Our Paso Robles Travel Guide with all the best places to visit in Paso Robles! Our favorite restaurants, wine tastings, things to do, and place to stay!
Paso Robles Travel Guide
As we continue to explore the area surrounding San Francisco, we’re always looking to discover hidden gems. Although we love Napa Valley wine country, it isn’t exactly an undiscovered secret. Paso Robles is about three hours south of San Francisco, and it’s a whole new way to do California wine country. It’s charming and peaceful, but still has great restaurants, amazing wine and beautiful places to stay.The people of Paso Robles are gracious and welcoming and everything feels much more personalized than we’re used to. It’s also wayyy more affordable. When you meet other visitors, it’s almost like you are in on a shared secret.
Here are our favorite restaurants, things to do, and places to stay for Paso Robles. Let me know if you have any suggestions for our next visit!
Allegretto Vineyard Resort
Allegretto Vineyard ResortOur home away from home for our Paso Robles stay was Allegretto Vineyard Resort. Allegretto opened in October 2015 and is both beautiful and comfortable. It’s Mediterranean-inspired and every detail is perfectly thought out. The property is quite large, and has everything from bocce ball courts to a large pool, to a French-inspired ‘abbey’ (multi-use chapel). They also have olive trees, a few rows of grapes and even some pomegranate trees!
The rooms are chic and comfortable, with high ceilings and an incredibly comfortable bed. Ours had a walk out patio, which was great for morning coffee and having Maddie along.
Speaking of that, Allegretto Vineyard Resort is dog friendly! That meant we got to bring Maddie with us for this adventure.
The resort has a treasure trove of artifacts all over the property from large statues to a slice of a Giant Sequoia that is estimated to have started growing in 214 BC. Rest assured, the owner is not the jerk who chopped it down.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort
2700 Buena Vista Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.allegrettovineyardresort.com/
P.S. – If you’re looking for other dog friendly places to stay in the San Francisco Bay Area, check out Nick’s Cove in Tomales Bay and Chaminade Resort in Santa Cruz.
Cello Ristorante at Allegretto Vineyard Resort
Allegretto’s restaurant, Cello, is absolutely world class. Executive Chef, Eric Olson, prepares creative dishes featuring local ingredients. The dishes have a bit of Italian inspiration, but are definitely uniquely California. Everything is beautifully-prepared, like the caprese salad you see in the above photos! Literally art on a plate. Their cocktail menu is also very creative and features herbs and flowers from the chef’s personal garden.
Despite the amazing food, the atmosphere is anything but stuffy. The service was wonderful and we enjoyed eating outside with a great sunset view. After dinner we had milk and cookies sitting by their iron fire bowls. Talk about charming!
Cello Ristorante at Allegretto Vineyard Resort
2700 Buena Vista Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Website
Parrish Family Vineyards Tasting Room
We absolutely loved our wine tasting experience at the Parrish Family Vineyards tasting room in downtown Paso Robles. We chose a chocolate and wine pairing, which was super fun and obviously delicious. The vineyard is truly family-run, with the daughter of the founders working as general manager and her husband is assistant winemaker. They have just moved to only making wine with estate grapes (meaning they don’t purchase grapes) and they are building a beautiful new tasting room on the estate itself.
Parrish Family Vineyards Tasting Room
1220 Park Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.parrishvineyards.com/
Franklin Hot Springs
Franklin Hot Springs is an experience, to say the least! It’s probably unlike any hot springs you’ve ever visited. It’s really more of watering hole and not at all touristy. Plus, it’s also only $7. There’s a reason for the budget price tag though! In the words of the owner, ‘we’re probably more rustic than you’re used to’. The owner is the son of the original founder, who died in his 90’s. Perhaps the healing water health claims that are posted all over the facility have some merit!
The large pool water temperature is in the high 90’s year round. Parts of the bottom are covered with clay, which can be used for DIY spa treatments. I wasn’t quite brave enough to give myself a facial on this trip, but maybe next time! The locals bring barbecue equipment, pool toys and adult beverages.
