Staycation! Golf & Contemporary Dining Getaway to Temecula Creek Inn

The whimsical blue pig welcoming diners to Cork Fire Kitchen was our first clue that our stay at Temecula Creek Inn was going to be anything but ordinary.

We ditched the kids are snuck off for a quick staycation last week and Temecula Creek Inn did not disappoint.  The moment we turned off Rainbow Canyon Road onto the rose-lined driveway, we felt transported to a quieter, calmer place.  The resort is tucked against a hillside.  The grounds are fragrant and lush, with oaks and eucalyptus towering overhead.

The hotel rooms are in a series of low-profile buildings that nicely complement the natural beauty of the surroundings.  We checked in and discovered our room to be a calming, peaceful retreat with doors opening onto a patio overlooking the ninth hole of the Oaks golf course. 

We are still mastering the art of the selfie so excuse the amateur photography, but don't we look relaxed?!  This bottle of Sangiovese from local winery Robert Renzoni Vineyards was a perfect example of today's Temecula wines:  the "big reds" so many of us red wine lovers are enjoying now. 

The hotel design seems to allow for views from all of the rooms, whether it's golf course, hillside, roses, oak trees, eucalyptus, or the mountains.  Even the city lights twinkling in the distance after the sun went down were really pretty.  Our room was simple but restful, with muted tones and decor touches reflecting the area's native heritage.  It's so unusual now to find windows that actually open in hotel rooms that it was blissful to be able to open up an entire sliding glass door out onto our own private patio to enjoy the evening (Temecula may get hot during the day, but the temperature drops a lot the moment the sun goes down.  We pretty much invented "wear layers" here.)

One of the highlights of our trip was dinner at Cork Fire Kitchen.  I really enjoyed the Temecula Creek Inn's restaurant in its previous incarnation, but Cork Fire takes local, fresh, modern dining to a very high level.  The dishes are simple and prepared with fresh ingredients, and it all comes together wonderfully.

The restaurant has a great indoor-outdoor design with a central bar where guests can watch the unique craft cocktails being made.  The food and drink offerings change regularly with the seasons, and since this is Southern California, there's not a "bad" season, just different tastes for each time of year.

Cork Fire Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts (AMAZING desserts!), and drinks of all kinds.  We ate there for dinner, and as we walked in we noticed an unusual looking appetizer on another table so we had to try it: Crispy Green Tea Soba Noodle Nest.  The menu description was: "shitake mushroom salad, fried leeks, mirin glaze" and it's a "don't miss" that would be perfect to share for the table.

We also had the Hummus Trio, which was beautifully served on a rustic cutting board, Hearts of Romaine Salad, which had terrific flavor and texture contrast with sweet, salty, and tangy tastes, and Summer Vegetable Minestrone, which was light, fresh, and flavorful. 

The drinks menu is very Temecula-centric, with wines and beers from local Black Market Brewing Co., Garage Brewing Co., Refuge Brewing Co., Robert Renzoni Vineyards, Leoness, and Wiens.  Additional California wines and beers round out the menu but this blog is called DailyTemecula:-)

Desserts are fresh and original, including Vanilla Creme Brulee (with pistachio crumble), Lemon Cheesecake (with seasonal jam; ours had blueberry); the decadent Flourless Chocolate Ganache Cake (the name says it all!), and Pineapple Fritters (with house-made toasted coconut ice cream, lemon pop rocks, and mango coulis.) 

[See that pig at the top of this post?  He's a sign that you can find a whimsical yet delicious dessert like those pineapple fritters with pop rocks on the menu at Cork Fire Kitchen.]

There's a lot to do in Temecula, and serious or not-so-serious golfers will want to definitely take the time to play some golf while at Temecula Creek Inn.  The entire course (run by JC Golf) is comprised of three 9-hole courses, with players choosing  two of the three to play 18 holes.  Each 9-hole course has its own character and challenges.  Oaks is the easiest (but still very challenging) and looks most like a traditional country club golf course.  Creek has a lot of raw natural beauty with towering trees and mountain views.  Stonehouse is the most dramatic, with some steep hills, great views, and a peek at the namesake Stone House (which can be booked for weddings and other events.)

