Christmas 2015 Visit To Temecula & The Mission Inn

Did You Know? - It is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. December Solstice in Sunnyvale, California, U.S.A. was on. Monday, December 21, 2015 at 8:49 PM PST

Did You Know? - In the early 1900s, brown leather flight jackets were worn by aviators and members of the military. During the Second World War, they became known as "bomber jackets" and were heavily insulated and prized for their warmth. The jacket was often part of an overall uniform ensemble meant to protect bomber pilots from exposure to the extreme climate conditions found at high altitude, and sometimes incorporated sheepskin, using the intact fleece on the inside for warmth.

Did You Know? - The property began as a small cottage hotel called the "Glenwood Hotel," built by civil engineer Christopher Columbus Miller in 1876. In 1902, Miller's son Frank Augustus Miller changed the name to the "Mission Inn" and started building, in a variety of styles, until he died in 1935.

Miller's vision for the eclectic structure was drawn from many historical design periods, revivals, influences, and styles. Some are Spanish Gothic architecture, Mission Revival Style architecture, Moorish Revival architecture, Spanish Colonial style architecture, Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture, Renaissance Revival architecture, and Mediterranean Revival Style architecture.

With one section over another, addition upon addition, the result is a complicated and intricately built structure, comparable to the Winchester House. It contains narrow passageways, exterior arcades, a medieval-style clock, a five-story rotunda, numerous patios and windows, castle towers, minarets, a Cloister Wing (with catacombs), flying buttresses, Mediterranean domes and a pedestrian skybridge among many other features.

Did You Know? - A carriage driver sits on a box or perch, usually elevated and small. When at the front it is known as a dickey box, a term also used for a seat at the back for servants. A footman might use a small platform at the rear called a footboard or a seat called a rumble behind the body. Some carriages have a moveable seat called a jump seat. Some seats had an attached backrest called a lazyback.

Did You Know? - Given The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's rich history, it only seems fitting to have a Presidential Lounge that pays homage to the 10 U.S. Presidents who have passed through the hotel.

Designed to reflect the stature of these esteemed guests, bronze gates frame the entrance into the interior of the Presidential Lounge. In addition to portraits of the Presidents who have visited the hotel, the décor features a heavy beamed ceiling and dark paneled walls that are brightened by an unusual skylight dome crafted from blue and gold stained glass.

The Presidential Lounge was originally built in 1902 as a luxurious four-room apartment. President Roosevelt stayed in this residence when he dedicated the initial structure in 1902.

President William Howard Taft enjoyed the seclusion of the suite in 1909 before attending a grand banquet.

In 1926, Crown Prince Gustavus and Princess Louise of Sweden occupied the suite briefly before being escorted to a festive dinner party in the outdoor Spanish Patio. By 1939, the apartment had been converted into a large room suitable for meetings or other functions.

In 1940, Richard Nixon and Patricia Ryan were married in a simple, Quaker ceremony on June 21. The space was remodeled in 1957 into a cocktail lounge and completely renovated again during the 1985 restoration.

If you stop in the Presidential Lounge for signature cocktails like a JFK Cosmopolitan or a Herbert Hoover Lemon Drop, will leave leave feeling quite stately indeed — and in very good company. Plus, you can savor your drink along with live jazz music Friday and Saturday evenings.

Join us in celebrating The Inn's 112th anniversary in 2015! As a salute to our past and future, we have created an exclusive cocktail menu, just for the Duda's and Finch's.

Did You Know? - Merlot is a dark blue-colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.

Did You Know? - The Mission Inn has drinks specials, twelve to be exact, in celebration of Christmas.

Called the 12 Days of Christmas, these holiday drinks are available this season for $9 each.

The Partridge in a Pear Tree features Absolut Pear Vodka, Pear Williams, Pear Funkin, simple syrup and is garnished with a caramel bell. Next is the Two Turtle Doves with Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, milk, Crème de Cacao and a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup for garnish.

The Three French Hens is made up with Remy Martin V.S.O.P. and champagne, garnished with a lemon slice and sugared rim.

Four Calling Bird has Jack Daniel's, sweet vermouth, bitters, sugar orange juice and club soda, with an orange candy slice for garnish.

Five Gold Rings features Goldschlager, Tuaca and hot apple cider, and is garnished with a cinnamon square.

Six Geese a Laying is made up with Jack Daniel's and egg nog, garnished with a peppermint bell.

Then Seven Swans a Swimming has Chambord and champagne and is garnished with a chocolate raspberry stick and sugared rim.

The Eight Maids a Milking features Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, Kahlua and Baileys, blended together and topped with a chocolate swirl, whipped cream and a caramel bell.

Nine Ladies Dancing has Peppermint Schnapps, Absolut Vanilla Vodka and Crème de Cacao and garnished with a peppermint bell.

Ten Lords a Leaping is made up with Bombay Sapphire, Aperol, cranberry and lime juices and a bit of tonic, then garnished with cinnamon square.

Eleven Pipers Piping has Bacardi, hot buttered rum, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, garnished with a cinnamon square.

And the last beverage is the Twelve Drummers Drumming with Kahlua, Crème de Cacao, milk and hot chocolate with a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup garnish.

Did You Know? - Ingredients: - 2 oz base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy) - 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur - 1/2 oz white creme de cacao - Chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass Coat rim of martini glass with chocolate syrup. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass.