PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA: A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE CENTRAL COAST GEM
I just discovered an absolute gem of a destination in California. Paso Robles sits in the central part of the state, three hours south of San Francisco and two hours north of Santa Barbara. This quiet city once known solely for agriculture has slowly transformed into a sought-after weekend getaway that boasts world-class wineries, a booming food scene and a spectacular outdoor setting. Below is my complete travel guide to Paso Robles including the best places to visit, wineries, day trips, hotels, restaurants and more.
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All the feels of the Greek Islands in Paso Robles, at Sirena Vineyard Resort. Outfit details: SABO Skirt dress linked here.
WHEN TO VISIT PASO ROBLES
- MARCH, APRIL & MAY – Spring is fabulous time to visit Paso Robles. Weather is usually pleasant, ranging from cool to warm. And the rolling vineyards start to turn green, especially is if you visit in May.
- JUNE, JULY & AUGUST – These are the busiest (and hottest!) months in Paso Robles. Temperatures soar this time of the year, hitting triple digits in the deep summer months.
- SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER – The fall season is another pleasant time of the year in Paso Robles. The summer crowds have dispersed, and the vineyards start to turn orange and yellow.
- NOVEMBER-FEBRUARY – A visit in the winter means less crowds, but note that the vineyards are barren, weather a bit chilly and there is the possibility of rain.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort reminds me a bit of Tuscany – my favorite place to stay in Paso Robles.
HOW MANY DAYS IN PASO ROBLES
TWO TO THREE DAYS. Paso Robles is the perfect long weekend escape. The region isn’t huge, and you can cover a lot in just a few days. Two full days is enough time to visit a few wineries, see the sights and eat at the best restaurants in town. Add a third full day and you’ll have time for a hike, or a day trip to Hearst Castle or San Luis Obispo.
Golden Hour at the Sensorio light installation.
THINGS TO DO IN PASO ROBLES
DOWNTOWN
The vibrant town square is the beating heart of Paso Robles. This city’s lovely downtown has retained all of it’s charm, even with the growth of the region. It’s home to some of best restaurants in the city, wine bars, boutiques, coffee shops and more.
HOT SPRINGS
If you look into the history of Paso Robles, you’ll find that the city wasn’t always known for its wine scene, but for it’s natural hot springs. Many have since been capped, but two options visitors can still experience include Franklin Hot Springs for an outdoor experience and River Oaks Springs for a more luxury experience.
MISSION SAN MIGUEL ARCANGEL
This 18th century Spanish mission is located just outside of Paso Robles. It’s home to a large historic church, colonial colonnade, original frescoes and fountains. It’s free to visit, and usually not too busy.
SENSORIO
Sensorio is an outdoor light installation set in the rolling hills of Paso Robles. There are seven installations for visitors to experience from Golden Hour into nightfall. The most spectacular is the Field of Lights, the first and largest exhibit at Sensorio. It features 100,000 glowing stems that have been planted into the soil like flowers. Visitors can walk through the glowing field that changes color throughout the night. Other exhibits include Dimensions, Foso, Light Towers, Gone Fishing, Fireflies and Woven Glow. My personal favorite is Dimensions, large-scale meta sculptures that pair color and shadows to the music of Allen Hulsey. It has all the feels of Burning Man.
TIN CITY
Tin City is a great hang when in Paso Robles. The highly manicured neighborhood is designed to look like an industrial village comprised of “tin” buildings. It’s loaded with bars, restaurants, ice cream shops and small production wineries, and serves as a free live music venue during the summer months. Highlights include Michelin star restaurant Six Test Kitchen, Etto Pastificio for to-go pasta, ice cream from Negranti Creamery, canned cocktails at Tin City Distillery, Tin City Cider cider flights and Barrelhouse Brewing Co. for beers.
WINERIES
Napa Valley might be the crown jewel of California when it comes to wine country, but Paso Robles is another fabulous option for world-class wine tasting. The region is home to more than 200 wineries, a lovely mix of large-scale wineries, small production wineries and family run wineries. It’s also a lot smaller than Napa Valley, and easier to cover more wineries. Highlights to choose from include Tablas Creek, Hope Family Wines, JUSTIN Vineyards, Le Cuvier, Cass Winery and Epoch Estate Wines.
Sirena Vineyard Resort is like being in the Greek Islands, but with Napa Valley views.
PASO ROBLES DAY TRIPS
- HEARST CASTLE – 45 minutes one-way
- MORRO BAY – 40 minutes one-way
- SAN LUIS OBISPO – 30 minutes one-way
Wine tasting at Hope Family Wines.
