18 Awesome Things to Do in Paso Robles, California

Ready to have the best weekend in Paso Robles? You’ve come to the right place.

Wine tasting travel is one of my favorite ways to explore California. And over the decade plus that I lived in Los Angeles, Paso Robles wine country quickly became one of my favorite getaways from LA for all things vino.

Not only does this wine region have over 200 wineries to explore, but there’s plenty of other fun things to do in the area, from Michelin rated restaurants, and beach access just 40 minutes away, to unique art installations like the popular Sensorio Paso.

Combine that with a laidback and welcoming atmosphere that has none of the pretention of other California wine regions and you’ve got the perfect weekend getaway locale.

In this post, I’m sharing all the best things to do in Paso after my 5+ trips to the area, whether you’re a oenophile in search of the best wineries, visiting on a girl’s trip, or looking for more family friendly ways to enjoy wine country.

Paso is a place I keep returning back to over and over again and I think you’ll soon see why.

Short on time? Here are all my top recs for Paso at a glance:

Best Hotels in Paso Robles:

• Geneseo Inn, for a unique boutique hotel stay right on a vineyard.
• Allegretto Vineyard Resort, for a resort-style vineyard stay that will transport you to Europe.
• Farmhouse Paso Robles, for affordable design-forward accommodations in downtown.
• Stables Inn, for a rustic chic stay in the heart of downtown Paso.
• Paso Robles Inn, for a historic downtown inn that now has a fresh renovation.

Best Things to do in Paso Robles:

• Choose Your Own Wine Adventure: Create your own wine tasting itinerary to visit 4-6 wineries in the area and let someone else do the driving.
• Vintage Sidecar Winery Tour: One of the most unique ways to explore wine country via a vintage sidecar that drives you to three of the area’s top wineries.
• Sensorio Paso: A unique art installation made from thousands of LED lights.

The Best Things to Do in Paso Robles, CA

Whether you’re planning on filling your itinerary with wine tasting or aren’t a big drinker, you’ll find plenty to do in Paso in this post. I’m rounding up all the best things to do in the area, from the best wineries and foodie experiences to unique tours and art exhibits you can’t miss while you’re in this Central Coast town.

But first, let’s get into a few important tips to help you plan your Paso adventures.

Is Paso Robles Worth Visiting

Having been to Paso Robles a handful of times now, I can say from experience that it’s absolutely worth visiting and returning to over and over again. Paso has over 200 wineries in the region with many that are award-winning and rival top wineries throughout the state. Still, Paso retains a laidback, small-town atmosphere that feels super welcoming, which I love.

What Is Paso Robles Known For

Paso is best known for its wine country, especially bold Zinfandels and Rhône varietals. If you’re not a big wine lover though, there’s also a growing craft beer and spirits scene, along with plenty of other experiences like olive oil tastings, natural hot springs, and a visit to the incredible light installation, Sensorio: Field of Light.

How to Get to Paso Robles

Paso Robles is centrally located in California, making it pretty easy to drive to whether you’re coming from Northern or Southern California. The town is equidistant between Los Angeles and San Francisco (roughly a 3 hour drive from each).

If you prefer to fly in, the closest airports are San Luis Obispo (about 40 minutes away) and Monterey (1.5 hours away).

When is the Best Time to Visit Paso Robles

Since Paso is set inland from the coast, it can get pretty toasty in the summer months. The best time to explore Paso Robles, especially if you plan to partake in plenty of wine tastings outdoors are Spring (April–June) and fall (September–November) when the weather is mild, vineyards are at their most beautiful, and there are fewer crowds compared to peak summer.

Fall is especially magical with harvest season in full swing. I also recommend visiting on a weekend or later in the week. Many businesses tend to be closed in town during the early week days.

Do You Need a Car in Paso Robles?

Yes — having a car is the best way to explore the wineries, farms, and scenic backroads. However, if you plan to wine taste heavily and need a designated driver, there are plenty of guided wine tours and private drivers available. So you don’t have to worry about getting behind the wheel.

Where to Stay in Paso Robles

Whether you prefer a luxury hotel, vacation rental, or a charming vineyard stay, you can find it in Paso. Your two main options are either staying right in the heart of Paso’s downtown or staying at a more country stay on a vineyard.

If you want to be near all the restaurants, coffee shops and tasting rooms you’ll want to stay downtown. If you don’t mind driving a bit more and want something peaceful in nature, any spot tucked away in the hills will be perfect for a tranquil getaway.