It’s a great way to pass a hot summer Paso Robles day or to warm up in the winter. If you’re looking for a fabulous luxury experience, this is not it. The facility is quite run down and their shower facilities are….rustic. For us though, this was part of the charm! If you’re not sure if it’s for you, definitely read the polarizing Yelp reviews before you go.
Franklin Hot Springs
3015 Creston Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.franklinhotsprings.com/
Thomas Hill Organics Restaurant
We loved this restaurant so much I actually reached out for permission to share one of their recipes! They feature farm-to-table seasonal food that is beautifully-prepared in a charming setting. The service was excellent. Highly recommended if you are looking for a great place to eat dinner in Paso Robles. I’ll be sharing more photos and the recipe for their vegan black lentil tacos in an upcoming post.
Thomas Hill Organics Restaurant
1313 Park Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.thomashillorganics.com/
Vineyard Antique Mall
A fairly large antique mall with many separate booths rented by different vendors. Things seemed to be overall reasonably-priced with a great variety of things from teacups to vintage tools. I came away with a few food props that were much less expensive than a place like Cannery Row in Monterey.
Vineyard Antique Mall
2320 Ramada Drive # A
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Website
Powell’s Sweet Shop
A super fun place to peruse with gelato and hundreds of candy options including similar styles to what was offered in the early 1900’s!
Powell’s Sweet Shop
840 11th Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Website
Kreuzberg Coffee Shop
Because no A Side of Sweet adventure is complete without a stop to a hipster coffee shop. Fairly generic overall, but their coffee is excellent.
Kreuzberg Coffee Shop
725 13th Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.kreuzbergcalifornia.com/
Pasolivo
PasolivoThe Pasolivo boutique is located downtown and their ranch is west of the city. In addition to amazing local olive oil (and tastings!), they also offer a line of all-natural bath and body products. Trivia – the land where the olives are grown was originally owned by the director of the black and white portion of the original Wizard of Oz movie! If you visit the ranch itself you can tour the mill.
Pasolivo
8530 Vineyard Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446
http://www.pasolivo.com/
!Viva Paso!
A darling and colorful boutique and art gallery located in downtown Paso Robles. They have goodies that the owners have collected from all over the world. It’s a great place to pick up a unique gift for an upcoming special occasion.
!Viva Paso! Boutique and Art Gallery
1211 Pine Street
Paso Robles, California 93446
https://www.instagram.com/vivapaso/
Salinas River Walk
Given that the river itself is not always visible (it’s often at least partially underground), the River Walk is slightly underwhelming at best, but it’s still a nice way to get outside for an easy walk if you are visiting Paso Robles.
Salinas River Walk
Website
How lovely! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing a bit of Paso! We’ll look forward to seeing you again. 🙂
So glad we stumbled upon your store!
Oh my goodness, all the food looks amazing and that vineyard resort is gorgeous! Fantastic guide 🙂 xxx
Thanks so much Miranda! You should come visit! 🙂
The Salinas River is the largest underground river in the United States as it travels 170 miles from its southern source in the coast range mountains of San Luis Obispo County to the Pacific Ocean at Monterey Bay. In fact, the Salinas helps create the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, which is the largest natural aquifer west of the Rockies. So at times you may not be able to see the river above the surface, yet it is huge underground.
Fascinating! I had no idea! I’ll definitely addend the article to reflect this. Thanks so much for the tip Lauren!
Love this blog, Kelly. I enjoy some wines from this region and would love to visit there, hitting some of the spots you shared. Thanks!
Thank you SO much! I hope you enjoy Paso Robles.
Thank you for writing such an informative article about Paso Robles. I visit Paso one or two times each year and am always happy to try out new things. I will definitely check out Allegretto as a possible place to stay on my next visit.
The Salinas River Walk is another thing I’ve put on my “to do” list. I have heard about Thomas Hill Organics Restaurant, but have never eaten there myself. Next time I will!
Paso Robles in one of my favorite wine regions. Great wines, friendly uncrowded wine tasting rooms, and so much less expensive than the Napa Valley.
Paso has a cute downtown area that is worth exploring!