October and November are ideal months to visit Temecula Valley. As the vineyards turn from green to gold, the region comes alive with harvest festivals, seasonal activities, and events that celebrate the area’s rich history and culture.
Visitors can explore corn mazes, enjoy spooky carriage rides, see quilt-lined streets in Old Town, and learn about Native American heritage. Here are some of the highlights for late autumn activities and experiences:
October Highlights: Pumpkins, Parties & Patchwork Charm
- Old Town Temecula Outdoor Quilt Show (Oct. 4): Front and Main Streets come alive with handcrafted quilts in a kaleidoscope of color. Presented by the Valley of the Mist Quilt Guild, this free event features a quilt auction and boutique showcasing local artistry.
- Wilson Creek Winery’s 25th Anniversary Bash (Oct. 17): A celebration of wine, family, and sustainability marks 25 years of Wilson Creek Winery. Founded in 2000 and now considered the Temecula Valley’s largest producer of wine, Wilson Creek is known for its regenerative farming practices, including falconry, bat and owl houses for pest control, and goat grazing for weed control.
- Peltzer Pumpkin Farm (through Oct. 31): This country-chic farm offers a pick-your-own pumpkin patch with various family-friendly activities including pony rides, pig races, carnival games, and live music. Peltzer Pumpkin Farm is nestled among the vines in Temecula Valley Wine Country.
- Big Horse Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch: Southern California’s largest corn maze—spanning 11 acres—invites guests to get delightfully lost. Located next to Big Horse Feed & Mercantile, the annual event also features a sprawling pumpkin patch.
- Headless Horseman Haunt: The Temecula Carriage Company offers horse-drawn vineyard rides with a spooky twist. Riders encounter the Headless Horseman and other eerie surprises under a moonlit sky.
November Celebrations: Heritage, Healing & Holiday Feasts
- Native American Heritage Month: Pechanga Resort Casino honors the legacy of the Pechanga people, who have called Temecula home for over 10,000 years, with cultural events and tributes throughout November.
- Pu’éska Mountain Day (Nov. 15): Hosted at City Hall in Old Town Temecula, the Pu’éska Mountain Day celebration commemorates the preservation of Pu’éska Mountain, a sacred site saved from industrial development. The event features music, cultural displays, and hands-on activities in partnership with the Pechanga Band of Indians.
- Spa Pechanga’s Native-Inspired Treatments: Massages and facial treatments featuring Native botanicals at Spa Pechanga are a perfect way to decompress. Ingredients such as sage, prickly pear (cactus fruit), acorns, oak moss, chia and more provide inflammation reduction, induce relaxation and other natural effects. Spa Pechanga’s menu treatments feature many natural indigenous ingredients. Spa guests can enjoy healing infused teas, chia muffins for prolonged energy and more healthful bites inspired by Pechanga ancestors.
- Guests are invited to experience a sound bath/audio meditation in a zero gravity chair followed by treatments infused with native botanicals and the spirit of Wi’aasal, the Great Oak. This sensory journey reflects the path once taken by the Payomkawichum people from Temecula Valley to the Pacific coast.
- Native American Heritage on Display at Pechanga Resort Casino: Resort visitors can pick up a brochure from the concierge desk and take a walking on-site tour of Pechanga art and artifact installations. Eight displays span the history of gaming on Native American lands. Imagery of indigenous plants and physical examples show how Pechanga people used them in their everyday lives – basket weaving, making clothing, sandals, brushes, nets, ropes, tools and much more. Visitors can see a dug-out canoe, important to Pechanga people and the Payómkawichum (people of the west) as a mode of waterway transportation.
- Artwork in all 1,100 Pechanga Resort Casino rooms and suites show photographs taken by Native artists showcasing scenic landscapes on the Pechanga Reservation.
- Journey at Pechanga honors native heritage: Translated from the Pechanga word for the travels native animals make to find their way home, Journey at Pechanga winds up and around the hills on the south end of the Tribe’s reservation, making a figure eight pattern. Course architects Steve Forrest and Arthur Hills built the course around sensitive habitats, untouchable Native American heritage grounds, and more. A spectacular vista off Hole 6 overlooks the entire Temecula Valley and guests can even see parts of Orange County on a clear day. During rounds, golfers will also see Kiicha (homes) behind the lake on Hole 5 and off of holes 10 and 15. A replica Native village is erected near hole 10 to give guests a sense of what life would have looked like for Pechanga ancestors. A giant bedrock mortar boulder greets golfers ready to putt on Hole 5. Once an ancient kitchen, the boulder shows several large, circular indentations from where Pechanga people would grind acorns into a paste and turn it into Wiiwish, a Native American acorn mush or soup that was a staple for California’s indigenous people. Note: Journey at Pechanga does not allow walking tours so it’s best to play the course to see the Native attributes on site.
- Thanksgiving in Wine Country: A variety of wineries and restaurants in Temecula Valley will offer festive feasts with both dine-in and take-home options, blending rustic charm with culinary excellence. More information can be found here.
Bonus Autumn Adventures
- Live Music & Entertainment: From The Vibe in Old Town to intimate winery sets and big-name acts at Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula’s fall soundtrack spans genres and generations.
- Equestrian Escapes: Scenic trail rides through golden vineyards and competitive Western and English events highlight Temecula’s thriving equestrian scene. More information here.
- Hot Air Balloon Flights: Sunrise flights offer panoramic views of red- and orange-hued vineyards, creating a bucket-list experience above wine country. Go here for more details.
- Sidecar Tours & Paragliding: For thrill-seekers, Temecula Valley offers sidecar wine tours and paragliding adventures that push boundaries and provide unforgettable experiences with breath taking views.
Located less than two hours from every major metro area in Southern California, Temecula Valley’s world-class wineries, historic Old Town, and Pechanga Resort Casino make it an ideal two- to four-day getaway. Additional details and travel planning resources are available at www.visittemeculavalley.com.