Best Hotels in Paso Robles:

• Geneseo Inn at Cass Winery – This is my favorite place I’ve stayed during my trips to Paso Robles. It’s a unique boutique hotel sustainably built from shipping containers that sits right on the vineyard.
• Allegretto Hotel – Allegretto is conveniently situated near downtown. It feels more like a resort style stay with charming European flair. Here you’ll find a pool, vineyard views, fitness center, spa and on-site restaurant to accommodate anything you need.
• Farmhouse Paso – If you’re looking for something affordable and well-designed right in the heart of downtown, Farmhouse Paso is a great choice. It’s a recently renovated roadside inn that’s light on amenities. But it’s perfect if you plan to be out and about in wine country all day.
• Stables Inn – This simple rustic chic stay is right in downtown Paso. And offers cozy areas to relax like an outdoor fire pit, lounge and garden.
• Paso Robles Inn – A historic inn born in 1889 that dates back to the early days of Paso Robles and has hosted many famous names over the years. The inn recently got a fresh renovation and is looking better than ever.

Best Home Rentals in Paso Robles:

• Park St. Classic Home in Downtown Paso: This stylish home sleeps 5 guests. And it’s a 5 minute walk to everything in downtown Paso.
• Casa Caballo: This stunning home sits amongst the vineyard and sleeps 6 guests for a tranquil stay with vineyard views.
• Bella Vista: With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, this gorgeous home is under 10 minutes drive to several wineries and Sensorio Paso.

What To Do In Paso Robles CA

Wine Tasting

No post on the best things to do in Paso Robles would be complete without mentioning the area’s award-winning wine tasting, so let’s start here!

With over 200 wineries to choose from it’s impossible to visit them all. I’ll share my favorites I’ve visited over the years, though there are many, many more that are worth visiting.

A few things I especially love about wine tasting in Paso compared to other wine regions in California:

• Welcoming atmosphere: Wineries here are super welcoming and laidback. And there’s a sense of community support amongst all the wineries in the region. Collaboration over competition makes the vibe so good!
• Budget-Friendly Alternative to Places like Napa Valley: Tastings in Paso are significantly more affordable than tastings in Napa. On average, tastings are about $20-$30 for basic flights or up to $50 for premium tastings. However, many places will waive the tasting fees if you purchase wine.
• Family Run: 80% of wineries in Paso are family owned.

Planning Tip: Just keep in mind as you begin planning out your wine tasting adventures that you do need reservations at many places, especially on weekends and at peak times. It’s best to call ahead at least two weeks in advance to reserve your tasting.

Best Wineries in Paso Robles:

• Niner Wine Estates – Known for having stunning grounds and an adorable heart-shaped tree patch on the hill behind the tasting room, Niner makes only 100% estate grown wines using sustainable farming practices. They also have an acclaimed winery restaurant. So this is a great spot to come for a bite while you sip.
• Tablas Creek – Known for being the first biodynamic winery and first organic winery in San Luis Obispo county and the first regenerative organic winery in the world. Wines here are made in the old world style and their wines are typically lower alcohol content compared to other wineries, so it’s a good selection as your last spot of the day.
• Austin Hope – They recently were awarded winery of the year and have little cabanas for tastings that offer a nice private feel. Austin Hope is also known for their full bodied reds.
• CASS Winery – Ideal for eating lunch in the vineyards during a tasting as their menu is outstanding. I highly recommend their wild game board which features elk sausage, moroccan lamb and other unique meats, cheeses and dipping sauces. I’d recommend doing a Third Wheel Winery tour which departs from CASS and then finish off with lunch here.
• Booker – One of my favorite wineries in terms of both their wine and design, Booker is an all-around must. They are one of just a few regenerative organic wineries in Paso and are known for their Syrah. If you want an extra special experience, book their cave room tasting.
• Epoch Estate Wines – A must-visit for architecture lovers, Epoch has an interesting historical past, built in the original York Mountain Winery that was established in 1882 (it was the first bonded winery on the Central Coast). After the San Simeon Earthquake in 2003, the winery was rehabilitated into its current tasting room, which focuses on estate-grown Rhône varietals, Zinfandels, and Tempranillo.
• My Favorite Neighbor – Right next to Booker, this is a super laidback tasting room with chill seating and they often do live music.
• Rava – If sparkling wine is your thing, you’ll love it here. They offer a rare sparkling flight for the area in the traditional methode champenoise. It’s a stunning venue overall with gorgeous grounds featuring a pond and lawn area.
• Justin Winery – Probably the most well-known winery in Paso, Justin started back in 1981 with a love for Bordeaux-style blends. Now the winery is one of the most recognized from the area. And features an award winning Michelin star restaurant on site.

Best Wine Tours in Paso Robles:

• 3-Hour Winery Tour: This popular tour includes transport, all tastings and lunch. So you can sit back and enjoy multiple wineries without worrying about the logistics.
• Choose Your Own Wine Adventure: This small-group tour allows you to craft your own itinerary to 4-6 wineries in the area and they offer a great selection to choose from.
• Vintage Sidecar Winery Tour: Visit three premier wineries in Paso Robles aboard a vintage sidecar—this tour also starts and ends at CASS Winery, one of my favorite wineries in the region.

