Get to know Temecula, CA

Temecula is a southwestern city in San Diego County’s Inland Empire region.  Native Americans of the Temecula tribe were the first inhabitants of the area.  The Spanish and Mexicans owned the land before the United States took it over following the Mexican-American War.  As American settlers came to the area, there was conflict with the native tribes, resulting in a treaty in the Magee Store in 1852.  In 1882 the United States established the Pechanga Indian Reservation 8 miles from downtown Temecula.  That same year the California Southern Railroad completed a line to the town from National City.  Granite stone quarries were an important operation in the 1890’s, but by the turn of the century Temecula had become an important grain and cattle shipping hub.  In 1904 Walter Vail came to the area and purchased land to open Vail Ranch.  His son Mahlon took over when his father was killed in 1906.  Through the 1960’s the Vail Ranch was the base of the economy of Temecula Valley.  In 1964 the Vail Ranch was sold to the Kaiser Aetna partnership.  The city was incorporated in 1989, with citizens voting to be called Temecula.   The city relies primarily on tourism today.  The top employers are the Temecula Valley Unified School District and Abbott Laboratories (Guidant).  Notable attractions include Old Town Temecula, Temecula Valley Wine Country, and the annual Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival.

Quick Facts

Population: 107,153

Median Household Income: $79,925

Median Property Value: $335,200