The Painted Garden, Old Town, Temecula

We’re away for a few days in Temecula, a short distance north of San Marcos and at the heart of the Temecula Valley Wine Region.

We didn’t do very much at all today except drive up, wander around the Old Town (1859), sidestepping a comatose snake on the creekside trail and agonise over where to eat. In the end we opted for an unusual choice in California, an Indian Restaurant.

Then we agonised over whether to collect a take away or have it delivered. The restaurant is only across the road from the hotel. The final decision was to get in the car and drive to order and collect dinner. Except when we got there we decided to stay and eat in!

Old Town Temecula was mildly interesting. More of a replica town from the turn of the 19th century. Shops and stores were understandably touristy orientated, you know the sort of stuff. This is one such store, the Painted Garden.

The Old Town was very busy with bars and restaurants packed. Which is why we ended up at the Indian. Beyond the two or three main streets it could have been any North American city.

Tomorrow we may go on a winery tour, a bit of hiking or maybe not. The Palomar Mountain Observatory is not far away, so we may visit that. Or maybe not. Or finding a good hike. We’ll see.

I’m blown away by the Oceanside Pier blip being equal third in the most popular. The inestimable Trevor Earthy being well out in front in the top spot. And equal with the equally inestimable Marpaul. Thank you to everyone who awarded the photo a favourite. Such is the nature of this visit that it is not easy to find the time to devote to commenting on blip.