T emecula, California is a stunning valley community located in southwest Riverside County. This lush valley is situated 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean just north of the San Diego County line and is bordered to the west by the beautiful Cleveland National Forest. This vineyard-covered region offers picturesque landscapes and a serene lifestyle. Golf courses, abundant recreation and cultural opportunities, award-winning schools, safe and attractive neighborhoods provide the ideal setting for family living.

Temecula enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate that can be compared to Napa Valley. As such the community benefits from a thriving wine industry, with warm, dry days and cool evenings. Summer temperatures, which range from the mid 80's to the mid 90's during the day, are often tempered by afternoon ocean breezes blowing into the valley through spaces in the Santa Ana foothills to the west. Although separated from the Pacific by the Santa Rosa range of mountains, the Rainbow Gap funnels the mild beach climate into the valley. Mild wintertime temperatures average in the mid 60's. Yearly average rainfall in Temecula is approximately 14 inches.

In July of 2001, Temecula welcomed the annexation of the Vail Ranch area. The area of Redhawk will be annexed into the City in 2005. Currently, the estimated population data shows Temecula with 77,460 residents as of January 2004. Temecula is one of the fastest growing and most prosperous communities in the Inland Empire. It has one of the nicest settings in the region providing a natural lure for families seeking a good living environment while avoiding the very high home prices found in the coastal counties. Temecula's location on the I-15 freeway, mid-way between San Diego and Orange Counties, is allowing it to receive growth impulses from both directions, a new phenomenon in Southern California. In particular, the fact that only 20% of San Diego County's families can qualify to buy that area's median priced home is driving upper middle class buyers north to Temecula. Average home prices are just $460,000.

The residents in Temecula enjoy high wages with an average household income of $74,808. Temecula's high tech sectors include medical instruments, semiconductors, measuring and control devices, communications equipment, specialty machining and programming. In second quarter 2001, their sectors contained 73 firms with 5,127 high-end employees and a combined payroll of $64.1 million. That represented an average pay level of $50,019. As a result, Temecula's complete manufacturing sector offered better pay than the Inland Empire average by a margin of $43,765 to $33,200.

This growing community has plenty of retail shopping options for residents to enjoy throughout the area. Excellent shopping venues include the Historic Old Town that blends renovated buildings with over 640 antique dealers, unique shopping boutiques, and restaurants. Also the regional Promenade Mall is another favorite with more than 110 national chains and specialty shops. A wide selection of restaurants allows diners to choose between nationally recognized favorites or intimate dining bistros.

The Temecula Valley Unified School District serves over 23,000 students with three high schools (including a continuation school), four middle schools, two charter schools, home-schooling programs, and thirteen elementary schools. In addition, there are 10 private schools and many pre-schools.

Temecula has a robust community with lots of fun activities and special events throughout the year including car shows, semi-annual Rod Runs, Western Days, horse-drawn carriage rides, hot air balloons adventures, world class golfing, 29 public parks, three multi-screen theaters, hiking on the Santa Rosa Plateau Wildlife Preserve, and boating and fishing at nearby Lake Skinner or Diamond Valley Lake. And jst south of Temecula, the Pechanga Tribe of American Indians operates the Pechanga Resort and Entertainment Center where visitors can enjoy gaming, boxing, or concerts.