Where is Temecula, California, U.S.

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Temecula, California Located in the United States? - Temecula is a city located in the Riverside County in California, United States. Temecula lies between 33.4936 Degrees North latitudes and -117.1484 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Temecula, Riverside, California

Where is Temecula Located in Riverside, California

About Map: The map shows the location of Temecula in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.

Temecula Map, California, USA

About Temecula Map: This Google Map provides a detailed view with zoom, satellite, and street options to explore the area and its surroundings.

About Temecula, Riverside County, California

Temecula is located in Riverside County in the U.S. state of California, United States. It lies in the southern part of the state in the state of the United States within the Inland Empire region near the border with San Diego County. The city was incorporated in 1989 and takes its name from the Luiseño word meaning “place of the sun,” and it has developed into a growing residential, tourism, and wine-producing center.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Temecula is 110,003 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 2,900 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Temecula covers a total area of approximately 37.3 square miles (about 96.6 square kilometers), including about 37.2 square miles (96.4 square kilometers) of land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Temecula is situated south of Murrieta and north of Escondido, positioned between Los Angeles and San Diego in Southern California. The city features rolling hills, vineyards, and residential neighborhoods that define its scenic character. Interstate 15 serves as the primary transportation corridor, linking Temecula to surrounding communities and major metropolitan areas.

Top Attractions

Temecula offers a range of attractions that support tourism and outdoor recreation, particularly in the Temecula Valley Wine Country known for its vineyards and wineries. Other popular destinations include Old Town Temecula, Pechanga Resort Casino, and numerous golf courses and parks. The city is also home to Mt. San Jacinto College’s nearby campus services, contributing to higher education opportunities in the region.

Transportation

Temecula is primarily served by Interstate 15, providing direct highway access to Riverside County and neighboring San Diego County. Public transportation includes regional bus services connecting to nearby cities and transit hubs. The nearest major airport is San Diego International Airport, located approximately 60 miles to the south.

Explore more cities in California or visit the United States Map section to learn more about the country’s geography.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official Temecula City Website.

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Temecula, California Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityTemecula
CountyRiverside County
StateCalifornia
State CapitalSacramento
US RegionWestern United States
Latitude33.4936° N
Longitude117.1484° W
ElevationApproximately 1,017 ft (310 m)
Land Area37.1 sq mi
Water Area0.0 sq mi
Total Area37.1 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)110,003
Population DensityApproximately 2,966 per sq mi
ZIP Codes92590, 92591, 92592
Area Code951
Time Zone StandardPacific Standard Time (PST), UTC−8
Time Zone DaylightPacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC−7
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code06-78120
Congressional DistrictCalifornia's 48th Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Temecula, California

TransportationDetails
Airport NameSan Diego International Airport
IATA CodeSAN
Regional AirportFrench Valley Airport
PortPort of San Diego and Port of Los Angeles (regional access)
Major HighwaysInterstate 15, State Route 79, State Route 371
Train/Amtrak ServiceMetrolink service available from nearby stations in Riverside County
Local Transit ServiceRiverside Transit Agency (RTA)
  • Interstate 15 (I-15) — Major north-south highway connecting Temecula with San Diego, Riverside, and Las Vegas.
  • State Route 79 — Scenic regional highway connecting Temecula with surrounding communities and recreation areas.
  • State Route 371 — Provides access toward Anza and eastern Riverside County areas.

Top Places to Visit in Temecula, California

Landmark NameType
Temecula Valley Wine CountryWine Region
Old Town TemeculaHistoric District
Pechanga Resort CasinoEntertainment Venue
Temecula Valley MuseumHistory Museum
Harveston Lake ParkCommunity Park
Lake Skinner Recreation AreaRecreation Area
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological ReserveNature Preserve
Temecula Creek InnHistoric Resort
Galway DownsEvent Venue
Butterfield Stage Station Historic SiteHistoric Landmark

Driving Distances from Temecula, California to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
MurrietaCalifornia8 mi15 minutes
RiversideCalifornia50 mi55 minutes
San DiegoCalifornia60 mi1 hour
OrangeCalifornia65 mi1 hour 10 minutes
AnaheimCalifornia70 mi1 hour 15 minutes
Los AngelesCalifornia85 mi1 hour 40 minutes
Palm SpringsCalifornia75 mi1 hour 20 minutes
Long BeachCalifornia85 mi1 hour 40 minutes
Las VegasNevada290 mi4 hours 30 minutes
PhoenixArizona330 mi5 hours

Colleges and Universities Near Temecula, California

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Mt. San Jacinto College - Menifee Valley CampusPublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, transfer programs, and career training
California State University San MarcosPublicUniversityBusiness, education, science, and research programs
University of California RiversidePublicUniversityResearch, engineering, sciences, and graduate programs
Palomar CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer education and transfer programs
Temecula Valley Unified School DistrictPublicK–12 DistrictLocal public education

Waterbodies Near Temecula, California

Lake Skinner, Vail Lake, Santa Margarita River, Murrieta Creek, Temecula Creek

Golf Courses and Stadiums Near Temecula

Golf Courses: Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course, RedHawk Golf Course, CrossCreek Golf Club, The Legends Golf Club at Temeku Hills. Stadiums: Temecula Valley High School Stadium, Chaparral High School Stadium, Pechanga Arena San Diego.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Temecula, California

Landmark NameType
Old Town TemeculaHistoric District
Temecula Valley Wine CountryWine Region
Pechanga Resort CasinoEntertainment Complex
Temecula Valley MuseumHistory Museum
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological ReserveNature Preserve
Lake Skinner Recreation AreaPark and Reservoir
Temecula Creek InnHistoric Resort
Butterfield Stage Station Historic SiteHistoric Landmark

Temecula, California — Key Historical Facts

  • Temecula has a long history connected to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, who have lived in the region for thousands of years.
  • The name Temecula comes from the Luiseño word "Temecunga," often associated with the area of the sun or a place of mist.
  • Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in the region during the late 18th century, followed by ranching and agricultural development.
  • The arrival of the Butterfield Overland Mail route in the 1850s helped connect Temecula with wider transportation networks.
  • Temecula became a city in 1989 and has grown into a major destination known for wine, historic sites, and outdoor recreation.

References

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