Between San Diego And Riverside Is A Charming Town With Scenic Wineries And Family-Friendly Farms

If you're deciding on a California town to explore during your next vacation, whether for wine tasting in beautiful surroundings or family fun with the kids, Fallbrook in San Diego County is worth a look. North of the world-renowned beaches of San Diego and south of Riverside sits Fallbrook, a charming community full of scenic wineries where you can taste some local vintages and explore family-friendly farms with your little ones. There is even a beautiful hike close to one of the family-friendly and dog-friendly vineyards so you can make a full day of it. You can do some seasonal strawberry picking, find art classes, or just take in the lovely scenery.

There are all sorts of interesting things to do in Fallbrook, like visiting the Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society Museum, which is free. It's open on Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment. The Fallbrook Art Center has exhibitions to explore and free admission during its First Fridays events, with activities like open mic night for young performers, scavenger hunts, and a pop-up shop (at the time of this writing). (Check the website for details.) You can also visit Welburn Gourd Farm, where you can stay at one of the farm homes on the property, take classes in gourd art, or find unique art pieces to take home with you.

Wineries are plentiful in Fallbrook, and they have scenic views to enjoy while tasting. One such spot is Monserate Vineyards & Winery (pictured above). While their weekends are adults only, they have family-friendly weekday visits. The property has an Italian-style restaurant, a tasting room, and a courtyard overlooking the vineyard. The tasting room is closed on Tuesdays, but the rest of the week you can not only try the wines but you can have lunch in the restaurant or courtyard.

Myrtle Creek Vineyards is another scenic winery in Fallbrook, open Saturday and Sunday, with select Friday openings. It has a 4.8/5 rating on Google Maps, with one reviewer saying, "It's rustic, friendly, relaxed and all outdoors with really tasty wine that feels special and unpretentious." They also have seasonal events. Fallbrook Winery is another prime location for gorgeous views, with a 2025 Best of Class award from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition among its accolades. You can even bring a picnic to go with your wine tasting on their deck so you can experience vineyard views. They're open every day outside of a few holidays and events. 

Adobe Hill Winery is open Wednesday through Sunday for tastings, and you don't need to call ahead (though you can make reservations if you like). It's a five-minute drive from the Santa Margarita River Trail, so you can enjoy river views and a hike before your tasting. They have indoor and outdoor seating for pretty vista-viewing and local food vendors on the weekends. It's family-friendly and dog-friendly, and there is live music on Friday nights in the summer.

If you visit the area during the spring or summer, you can take the family to Kenny's Strawberry Farm, just a few miles outside of Fallbrook in Rainbow. For a small entry fee, you can come in and pick strawberries. You're charged by the bucket, but there are no minimums. Make sure to make a reservation first. Twin Creeks Farm is currently closed, but its farm stand remains open, selling fresh chicken eggs and products like goat's milk soap. If you want to stay overnight on a local farm, you can do so at Morning Song Farm. Farmstay guests can also book classes like cheesemaking, ice cream churning, and jam making, or simply visit the goats and give them snacks. You can feed chickens and harvest eggs and meet the alpacas on-site.

For more outdoor activities, Live Oak County Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day. This 27-acre shady park is a great place to take a picnic lunch. There are ball courts and fields, and you'll find playgrounds, restrooms, horseshoe pits, and an amphitheater. They also have a leash-free dog park. Live Oak County Park has a $5-per-vehicle day-use fee.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) is located in the laid-back coastal city of Carlsbad, where you can stop by one of the scenic beaches before you reach Fallbrook. You can also drive from San Diego International Airport (SAN), which is 58 miles away. Finally, if you're driving down from Riverside, make sure to stop in Temecula, a hidden-gem California wine region that is worth your time.