Paso Robles is the place for wine, wildflowers and backroad adventures this spring
For many visitors, that good feeling comes from tastings among the 200 wineries in the Paso region. Also for most, getting there along the serpentine roads beneath the oak canopy is half the fun.
Franciscan missionaries were drawn to the local hotsprings and thermal waters. They planted the first grape vines in the region. Today, there are more than 40,000 acres of vineyards.
Photo by Chris Migeon
By StoryStudio on March 1, 2023
The winter rains mean a mosaic of wildflowers will blanket the hills and valleys of Paso Robles this spring. Well known for presenting the best California's Central Coast has to offer, from winery experiences and hiking trails to boutiques and restaurants, Paso Robles blooms brightest as the days lengthen. What’s better than sipping wine all day and then enjoying fine cuisine at one of the fantastic local restaurants?
Located conveniently between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, a Paso Robles visit might revolve around human (and horse) powered adventures, or a balloon flight followed by a flight of wine. 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.
Premier chefs have long favored Paso Robles for its laidback ambience and rich wine culture. Though small in population, Paso features another Michelin-starred restaurant, The Restaurant at JUSTIN, and three Michelin “must try” designees. These include the Hatch Rotisserie and Bar, In Bloom and Les Petites Canailles.
The five honorees also illustrate Paso’s diverse dining options. The Restaurant at JUSTIN features chef Rachel Haggstrom’s tasting menus, comprised mainly of the estate’s provender. The Hatch offers perfect roast chicken, In Bloom showcases California cuisine at its best, and Les Petites Canailles creates a seasonal menu, think Burgundy escargot risotto and moules-frites Hortense, in the heart of downtown.
Historic downtown Paso Robles offers the perfect backdrop for an afternoon or evening, beginning with a stroll across the Downtown City Park. The adjacent square sprouts unique clothing boutiques, art galleries and numerous antique and vintage shops. And don’t miss the General Store, curated mercantile variety at its finest. The tasting rooms and cocktail bars are great places to take a break, launch the evening, or finish the night with a nightcap.
Located just outside of downtown, Calwise Spirits, a small batch distillery with roots in Prohibition moonshine, is one of more than a dozen distilleries in Paso Robles. Craft spirits connoisseurs and newbies alike should follow the new Paso Distillery Trail.
Paso Robles is always best explored through its trails. The indigenous Salinan people followed paths to the local hot springs for rejuvenation and healing. Franciscan missionaries were also drawn to the thermal waters. They planted the first grape vines in the region. There are more than 40,000 acres of vineyards today, and guests can still take to the healing sulfur springs at River Oaks Hot Springs and Franklin Hot Springs.
Like its famous hot springs, Paso Robles has long been associated with equestrian culture. Central Coast Trailrides leads groups of every ability on trips across the sprawling 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch and through the Cass Vineyard trails. Paso Robles Horse Park opened in 2015 and has quickly gained status among the finest equestrian centers in America. Paso Robles Pastures provides horseback riding instruction and guided trail rides.
Paso Robles road trips lead visitors on exciting trails of every shape and style. The Pacific Ocean is only 20 minutes away by car. San Simeon, home to Hearst Castle, is an additional 25 minutes. Beyond San Simeon waits Big Sur, where the redwood forest meets the surf. A different drive out of town leads to light artist Bruce Munro’s "Light at Sensorio", a multi-acre installation of 100,000 stemmed solar-powered spheres.
There are other trails to follow too. Golfers will find ten 18-hole tracks of links and parkland-style routing within half an hour of downtown Paso Robles. Boaters, hikers, and paddlers will discover plenty of trails and wakes, respectively, at Lake Nacimiento. The 18-mile freshwater body is home to Lake Nacimiento Resort, which rents a variety of motorized and non-motorized vessels. Of course, beer lovers can beat a path to more than a dozen breweries, including the nationally celebrated Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
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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 Halter Ranch is much more than sampling the award-winning terroir-driven wine. You can explore the 2,700-acre property to learn about leading sustainable agricultural practices in the 17-acre organic olive orchard and beyond.
Tin City, the pedestrian-friendly warehouse district located just outside of town, continues to draw talented winemakers, brewers, and distillers, who are joined by up-and-coming chefs as well as Six Test Kitchen, Paso’s first Michelin-starred restaurant. Six Test Kitchen is chef Ricky Orbert’s 12-seat tasting menu experience. Riley Hubbard’s Hubba Wines also represents the Tin City vibe. Hubbard serves intriguing blends from sustainable growers in a vibrant environment with its own performance stage.
While the Salinan people called this area “The Springs” for its mystical hot springs, this same region provides enough variety to establish 11 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Whether you spend your time tasting all the terroir has to offer among the rolling hills, boutique browsing downtown, or on numerous possible outdoor adventures, your days will provide a lifestyle fit as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. Start plotting your adventure among the spring wildflowers today.
Bruce Munro’s "Light at Sensorio"
The Restaurant at JUSTIN
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