Fallbrook is approximately 55 miles from downtown San Diego ,a short 18-mile drive from the Pacific Ocean , and15 miles from The Temecula Valley Wine Country. The greater Fallbrook area is well known for its active arts programs, charming historic downtown area and gorgeous wedding venues. Set amongst gently rolling hills, lush groves, ancient oak trees, equestrian and walking trails, riparian areas, nature preserves, and a Mediterranean climate, this is an urban escape you won't want to miss. Fallbrook is an easy drive from San Diego, Palm Springs, Orange County, and Los Angeles. Less than 15 minutes Off the I-15 freeway, take the Mission Road/Fallbrook exit. Turn west. Take the first right and follow the gently winding road to Main Street. Turn left on Main to enter the historic downtown area. Free off-street parking is available on West Alvarado Street just off Main St.

As visitors meander along the picturesque, winding roads that lead into the historic downtown area, there are many wonderful discoveries to explore along the way. Antique shops are nestled along the roads. A visit to Fallbrook’s Historical Society Museum is well worth the effort. A group of knowledgeable docents have spent numerous hours setting up interesting displays that are rich with Fallbrook history. Fascinating miniatures, periodicals, pictures, artifacts, and even classic automobiles are available for your perusal. A visit to the museum is vital for insight into the rich past of the Greater Fallbrook area. 

Arriving in the historic downtown area, stroll along an old-fashioned Main Street lined with sophisticated art galleries, intriguing gift shops,  casual and upscale restaurants, and tea rooms. Volunteers and business owners have put considerable time and effort into protecting the intrinsic beauty of the downtown atmosphere. Whether you are interested in estate jewelry, home décor accents, art of all types, delightful gifts for all occasions, whimsical garden enhancements, or relaxing tea houses, you can shop to your heart’s delight in these quaint stores with historic storefronts. Although the Santa Fe Railroad ceased running through Fallbrook three decades ago, there are still pictures around town that depict the old railway depot when the train was responsible for ferrying visitors to the area to enjoy the annual Avocado Festival.

Nature lovers will fall in love with Live Oak Park. Accessible by either Gird (off Mission Road) or Reche Road, you can enjoy the journey to this jewel of a destination by traveling under the protective canopy of ancient oaks to the 16-square-mile park that features barbeques, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, a sand volleyball court, and more. Nestled amongst the oaks, with gentle streams nearby, the park is a local favorite for festive family picnics, restful breaks, and popular community events. 

While enjoying the sights of the surrounding agriculture and landscape, you will notice a large number of equestrian properties in the community. While there are a significant number of private horse breeders, trainers, and boarding centers, Bonsall also boasts the prestigious Vessels Stallion Farm, which is responsible for some of the most desirable Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses on both the national and international level. The widely respected San Luis Rey Downs Training Center can also be found in nearby Bonsall. It is the only auxiliary training track that has been continuously approved since 1984 by the California Horse Racing Board. This widely acclaimed facility offers a one-mile track and a smaller training track, as well as an equine pool and many other amenities. Fallbrook also offers a unique program to help youths and adults who have physical challenges by giving them an opportunity for improvement through a horse’s strong, rhythmic motion in the REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program. This worthy, non-profit effort is assisted by teams of volunteers of all ages that help the disabled riders as well as care for the horses.

The beauty of the area is complemented by hundreds of species of birds and wildlife including rabbits, coyotes, squirrels, opossums, and more. Stop  alongside area creeks to observe frogs and other species that favor these riparian areas. 

The rich soil of the area has also produced some beautiful gems and minerals in local mines. Gem experts have shipped billions of dollars of beautifully colored tourmaline worldwide from these mines, which are now primarily inactive. Pink and green tourmaline—unique to San Diego County and which was carved in the years of the Chinese Manchu dynasty—came from our local mines, as did rubies and other gems. The fascinating displays at the Fallbrook Gem and Mineral Society Museum on West Alvarado Street tell the story of this interesting aspect of the area’s history. Worthy of your visit, museum docents are well informed and enjoy sharing this aspect of Fallbrook’s history with visitors.

For the perfect weekend getaway, Fallbrook and Bonsall offer golf enthusiasts  several quality courses to choose from, and most resorts also offer tennis for those who desire a choice of activities. Local inns and bed and breakfast establishments cater to weekenders wishing to escape to a rural destination for rest and relaxation. Accommodations range from affordable motel rooms to high-end establishments complete with exquisite antiques. 

Less than ten minutes  away from the historic downtown area,  visitors can go tasting at two local wineries. Fallbrook Winery was completed in 1981 and was used primarily for Champagne production through the late 1980’s. In the early 1990’s the winery began producing high quality red and white varietals. Today Fallbrook Winery is one of the leaders in California’s emerging South Coast wine region. Elise James Winery grows several varietals, making wines that are full bodied yet soft and drinkable with or without food. The family has grown grapes in California for more than 100 years and enjoys bringing friends together with food, wine and traditional old world recipes. Wines such as Zinfandel, Merlot and Pinot Noir, grow on  vineyard sites  that vary in elevation by 200 feet from the top of the hill to Mission Road below. 

There's lots to do in the Greater Fallbrook area. For more information, download a brochure on a subject area that interests you, and be sure to check out our calendar of events to see what's happening.