If you’re looking for a nice
place to stay in wine country, Temecula Creek Inn is an elegant choice.
The 300-acre Temecula Creek Inn golf resort, lined with rose bushes, eucalyptus and magnolia
trees, appeals to women for its scenic beauty and romantic suites, and
men for its 27-hole championship Temecula Creek Inn golf course — lushly landscaped with
rock formations and cascading waterfalls.
The
Inn’s three 9-hole courses are the most popular in Temecula, with green
fees running $65 weekdays to $85 weekends, including cart.
One
of the most scenic and challenging 18-hole courses is the
Oaks/Stonehouse course, with dramatic elevation changes through the
Temecula Creek Inn’s more remote woodland territory. The paths lead past the Inn’s
historic Stone House, built in 1825 for quarry workers who were mining
granite for San Francisco’s city curbs.
Today,
for a $2,000 fee, the Stone House is an elegant backdrop for weddings,
private winemaker dinners and down-home barbecues. (The Inn’s owners
claim it every year for Thanksgiving and Easter get-togethers.)
If
you’re looking for a casual and relaxed place to enjoy Temecula wine
country cooking, the airy and elegant Temet Grill won’t disappoint.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views of the greens and
waterfalls, making it especially romantic around sunset.
For starters, the cheese plate can’t be beat — packed with an assortment of dried apricots, juicy red grapes, double-creme brie, crumbled gorgonzola, and other delights, including smoked gouda from the local Winchester Cheese Company.
Local
wines from Mount Palomar, Falkner and Stuart Cellars are the stars
here, complimented with chef Salvador Gulliano’s rustic, bold cuisine.
In addition to wild game, choices include seared filet mignon carpaccio
with shaved parmesan and black truffles or pan-seared chicken breast
with hot cherry peppers.
Temecula Creek Inn is located at 44501 Rainbow Canyon Rd., Temecula, CA 92592-5988. Call (951) 676-2405; www.temeculacreekinn.com