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Paso Robles
Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Central Coast’s Santa Lucia Mountains, Paso (as locals call it) sits midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Here farm to table is a way of life. Farming, winemaking and cattle ranching were introduced in 1790 by Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan missionaries. Agriculture continues today as a main industry, with wine grapes the leading crop, followed by walnuts, a growing olive industry and cattle ranching.
Over 200 wineries, many small boutique producers, dot the countryside amongst 26,000 vineyard acres. Over 40 wine grape varietals and an abundance of mouth watering blends are produced – from Spanish to Italian to Bordeaux and Rhône, including the area’s heritage variety Zinfandel. Wine lovers can visit unique tasting rooms – contemporary to rustic, and barn to castle. Many offer picnic areas, live music, and specialty events.
Paso Robles is a gourmand’s playground. Organic fruits and vegetables abound, as well as grass-fed beef, artisanal cheeses, and locally grown and pressed extra virgin olive oil. Only 30 minutes from the coast, the area’s aquaculture provides abundant fresh fish, oysters, even abalone. The proximity creates a natural food and wine marriage inspiring many ambitious and creative chefs from all over the country to move here to open restaurants. Every year Paso hosts a plethora of artisan food and wine events such as the Lavender Festival, Olive Festival and Harvest Wine Weekend, which showcase local growers, farmers and chefs.
Fun outdoors: golf, biking, hiking, and horseback riding, paint ball, jeep tours, u-pick lavender, farm visits – picking in season, bottle animal feeding. There are 11 golf courses within a 30-minute drive.
With comfortable affordable accommodations, fine dining, low cost winetasting fees, free cultural events, easy and free parking throughout the historic downtown region, Paso Robles offers great value as a wine and food destination, with untouched natural beauty, where an authentic California experience is easily accessible.
Visit TravelPaso or PasoWine for more detailed information and to plan your trip.
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