The History of Temecula, California

Old Town Temecula has historic buildings, hotels, museums, and restaurants. Home to Temecula Stampede and weekly farmers market, there is much to experience. Looking into the history of Temecula before the 1800s, there were multiple bands of Native Americans. The most notable is the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians that believed they had inhabited the land for more than 10,000 years. Temecula was initially known as Temeekunga or “the place of the sun,” or “The sun that shines through the mist.” It is believed that Spanish and American settlers came somewhere around 1800, which created some conflict.