Paso Robles
202 miles from LA. You need: 2 nights, 3 days. Visit in the fall or spring.
Elevated. Why go to Napa when you can go to Paso? With its lush vineyards and scenic streets, Paso Robles has all the food and wine you desire with fewer crowds and a warm, small town feel. If you are driving from LA, your first stop (just south of Paso) should be Tin City, a beer/wine/food market with contributions from over 40 artisan businesses. Spend a few hours wandering through tasting rooms, indulging at food trucks, and playing yard games at Barrelhouse Brewing (wonderfully child and dog friendly). After your whirlwind Tin City introduction, head up to Paso’s Downtown City Park; a tree-filled town square lined with local shops and yes, more tasting rooms. Be sure to visit the General Store to restock on candles, olive oil, and stationary for your mom. Pick out a few bottles of wine to take home to your Airbnb (we chose a red blend from Serial wines) and unwind admiring your vineyard view. Nestled conveniently between the Adelaide vineyards and downtown, we had a peaceful stay at Casa Caballo, a perfect retreat for 2-3 couples or the whole family. You may even be so lucky as to receive a greeting from the property’s resident golden retriever, Sawyer. For walkability and instant access to downtown, check-out Hotel Cheval, or opt for the massive lawn and seclusion of Summerwood Inn.
After a morning stroll around the grounds, you’ll need to caffeinate for your day of wine-drinking with a coffee or chai tea from Spearhead (if you are into quiche, get that too). Head to Adelaida Vineyard for a personalized tasting and wonderful introduction to the specific wines that Paso has to offer (and if you visit in the winter, request to sit in the front room by the fireplace). Next head down the street and up the hill to Daou Family Estates, one of the most well-known vineyards in Paso. Grab a glass of wine and head outside because the views here are truly unmatched.
When you are ready for dinner, the options are ample and overwhelming (Fish Gaucho, The Hatch, Il Cortile Ristorante, etc). We had a drink and stayed for dinner at the Alchemist Garden, a plant-lover’s ideal setting for unique cocktails and menu items. The last stop of your night is an absolute must: Eleven Twenty-Two Speakeasy. This prohibition-style, unmarked bar requires you to seal up your phone at the door to truly take in the experience, company, and alcohol. You won’t be disappointed by any of the drinks, but I’ve heard it's the “best old-fashioned i've ever had.”
Make time for one more winery before heading back to life in LA. L'Aventure is it. Maybe it’s the intimate feel or stunning cave tour, but this is my favorite winery in Paso. Every single staff member is knowledgeable and friendly, with a true passion for telling the story of winemaker Stephan Asseo’s journey from Burgundy to Paso. Most importantly, the wine is so amazing that our friends from Michigan (that's 2500 miles away) joined their wine club.
In general, I do recommend reservations as most winery tasting experiences are by appointment only. However it is definitely possible to walk-in at most tasting rooms in town. If you’d rather leave the car safely parked at your Airbnb, check out Fetch for all of your Paso transportation needs.
Be sure to pack: Shiseido Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask, because you may have a wine hangover.
