Discover Paso Robles: Your Ultimate Weekend Getaway

Paso Robles, a charming town nestled in California’s Central Coast, is a haven for wine enthusiasts, foodies, and outdoor lovers. With its rolling vineyards, picturesque landscapes, and a thriving culinary scene, a weekend getaway here offers a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. In this guide, we’ll explore the best things to do, places to eat, and wineries to visit during your Paso Robles Weekend Getaway.

This was our first time visiting Paso Robles and now I can confidently say this is a must visit for anyone seeking relaxation, or a romantic weekend getaway, but especially for wine lovers! Paso Robles is an up and coming premier wine destination. Arguably, still a “hidden gem” in California so you won’t find the massive crowds you would in Sonoma or Napa (yet!); but trust me, the scenery and the wines are just as good!

We were looking for a quiet escape on a long weekend and Paso Robles delivered everything we were hoping for! At just about 4 hours north of Los Angeles and 3 hours south of San Francisco, this is an easy road trip destination for California residents. If you’re visiting from outside of California, you’ll find the San Luis Obispo airport to be the nearest regional airport, about 30-miles from Paso Robles.

Day 1 – Discover The Vineyards

Morning: We had our first tasting booked for 10am at Tablas Creek. We wouldn’t normally start so early, but since it was the holiday weekend we had to take whatever reservations we could get. Since we were short on time, we opted to grab a quick breakfast and save the sit down breakfast for another day. We picked up some coffee and yummy breakfast pastries to go from Angelas Pastries & Coffee. The drive out to our first tasting was farther than we realized it would be, but it was such a beautiful scenic drive. We passed so many other wineries that I took note for us to try next time!

Tablas Creek Vineyard: This is a joint venture between Domaine de la Bégude in France and Tablas Creek in Paso Robles, this winery specializes in Rhone Valley-style wines. Once we were on the property, we were immediately greeted by two adorable vineyard dogs – Josephine and Maya. Josephine immediately wanted to play with my husband. She kept getting his attention and bringing her stick to play with him the entire time we were on the property, it was so sweet. While this may not be a draw for everyone, these are the type of moments that make me fall in love with a place.

If you’re looking to learn something and have great wine, I highly recommend Tablas Creek. We opted for the vineyard tour before our tasting and it was super informative. They are the first regenerative organic certified vineyard in the world, so we learned a lot about that while on the tour. The tour takes about 45 minutes prior to starting your tasting, so plan to be here for about two hours if you do the tour and tasting combo.

DAOU Vineyards: Daou vineyards is most known for their opulent Syrahs and Cabernet Sauvignons, and offers stunning views of the Paso Robles countryside. Outside of Italy, this is one of the most beautiful wineries I’ve ever been too. If this is your first trip to Paso Robles, Daou is a must visit. Their wines and food are excellent! There aren’t many wineries in the area that offer food, so Daou is perfect for a lunchtime/afternoon visit. You check in at the gate, so immediately once you walk in you’re greeted with your first glass of wine- top-notch service if you ask me.

Tin City: Located on the east side of Paso Robles you will find an industrial makers market. Tin city has quickly become a dynamic part of Paso Robles offering a vibrant mix of boutique wineries, craft breweries, cider houses, and speciality food producers. Truly a must see if you visit, you’ll find something for everyone. I’ll be honest, when I think Tin City, I think HAPPY HOUR. Some of the most popular spots in Tin City include, BarelHouse Brewing for local brews on tap, Tin City Cider Co. for cider made from locally sourced apples, and Tin City Distillery for small-batch handcrafted spirits. We spent most of our visit at Barrelhouse brewing enjoying live music and beers brewed locally in San Luis Obispo.

Dinner At Etto Pasta Bar: Etto is known for their fresh made past in Paso Robles. Everything we ordered was excellent – I highly recommend ordering the Gamberi fra Diavolo! 20/10 it was so good! Nextdoor you will find Etto Pastifico, their attached Italian market, with all the best stuff. We picked up some fresh pasta, Italian cookies, some of the region’s famous olive oils, and orange wine to take home!

Day 2: Discover More Vineyards

Morning: Start your day with uber tasty breakfast sandwiches and lattes from Red Scooter Deli – voted best breakfast in Paso Robles! It’s right on the town square, so you can enjoy their outdoor seating and people watching while facing the downtown city park.

Afternoon: Spend another day discovering more vineyards and explore the region’s diverse wine offerings. Here are a few highly-rated wineries to consider:

Niner Wine Estate – is a family-owned winery located in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles. Known for its sustainably farmed estate-grown wines, Niner offers a variety of varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, vineyard tours, and a relaxing atmosphere at the winery’s tasting room.

Booker – is a renowned winery in the Paso Robles region of California, known for its high-quality Bordeaux varietals. They specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, producing wines that are consistently rated among the best in the world. Booker Vineyard’s wines are characterized by their complexity, intensity, and aging potential.

Eberle – is a renowned family-owned winery in Paso Robles, California. Known for its pioneering role in establishing the region’s wine industry. It specializes in producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Rhône-style blends. Guests can enjoy complimentary tastings, tours of their famous underground wine caves and often live music.