BEST PASO ROBLES HOTELS
If you’re looking for an Italian escape in Paso Robles, Allegretto Vineyard Resort is a beautiful place to stay. The property bursts with Tuscan details including sculptures, a bell tower, archways, a stone chapel, hard-carved marble, gardens and more. And the resort’s hillside vineyard with rows of lavender serves up the loveliest backdrop, and a beautiful spot for a panorama over the resort.
Hotel Cheval is a lovely little boutique property located right in downtown Paso Robles. The building walls are covered in ivy, and surround a little courtyard that is the perfect hang on a warm summer evening. A stay is both luxury and cozy featuring wood beamed ceilings, fireplaces, a mahogany-heavy library, etc. The downtown location is perfect, walking distance to all the restaurants and wine bars.
This fun, funky option is a short walk to the downtown square. The 101 rooms at Oxford Suites are clean, modern and spacious – a good midrange option, in Paso Robles.
The Piccolo is a relatively new property located just off the square in downtown. The brick building boasts a lot of character, and the rooftop bar is a vibe. There are 24 rooms, all relatively spacious with a lot of character.
Sirena Vineyard Resort is an absolute gem. The property was remodeled a few years ago to resemble the Greek Islands, a little slice of Mynokos and Santorini in the hills of Paso Robles. This place is stunning – white washed structures, blue domes, windmills, blue doors, pink flowers etc. There are only 14 rooms and a couple of pool suites, so a stay here feels incredibly intimate.
Summerwood Winery & Inn offers the guests the experience of staying on a working estate vineyard. The property is home to nine guest rooms featuring fireplaces, vaulted ceilings and private balconies. It feels very much like a bed and breakfast with farm fresh cooked-to-order breakfasts. The views of the surrounding vineyards is stunning – the most serene place to return to in the evenings.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort has it all – lavender fields, a little church, sculptures and more.
WHERE TO EAT IN PASO ROBLES
THE ALCHEMIST
This fabulous cocktail bar and restaurant is located right on the downtown square. The restaurant setting is beautiful – very bright and airy with lots of greenery. The Alchemist is known for it’s cocktails, but food is also delicious. Reservations recommended.
DELLAS’S WOOD FIRE PIZZA & COCKTAILS
The wood-fired pies at Della’s are the best pizza option in Paso Robles. There are only seven pizza choices on the menu, but the options offer something for everyone, ranging from classic Margherita style to garlic cream pies.
GOSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
This is the best sushi joint in Paso Robles. Goshi Japanese Restaurant has been around for more than 20 years, serving up a delicious selection of fresh sushi, sashimi, udon, teriyakis and sake.
IL CORTILE RISTORANTE
For the best pasta in town, grab a table at Il Cortile Ristorante. The downtown restaurant serves a selection of handmade pastas, homemade sauces, grilled seafood and more. Reservations recommended.
THE HATCH ROTISSERIE & BAR
This Michelin Guide restaurant is famous for its rotisseries chicken, as well as comfort fare. The Hatch is located just a couple blocks from the square downtown.
LES PETITES CANAILLES
Another Michelin Guide restaurant, this one specializing in French cuisine. The seasonal menu at Les Petites Canailles is always changing, but a usually includes caviar, mussels, a cheese service, fresh salads, lamb, steak and a fish option.
NEGRANTI CREAMERY
Delicious little ice cream shop located in the Tin City neighborhood. Flavors include peanut butter chip, crazy cookie, strawberry basil, blueberry lavender, strawberry swirl and more. My personal favorite is the crazy cookie.
S’ARANELLA
S’Aranella is a Spanish tapas restaurant with a modern twist, and it is incredible. Hands down my favorite restaurant in town. The menu highlights for me were the pan con tomate, crispy artichokes, prawns with garlic and the fire roasted whole Branzino. Reservations are a must.
Paso Robles is home to a charming downtown square surrounded by boutiques, restaurants, wine bars and cafes.
Mission San Miguel is an easy side trip option from Paso Robles.
GET AROUND PASO ROBLES
You’ll need a car to travel around Paso Robles. Driving distances within Paso Robles aren’t far, and it’s possible to squeeze a lot into an itinerary each day. The little square in downtown Paso Robles is pedestrian friendly with several restaurants, wine bars, cafes and shops all within walking distnace.
Spanish tapas at S’aranella – the best meal I’ve had in months.
GET TO PASO ROBLES
The closest airport to Paso Robles is SLO Country Airport (SBP) in San Luis Obispo. Most major car rental companies have on-site locations at the airport, and from there it’s an easy 40-minute drive to Paso Robles. If you’re making the day trip down from the San Francisco Bay Area, the drive can be three to four hours or more depending on traffic.
Ice cream from Negranti Creamery in Tin City.
The rolling hills of lights at Sensorio.
