All Posts by Elle

Put on your party hat(s) and dancing shoes for these upcoming New Year’s Eve Celebrations!  The only problem you’ll have is picking out which one you’ll be going to!

Lighthouse Restaurant NYE Celebration ~ Canyon Lake

Light Up Your New Year’s at the Lighthouse Restaurant right here in Canyon Lake!  From 8:00 pm until 1:00 am on the Eve of the New Year, you can enjoy libations and dancing to a live DJ’s sounds.  Hors d”oeuvres will include shrimp cocktail, vegetable crudité, pesto bruschetta, cheese plates, fruit displays, stuffed mushrooms and Italian sausage, mini beef and chicken teriyaki, pot stickers, stuffed jalapeño poppers, mini assorted dessert choices and a complimentary champagne toast.  Tickets for this event is $30 per individual.  You can pick up your tickets at the Lighthouse Restaurant and make sure to call 951.244.6841 ext 771 to make reservations.

A Senior New Year’s Eve ~ Canyon Lake

Another Canyon Lake New Year’s Eve Party is the Senior’s New Year’s Eve Party celebrating New Year’s Eve on Central Time!  The party starts at 5:00 pm and held at the Canyon Lake Senior Center.  There will be music, fun and food for a ticket price of $25 per person.  Tickets are available at the Association’s Member Services Office.

Pepe’s Mexican New Year’s ~ Canyon Lake

Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina just outside of the Main Gate here in Canyon Lake is hosting their New Year’s Eve Party where seating times are at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm (they ask that when you make your reservations to specify your seating time).  There will be dancing music provided by “On The Roxx” so get ready to dance the night away, too!  There are 3 different packages to choose from.  Package 1 is drinks from 9:00 pm until midnight with a glass of champagne to toast in the New Year for $50.  Package 2 includes prime rib or chicken cordon bleu dinner in the dining room and reserved seating in the bar, drinks from 9:00 pm until midnight with a glass of champagne for the toast.  Price of package 2 is $75.  Package 3 is $100 per person which includes all of package 2 with your personal cocktail server for drinks in the bar.  Each of these packages does not include the price of shots.  Please note that when making reservations, your credit card will be charged and there will not be any refunds.  Call and make your reservations by dialing 951.244.7373.

The Sports Stop New Year’s Eve Buffet ~ Canyon Lake

A buffet on New Year’s Eve?  What a great idea!  Nonstop fun and nonstop food at the Sports Stop!  The buffet will include fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail, tri-tip, chicken marsala, garlic mashed potatoes, salads, desserts including cheesecake with fresh strawberry sauce AND triple chocolate brownies!  Brunch starts at 5:30 pm and price per person is $18.99.  Brunch also includes midnight champagne to ring in the New Year!  So think about partying it up at The Sports Stop for New Year’s Eve!  After all, it’s just outside the Main Gate here in Canyon Lake!

An Old Town NYE Celebration at Baily’s ~ Old Town Temecula

Baily’s Nightclub New Year’s Eve Bash will be a night full of fun with two levels of people, three full bars and music from DJ Ruffnek and DJ A-Lyfe, Gogos Jazmine, Felicia & Kimmy Jayy!  There will be party favors and champagne for the New Year’s Toast.  It will be an “unforgettable experience” as their invitation states!  Presales tickets are available for $20 per person ($30 per couple as an online sale from Dec 15-28).  Click here for presale tickets if you’re interested!

Winery NYE Choices ~ Temecula

Head down to Winery Town in Temecula for a New Year’s Eve Celebration of fun!  Here are just a couple of wineries to check out for New Year’s Eve!

• Miramonte Winery’s NYE 2013 Bash

starts at 7:00 pm with the beautiful music of Missy Andersen.  Hang out with friends and the fun Miramonte staff and close in on 2014 til midnight!  There is no cover charge for this event so make sure to come early and grab yourself a table under the stars (by a heater).  🙂  You’ll for sure have a grand ol’ time!

• Wilson Creek Winery

has their very own Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Celebration where you can boogie the night away with Jimmy Jones and the Disco Inferno.  There will be lots of food stations set up for you party animals as well as an open bar, live entertainment such as go-go dancers, a DJ and a countdown to midnight!  Oh, not to mention, there will be champagne, too!  We can’t forget that!  Tickets are $190 and $170 for Wine Club Members.  Check out the Wilson Creek Winery’s website to make reservations.  Please note the prices above do not include tax or gratuity.