Explore Downtown Paso Robles

The downtown area of Paso is incredibly walkable and manageable to explore, making it the perfect place for an afternoon if you’re not already staying in the heart of downtown.

There are some fun coffee shops, vintage stores and even art studios downtown worth popping into. There are also annual events that could be fun if your trip overlaps.

Some fun places worth checking out downtown:

• Revamped: Fun little vintage store with antique art, furniture and clothing.
• H Cheval Coffee: This cafe has a great outdoor patio that will transport you to Europe.
• General Store: Cute for locally made products and giftables.
• Studios in the Park: A collection of galleries of local artists on display.
• Libretto Jazz Club: A one-of-a-kind jazz club with live music performances on weekends.
• Paso Market Walk: For a collection of unique retail spaces and eateries in one communal area.

Sunrise Balloon Flight Over Wine Country

Hot air ballooning over the vineyards might be the most unique way to explore Paso. And it’s surprisingly peaceful floating over the vines this way. Balloons Over Paso offers small-group sunrise 1-hour balloon rides that include a sparkling wine toast to make the experience extra memorable.

While I haven’t done this particular experience in Paso, I did do a similar hot air balloon excursion over Temecula wine country and was shocked by how peaceful the experience was. It’s a fun way to get a different vantage point of wine country.

Tin City

After visiting downtown Paso Robles, Tin City is another great pocket to explore. It has over 40 businesses including craft breweries, eateries, distilleries and tasting rooms to pop into.

The whole area has an industrial feel, with the community built into repurposed industrial buildings, giving it a unique vibe within the Paso area. If you want to do a little beer or wine tour all within a concentrated area, this is a great place to do it since everything is walkable within Tin City.

Catch Live Jazz at Libretto Jazz Club

One of the coolest new venues in Paso is the Libretto Jazz Club downtown, which hosts world-class musicians every week Friday through Sunday. I was super disappointed that the club was closed during our last visit as we were there early in the week. But next time I head to Paso on a weekend, I’ll absolutely be visiting here.

Each performance has a limited 62-person seating and there are two sets per night with a cover charge of $75. I recommend checking their event schedule ahead of time to make sure they don’t book out.

Sensorio Paso and Field of Light

This continuously expanding immersive art exhibition has become a staple of Paso Robles. It is one of the most unique things to do in California. When the sun sets over Sensorio Paso Robles, thousands of fiber optic stem spheres light up, creating a whimsical landscape that is just as mesmerizing for adults as it is for kids.

Since the original Field of Light exhibit opened, Sensorio has now expanded with several additional exhibitions from Bruce Munro that play on light and color. The latest exhibit, FOSO (Fiber Optic Symphonic Orchestra), pairs stunning lit columns with synchronized musical score. You can purchase tickets here.

Vina Robles Amphitheatre

The main concert venue in Paso, Vina Robles Amphitheatre combines great wine and an outdoor venue on the Vina Robles Winery property offering an amazing outdoor experiences in Paso Robles from April through November.

If you’re planning a trip out to Paso, it’s worth checking out their concert schedule to see if anything piques your interest.

Paso Market Walk

A newer addition to Paso’s downtown scene, Paso Market Walk opened in 2021 and features a fun collection of retail locations, coffee shops and restaurants all within one community-centered space.

Some places to bookmark in Paso Market Walk:

• The Vreamery – A vegan cheese and melt shop where you can grab yummy vegan sandwiches and grazing boxes.
• Finca – One of the best restaurants in Paso (in my opinion), Finca is a casual Sonora-style Mexican eatery with dishes like baja shrimp, grilled octopus and breakfast burritos.
• In Bloom – This Michelin recognized restaurant serves up creative takes on classic farm to table California cuisine. And even offers a six-course tasting menu for curious eaters.
• The Lofts at Paso Market Walk – Modern lodging for those that want to stay right in the action of downtown Paso.

Soak in the Local Hot Springs

Another great reason to visit Paso outside of the peak summer months? Hot springs. A fun fact is that the town of Paso Robles actually used to be known as “the Springs” by the native Salinian tribe way back in the 1700s long before Paso was known for its superb wine-making capabilities.

There are currently two sulphur hot springs that are open to the public in Paso Robles:

• Franklin Hot Springs: Guests can buy day passes for this outdoor hot spring that is mineral dense and sits at 100.1 degrees fahrenheit year-round. Day passes are $10 for adults and $8 for children.
• River Oaks Hot Springs Spa: With sweeping views of Paso’s vineyards and rolling hills, River Oaks Hot Springs Spa is a more luxurious soaking experience. They have several different spa package offerings including a “sip and soak” package that includes a flight of wines with your hot springs experience.

