Escapes: California's other wine country - Get Fit

Move over, Napa. Southern California's wine country, an hour north of San Diego, delivers more for less. The rustic Temecula Creek Inn, which has a new fitness center, swimming pool and 27-hole golf course (from $89 per night; 909-694-1000, temeculacreekinn.com), is a stone's throw from "Winery Row," where 15 wineries perched on flowering hillsides feature tastings (some free), concerts and more.

For a spectacular overview of vineyards rolling to misty mountains, take a sunrise hot-air balloon ride ($128-$148; 800-373-3359, californiadreamin.com.). Back on earth, hike or cycle through the Ozlike countryside and watch for double rainbows, which are common in spring. At the nearby Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, you can soak in natural hot springs and steep in clay mud baths ($25-$35; spa treatments are extra; 800-454-8772, 888-CLUB-MUD, glenivy.com).

Offering panoramic views, the inn's Temet Grill is an intimate place to enjoy healthy gourmet cuisine like sauteed Atlantic salmon with steamed spinach and almond basmati rice. After dinner, you can stroll around Old Town, where gas lamps, rustic storefronts and wooden sidewalks recall Temecula's Wild West past. It's also a great place to shop for affordable antiques.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group