Tesoro’s Italian Cuisine’s Dance and Foodie NYE Celebration ~ Murrieta

Looking for somewhere to ring in the New Year closer to Canyon Lake and enjoy a great sit-down meal?  How about Tesoro Italian Cuisine in Murrieta?  Tesoro’s New Year’s Eve Celebration starts at 8:00 pm and includes a full course special dinner and champagne to toast in 2014.  The appetizer choices are fried calamari and chorizo-stuffed dates wrapped in maple bacon.  Salad will be strawberry spinach drizzled with a champagne vinaigrette.  Entree choices are filet mignon and fresh lobster or prime rib or Chilean sea bass with champagne risotto and asparagus and to finish you off, killer dessert choices of tiramisu and pumpkin cheesecake to boot!  Dance to jazzy Motown music played by TMK and the Allstars all night.  Prices are $80 per person (prepaid), $85 at the door (the night of).  Call for reservations 951.609.1266.  $40 deposit is required to hold your reservations.  The venue is quaint and small, so make sure to get your name on the list to ensure you get a good seat!

We’re sure there are more parties around town that you can choose from, but these are the ones that we knew about and wanted to share.

Let’s keep in mind….

Now, we all know the goal is to have a great time ringing in the New Year, but let’s make sure to stay safe and sound.  So, please don’t drink and drive and write down these numbers in case you need some transportation after a night of celebrating.

• Let’s Roll Taxi ~ 951.223.8294 (Canyon Lake)
• Blue Crown City Cab ~ 951.973.6011 (Menifee)
• Yellow Cab ~ 951.296.0007 (Murrieta)
• Finish Line Taxi ~ 951.473.0333 (Murrieta)
• Blacks Taxi ~ 951.551.8847 (Temecula)
• Red Top City Cab ~ 951.694.3333 (Temecula)

Have a great New Year, all and let’s make 2014 an even better one!

So this is Christmas…  It’s the time of the year when we all start to think of gift ideas.  One idea is the gift of time, the gift of YOUR time ~ in the form of volunteering!

Neighboring areas are in need of volunteers throughout the year but this Christmas season is when events are held all around town and the spirit of giving is so very welcome!

Lake Elsinore/Wildomar

Cornerstone Community Church hosts their Annual Adopt-a-Family for Christmas Program where you can volunteer to make the Holidays special for those in need.  There are four ways you can participate.

1. The first way is to take care of a family in need by providing them with a Christmas Tree, gifts for the kids and a Christmas Dinner
2. Another way is to select a child from their list and give that child the gift of their choice that can be found on his/her wish list.
3. The third way to volun-gift is to purchase grocery store gift cards in denominations of $25 or $50 so they can be provided to an Adopted Family in the program.
4. Make a monetary donation in any amount by check to Cornerstone

The adopted families in this program are the neatest people who are just down on their luck.  If you can bring some joy and spirit into their Christmas just by your humble act of giving, it’ll make all the difference in the world.

Wildomar

Community Outreach Ministry (COM) serves the community’s at-risk kids.  This year marks the 13th Annual Angel Tree Christmas Party where COM puts together a memorable event for the kids and the children get to interact with local Police, Sheriff’s Deputies, Firefighters, California Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s Explorers, and Border Patrol Agents.  Each group will educate the children on the importance of safety.  Then, the kids will receive Christmas presents donated by local businesses such as Curves, Massage Envy, Health Professionals, Wells Fargo and Beauty Salons.  There will be face painting and entertainment conducted by middle school and high school students.

There are two parties scheduled for these kids.  The first took place today and the next one is slated for Saturday, December 21, 2013.  If you would like to volunteer, contact the ministry at 951-698-7650 or email them at info@communityoutreachministry.org.