We started our morning at the driving range with a lesson from one of their PGA golf instructors, then we were off!

 The best part of a staycation at Temecula Creek Inn was the feeling of being a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, yet only having to drive five minutes to a magical gem tucked right into our very own city. 

Temecula Creek Inn

www.TemeculaCreekInn.com

44501 Rainbow Canyon Road

Temecula, CA 92592

(888)976-3404

Temecula Creek Inn provided a complimentary hotel room and golf .  The opinions stated in this review are my own.

No boring sign twirlers in Old Town Temecula!

Fun free stuff to do in Temecula - Hot Summer Nights

Visiting Temecula: "Feels Like Tuscany"

Here is a quick little Los Angeles Times article

from a weekend tourist's point of view.  Enjoy!  Happy weekend:-)

Gluten Free Girl Scout Cookies in Temecula Valley

It is that time of year again.....have you had adorable little girls in Daisy or Brownie uniforms knocking on your door yet?  

 

Girl Scouts will be starting booth sales at grocery stores all around the Temecula Valley this weekend.  Cookies are still $4/box here (the price has gone up to $5/box in many other areas.)

 

For our gluten free friends:

 

Temecula Girl Scouts fall within the San Gorgonio Council, and here is the GLUTEN FREE cookie information for this council.  FYI if you work or travel into San Diego, LA, or Orange County, they are in different councils so their cookies are different. 

 

GLUTEN FREE COOKIE:  Trios

 
*  Made in a dedicated gluten-free facility
*  Made with real chocolate chips, real peanut butter and certified gluten free whole grain oats
*  Contain absolutely no artificial colors or flavors, high-fructose corn syrup, palm oil, or hydrogenated oils

The bakery for our Temecula Valley Girl Scouts is ABC.  They will conduct follow-up research to decide whether to keep Trios or go back to the drawing board.

Huh?

I feel like this sign is telling me to do something but I'm not sure what.

(Rancho Vista Rd x Loma Portola Ave in Temecula)

Rady Children's Hospital San Diego Expands into Temecula Valley

This is fantastic news for the many families in Temecula, Murrieta, and surrounding cities who are waiting for more pediatric services in this area.

You can read the press release from RCHSD here:

http://www.rchsd.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/rady-childrens-to-expand-pediatric-healthcare-services-in-southwest-riverside-county/

#Temecula Twitter Project: I Love Temecula Because...

Welcome to 2015! 

This year I am going to share a little bit about what I love about living in Temecula every day on Twitter.  Follow me there @DailyTemecula to keep track of all 365+ fabulous facts about our special little corner of the world.

Enchantment!

Here's the view out our front door this morning.

The most magical, fun weather of 2014 happened on the very last day of the year.  Snow in Temecula?  Real, actual, honest to goodness "sticking" snow?  Yup!  

All around town, everything was sparkling, glittering, enchanting.

Have a wonderful, fun, cozy, safe New Year's Eve.  See you in 2015!

Community Mission of Hope farm project

This is an amazing local project that I was fortunate enough to become involved with through the new Temecula Valley Chapter of National Charity League, Inc. Working the farm is not only fulfilling, but it is fun. (It's a great workout, too!) Juliet

JDS Creative Academy Launch: A Walk Down the Red Carpet

JDS Creative Academy will be celebrating its grand opening on Friday, August 8^th  from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at 28069 Diaz Rd., Suite D & E, in Temecula. A Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for 4:30 pm with the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce. The public is welcome to come celebrate while they learn more about the class offerings, mingle with invited guests and even a celebrity or two. Corinne Massiah, “Lucy” from ABC's Mistresses, will be in attendance. Massiah got her start in the industry through JDS Actors Studio and still takes private coaching through the studio when not busy on the set.

California State University, San Marcos-Temecula and Mount San Jacinto College are strong supporters of JDSCA and are two of the many sponsors for this free event. Entertainment will be provided by the creative arts community, and a variety of restaurants and businesses will donate refreshments and raffle items.

