by Stephanie Elgin
Beauty and small town charm abounds in a town known as Paso Robles. Spanish for “the pass of the oaks,” Paso Robles is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s scenic Central Coast. El Paso de Robles is the city’s official name, but locals know it as Paso.
| by Stephanie Elgin Beauty and small town charm abounds in a town known as Paso Robles. Spanish for “the pass of the oaks,” Paso Robles is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s scenic Central Coast. El Paso de Robles is the city’s official name, but locals know it as Paso. Located north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 101 and approximately 25 miles from the coast, rolling coastal hills, majestic oaks, vineyards, olive orchards, farms, ranches and more than 200 wineries breathe life to the culture and cuisine of Paso Robles. Since its beginning, Paso Robles has been considered a place to relax and rejuvenate. Native Salinan Indians referred to the region as “the Springs” as did the Franciscans. Thermal hot springs were found throughout the region and served as the perfect location for cattle ranching, almond orchards and apple trees. In the 1700’s, Franciscans began planting vines as Paso Robles became the perfect climate and setting for winemaking. And now, Paso Robles has become California’s fastest growing wine regions. Home to 35 wineries and 13,000 acres of grapes in the mid 1990’s, today there are more than 26,000 vineyard acres and more than 200 wineries. This is not your ordinary wine country, it’s a winemaking frontier with old fashioned hospitality. Family owned wineries are a way of life in Paso Robles, and meeting the winemaker in the tasting room is commonplace. With the many wineries around and two fishing ports nearby, Paso Robles is also known throughout the region as a place to dine. Take a stroll around downtown, and you will see a variety of restaurants specializing in Thai, French, Japanese, Mexican, East Indian and Chinese cuisine. With elegant wine country cuisine such as Artisan, Matthew’s, Bistro Laurent or Panolivo, or indulge in barbecue at Bernick’s Prime Steakhouse, the Paso Robles Inn Steak House or F. McLintock’s Dininghouse. Enjoy live music and a late night meal at the Downtown Brewing Company. Take a stroll in Paso Robles’ picture perfect downtown, where there are dozens of specialty shops and boutiques. Everything from antiques and Western trail rides to big country fairs and concerts in the park, there are many things to do in Paso Robles. With much to see and much to do, Paso Robles can be the perfect weekend getaway. Stay awhile and escape to the wine country at Villa Toscana, or stay at the luxurious romantic Hotel Cheval, where you can ride with your loved one in a vintage Chester-drawn carriage. Discover the beauty and enchantment of all that Paso Robles has to offer. For more information please visit www.prcity.com. |
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