You Know You Live in Temecula When…

For my very first column on my brand new site, I thought about talking about who I am, my background as a writer, why I started What’s Up! Temecula, etc. etc., but then I realized one important thing; my readers won’t really care who is writing the column as long as they can relate to what I’m saying.

I figure all of us who live in this area have had similar experiences and lifestyles so, for the premiere edition of “From the Cul-de-sac,” I have compiled a few of the idiosyncrasies of living in the Inland Empire.

You’ll notice I use quotations a lot. If you read this aloud, make sure you use air quotes to add to the experience.

So, without further adieu, I present to you…

20 Ways You Know You Live in Temecula:

  1. You are constantly saying “it’s just north of San Diego County,” to out of town friends.
  2. You’ve waited over an hour for a table at Penfold’s, just to order bacon and eggs.
  3. You were devastated when your kindergartner was designated a “late bird.”
  4. You can’t understand why every grocery store doesn’t have a local wines section.
  5. You watch for the bunting on the buildings in Old Town to change colors for the holidays (I especially enjoy the orange and brown ones in the fall.)
  6. Every Tuesday is spent at Rosa’s Cantina.
  7. You do that “what’s up” head nod to Aldo, the UPS guy, as you walk into Stadium Pizza, Redhawk.
  8. You can never have too many day spas, frozen yogurt places and resale “boutiques.”
  9. You put one of those yellow slow guy signs at the end of the cul de sac and are blown away when people still speed.
  10. You were super excited when they finished the Butterfield Stage expansion because it’s now so much easier to get to Toys ‘R’ Us.
  11. You joined Facebook’s “Temecula Exchange” page to sell your bassinet, jumpy and breast pump. Nobody wanted your breast pump.
  12. Your kids wear Lake Elsinore Storm caps that you bought on “Thirsty Thursday.”
  13. You’ve been to The Merc. You know why they call it The Merc.
  14. It takes you months to finalize your roster for the Thursday night softball league. You even have a list of subs.
  15. Half of your friends are Padres’ fans and the other half are Angels’. And it’s about 90/10 Chargers/Raiders.
  16. You’ve been to French Valley Airport…for lunch.
  17. At soccer registration, you can’t figure out if your kid is a U5, U6 or U8. And why isn’t there a U7?
  18. You frequent Pechanga, but you rarely gamble.
  19. You have an olive oil preference.
  20. And finally, you never have to look too far for something awesome to do.

So, what do you think, neighbors? Does this sound like your life? What did I miss? Drop me a line in our comments section and tell me what makes your life uniquely Inland Empire.

Everyone here at What’s Up? Temecula thanks you so much for helping make us a success and we hope you continue coming back to see what’s up!

– Holly