Falkner Vineyard
It’s spring break in Coronado, and everyone is trying to think of fun things to do with their kids.
In our house, though, the grandparents are visiting for a week. They offered to watch our two small children while we spent some time away, and my husband and I jumped at the chance. So long, kids!
We chose to visit two new-to-us places within two hours of San Diego: Temecula wine country and the town of Idyllwild. To our delight, we discovered both of these places would be fun with kids, too, if you knew where to go and what to do. So, if you’re wondering what to do this weekend of spring break with your kids, here are a few options:
TEMECULA WINE COUNTRY
An hour after we left Coronado, we pulled into the parking lot of Longshadow Ranch Vineyards and Winery. We’d left our kids behind, but this spot was perfect for young children. Gentle draft horses nuzzled our hands beside a small playground and outdoor cafe.
Later we drove two minutes down the road to Falkner Winery, perched atop a hill beside a well-rated restaurant called Pinnacle (only open for lunch). Although the tasting room would have been awkward with children, the outdoor grassy space was perfect for kids and dogs. We chose a patio table along their balcony and enjoyed a breathtaking view of the valley.
To finish up the afternoon, we visited one more vineyard called Danza del Sol. Unfortunately, it was located far away from most of the other vineyards, and none of the wines appealed to us. It would be a hard place to bring children, so overall we don’t recommend it.
That evening we checked in at our AirBnB rental 10 minutes outside Temecula. I seriously regretted not having our kids with us then because they would have gone wild over the miniature horses, alpaca, sheep, dwarf goat, and 100 chickens. We were renting an RV parked on the property to the tune of $65 per night, the cheapest accommodation in Temecula wine country. Although very simple, it included a queen bed (and a fold-out couch), croissants and fresh fruit for breakfast, and a plate of the proprietor’s handmade chocolates. We were more than content.
The tasting room at Ponte Vineyard
For dinner, we drove to Callaway Winery, the oldest vineyard in the area. The Callaway restaurant had excellent Yelp reviews for its creative tapas plates, and we loved the chef’s combinations of lamb and apple, pork belly and yucca root, sausage and plantain. Downstairs, a local duo sang oldies for the vineyard’s Saturday night live music, and an enthusiastic audience clapped and cheered along.
In the morning, we visited three more vineyards. The first was South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, a gorgeous property that included a hotel, restaurant, and two tasting rooms. We lingered over the picnic items available for sale in the refrigerated cases, wishing our children were with us to enjoy the grass outside with plates of soft cheese, crackers, and salami.
We walked next door onto the grounds of Ponte Vineyard, and my breath caught in my throat. The lovely property included a four-star inn (rated by Trip Advisor as the 13th best hotel in America), a winery with a spacious tasting room, and an outdoor restaurant. Surrounding the property on four sides were beautifully manicured vines, some of them just a few feet away from the inn. Inside the huge tasting room, vaulted ceilings rose over displays of carefully curated goods and gourmet foods. We both tasted their wines and agreed they were our favorites so far. Although a little formal to enjoy with small children, Ponte would be my first choice for another weekend away.
Our last stop was Miramonte Vineyard, another hilltop location, this time with Spanish flair. We opted for glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and Moscato and sipped them while enjoying our last hour in wine country.
IDYLLWILD, CALIFORNIA
That afternoon, we drove an hour into the San Jacinto Mountains to the pretty mountain town of Idyllwild. It was Monday evening, and the town felt sleepy and peaceful. We checked into Silver Pines Lodge, which would be perfect for kids with its lodge room with games and movies, a small koi pond, and two-bedroom cabins.
That evening we walked through the quiet town to one of the two or three restaurants that was still open. Gastrognome was cozy but dated, and the food was expensive for what we got. In the end, we wondered if we should have visited Idyllwild Pizza, which was hopping with locals and happy kids.
In the morning, found breakfast in the heart of town. “Welcome to Idyllwild Bake Shop & Brew!” the proprietor greeted us from behind the counter, comfy in his flannel shirt and big beard. All the mouth-watering baked goods in their display case are made on site, and we chose a blueberry scone and egg and bacon strata to go with our coffees. Everything was so delicious that we ordered sandwiches on their homemade sourdough bread for lunch. On the way out, I admired a table full of blocks and puzzles for all the kids who pass through the bakery.
My husband loves hiking, so we topped off our weekend with Deer Springs Trail (2.3 miles) and then tacked on the 1.0 mile extra to eat our lunch at Suicide Point. Even though the trail was not steep, I was glad we weren’t dragging our kids up the mountain. Other families with older children, though, were laughing in the dappled sunshine along the trail.
As we hiked out a few hours later, I felt like my whole mind had been cleaned out over the weekend and put back in better, tidier order. I was ready to head home to my children and regular life. Next time, we’ll bring them with us!
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“Coronado Living” is a weekly column written by one of eCoronado.com’s staff writers, Becca Garber. She writes about choosing simplicity and practicing hospitality with her family at home in Coronado. You can read more of her writing on her blog, BeccaGarber.com.
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Becca Garber
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
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