Vineyard Sidecar Tour with Third Wheel Tours

Unlike any other winery tour you’ve probably done, Third Wheel Tours transports guests from winery to winery via custom vintage side cars.

My husband and I did this tour on our last trip to Paso and it was such a fun and different way to experience the rolling hills of Paso wine country with the wind whipping through our hair. Plus, you get to explore the best wine tastings without having to worry about driving.

They offer several different types of wine tour excursions, with their luxe tour bringing guests to four different wineries.

Grab a Reservation at Les Petite Canailles

Translating to “Little Rascals” in French, Les Petite Canailles is one of the best new restaurants in Paso. It was started by a husband and wife duo with family backgrounds in both wine making and meat processing. Their French farm-to-table menu caught the attention of Michelin guide and it’s one of must-snag reservations in town.

Keep in mind they are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Book a Craft Beer Walking Tour

For those that favor beer over wine, Paso has no shortage of fun to be had in the craft brewery department. You could put together your own tour and explore some of the town’s top breweries or book this microbrewery tour from Central Coast Jeep Tours that includes transport, gourmet lunch and stops at several breweries.

If you want to put together your own tour, make sure to check out these local breweries:

• Barrelhouse Brewing: Located in Tin City and family-owned, this brewery has a large beer garden out back. Perfect for enjoying the outdoors with a cold brew in hand.
• Firestone Walker: First established in 1996, this is one of the oldest breweries in Paso. They offer popular tours of the brew house and barrel room.
• California Coast Beer Company: The former auto body shop turned gathering space serves a variety of craft beers. But the best part is the atmosphere which offers plenty of outdoor seating and live music every weekend.
• The Pour House: This downtown watering hole is a great pit stop for craft beers and ciders. And they often host fun events like live music and comedy shows.
• Hog Canyon Brewing: This weekends-only craft beer bar is located inside the Paso Market Walk and may just be the smallest brewery in the state—but it’s worth a pit stop for their delicious homemade brews.

Sculpterra Sculpture Garden

Sculpterra Winery is one of an incredible amount of wineries in the area, but what makes this spot different is its unique sculpture garden featuring stunning manicured grounds and art pieces by the sculptor John Jagger. All of the sculptures are made from bronze and granite. And they are quite large—one dancing horse piece is 16 feet tall!

Lunch at CASS Winery

One of my favorite vineyard lunches is located at CASS Winery. They offer a stunning setting for delicious bites with a side of vino. I loved their creative wild game board and shrimp caesar to keep things light. But they also offer more filling dishes like wood-fired pizzas, a tri tip sando and braised short rib.

Enjoy an Olive Oil Tasting

Beyond just growing wine, Paso is ideal for growing olives due to its dry, warm and well-draining soil. And there are plenty of passionate olive growers in the region. If you’re into cooking and want to experience true quality olive oil that is nothing like the stuff you’ve picked up in the grocery store, you’ll be in for a treat.

Some local places to check out for olive oil tastings in Paso Robles include:

• Kiler Ridge Olive Farm
• Olea Farm
• Olivos de Oro
• Pasolivo

Stay Overnight in a Shipping Container Hotel

On the CASS Winery property you’ll find Geneseo Inn, the winery’s sustainably-focused boutique hotel where the rooms are made from unique shipping containers. Every single room offers stunning views of the vineyard. And they offer complimentary daily wine tasting happy hours, ebikes, s’mores kits and more.

We stayed here on our last trip to Paso. It was an unforgettable experience watching the sun rise and set over the vineyards. Plus, a stay here offers easy proximity to tastings at the stunning CASS winery.

Order Creative Cocktails at Alchemist’s Garden

Take a break from Paso’s wine scene to indulge in some creative mixology at downtown’s Alchemist’s Garden. This spot serves a lunch and dinner menu. But I love sitting at the bar here for cocktails and watching the mixologists at work which is truly an art form.

They’re especially known for their zodiac cocktail specials. And all their drinks are truly creative presentations. Don’t be surprised if smoke or fired is involved!

Day Trip to the Beach in Cayucos and Morro Bay

If you have time for a day trip during your time in Paso, take a drive out to the coast which is just a 40 minute drive. The towns of Cayucos and Morro Bay are especially charming for their classic Central Coast vibes.

In Morro Bay, you’ll find the famous Morro Rock Beach which is a hotspot for surfers and is an incredible place to post up for sunset. And in the harbor, you can often spot otters and seals while you grab amazing sea food on the wharf (the crab quesadilla from Giovanni’s Fish Market is a must).

In Cayucos, you’ll find small town vibes with some great antique shopping and coastal flair. Don’t miss Hidden Kitchen for lunch, Mical Skincare, and Remember When Antique Mall for unique finds.

Driving the scenic Highway 46 from Paso all the way to the coast is a popular scenic route in California to take.

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