Paso Robles has long been a quiet outpost between California’s two most famous cities—San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Today, it retains much of its small-town charm. The historic downtown area boasts an abundance of boutique shops and locally owned restaurants, not to mention a picturesque park—a Western version of a Norman Rockwell painting.
Neighboring Paso Robles along the coast are San Simeon, home to , and the fishing village of Morro Bay. Between those two towns, you’ll find Cambria, Harmony and Cayucos.
The proximity to the ocean plays a key role in the emergence of Paso Robles as a winegrowing region. Today, the town is surrounded by vineyards—at last count, some 26,000 acres that produce more than 40 winegrape varieties. You name the grape, and someone in Paso probably is growing it, from traditional Bordeaux varieties and California’s own Zinfandel, to Spanish and Italian varieties.
To help wine-loving visitors narrow their focus, 10 local wineries, all in San Miguel, have joined to establish the “Pleasant Valley Wine Trail.” Located in the beautiful rolling hills just east of town, the trail is just minutes off Highway 46 East and Highway 101, yet offers tasters a unique experience off the beaten path.
You can follow the 12-mile trail for an unforgettable day of tasting while enjoying spectacular views. Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at what you can expect at each estate.