At 5:00 pm attendees will be treated to a presentation by the Academy’s founders and teachers, featuring music, one-act plays, and dramatic readings.

"We're opening this non-profit Academy because we felt there was a real need for an arts training venue in the Temecula Valley," says Diane Strand, Founder of JDSCA. "Our goal is to provide education, hands-on training, and skill development that meet visual and performing arts requirements. We want to help our students advance into higher education and to be trained in a trade where they can prosper in a competitive marketplace." 

 “We’ve recruited a talented group of instructors who will initially be teaching classes in instrumental and vocal music, acting and theater, and practical creative writing,” adds Scott Strand, Co-Founder. “In the future, we’ll be offering more training that will include video production, digital arts, technical staging, and classes in the business of the entertainment industry.”

Due to the connections the Strands have in the entertainment industry and in the local community, they are expecting a large turnout. This event is sure to bring out the stars, entertainment industry professionals, and Southwest California business and government leaders. Anyone who is interested in learning about the education, training and apprenticeship programs being launched through JDS Creative Academy is invited to attend.

ABOUT JDS CREATIVE ACADEMY

In 2010, Scott and Diane Strand, the owners of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc. started a Drama Club program which launched in the Temecula Unified School District. There was such a huge response that they decided to create an Actors Studio for all ages to learn the technique and craft of Acting, which is now known as JDS Actors Studio.

The Strands felt that the Temecula Valley area would benefit from advanced education in all the Arts. In addition, they want to help home schooled and online students fulfill the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) requirement per the California Education Core Standard, and assist those looking for a career in the arts. To that end, they created the non-profit JDSCA and recruited a group of talented industry professionals working in the arts to make up the Board of Directors. The Academy’s goal is to help anyone who wants an education, hands on training and or an apprenticeship in the Creative Arts field. Students will be provided instruction in a safe collaborative enriching environment where they will learn how to succeed through hardwork, dedication, training, and competition.

Bill Wilson's of Wilson Creek Winery's "Love Letter to Temecula"

This "love letter" ran in the Huffington Post today.  I could not agree more with Bill Wilson's sentiments about our beautiful Temecula Valley!

Did They Just Say "Temecula"?! Nice Shout-Out in Competitor Magazine

Temecula got some positive ink in the March 2014 issue of Competitor (a freebie magazine devoted to running races and triathlons.)

They named our new (and fast-growing!) regional race The St Patrick's Day 15K as one of their Must-Do Races.

I love how they describe our town:

"Temecula, which is about one hour northeast of San Diego, is quickly becoming a favorite spot for Southern California  residents, largely because of its bucolic setting and growing wine industry.  If wine and country living are your thing, consider signing up for the second annual Temecula St. Patrick's Day 15K, which offers participants a hilly, challenging course and a glass of green champagne at the finish line.  Participants also get post-race deals and specials at the Cougar Vineyard and Winery.  If you decide to make a weekend out of your stay in Temecula, check out the available horseback riding in the area; the scallops served at Ponte Winery's restaurant are also a must."

Yes, please, to wine and country living!

The Habit Now Open!

My husband tried to take the kiddos for a quick lunch this afternoon at Temecula's own location of burger-and-fries cult favorite The Habit, but the line was so long they gave up. Great to see this chain off to a good start.

The Habit
Temecula Parkway (79S) in the Home Depot shopping center

Open/Shut

Spotted today while at the office plaza/shopping center on the northwest corner of Ynez and Rancho California:  signs up for a new tenant (finally!) in the long-vacant space that was previously Ben & Jerry's.  What's going in? WestMar Commercial RE says a Mexican bakery called El Limoncito.  Welcome!

Little Gems Hiding in Plain Sight

I go to the Target shopping center all the time, so why have I never noticed this intriguing time capsule before?

Temecula Hits "Best Up and Coming Wine Regions" List!

Woot woot!

 Here we are on Travel Nerd's list of best newer wine regions. How awesome is this description?