Menifee

The 4th Annual Menifee Christmas Dinner Group is looking for Volunteers.  On Christmas, food will be served to families and individuals in need.  Boxed dinners will also be available hot meals will be delivered on Christmas day to the homeless and seniors in the community by Volunteers.  Building up to Christmas, there will be food and toy drives resourced by Volunteers as well.  If you’d like to help this wonderful group of people either before Christmas or on the actual day of Christmas for the dinner, you can visit the Facebook page rightly called Menifee Christmas Dinner.  There will be toys and crafts for children to participate, dinner for the families; and of course, Santa may drop by.  If you’d like to help during the toy and food drives, serve dinner, help facilitate the event on Christmas or help drive the boxed dinners to the homeless and seniors in need; please let them know via the Facebook page, call 951-852-1668 or email menifeechristmasdinner@yahoo.com.

Temecula

Buck Kemmis started this dinner years ago to bring the community together and now heads this year’s 19th Annual Community Christmas Dinner.  This will be the first year with the dinner held at the Mary Phillips Senior Center.  Anyone is welcome to join and celebrate Christmas.  The dinner is a completely free sit-down turkey meal, sponsored by multiple anonymous donors and the Temecula Town Association.  Volunteers help by decorating, serving and organizing the day’s event.  Santa is there to give the kids presents as well.  For those that aren’t able to make it to the actual dinner, meals can be delivered to those who have health issues and are not able to drive or leave their home.  Volunteers are also in charge of wrapping the presents and and carving the turkeys.  If you’re interested in helping out and giving your gift of time, please call 951-678-2471 or visit TemeculaCalifornia.com for more information.

You’ll make all the difference in the lives of the people you unconditionally give your time to during the Holidays….and you will spread the spirit that is Christmas for sure….

Tis’ the season for Christmas cheer, when we play and listen to Christmas music, start to see Christmas lights strung up on buildings brightly lit up and colorful, and people are wrapped up and bundled just like the Christmas presents under the tree…  There are Christmas events that have become tradition such as watching Christmas Parades and watching Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies.  One of the area’s most popular places to visit during this Holiday Season is the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside which is about a forty minute drive from Canyon Lake.

What happens at The Festival of Lights?  Once the sun goes down, the historic Mission Inn is transformed into a beautiful holiday vision ~ the entire property is decorated in splendorous Christmas decor, lit with over 4 million lights plus a spectacular fireworks display.  The Mission Inn’s 21st Annual Festival of Lights is running through January 4th, 2014.

The extravaganza also includes appearances by Santa Claus, the world’s largest mistletoe measured at 12 feet by 8 feet, more than 400 animated figures, snow, horse-drawn carriage rides and of course, the beautifully lit and decorated Christmas Tree located in the lush and elegant hotel lobby.

If you’re thinking of dining at the Mission Inn while you’re there to view this Holiday spectacle, being a 4 diamond hotel; you’ve definitely got fantastic dining choices to boot!  There’s Duane’s Prime Steaks & Seafood where you can indulge in top notch meals, there’s delicious signature comfort food at the Mission Inn Restaurant ~ where you can dine indoors or outdoors situated in the Spanish-inspired courtyard garden area of the inn, or you can get that Italian cafe feel at Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro.  Additionally, there’s the eclectic lounge type of aura at 54 at Duane’s where you can taste great wines paired with sushi and tapas and to close up the night, have a signature cocktail at the Presidential Lounge ~ appropriately named since it formerly served as a guest room for President Roosevelt and was the venue for Richard and Pat Nixon’s wedding.  Let’s not forget dessert at Casey’s Cupcakes!  Now….  If you’re thinking of staying the night (or two), there’s the Inn’s superior in-room dining via room service which is served from 6am-11pm and 6am-1am (Fri & Sat).

During the Festival of Lights timeframe, the Mission Inn is featuring eleven various all-inclusive room packages from their Holiday Lights and Delights room package to one called Santa’s Suite.  The others are appropriately named as well and details can be found on the Inn’s Festival of Lights webpage.  We can’t forget to mention that the Mission Inn has special Christmas and New Years Dining, too!

So, make sure to check out the Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights this holiday season and give you and your family a treat!  Happy Holidays!

Have you ever wanted to take your dog out with you, but didn’t know if your destination(s) would be dog-friendly or not?  Have you ever wondered if there were any dog parks nearby or if there were any coffee-shops that allowed dogs on the premises or at the least, around their patio areas? Well, here’s a list of dog-friendly eateries/coffee shops and dog parks that we’ve put together covering Canyon Lake and the surrounding areas.  We’ll be posting a more detailed list of dog-friendly restaurants at a future date.

