Julian or Temecula, California: wine tasting? Lodging?
 

Thinking of traveling this way for a weekend. Anyone been winetasting or stayed in a B&B there? I've heard the hot air balloon rides are great. Ever stay at the orchard Hill Country Inn or Random Oaks Ranch?<BR><BR>Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

kira, Julian and Temecula are not exactly next door to each other. They're about two to two and a half hours apart. For winetasting and balloon rides, you need Temecula. Julian is a quaint little mountain town with one winery and an old gold mine. It's crowded on weekends with people from San Diego who drive up for the day to get Julian pies (delicious!) and to hike in the mountains.

If you're in Temecula wine tasting, plan on going for a meal at Cafe Champagne at the Thornton Winery. The food's wonderful and the ambience is even better. <BR>

Julian is no more than an hour and a half from Temecula via Highway 79.<BR><BR>You can wear it out in a weekend, easily. The Witch Creek winery is a fun way to taste and take the edge off the day. The mine tour is actually pretty cool. We thought it would be cheesy (parts were) but all in all it was fun.

Wine tasting in So. Cal.????? Get real..If you want anything but SWILL you have to go North (at least to Santa Barbara /Santa Ynez...........Temecula only creates WHINE!!!

Thank you for your replies. I live in Los Angeles so the drive all together will be managable. Any recommendations for hotels?