 Temecula Valley Wine Country, CA

 Located 60 miles north of San Diego, Temecula is the heart of California’s South Coast wine region. 

The microclimate is ideal for grapes, offering morning mists, sunny days and cool nights. Temecula’s wineries take advantage of their California weather, with a focus on sustainability and the outdoors. 

Ponte Family Estate was founded in 1997 and is one of the largest vineyards in Temecula. Ponte Family Estate is focused on sustainability, and they transitioned to become a certified California sustainable winery in 2007. Its neighbor, Wilson Creek Winery, is a family-owned vineyard that is famous for their Almond Champagne and a Decadencia Chocolate Port, served in a chocolate shot glass – perfect for the experimental wine-lover.

Down the road, Thornton Winery is celebrating their 25th year this summer with a Champagne Jazz Series. Musicians perform live shows every Saturday at 7 PM through August.

 Locals know this is a woefully incomplete (though flattering!) description of our picturesque little corner of the world. With over two dozen wineries currently, and more opening all the time, what is your favorite Temecula winery?

Saving Trees

Check your (snail) mailboxes, Temecula parents of kids with public elementary and middle school students. You should be receiving instructions this week for paperless enrollment of your kids for the 2013-2014 school year. I was a little bit intimidated to receive not only my child's unique password, but a detailed page (front and back) explaining the step-by-step process. For me, at least, as well as for a couple of my Facebook friends who also said they completed the enrollment this week, the process was quick and easy. So if you are sitting on your letter (or you got something from the district and didn't want to open it because you're in denial that the first day of our "traditional year" school begins on August 13th(??!!) just do it. Let me know...how was your experience signing your child(ren) up without killing any trees?

Wine & Sunshine

Check it out!  Temecula is famous.  We made this list of America's Best Weather Cities. I love their description of Temecula's climate, because it can be hard to explain to people who haven't spent much time here. How are you feeling about our weather lately? We seem to be having typical June Gloom mornings followed by lots of sunshine all afternoon, with the sun setting late. Then at around 8:30 p.m. or so it has been cooling down to the 50s or 60s for the evening. Personally, I love it! It's ideal layering weather.

How to Make Homemade Herbal Iced Tea

Yup, it's sweltering here in Temecula with unusual (for us! what is this, Miami?) thundershowers, humidity, and plain old heat, as we send our TVUSD kids back to school. (Don't be jealous, MVUSD; you get to go back next week.)

 My kids are really feeling it, so I am breaking out a secret happiness weapon: homemade herbal iced tea. 

This is very similar to the herbal iced tea served at Native Foods (two locations here in Riverside County, in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, plus multiple Los Angeles and Orange County locations. If you go, try the Chinese "chicken" salad. If it's not on the menu because they rotate items, ask them to put it back on for me!)

The Red Zinger tea is made with dried hibiscus flowers (also known as "jamaica" which is pronounced "ha-MAY-ee-ka" in Spanish.) Here in Temecula, look for Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger at Sprouts Natural Market, Henry's Marketplace, and Winco. In a pinch you could also buy Jamaica tea from a Latin American grocer.

It is different from the sugar-sweetened commercial "tropical teas" served at some restaurants. This is sweetened with 100% fruit juice. Which yes, does still contain sugar (I know, I know!), but because it is blended with naturally-sweet herbal teas, the sugar and calorie content is actually quite low.

A 48 oz pitcher of my homemade herbal tea contains a grand total of two cups of 100% apple or white grape juice, which comes out to only two ounces per six-ounce glass.

Serve it chilled and over ice. The herbal teas I use are completely caffeine free so this is a great drink for even the youngest kiddos.

Stay cool! Enjoy!

Homemade Herbal Iced Tea (makes 6 c)

Pour 2 c boiling water over 4 Celestial Seasonings Red Zinger and 4 Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea bags. (8 bags total.)

Set aside to steep 10 minutes. Remove tea bags and let cool.

Pour into serving pitcher and add 2 c filtered 100% apple juice OR 2 c white grape juice.

Stir well and chill. Serve over ice.