Paso Robles, a Wine Lover’s Dream on the Cheap…
A Wine Lovers Paradise in California you can see on the cheap? Not possible! But oui, it is do-able. Even tea-totallers can get some bang for your buck in a city that greets you with a sign that says, “City of El Paso de Robles”–translated as City of The Pass of the Oaks.
Paso Robles is nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains along I-101 midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast. As the state’s fastest growing wine region and its largest geographic appellation comprised of 26,000 vineyard acres, there are more than 200 wineries producing stellar Rhone & heritage Zinfandel varietals, and more than 40 wine grape varietals and blends from Spanish to Italian to Bordeaux and Rhone.
Whether you’re day-tripping between L.A., San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento or you need a room, even hotel accommodations aren’t prohibitive. We found hotel rooms for around $53.10, though prices go up, along with amenities such as spa treatments, etc.
If you’ve never been to Paso Robles, it is home to the Mid-State Fair July 18-29, 2012 (midstatefair.com). Bands booked include Journey, Earth, Wind & Fire, Alabama, Kutless, Los Lonely Boys and Big Time Rush. But for those looking for FREE entertainment, Concerts in the Park (shown in photo) are held on Friday nights June 12 through August 21, 2012.
FREE things to do & free attractions in Paso Roble:
- Carnegie Library and Historical Museum Paso Robles, pasorobleshistoricalsociety.org Free
- Mission San Miguel the 16th mission in the California chain, missionsanmiguel.com Free
- Mt. Olive Organic Farm, mtoliveco.com Free
- Pioneer Museum, pasoroblespioneermuseum.org Free
- Studios on the Park, studiosonthepark.org Free
- Farmers Market held on Tuesday afternoons, 11th & Spring, northcountyfarmersmarkets.com Free
FREE Wine Tasting:
- Anglim Winery
- Bella Luna
- D’Anbino Vineyards
- Ecluse
- Eos Estate Winery
- Gelfand Vineyards (Free by appt, $10 on event weekends)
- Hope Family Wines
- J. Lohr Vineyards
- Kiara at Sylvester Vineyards
- Nichols Winery
- RN Estate by appointment
- Stephen’s Cellar (by appointment)
- Venteux Vineyards
More about Paso Robles Wine:
- 6 wine regions.
- 6 distinct microclimates and terroir.
- Back Roads Wineries, Far Out Wineries, Pleasant Valley Wine Trail, Downtown Wineries, 46 East Wineries and 46 West Wineries.
- Large variety of tasting rooms.
- Picnic areas.
- Specialty winemaker dinners.
- Wine Line is a continuous hop-on, hop-off series of BioDiesel vans that run throughout the wine region.
- Wine Wrangler offers a wide variety of wine country tours.
- First Crush offers wine making and blending classes.
- Steinbeck Vineyards gives a Crash Course to learn about the history of the Paso Robles wine region, sustainable wine growing and more.
FREE help:
- Free visitors guide online (travelpaso.com) or call (888) 988-7276
- Questions about vacations call (888) 988-7276