Dinner at Jeffrys: Jeffrys offers Wine Country BBQ in a beautiful, relaxed outdoor courtyard setting, We ordered the BBQ sample tray, which was plenty of food for the both of us to share and a great way to try variety from the menu.

1122 Cocktail Lounge: After dinner we went over to 1122 Speakeasy . It’s a 1930’s inspired speakeasy and cocktail lounge mixing up some of the coolest cocktails. I had the Blackened Oak cocktail, which I really enjoyed. They don’t take reservations on Fridays or Saturdays, but they do have a time limit for guests, so if you find yourself waiting in line, it won’t be ages. They check your phones at the door, so you’re fully present to enjoy libations and each other’s company. If you’re ever in Paso Robles, I highly suggest checking this place out!

Day 3: Relax, Unwind and Fine Dine

Our day started with breakfast at Cowgirl Cafe. A cute little western diner that has small town vibes, hearty eats and great service. We ended up sitting next to this woman named Norma who is 91 and works with the Main Street association – she was the cutest and told us all the things to do around town. After breakfast we walked around downtown as instructed by our new friend Norma and did some shopping. There are about 40 tasting rooms, many art galleries, and a bunch of really cute shops in downtown. Bijou was one of my favorites – so many cute clothes, I wanted to buy everything! The General Store also had local goods and some really fun eclectic home finds. If you you’re in Paso Robles on a Saturday, be sure to check out the Farmers Market for fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live music.

Afternoon: Spend the rest of the day relaxing at River Oaks Hot Springs Spa is a serene retreat nestled in the heart of Paso Robles, California. Known for its natural mineral hot springs, the spa offers a variety of relaxing treatments including massages, facials, and body wraps. Guests can unwind in the outdoor hot springs pools, soak in the therapeutic mineral waters, and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Evening: After a day of relaxation, treat yourself to a delicious dinner at one of Paso Robles’ top-rated restaurants Les Petites Canailles. Their Menu changes seasonally, but expect to find mouthwatering steak tartare, caviar service, escargot risotto and other delectable French dishes. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for their “Trust Us”, which is a five course tasting menu based on the chefs’ inspiration!

Other Things To Do:

Sensorio Field Of Lights – Sensorio Field is a light-art installation covering 15 acres right outside Paso Robles. As with many things, it quickly gained popularity when it went viral on Instagram a few years ago. It is one of the most romantic things to do in Paso Robles, but equally as cool to do with friends! This was originally a temporary installation, but ended up so popular they keep extending its time in Paso.

Horseback Riding – At its core, Paso Robles is a farming town – they just focus on wine. Because of this, there are many opportunities for horseback riding in Paso Robles! Consider trail rides with Central Coast Trailrides or Work Family Ranch.

Go Hiking At Carrizo Plain National Monument – Carrizo Plain National Monument is nearby to Paso Robles and is one of the largest single native grasslands remaining in California. The best time go hiking is during the spring, March-May, because that’s when all the California poppies are in bloom!!

Where To Eat:

Paso Robles is known for incredible local ingredients and innovative dishes. There is an impressive collection of restaurants to choose from. Here are a few of the local favorites to consider:

Fish Gaucho: Located in downtown, this Mexican restaurant has amazing tacos and tequila flights. It’s a popular spot, so call ahead for reservations if you can.
La Cosecha Bar: They make amazing Spanish-style cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
Cello: Located in Allegretto Resort and Spa, offering amazing Italian recipes and cocktails. Ask to be seated outside and you’ll be treated to a great sunset!
The Hatch: Wood fired comfort food and classic cocktails.
Paso Market Walk: A few blocks off the square is Paso Market Walk, a large building that almost feels like a permanent indoor farmer’s market. Vendors are open at different times of the day and you can find coffee roasters, bakeries, a creamery, even a cider house here!

Where to Stay in Paso Robles:

Paso Robles offers a range of excellent accommodations, including boutique hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfasts. With Paso Robles continuing to grow in popularity, new hotels and unique vineyard stays are popping up all the time. Below are some of the best hotels in Paso Robles.

Paso Robles Inn – A historic hotel in the heart of downtown Paso Robles and offers a blend of modern comfort and vintage charm. The Paso Robles Inn features comfortable rooms, a heated outdoor pool, dog-friendly accommodations, and an offers an on-site steakhouse.
The Piccolo – A boutique hotel with chic quarters featuring wine fridges. Enjoy a rooftop bar and a wine tasting room for a luxurious yet affordable stay.
Geneseo Inn Paso Robles – A brand new hotel on Cass Winery land where the rooms are built of industrial shipping crates perched above the vines on CASS Winery’s 145 acres of vineyard. I’m actually desperate to stay here on our next visit!
Allegretto Vineyard Resort Paso Robles – This upscale Tuscan-style resort is set on a vineyard and offers a spa, pool, and a rustic-chic restaurant. Indulge in luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the Paso Robles countryside.

Of all of the incredible wine regions in California, I highly recommend adding Paso Robles to your list. There are so many things to do, incredible wines to enjoy, and beautiful views. I’m confident you will fall in love with Paso Robles just as we did!