Let me start by saying I love the concept of this contest. I'm passionate about where I live and I love to share my favorite things.
1) The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival - This month was the festival's 25th anniversary. Each year the crowds get bigger and it's no small wonder why. Picture dozens of hot air balloons launching into the dawn sky near picturesque Lake Skinner. Imagine strolling the vast grounds, sampling delicious foods offered by a variety of vendors. Take time to explore the craftsmanship of our talented artisans. Sample our local wines. Take in the balloon glow at dusk. Listen to great live music, like this year's headliner Kenny Loggins. I'm already looking forward to next year!
2) The Santa Rosa Plateau - Oh my. This place is simply magical. Only a fifteen minute drive west of Murrieta lies an ecological preserve that is home to brilliant wildflowers and dozens of bird and animal species. Plan on spending a day exploring the trails. Don't forget to bring your camera.
3) The Temecula Old Town Farmers' Market - It's such a treat. Every Saturday a visit to Old Town Temecula rewards you with farm fresh produce, gorgeous flowers, yummy food and a chance to mingle with your neighbors. You can even take a free horse drawn carriage ride.
4) The Lake Elsinore Storm - I hadn't been to a minor league baseball game before 2006. Now I'm hooked. It's family friendly, the games are a blast, you get to see up and comers along with some big leaguers coming off the disabled list. Not only that, Thunder may be the coolest mascot anywhere!
5) The Temecula Valley Wine Country - Rapidly gaining a reputation as a destination, our wine country is a force to be reckoned with. More than twenty wineries await your discovery. Try Wilson Creek's Almond Champagne for real treat. Several of the wineries are drop dead gorgeous and there are excellent restaurants to choose from. It's hard to beat a beautiful summer evening listening to jazz in the vineyards.
Now you can see why I love this area so much. I've barely even scratched the surface of what we have to offer. Come visit!
Murrieta Real Estate Expert - Tom Plant, REALTOR® - Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Active Rain Ambassador (951) 907-9701
It would be my honor to show you the incredible Temecula Valley, a place I'm very proud to call home.
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Helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs in Murrieta and the beautiful Temecula Valley. I pride myself in exceptional customer service. 951.907.9701 www.TomPlant.com
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Tom,
I believe you and I have very similar tastes in activities and places to explore. Magnificent TOP 5 choices and I'm pretty certain I would have chosen similarly if I lived in your beautiful area. One of these days I'm going to visit and the Santa Rosa Plateau and a tour of some of the wineries are at the top of my list.
Beautiful pictures!
Jo
Jo - We clearly do and I know our paths will be crossing. I can't wait to have you visit and I am equally looking forward to visiting you
Tom: I didn't know about the Santa Rosa Plateau. Super post!
Kat - Thanks so much. I hope you'll pay a visit someday.
Tom - what a great localism piece! You do indeed live in a beautiful area and you've showcased it very well. Look at the size of those artichokes!
Tom, it doesn't get any better than the things you list for the valley. Who can argue with baseball, wine, nature, festivals and my favorite a farmer's market. LIFE IS GOOD !!!
Tom, I love all of your photo's- the last one reminds me of Italy. There are so many similarities to Lynchburg; we just got in from a Hillcat's game (class A minor league baseball). We don't have horse drawn carriages though, what a nice way to see the town!
Really enjoyed your photos and reading about the great things to do in your area Tom.
Tom - Your passion for the Temecula Valley Area is unmatched. I can see why you are the go to Realtor for the area!
Tom, so they have grape stomping events at the winery? It's something I've fantasized about since watching that old I Love Lucy episode.
Hi Tom,
Your area has spectacular events and is a beautiful area. All of these events sound wonderful and things I would enjoy....well, the baseball game---I would skip that.
Tom, I love, love, love this post. What great pictures and information. I lived in So. Calif. for years and hadn't a clue about all of these fun things. I should have visited Temecula!
Linda - Don't you love artichokes? I try to have at least one a week!
Gary - Ain't life grand? Thanks for the kind words.
Debbie - I'd love to visit Lynchburg someday. I was just in Richmond.
Susie - Thanks so much. I hope to have the chance to be your tour guide someday.
Bill - Thank you kindly. I know you're an ambassador for your area, too.
Pat - I'll arrange a grape stomp just for you! I remember that episode.
Cynthia - Okay, when you visit, I'll cross baseball off the list.
Diane - It's not to late to come visit. Thanks for the kind words.
Tom,
Excellent photography. I am very envious. We have a winery close to Chattanooga. I did a write up on it in a little newsetter we put out, try to put out, monthly.
The balloon and wine festival looks exciting. Do you get to ride in them?
We have a local minor league team in chattanooga, and a new stadium. I have not attended a game since the new stadium opened. My bad.
BTW, how do you get the big RSS feed button? One of the problems with AR blogs is that the public must find that little tiny RSS/Atom button on the bottom. Most people do not know what RSS is. I found out about a month ago.
The AR outside blog may help with this, but I would like a better way to get consumer subscriptions to my blog.
One more time, great photography. Thanks so much.
Richard
Richard - Thank you very much. The big RSS button is somewhat complicated to explain. Give me a call. Balloon rides are available for a fee.
Simply beautiful!!! You have some spectacular events. Super post.
Barbara - Thanks so much. It's a fun place to live.
Wowee...........loved your post............the balloons.......the winery..........mmmmm
I had friends in Temecula this weekend who really enjoyed the wine tasting. My husband has many memories of minor league baseball from childhood and would understand your being hooked.
Liz - I love Vancouver, too. Thanks for your kudos.
Christine - I'm glad your friends liked it. Our wine country has come a long way!
Hi Tom,
I love your post! You're so right about Temecula being a very "cool" place to live and visit. There is so much to do there. I love hiking in the Santa Rosa Plateau--my husband and I hiked there a month or so ago on a day when it was raining. We hiked to the Adobe and made hot tea with our backpacking stove. We sat on that big porch under the oak tree and listened to rain, and watched woodpeckers and bunnies. I haven't made it to any of the wineries up there, but it's definitely on my list of things to do. Your photos really add to your post and your write-up is really well done--you did a great job!
Anonymous ;-) - I wish I knew who you were! Thanks so much. It sounds like you and your husband had a remarkable visit to SRP.
Tom - Love all the pictures. I would love to go to the balloon festival. It must be a sight to see all the colorful balloons in the sky over the beautiful countryside.
Tom...allI know is the next time I get uot to CA I'll have to allow more time...there is so much to see and do! Super post!
Pam - I look forward to it each year. I'm glad you liked the pictures.
Joan - It really is a great place to visit. I look forward to seeing New Hampshire one of these days.
I love what you did here. absolutely wonderful....You really captured the area with your photos.
Thanks so much for the great ideas. Temecula is really just a hop, skip and a jump from LA!
Ruthmarie - Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
John - Come visit us sometime.
Wow - I want to come and visit - I have always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. Great pictures!
Tom, you live in a beautiful area of the country! I love your photos, especially the closeup of the balloons.
Georgina - I think we both would like to visit each other! Thanks.
Brian - Thanks for the nice words... I love where I live and I love photographing it.
Tom - what a great post! You do a wonderful job promoting the area you live in!!!!
Barbara-Jo - Thanks so much. It's easy to do when you love it.
Tom: wonderful things to do...I'll be right there! :)
Sally - I'm counting on it. I'd love to have you visit!
Congrats Tom on getting 2nd ! It was a fabulous post - just loved it! :-)
Hi Tom, congratulations on 2nd place!! You put together an exceptional post and you deserve it. :)