Travel Paso — Winter '25

Wind Down This Winter in Paso Robles

For many visitors, that good feeling comes from tastings among the 200 wineries in the Paso region. During winter, there’s nothing like sitting fireside enjoying a glass of Paso’s finest vintage.

Spring is when Paso’s wine-centered events transform town. March brings the Rhône Rangers Experience, featuring wineries from California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas.

Photo by Chris Migeon

By StoryStudio on January 7, 2025

Plan your winter escape to Paso Robles and cozy up fireside with a glass of wine at inviting indoor and outdoor spaces throughout town. Warm lodging, comforting cuisine paired with local wine, craft cocktails and beer—Paso Robles has everything you need to unwind. Discover your perfect winter itinerary below. Conveniently located between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, a Paso Robles winter wind down visit might involve stealing away to an intimate cocktail speakeasy or sharing a flight of local wine in a festive tasting room. Speaking of flights, downtown Paso Robles is just 35 miles from the San Luis Obispo Regional Airport, serving all major airlines. No matter how you choose to spend your days, you’ll depart relaxed and feeling fine.

Internationally-inspired comfort food is a staple of Paso winter dining. Savor the sophisticated and modern flavors of Les Petites Canailles, Paso’s premier French restaurant or feel like family at Il Cortile Ristorante, Paso’s fine dining Italian restaurant featuring Executive Chef Santos MacDonal’s homemade pastas, fresh seafood and top-quality meats. Paso’s thriving cocktail scene is perfect for winter exploration. Discover Eleven Twenty-Two, an elegant 1930s-style speakeasy hidden behind Pappy McGregor's Pub. Guests ring the doorbell for entry into this intimate, candlelit space featuring classic and seasonal craft cocktails, plus one of the Central Coast's best whiskey and scotch menus. For the adventurous, the Alchemists' Garden is a must. A cocktail bar with an enchanting atmosphere, the Alchemists’ Garden utilizes Paso’s access to fresh market ingredients to build beautiful, unforgettable cocktails. There are plenty of winter events and activities to entertain and inspire before you end your evening sitting by your hotel’s fireplace. There’s nothing quite like Sensorio, one of California’s largest immersive art exhibitions. Enjoy a stroll amongst Bruce Munro’s Field of Lights, plus six other illuminated art installations guaranteed to enchant. The craft spirit curious and connoisseurs alike should check out the Paso Robles Distillery Trail. Highlights include RE:FIND Distillery, a pioneer in sustainability creating grape-to-glass vodka, gin, and whiskey, evolved from Villicana Winery, and Calwise Spirits Co., founded by a family of moonshiners who produce small batch rum, gin and whiskey.

Wine culture is the heart of Paso Robles. The early spring months are when Paso’s annual wine-centered events transform the town, making it an ideal time to visit for wine lovers of all stripes. March 20–21, 2026, celebrate Rhône wines at the 18th annual Rhône Rangers Experience, featuring wineries from California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas. New for 2026, join us Friday evening in downtown Paso Robles for “Choose Your Rhône Adventure” workshops. Plus, explore new ticketing tiers, including flexible à la carte options, designed to let you tailor the experience to your taste.

When it’s time to retire, choose a quaint and cozy lodging spot. Many Paso properties feature perfect winter comforts like in-room fireplaces, outdoor fire pits for evening gatherings, hot tubs and heated pools, and intimate lounges and wine bars. Hotel Cheval is the destination for romance and well-heeled travelers. This luxury boutique hotel with its romantic, ivy-covered exterior inspires memories of yesteryear even as its modern amenities match all accommodation needs. Winter highlight is the hotel’s nightly S’mores event where guests can huddle next to a roaring fire and indulge in gourmet s'mores. The historic charm of the 1889 House is another popular winter waystation. Located on the property of the famous Paso Robles Inn, this hotel-within-a-hotel features 12 luxurious rooms in an iconic Victorian-era building with fireplaces, balconies and soaking tubs. Both hotels are located near the town square in charming downtown Paso, making them ideal choices to keep the crisp walk home from the restaurant brief yet exhilarating.

SPONSORED BY TRAVEL Paso

Escape to the majestic rolling hills and celebrated wineries of Paso Robles, California wine country with beach access and Michelin stars. A community of cowboys and innovators, it's where world-class food, wine and art meet small-town charm.

Let’s Go to Paso!

For many visitors, that good feeling comes from tastings among the 200 wineries in the Paso region. For most, getting there along the serpentine roads beneath the oak canopy is half the fun. Once you arrive, visiting a winery like Calcareous Vineyard is much more than sampling the award-winning terroir-driven wine. From their perch atop the highest point in Paso, take in breathtaking views before taking a deep dive into the wines that make this region world-renowned. Paso Market Walk, a mixed-use, walkable destination for shopping, dining and relaxing, offers travelers an authentic welcome to the region, with local artisans, winemakers and restaurateurs proudly representing the flavors of Paso. Across town, Tin City’s warehouse art district-vibe offers a unique counterpoint. Here, visitors will find Six Test Kitchen, Paso’s first Michelin-starred restaurant. Six Test Kitchen is chef Ricky Orbert’s 12-seat tasting menu experience.

After the holidays, sometimes we need to take a holiday for ourselves. Paso Robles is the place for your winter wind down. Come relax fireside with a glass of local wine and memories of days well-spent exploring the gem of California’s Central Coast. Start planning today at Travelpaso.com.

RE:FIND Distillery

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Winter Itinerary

Checkout Travel Paso Robles’ winter itinerary below.

Les Petites Canailles