1909

By the 1969 Caddy team · Updated November 8, 2026

Few addresses in Old Town Temecula carry as much history as the corner occupied by 1909. The restaurant takes its name from the year the Machado building was rebuilt after burning down in 1908, and the space wears its past proudly — an industrial, welcoming interior and a big patio built for watching Front Street go by.

The story behind 1909

Over more than a century, the Machado building has been a trading post, a livery, an auto shop and a bar. The most notorious chapter belongs to the Longbranch Saloon, which earned a lively reputation in the 1970s; bullet holes from that era are still visible in the ceiling. 1909 Temecula opened in September 2014 as a tribute to the building and its stories, and it has since become one of Old Town’s most recognizable gathering places.

That sense of continuity is part of the appeal. You are eating and drinking in a building that has watched Temecula grow from a ranching stop on the stage road into a wine-country destination, and the décor leans into that history rather than hiding it.

What to eat and drink

1909 describes its menu as unique food paired with handcrafted cocktails and craft beer. Expect elevated pub-style dishes designed for sharing, a bar program built around creative cocktails, and a rotating craft-beer list that gives a break from a day of wine. The restaurant serves brunch and late-night dining, which makes it unusually flexible: a slow weekend brunch on the patio, a mid-afternoon refuel between wineries, or a late bite after a show at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Dog owners will appreciate that 1909 welcomes four-legged guests on the patio, with water bowls and a dedicated dog menu — a thoughtful touch that has made it a favorite with locals.

The atmosphere

Guests can choose between two moods. The large patio is the place for sunshine and people-watching, with Front Street’s boardwalks and Western storefronts as the backdrop. Indoors, the vibe is a classic pub: darker, cozier and well suited to a cocktail or two. On weekend evenings the energy rises, and 1909 becomes one of the liveliest corners of Old Town.

Tips for visiting

• Go for brunch if you want a relaxed patio seat and the best light for photos.
• Look up — the ceiling’s bullet holes are a conversation starter.
• Pair it with a show at the nearby community theater or a stroll down Front Street.
• Bring the dog if you are traveling with one; the patio is made for it.

Who will love 1909

History buffs, cocktail lovers, groups who want a lively but casual meal, and anyone exploring Old Town on foot will enjoy 1909. It also makes a great final stop on a chauffeured wine-country day: let your driver drop you on Front Street, unwind on the patio with a cocktail, and leave the car to us.

It is especially good for mixed groups. Beer drinkers, cocktail fans and those who have had their fill of wine for the day can all find something, and the shareable menu keeps the table social. If you are celebrating — a birthday, a bachelor or bachelorette night, a reunion — the patio and late hours give the evening room to unfold.

Planning your visit

Temecula’s dining scene is busiest on Friday and Saturday evenings and during event weekends such as the Rod Run, Barrel Tasting and the holidays, so reserve ahead whenever a restaurant takes bookings. Many Old Town kitchens open their patios on warm evenings, and a table outside on Front Street is one of the best ways to people-watch. If you are pairing dinner with wine country, plan the tastings for the afternoon and dinner after sunset, and let a driver handle the gap between the two. Groups celebrating a birthday, bachelorette or rehearsal dinner should call ahead to ask about large-party seating, set menus and corkage if you are bringing a bottle from a winery visited that day. Parking in Old Town fills quickly on weekend nights, which is one more reason a chauffeured arrival is the relaxed option.

Best time to go

Weekday lunches and early dinners are the easiest times to get a table; Friday and Saturday evenings, holiday weekends and event days in Old Town are the busiest, so reserve ahead when you can.

Make a day of it

A sample Temecula day built around 1909:

1. Late morning — chauffeured pickup at your hotel and a slow cruise up Rancho California Road.
2. Afternoon — two winery tastings with a lunch stop in wine country.
3. Golden hour — drop-off on Old Town Front Street for photos with the car.
4. Evening — 1909, then a ride back to your hotel with the top down.

1909 at a glance

Details from official and Visit Temecula Valley sources, November 2026. Hours, menus, prices and dates change — confirm on the official website before you go.

Getting to 1909 in a 1969 Cadillac

Old Town Temecula is compact and walkable, but parking on Front Street fills quickly on weekends and during events. Arriving by chauffeured 1969 Cadillac solves that neatly: your driver drops you at the door, waits or circles back, and collects you when you are ready — and a red convertible on Front Street’s Western boardwalks makes for the most photographed arrival in town.

Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum, booked and protected through DriveShare. Tell us where you want to go and we will build the route — 1909 plus a winery or two, a sunset stop and a ride home.

Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare

More things to do nearby

• Baily's Old Town Temecula — restaurants
• Luke's On Front — restaurants
• Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse — restaurants
• East Coffee — cafes & sweets
• Le Coffee Shop — cafes & sweets

All things to do in Temecula → · Month-by-month events calendar → · Temecula wineries →

Frequently asked questions