Seeking a unique shopping destination? Add Vail Headquarters to your must-visit list. Temecula’s newest retail center actually contains the oldest standing building in the city, the historic Wolf Store Adobe. Built in 1866 by Alsatian immigrant and local pioneer Louis Wolf, it has served over the years as a saloon, livery stable, hotel, general store, post office, and school. After Wolf’s death, it was sold to Vail Headquarters namesake Walter Vail, who used it as a granary.
Shopping and Dining
Modern day visitors can enjoy hand-roasted, crop-to-cup coffee at Augie’s Coffee Roasters and liquid nitrogen frozen ice cream created with Straus Family Creamery dairy products at A La Minute Ice Cream, both of which are located inside the Wolf Store Adobe.
Vail Headquarters is also home to children’s boutique Moonbeams & Elephants and local women’s clothing store Nectar. Winchester Western Saddlery offers authentic Western horseback riding equipment, including handmade, hand-braided vaquero, rodeo, and cowboy gear. Foodies will not want to miss Cheflavor, which specializes in finding the freshest foods with bold flavors that also fit a contemporary “clean” eating lifestyle. Famished shoppers can satisfy their hunger at custom pizza joint Vail Pizzeria, which offers build-your-own pizzas with a variety of crusts (including gluten-free), sauces, and toppings as well as wine and draft beer. Rounding out the offerings is smoothie shop Juice It Up, and the developers are actively seeking more tenants so new shops and restaurants should be coming soon.
Living History
Visitors touring the park-like grounds can experience four acres of authentically restored vintage farm and ranch equipment, including a working blacksmith shop. The exhibits are open to all, and are lighted in the evening, and include historic sepia photos and commemorative plaques, including one from 1950 marking an 1852 peace treaty signed nearby between the United States government and 29 Native American tribes.
Even Fido can join in, because the grounds and all shops and restaurants are pet-friendly, with patios, shaded areas, and water dishes.
Fresh Local Specialties
Farm-to-table locavores will want to visit Vail Headquarters on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the certified organic farmer’s market, featuring over 40 regional farmers and other vendors. The farmer’s market is a great place to pick up local specialties like Temecula honey, eggs, flowers, and other delicacies. The market is operated by Engle Farms, which has been operated the Old Town Temecula Farmer’s Market for over two decades.
Vail Headquarters is located at 32115 Temecula Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592, on the south side of Temecula Parkway between Margarita Road and Meadows Parkway (adjacent to Kohl’s). For special events and additions to the roster of shops, follow Vail Headquarters on Facebook and Instagram (@VailHQ.)
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