. The Eldorado Polo Club (eldoradopolo.com) in Indio is a wonderful and massive facility. They have 10 full fields, stables for 400 horses and a pretty little clubhouse with a full restaurant and lovely tented dining terrace. It's been around since the 1930's and has a very active playing schedule and teaching program. The best thing; the weekend matches are free and open to the public. Spent a delightful Sunday afternoon in the sun, picnicing and watching the matches.
