5 Of Mario Lopez's Favorite Spots In Temecula Valley Wine Country

TEMECULA, CA — Mario Lopez, together with Courtney Lopez and friends, made their annual trek to Temecula for food, wine, games, and a weekend of relaxation, according to Norma Marlowe, spokesperson for Visit Temecula Valley.

Lopez took a whirlwind tour of Temecula Valley, stopping at the hottest locations in and around wine country. A frequent visitor to Temecula, many places he toured were already among his favorites, and a few more were introduced to him on his visit.

Here are five of Mario Lopez's must-visit locations in Temecula, according to Marlowe.

1. Pechanga Resort Casino: Blackjack And Mingling

"When Mario Lopez visits, he always asks to stay at Pechanga Resort Casino," spokesperson Ciara Green tells Patch. Lopez's group explored the hotel and casino floor, taking in all that the Southwest Riverside County casino had to offer.

He visited with numerous guests during his stay and tried his hand at Blackjack.

The Lopez family and friends talked with dealers and played games. He took time to pose for selfies with fans and greet guests on the casino floor.

2. Pechanga's 1882 Cantina, Paisano's Italian Restaurant For Dinner

The group stopped inside Pechanga Resort's Mexican restaurant— 1882 Cantina —for some pre-dinner margaritas and finger foods, according to Lopez and the group.

Paisano's Italian Restaurant was their preferred stop for dinner, according to Green.

Head chef Amanda Colello paused her busy dinner service to visit with Lopez and his group during their visit. She is a cooking channel star in her own right, seen on "Chopped" and "Hell's Kitchen."

3. The Vine House Bed and Breakfast:

Lopez visited The Vine House, a local bed and breakfast that offers a private bocce ball court, among other amenities. Lopez has always enjoyed stopping at The Vine House, according to Marlowe.

Devilicious Eatery arrived with lunch while local wineries Oak Mountain and Thornton Winery brought out a private wine tasting for Lopez and his crew while they visited.

"Lopez was a very cool dude," according to the Vine House Bed and Breakfast owner over Instagram. "It was a little surreal to meet somebody you watched every Saturday morning in Junior High!"

4. Masia De La Vinya Private Wine Tasting

When visiting Temecula Valley Wine Country celebrity style, there is nothing like a secluded wine tasting at Masia De La Vinya.

The group found seats on the broad, grassy patio under the shade and soaked in the mountain views while sipping some of Temecula's best wine.

5. The Swing Inn Cafe Cinnamon Roll Breakfast:

Lopez and crew finished their visit with breakfast at Old Town Temecula's Swing Inn Cafe on Sunday morning.

Celebrity owner Dean Norris, of Breaking Bad fame, met up with the crew for selfies and a spread of coffee, cinnamon rolls, and more to wrap up their journey.

Norris showed off "Hank's Tank," the large smoker grill where the Swing Inn chefs prepared some of the best barbecue, including brisket and pulled pork, in the Temecula Valley.