TRAVEL BEAT : OLD WEST IN TEMECULA.

Byline: Susanne Hopkins

Once a stage coach stop, the city of Temecula will celebrate its western heritage with ``Western Days in Old Town'' April 12-13.

Cowboys, American Indian dancers, a petting zoo and pony rides, historical walking tours of the town's turn-of-the-century structures, even a traveling medicine show and the arrival of the cavalry are among the events planned both days. In addition, entertainment, food booths and arts and crafts will be featured.

Festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days along Front Street in Old Town Temecula. Events are free. Temecula is located about 1-1/2 hours east of Los Angeles off the 15 Freeway. Information: [phone].

Floating rummage sale

If you're headed down San Diego way April 5-6, you can take advantage of the largest floating rummage sale in America. The entire upper deck of the 300-foot-long, steam ferryboat Berkeley, one of the San Diego Maritime Museum's historic ships, will be filled with a vast variety of goods, from new and used boutique clothing, hardware and appliances to boating gear, plants and kitchenware.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and admission is free (but parking is not - bring quarters for the meters). Proceeds will benefit the museum, located at 1306 N. Harbor Drive at Ash Street in front of where the Berkeley and two other historic ships, the Star of India and the Medea, are docked. Information: [phone].

Bicycler's getaway

Like to bicycle? With its meandering country roads, nearby coastal bike paths and wooded paths in the Santa Lucia Mountains, San Luis Obispo, about three hours north of Los Angeles, is a good bicycler's getaway. The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center has a free bicycle map for riders that shows routes to a variety of scenic spots in the area. You can pick one up at the chamber office, 1039 Chorro St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Information: [phone].

Europe on a few bucks

If you're considering a trip to Europe but are wondering how to stretch a few bucks into long stay, check out the Budget Travel Europe Workshop at 11 a.m. April 5 at the Hostelling International Travel Centre, 1434 Second St., Santa Monica. Sponsored by Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels, the workshop will cover itinerary planning, inexpensive accommodations, budgeting and packing. Admission is $5 for HI-AYH members, $10 for nonmembers. Information: [phone].