15 Places and Things Still Needed in Temecula

The great City of Temecula really has it all… well, almost.

In the last decade, our community has become a virtual mecca of dining, shopping and nightlife. But despite the fact that Temecula has become an all-inclusive consumer playground, with little need to ever travel North to Riverside or South to San Diego – a happy phenomenon of the past maybe 5 or 6 years – there are a few little holes in the retail fence.

So, although it may be a short, here is the list of a few of the things it would be nice to see one day pop up within the Temecula city limits.

1. Nordstrom

Yes, we may have been jubilant when we acquired a Nordstrom Rack but, what was once, in its inception, a glorious treasure-trove of real Nordstrom overstocks has now become nothing more than a discount store filled with “racks” of cheap knock offs. I know it was rumored that, years ago, the Nordstrom Company didn’t find Temecula a desirable community for its flagship store, but I invite them to come check out our revitalized Old Town. How do you like us now?

2. Dave and Busters

Sports Bars are great and my love for Stadium Pizza is undying, but wouldn’t it be nice to have a place where families and adults can spend several hours having fun, playing games, and enjoying some tasty brews?

3. Cinepolis Movie Theater

A luxury movie theater with reclining seats, gourmet food and a full bar? That’s right up this community’s alley and we would gladly pay the extra few bucks for a pampering night at the movies. If this place can survive in Vista (Vista? Really?), then it would make a killing in Temecula.

4. A Miniature Golf Course

We don’t need a giant family fun center-type place with all the go carts and waterslides and all that. There’s one in Murrieta. I’m talking about a cute and fun little course, maybe with a few gnomes and windmills, and an adjoining family restaurant or snack bar with picnic area. It would be an adorable addition to wine country. Make it walking distance from an actual winery and you have a great family afternoon!

5. A Novelty 50’s Diner

Don’t get me wrong. Richie’s is great. But I’d love to see one of those retro places with singing waitresses and burgers named after old stars like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. I’m thinking Corvette Diner North. Someone please call the Cohn Restaurant Group and give them the idea. You don’t even have to give me credit.

6. More Table Service Restaurants on Temecula Parkway (79 South)

This is more of a gripe than anything else because I’m sick of driving out to the mall area to eat on weekdays. We do have excellent restaurants on Temecula Parkway, but we need more variety. (Attention Cohn’s – put Corvette Diner North on Temecula Parkway, please!)

7. Hooters

I know we once had one, but can you put it in a better location? And maybe improve the food? Come to think of it, the atmosphere is fun and the music is great, but the food at Hooters is pretty terrible. So maybe just give us Dave and Busters and we’ll call it even.

8. Water Park

Yes, it would be awesome and yes, we’re working on it. I actually covered that ongoing saga already.

9. Oktoberfest-Style German Restaurant

Imagine long picnic tables of joyful revelers with giant beer-filled steins, swaying back and forth to the musical stylings of four guys in lederhosen. And all the food is fried or schnitzeled. Who wouldn’t want Oktoberfest all year round? Ziggy Zaggy Ziggy Zaggy Oi Oi Oi!

10. Cracker Barrel

Okay, technically the entire state of California needs this place, if not just for the food (dumplings!) but for the country store that always has maple candy.

11. Hash House a Go Go

Trust me. Google the waffle towers at this place and you’ll want to go-go, too.

12. Wave House Wave Machine and Restaurant

They put the only U.S. location of the Wave House, the artificial yet surf-able wave, at Belmont Park in Mission Beach…right next to the real ocean. Do you have any idea how many transplanted San Diego and Orange County surfers are now raising families in Temecula? Putting in a Wave House would be a no-brainer.

13. Chargers Stadium

Seriously! We have the room in wine country or French Valley, right? We even have that place in Hemet that grows turf for football fields! Ok, maybe we’ll have to agree to put it in Rainbow to keep the team in San Diego County, but that’s close enough to bring us the tourism dollars and that benefits everyone. I’m not joking here, local politicians. If our tax dollars have ever done anything for us ever, make this work before I have an emotional breakdown! (I’m really not good with change.)

14. Glamour Shots

I actually thought this place went out of business in the eighties but, alas, it’s still going strong around the country. We need one because who doesn’t want to be done up with hooker make up and big hair before those family Christmas portraits?

15. The Temecula Eye

Oversized Ferris Wheels are popping up all over the world and people are paying upwards of $50 a pop, just to ride in a pod with 39 other people and go around one rotation. You’re telling me that, if we put one of these things just south of the Pechanga gas station, it won’t bring in tons of tourists? You could see it from the freeway! Travel Channel would do a piece on us for sure.

The truth is, as I found it difficult to compile enough items to make this list, it made me realize just how awesome Temecula actually is. Roller derby team? Check. Splash pads? Check. H&M? Check.

Man, for the most part, we really DO have it all. Aren’t we lucky to be living here?

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