Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival June 1 - 3, 2012   Cost: $10 - 20 general admission. Hours: Friday - 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday - 6 am to 10 p.m. Sunday - 6 am to 6 p.m. Location: 37701 Warren Rd., Winchester, CA (just outside Temecula at Lake Skinner County Park)

 
TEMECULA , CA – The popular Balloon & Wine Festival is the biggest outdoor event of the season in Temecula, combining the region's  love of wine with its popular activity, hot air ballooning. It is one of the area's longest running  events featuring dawn hot air balloon launches, (weather permitting) Friday and Saturday evening balloon glows, wine tasting from over 20 premium wineries,  Wine Pairing, and live concerts on two stages.

The first festival was held in 1984 and proved an instant success. There were only six wineries at the time, but the concept was enthusiastically welcomed and the rest is history, almost. The event has been held in several locations throughout its decades of existence but since it keeps growing, it is currently hosted at Skinner Lake, 37701 Warren Rd., Winchester, CA 92596.

Costs all inclusive -  Friday $22 adults; youth 7-12 $5 and children 6 and under FREE
Saturday $25 adults, youth 7-12 $5 and children 6 and under FREE; Sunday $17 adults, youth 7-12 $5 and children 6 and under FREE. Weekend Combo $50 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday entrance tickets only). PARKING: Autos - $5 approx.,  Buses and Motor Homes $10 approx.

Directions:  From Interstate 15, exit EAST on Rancho California Road or Winchester Road. Watch for directional signs to Lake Skinner which is approximately 10 miles east of I-15. If you have exited on Rancho California Road, you will go through the beautiful Temecula Wine County and the lake is located just past the wine country.