Destination: Paso Robles!
You know me, I have the travel bug! and while I usually spend my time in other countries I found myself wanting to explore a bit more of what my home state has to offer. So, we hopped in the car Paso Robles headed, to see what all the excitement is about.
If you aren’t super familiar, Paso is known for many things, but I would have to say the enormous amount of wineries have to be top of the list. In my eyes it’s the Napa away from Napa but, it has a different vibe.
Wine:
If I am on a trip and there is a winery you know I will find it! I love wine tasting, especially in new places. It’s a great way to learn about the local culture and meet new faces. I was very impressed by some of the wineries in Paso Robles and would defiantly go back.
If you are planning an anniversary, girl's trip, or work team outing here are some places you should go to.
Epoch Winery - guys, this has to be my favorite ( or tied favorite ) out of all the ones I went to. It’s sleek and modern but located in the beautiful countryside. I loved their wine, especially their rosé! They were super friendly and their outdoor tasting area was beyond beautiful. I would highly recommend this place for a small group or a date day.
Rava - Another amazing place. They are known for their sparkling wines and wow are they good! It’s a gorgeous place for pictures, the seating I slowly and the service was beyond great. I would defiantly go back anytime.
• Daou - I have got to say, if you love a good hilltop sunset view, this is the place for you! Daou is very popular, their wines are in a lot of places and their winery can be packed but, if you go at the right time you can have a great experience. They have a lot of seating options and can accommodate groups. I also want to mention their food is delicious!
we sat in the middle courtyard area, but when I walked around I noticed some seating tables were right overlooking the valley, so plan ahead to get one of those amazing spots!
I have to admit, we did more drinking than eating most of the weekend but… there are some fabulous dinner spots in the downtown area.
Food:
When it’s time for dinner there are a few delicious spots. We went to BL Brasserie (formerly Bistro Laurent) and enjoyed a fabulous French dinner. They also have a great selection of wines. Their outdoor seating is small but perfect for a warm summer night. The perfect lunch spot is Thomas Hill Organics Bistro & Wine Bar. Some other recommendations are: Il Cortile Ristorante, and Paso Terra.
Don’t forget a stop at Negranti Creamery, they have some absolutely picture-worthy and delicious flavors!
Where to stay:
For this trip we choose an airbnb cottage, It was perfect for us because it was in a middle spot to all the wineries. But, I think next time I would stay in a boutique hotel in the downtown area. It would be a better way to explore a bit more of the town and see some nightlife.
I have heard these hotels are perfect to stay in: Hotel Cheval, Allegretto Vineyard Resort, and The Piccolo.
The sites:
Downtown Paso is very cute, and just a short drive away are some bigger stores and shopping centers. People say there is a fairly big art scene in Paso and I would believe it. Sensorio is of course one of the main art features in the valley. If you like the beach, Murro-Bay is only 40 mins drive through the hills.