Keep in mind that your dog(s) should be well-mannered for the safety of others….and of course, yours, too.

Though these places are considered “dog-friendly”, it’s always a good idea to bring water, snacks for the pup(s) and perhaps, a collapsable drinking bowl with you. Additionally, always bring a leash regardless of a no-leash notation.

Canyon Lake:

• Sports Stop Pub & Grill (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Canyon Lake has four parks that allow leash-only dogs on the grounds. They are:
  • Eastport Park, Emerald Park, Harrelson Park and Lions Park. Though all four are regulated to leashed dogs only, Eastport Park is in the planning stages to eventually have a fenced-in, no-leash section for dogs to run and play in. Bookmark this post for future updates.

Canyon Hills:

• Grapes and Tomatoes (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Baskin-Robbins (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Hana Sushi of Canyon Lake (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Canyon Hills Dog Park (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in areas. There are separate sections for large and small dogs.)

 Lake Elsinore:

• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio table area only). Sometimes, they even put out a doggy water bowl for the visiting pups!
• Starbucks on Grape Street (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio area only). Sometimes, if you go through drive-through and they see you have a pup in the car, they’ll give you some doggy treats!
• Hell’s Kitchen (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio area only)
• Morgan Trail is a moderately easy, 6 mile hike in Cleveland National Forest that will take 2.5 hours to complete. Leashed dogs are allowed on this hiking trail.
• San Juan Loop Trail is a 2 mile hike in Cleveland National Forest which would take an hour to complete. Leashed dogs are allowed on this hiking trail.
• There are three Lake Elsinore City Parks that have designated unleashed dog areas.
  • Canyon Hills Community Park, Mc Vickers Pak and Rosetta Canyon Community Park.

Menifee:

• Countryside Marketplace Outdoor Eating Area ~ Chipotle, Panda Express, Subway, Starbucks, Trio BBQ (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio area only)
• The Breakfast Club (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio area only)
• Aldergate Park has a huge no-leash dog play area.  Here’s a Youtube video we found (filmed in 2011) that shows some furry pups playing at Aldergate.
• Menifee Dog Park – Dogs are allowed to play off-leash in designated areas. The park is located near Newport and Murrieta Road

Corona:

• The Shops at Dog Lagos is a dog-friendly outdoor mall.  Up to 30 stores allow dogs inside (as long as they are leashed).  These shops will have stickers indicating so on their windows.  Leashed, well-mannered dogs are also welcome in the common areas.
• Dairyland Dog Park (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in areas).  Nearby restrooms, picnic tables, water features.
• Harada Heritage Dog Park (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in area with separate section for smaller pets)
• Dog Park at Butterfield Stage Trail (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in area)
• Parkview Meadows Dog Park (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in area)

Murrieta:

• HoneyCutt Farms (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Torrey Pines Park (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in area)
• JC Pooch Park (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in area)
• Fisherman’s Camp Trail is a moderately easy 6.5 mile hike in Cleveland National Forest 3.5 hours to complete. covering 38,000 acres; it is the largest in the forest.  Leashed dogs are allowed on this hiking trail.
• Santa Rosa Plateau’s Sylvan Meadows Multi-Use area allows leashed dogs, horses and mountain bikes along the North side of Clinton Keith Road.  In addition to entrance fee, there is a $1 charge for each pet.

Wildomar:

• Teak Woods Bar and Grill  (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)

Temecula:

• Bailey’s Winery (allows leashed dogs in the tasting room)
• Churon Winery (allows leashed dogs in the tasting room and outdoor areas.  The Inn does not allow dogs)
• Oak Mountain Winery (allows leashed dogs in the tasting room and outdoor areas)
• Frangpani Winery (allows leashed dogs in the tasting room, outdoor areas and lower picnic area)
• Miramonte Winery (allows leashed dogs in the tasting room and outdoor areas)
• Hart Winery  (leashed dogs are welcome)
• Palumbo Family Vineyards  (leashed dogs are welcome)
• Dog Park Cafe (Restaurant for dogs – people bring their own food.  Pet supplies and groomer on the premises as well)
• Front Street Bar and Grill  (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Bushfire Grill  (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Gershon Bachus Vintners offers seated wine tastings. (leashed dogs are welcome)
• Temecula Hills Winery (leashed are dogs welcome)
• Temecula Dog Exercise Area (unleashed dog park includes plenty of room for dog owners to relax while pets romp and play)
• Carol’s (Sundays Only – leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor dining area)
• Marie Callendar’s (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Lazy Dog Cafe  (leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio dining area only)
• Redhawk Dog Park at Redhawk Community Park  (unleashed dogs are invited to play in designated fenced-in area)

