Paso Robles, California 72-Hour Vacation

Paso Robles

Nestled in California's Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles used to be one of the best places no one had heard of. Well, the secret's out, especially in terms of food and wine.

As California's third biggest wine region behind Napa and Sonoma, the Paso Robles area boasts some 26,000 acres of wine grapes and about 180 wine labels, and it seems new ones are popping up every day. While reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel emerged early on as the flagship varietals, dozens of others thrive in the area's diverse microclimates and soils. Rhône varietals have proven very successful, and there's good early buzz about Tempranillo as well. Most Paso wines are bold and terroir driven, thanks mainly to the region's long, temperate growing season and the state's largest day-to-night temperature swing in the summer, typically going from about 100 degrees Fahrenheit at midday to 50 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the evenings.

The wine industry has certainly spurred the growth of good restaurants, but the area also offers chefs and foodies an abundant agricultural heritage. Any given day offers at least one farmers market somewhere in San Luis Obispo County, and many chefs have established one-to-one relationships with their growers. As a result, many fine dining establishments often list local food producers on their menus as well as local wines.

One of those producers might just be Happy Acres Goat Farm in Templeton, where you can call and arrange for a tour of this family-owned and -operated farm so you can taste fresh goat cheese and see how it's made. Indeed, though recent years have brought more hustle and bustle, Paso still hangs on to an inviting amount of small-town rural charm, with a vibrant town square, ongoing community events and bucolic back roads just minutes away.

Perhaps the best way to explore Paso Robles and its wineries is through a version of "East side, West side, all around the town." (“East side” and “West side” are terms locals use to delineate which side of Highway 101 you're on.) On Day One, acquaint yourself with the downtown and some local history, on Day Two, hit the links or explore bigger wineries on the East side, and on Day Three, enjoy the countryside and some of the smaller labels on the West side.

La Bellasera

Many wineries charge nominal tasting fees which are typically refunded upon purchase of wine. Some tasting rooms are also starting to provide light lunches and picnic supplies, but be sure to take along some snacks and water, especially when you visit the West side. Please taste responsibly, designate a driver, and you might even consider booking one of the local wine-touring companies such as The Wine Wrangler (which also offers wine tasting at its headquarters at the Amtrak station) or The Grapeline Winecountry Shuttle. Maps and information of the entire wine region are available from the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, 800-549-WINE (9463), 805-239-8463, www.pasowine.com.

Lodging choices in Paso Robles include small motels and inns, and more than 30 bed-and-breakfasts ranging from one-room guest cottages to nine-room estates. If you wish to stay in the heart of town, the historic Paso Robles Inn is conveniently located right off the square and within walking distance of many fine restaurants. The deck of the upstairs bar offers views of the park, and is especially lively most weekends. Some rooms have mineral water spas, too. Another upscale option is the intimate Hotel Cheval on Pine Street just off the square and featuring the popular Pony Club Bar.

Just outside of town on the west side (and just across the highway from Firestone Walker Brewing), the elegant La Bellasera offers a host of amenities that can include fireplaces, wet bars, and kitchenettes. For bed and breakfast options, check out The Just Inn, at Justin Vineyards, (which also features the fare at Deborah's Room, a fine small restaurant serving lunch and dinner); Winemaker's Porch at the Frances James Vineyard, with three rooms overlooking the vineyard; Carriage Vineyards Bed and Breakfast, a contemporary house in the vineyard beside the owner's personal horse carriage collection; and Hollyhock Farms, lodgings set amidst a 30-acre organic farm in nearby Templeton.

For additional information including locations and phone numbers of Paso Robles Wine Country vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms, check out the Wineries Section.

* Mission and Adobe images by Eugene Zelenko. View of Paso Robles by Sam Houston.