Elegant, Private Villas amid Sprawling Vineyards at 4-Star Wine Resort

South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s private villas are so close to the property’s vineyards that you could reach out the windows and pluck fresh grapes from the vine. With its carefully cultivated grounds and Mediterranean architecture, the resort might remind some of Tuscany. But South Coast is on 38 picturesque acres in Southern California’s Temecula Valley, a region revered for viniculture.

A winery tour included with this getaway takes visitors through each aspect of the winemaking process, from the vineyard to the barrel room. The tour ends with a wine and cheese pairing. Later, you can spend some time unwinding in the resort's luxurious GrapeSeed Spa, where you can apply your $20 spa credit toward treatments $85 and over, such as full-body seaweed wraps. At the onsite Vineyard Rose Restaurant—a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner—you can pair the winery's cabernet sauvignon with pan-seared salmon and other gourmet entrees.

Sprinkled with rose petals just before your arrival, South Coast’s private villas provide the most intimate setting to share an included bottle of pre-selected wine. The bedroom's warm burgundy and green hues subtly recall the vineyards, and the roomy jacuzzi supplies a romantic spot to relax. Or head to the outdoor saltwater pool, which pipes music underwater through waterproof speakers.

Temecula Valley, California: Rolling Vineyards and Small-Town Charm

Located in Southern California between Los Angeles and San Diego, Temecula feels small compared to the metropolises it's sandwiched between. Temecula's landscape offers a relaxing contrast to its neighbors’ urban sprawl. Here, you’ll find rolling vineyards that produce award-winning wines. Tours and tastings are a popular way to explore wineries, but Temecula's countryside can be best appreciated in a hot-air-balloon ride, which you can arrange through the resort.

Enjoy another quaint mode of transportation by hitching a ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Old Town Temecula, which resembles an Old West town with its rustic windmill, decorative wagons, and historical buildings. Along the wooden boardwalks, you'll find saloons, antique shops, and boutiques selling handmade quilts, baked goods, and cuckoo clocks. If you’re in town on Saturdays, visit the local farmers’ market for fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.