NOTE:  Please feel free to contact any of these locations to gather details on their dog-friendly status before you make a visit ~ just to make sure they meet your expectations!  We also recommend checking out reviews on Yelp, too; so you’ll hear what other dog-lovers have to say about these dog-friendly places!.

If we missed a dog-friendly locale, please let us know below and we’ll add it to the list!  Thanks so much for visiting!

Canyon Lake is definitely a pet loving community and it’s likely either you or someone you know might want to find that perfect pet.  As it turns out, that perfect pet is probably looking for you.

With an influx of pets coming into the shelters as a result of today’s economy; now is the best time to adopt a pet who is hoping for a loving owner to come rescue them from the dog pound… which incidentally is just down the road in Lake Elsinore!

There are many benefits to adopting from a shelter.  The one that tops the list is; a lot of times you can find a dog that has already gone through ALL the housebreaking, walking on a leash, and you just might find a dog that already knows a ton of tricks!

Think of it as getting a pet-to-go!

Serving the Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar & Menifee communities is the Animal Friends of the Valleys Organization (also known as LEAF ~ Lake Elsinore Animal Friends).  LEAF is located within the walls of the Southwest Communities Animal Center, 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with extended hours till 7 p.m. on Wednesday. It is closed Sunday.

Besides being the largest center in the area to house displaced animals, the  beautiful 32,000 square foot facility also offers Animal Services & Licensing and Spaying & Neutering.  Not to mention, they have their very own Humane Educator ~ Farren Mahone.  In Farren’s own words, “The Humane Education Program has been developed to help foster attitudes of respect, compassion and kindness toward animals. It is in building compassionate experiences and attitudes that leads young people to compassionate actions.”

Animal Friends of the Valleys has been helping people in the area attain their wish of adding a pet to their family for years.  The wide selection of available animals that are up for adoption range from big to small, young to old, athletic & calm cats, dogs, and other animals.  Adoption fees include a microchip (lifetime membership in Home Again), DA2PPV-C and Bordetella vaccinations, collar, AFV ID Tag and a free Vet Check.  Actual fees depend on whether you are adopting a dog, cat, and age of the pet.  If you’re interested in checking out Animal Friends of the Valleys’ website, click here.  If you’d like to make a visit to the center to take a look at the available pets for adoption, here again is the address and additional details.

33751 Mission Trail in Wildomar   *  Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 am to 4 pm (Wednesday 10 am to 7 pm)  *  Phone: 951-674-0618

Don’t forget to check out the adoptable pets that are not housed at the facility, but are being taken care of at foster homes.  Click here to see them.  You might find your forever pet amongst the Foster Page.

Good luck in your pet adoption journey!

Castles and Cottages at Corona Crossings (say that ten times) is a boutique filled with beautiful eye candy.  This store packs in an array of home decor and personal necessities that you just can’t live without (or literally wouldn’t want to leave in the store without buying….even if you don’t really really need it!)  When I’m in the Corona area, I’ve got to make sure to make time to visit this lovely store.  It’s a definite MUST!

There are decorations that you won’t find anywhere and depending on what theme you’ve got for your living room, kitchen, etc.; you might just find it here….  Not only will you travel from a Jungle Safari to a Parisian Parlour because of the greatly coordinated pieces, but if there’s an event you’re shopping for; you’ll find the perfect gift here!

There are many Canyon Lakers who are looking for home decorating ideas and I highly recommend this place – if not, at the least; you’ll enjoy browsing and taking in everything your lovely pair of eyes are consuming!

I’ve included some photos from Castles and Cottages’ Facebook page, but I suggest you go there for an actual Look-See.  These pictures do not give the shop full justice.  Let the owner know you found their store on our website – Canyon Lake SoCal!  Actually, she doesn’t even know we’re raving about their square footage of beautiful items!