PASO ROBLES
Welcome to wine country! With all due respect to Napa and Sonoma, Paso Robles offers the best collection of wineries and wine tasting in all of California. Whether you drink or not, Paso’s wineries are lovely destinations for a day out to relax and take in the beauty of the central coast. And if you do drink, the wine is some of the best you’ll ever have. Beyond wineries, Paso has a charming downtown area, some excellent bars and restaurants, and a variety of outdoor activities to explore.
WINE TASTING
You can’t talk about Paso Robles without talking about wine. The region is home to more than 200 wineries!
With that many different options, there is definitely a winery for the exact vibe you’re looking for. Here are a few of our very favorites:
Many of the wineries sell food and/or allow you to bring your own, but that’s not true of all of them so you’ll want to check before you arrive. Similarly, the wineries get busy, so it’s a good idea to try to make reservations before you go. Lastly, if you’re planning on going to more than one winery, you should know that it isn’t always easy to find a ride share option. You may want to consider a designated driver or looking into one of the many wine tours in the area.
TIN CITY
Another great option for eating and drinking in Paso is at Tin City. Tin City is “an evolving industrial makers market nestled amongst the oaks where friends, adventurers, and aficionados come together to partake in craft wine, beer and spirits served by Paso’s most passionate artisans.”
It’s housed in an old industrial park and everything is extremely walkable, making it easy to bounce from shop to shop and try as much or as little as you’d like. We really enjoy Wine Shine and Tin City Cider Co. when we stop by.
DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES
Much of Paso Robles is open, sprawling land covered with vineyards and farms, but there is also a charming downtown square with plenty to see and do. Here you’ll find some of the best restaurants and cocktail spots in the area including:
TASTE! - Casual small plates and shareables with a full bar service
The Alchemist’s Garden - Creative cocktails paired with food
La Cosecha - Seasonal food menu; good spot for dinner or lunch
Eleven Twenty-Two Speakeasy and Lounge / Tik-Easy - Two speakeasy bars in one!
The downtown area also features a location of the Brown Butter Cookie Company (a rec you’ll see throughout) as well as some wonderful boutique shopping.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
While Paso might not have quite as many excursions to explore as Morro Bay and the Beach Cities, there are still plenty of options for those of you that want to get out and enjoy nature.
Golf: You can hit the tee box at Hunter Ranch Golf Course, a 4.5 star course in Paso. Plus there are another ten courses within a 30-minute drive.
Horseback Riding: You can make an appointment at Central Coast Trailrides to explore wine country on horseback!
Helicopter Tours: If you want to experience the wineries in a totally different way - and you don’t mind heights - you can also head out on a helicopter tour.