Suggested Paso Robles Itineraries

Whether you are looking for Quaint & Cozy, the best Bang for Your Buck, or itinerary suggestions for your Discerning Tastes, we have suggestions that just mike make your stay in wine country your best yet!

Quaint & Cozy

If you are looking for something smaller and more intimate, well you’re in luck. Paso Robles, and the rest of the Central Coast, has retained most of its small town charm and you’ll find it in some of the following recommendations.

Lodging
We’d have to recommend staying at one of the nearby Bed & Breakfasts that all offer hosts that are there to please you. From the luxury and beauty of The Canyon Villa, to the loft above the winery at Zenaida Cellars, to the rustic charm of the Creekside Bed & Breakfast, you will not be disappointed. You can find a number of the best Bed & Breakfasts at TravelPaso.com or vacation rentals at PasoRoblesVacationRentals.com.

Dining
While we aren’t chocked full of little coffee houses or sidewalk cafes, we do have some great small town cooking that boasts big town flavor. For breakfast, try Joe’s Place, it’s a small place with big dishes, and ya might have a wait, but you’ll soon see why people do. For lunch, not much beats the patio of BL Brasserie. Chef Laurent, the owner, is like so many other highly regarded chefs around here – they are all transplants from gourmet restaurants in Los Angeles. BL Brasserie offers traditional French lunch entrees like their Croque Monsieur with Pomme Frites they have an excellent selection of loca and French wine, as well as, their new Oyster Bar. Dinner is perhaps where Paso shines the best, we have numerous gourmet restaurants, but the coziest is most likely to be Thomas Hill Organics. An intimate courtyard patio with fresh organic foods sets this gem away from the competition. After dinner, if you are looking for a nightcap, check out the Pony Club located inside the regal Hotel Cheval. There is a cozy fireplace inside and a great people watching patio outside, with an occasional guitar player.

Miscellaneous
A few other suggestions for the quaint and cozy would be to visit any of the areas farmer’s markets. Templeton’s market on Saturdays and San Luis Obispo’s on Thursday night’s are Sunset Magazine material. In addition, you might enjoy a drive down to the beach town of Cayucos (a one lane town with a few historic buildings from the early 1900’s), or a little further up the coast to Cambria. You can easily spend a day in the little shops, at the beach, or just grab a great meal at a number of excellent restaurants like Cass House in Cayucos or Black Cat Bistro in Cambria.

Bang for the Buck

Just because Paso Robles has been repeatedly referred to as “The Next Napa” (Forbes, Sunset, NY Times), it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to have a great time here.

Lodging
Like most cities, the local hotels will raise prices on big travel days and special events like Hospice du Rhone, Wine Festival, and the County Fair. But, there are still a number of nice accommodations that will leave plenty of money left to spend on wine. For starters, the Paso Robles Inn, located right across the street from the town square can be as low as $99/night. You might spend a few more dollars there, but the convenience to the square and its shops and restaurants is worth it. A little farther out on the edge of town is the Best Western Black Oak Motor Lodge. If you just need a place to sleep and fancy amenities are all that’s required, the old Melody Ranch Motel (939 Spring St., 805 238 3911) on Spring Street will do just fine.

Dining
Breakfast is very reasonable throughout Paso Robles. From the diner at the Paso Robles Inn to the Cowgirl Cafe, we’re sure the home town cooking will fill you up – portions are large around here! Lunch perhaps offers the biggest bang for the buck opportunity in all of the north county (Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton). If you like Mexican food, then you are in luck. There is a place on Spring Street called Los Robles Cafe (1420 Spring St., 805 239 8525) that has al pastor tacos to die for – and they’re a steal (I promise, you won’t be disappointed). The only problem is they are only served Thursday through Sunday. In case you missed them or Mexican is not your thing, Good Ol’ Burger (1145 24th St., 805 238 0655) at the north end of town is a destination point for numerous people traveling on the 101. Their burgers are big, fat, juicy and unforgettable. For dinner there is a great Irish pub aptly called Pappy McGregor’s. Earlier in the evening the place gets more of a food crowd craving their traditional Irish meals. Later though, the “pint crowd” moves in and yes, the servers wear crooked kilts! Another option to consider is Basil (828 11th St., 805 238 9945), a Thai food place right on the downtown square.

Discerning Tastes

If your palate requires find dining and your head needs a fluffed pillow – fear not. Paso Robles can satisfy even the most discerning tastes. Even though this is an agricultural based community many people have brought first class accommodations and faire to the area.

Dining
There is a reason Bon Appetit named Paso Robles as “the next great food region in California!” From the cozy comfort of The Hatch‘s Rotisserie & Bar, to the California Mexican, and tequila bar, at Fish Gaucho, to Authentic French at BL Brasserie, to Farm-to-Table cuisine at Thomas Hill Organics, there are a number of excellent restaurants.

Lodging
Not to be outdone by the fine cuisine, Paso has its share of first class hotels as well. For a Tuscan escape replete with it’s own winery and vineyard, it’s hard to beat the gorgeous Allegretto Vineyard Resort . Located just a couple minutes drive from town, you’ll be enveloped in luxury. If staying in the heart of the action is more your style, nothing can best Hotel Cheval. You’ll find sumptuously appointed rooms, multiple courtyard fireplaces, a reading library and even a horse drawn carriage to trot off to your dinner reservations. On of the newer establishments just at the southern edge of town is La Bellasera Hotel. It is right on the path to the famed West Side of Paso Robles wine country and has its own bar, spa and fine dining establishment within.