cdecker -- You might want to learn a bit about WHICH David Austin roses you want to start out with, before you plunge in with both feet.
I think, on the whole, they should do well for you, in your area -- but what you need to know is that there are wild variations in plant size, bloom, disease-resistance, and every other characteristic across the spectrum of Mr. Austin's plants.

If you can bear to wait until you've had time for observation, I would strongly recommend a trip to the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA.
The Huntington has a very complete collection of Austin roses.
There will be a whole series of programs on roses at the Huntington throughout 2008 -- in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of roses at the Huntington Estate. That might be a great time to visit the garden there. (It should be at its best in April. The program for April is un-decided, but it should take place on 4-20).

Jeri

Hi, I don't live too far from you, near Escondido, and really like and have had good luck with the following Austin roses:

Abraham Darby, Cottage Rose, Teasing Georgia, Janet

They've been disease-free for me, with good bloom. Abraham Darby and Cottage Rose are the most fragrant. I've ordered several others because I like the colors and shapes of the blooms, and they do well for me here. I think you'll enjoy growing them.

Ingrid

Temecula gets pretty hot, so I would suggest afternoon shade if you can manage it. 6 hrs of sun would be plenty. Sun all morning followed by shade after 1 or 2 in the afternoon would be good. Afternoon shade would help preserve the color and the flowers wouldn't toast so badly in the heat of summer.

There are big Austins (8'+) and smaller, more manageable ones, 5' or so. Try the smaller ones first. One major thing about Austins that is different than HTs is that a lot of them tend to be very floppy the first year or so. You get a lot of flowers face down in the mulch at first.

That improves after a year or two. Also you may not get a lot of flowers the first year. That usually improves a lot as well. Good ones here in inland Orange County have been Tamora, Molineux, William Shakespeare 2000, Sophy's Rose, Ambridge Rose, Abe Darby, Jubilee Celebration, Perdita, Emmanuel, Fair Bianca, Glamis Castle, Prospero.

If you just get one, I would try 'Jubilee Celebration'. It's a wonderful rose, great rebloom from the start, compact growth. It's a more compact version of Abe Darby in a lot of ways.

I can't comment on your area as I live 2500 miles to the east but Abraham Darby, Graham Thomas and Crown Princess Margareta have done well for me and I have enjoyed having them in the garden.

I really like Pretty Jessica and Pat Austin is my favorite rose I like Eglantyne and The Prince. Winchester Cathedral is nice enough though not doing well right now and Mary rose was consumed by Dr Huey

Both Abe Darby and Graham Thomas have lovely coloring. Tamora is especially good if you would like one that stays about the stated size. Most DAs are vigorous growers and get larger than what the catalogs state. Glamis Castle is a wonderful white and would be smaller than AD and GT. The only problem I have with these are blackspot- however they keep growing despite it!

Here is a link that might be useful: Glamis Castle

I would take the advice above and try only one or two first, to decide if you like them. They make nice additions to the garden, but I wouldn't want a lot of them, because they are not the best adapted for my climate. I think I will hold steady at just two ... 'Heritage' (my favorite) and 'Golden Celebration' (for its fragrance and color). If I ever add another one, it would be 'Sharifa Asma' which was drop-dead beautiful when I saw it "in person" on a recent visit to Chamblees in Tyler, Texas.

Randy