I’ve taken quite a few road trips throughout California and I’ll have to say, one of my favorites was a recent trip we took to Paso Robles. This small quaint town in Central California honestly surprised me. The Paso Robles wineries, hotels and restaurants all exceeded my expectations and then some.

I grew up in Central California about 2 hours west of Paso Robles and I have no idea how I had never made the trip to come check it out. Now living in San Diego, the drive is quite a bit longer clocking in at about 5 hours. However, the drive is totally worth it and I’ll explain below why your next California road trip should be to Paso Robles! 

Paso Robles Hotels and Accommodations

Stables Inn

Our first hotel stay in Paso Robles was the Stables Inn. We were arriving a night before the rest of our group where we would stay in an Airbnb the rest of the weekend, so we just needed a bed to sleep in for the night. Additional points if it’s cute! Spoiler alert, Stables Inn is SO cute!

The Stables Inn in Paso Robles is a charming western chic Inn ideally located just a couple short blocks from downtown Paso Robles. Walking to all the delicious restaurants, wine tasting rooms and antique shops took no longer than 10 minutes.

The small Inn has only 19 rooms that have been recently renovated to embody very chic horse stables. I think this is such a great idea! I have a feeling remodeling small motels into cute themed bed and breakfasts is going to become a trend. I’m definitely here for it!

The fire pit in the middle of the parking area was probably one of my favorite parts of this hotel. The fire pit was warm with plenty of chairs surrounding it and a little nook of wine glasses for your use. This was a perfect spot to enjoy wine purchases from the surrounding wineries.

The foyer was also really warm and welcoming with a stove fire place and some comfy chairs to hang out in. In the morning they have some pastries and coffee that you can help yourself to. They even have a Nespresso machine! 

I highly recommend the Stables Inn for a more casual hotel accommodation in downtown Paso Robles. I wish we could have stayed more than one night but that just means we will have to come back!

Airbnb

Once the rest of our party arrived, we packed up the car and headed to the cutest Paso Robles Airbnb! Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures but this Airbnb is perfect for larger groups traveling together.

This Airbnb is located in the middle of a vineyard which makes for a picture-perfect location. There were 9 of us in our group plus 2 babies and there was more than enough room for everyone. There were 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and the master bedroom was HUGE. It was probably the size of my apartment haha. 

This location also had a pool, jacuzzi, firepit and even a chicken coop! The owners live right up a small hill behind the property so if you need anything, they are there to help immediately.

This was such a good find and I would definitely stay here again next time I plan a trip to Paso Robles with a group of friends or family.

Allegretto Vineyard Resort

Before we chose the Stables Inn, I had a list of perspective hotels I wanted to stay at. At the top of my list was Allegretto Vineyard Resort. Talk about a European getaway in California! The pictures of the resort look incredible.

You’re surrounded by vineyards and gardens; the pool looks so serene and relaxing and the spa looks top notch! This resort is definitely on my bucket list to stay at in the future.

Paso Robles Wineries

HammerSky Vineyards

The first of the two wineries we visited while in Paso Robles was HammerSky Vineyards. HammerSky is a large beautiful property dating back to 1904 although, the vineyards weren’t planted until 1997. In 2007, the property was purchased and became what it is today, a working winery with a small bed and breakfast called the Farmhouse Inn.

HammerSky Vineyards is dog friendly and even has cornhole! This makes it a fun little hangout for some winetasting and soaking in the beautiful scenery. I highly recommend for a more casual and laid back wine tasting experience.

Jada Vineyards

The second winery we visited in Paso Robles was Jada Vineyards. When it comes to the actual taste of the wine, Jada wins this trip. However, I did prefer the layout of HammerSky vineyards more as there was more space to spread out and enjoy yourself.

Located in Paso Roble’s “Grand Cru,” Jada Vineyards has developed award winning Syrahs and Cabernet Sauvignons in 2017, 2018 and 2019. We actually ended up buying a bottle of their 2016 Jack John since we loved it so much during the tasting. It is a red blend consisting of 56% Grenache, 23% Syrah and 21% Mourvedre. 

I highly recommend this Paso Robles winery for some incredibly tasting red wines and a very educational tasting. We seriously learned a lot at this tasting. Oh, and you can also purchase the cheese pairing to go with your wine tasting which was 100% worth it!

Paso Robles Winery Wish List:

Justin Wine

We all know Justin Vineyards as we see their wines at every grocery store we go to. I already know I like their wines but I really want to go to their Paso Robles winery to dine at their restaurant! The views and food look incredible!

Dauo Vineyards

Dauo Vineyards is definitely on my list for our next Paso Robles wine tasting adventure. I’ve never tried their wine, however, when I was researching Paso Robles wineries, Daou consistently popped up in all the travel guides I read. The outdoor tasting area looks beautiful and I’m really looking forward to giving it a try next time we’re in town.

Downtown Paso Robles Tasting Rooms

If you’re staying more in the downtown area of Paso Robles or can’t get a reservation at your preferred winery, there are some options for tasting rooms there as well. There’s even a Justin Winery tasting room!

After dinner one night, we wandered over to Indigene Cellars tasting room and did a tasting and had a great time. The owner, Raymond Smith is super friendly and has a very interesting story. I highly recommend this tasting room in downtown Paso Robles for some good wines and good conversation.

Paso Robles Restaurants

The Alchemists’ Garden

“Alchemy – a power or process of transforming something common into something special.” The Alchemists’ Garden definitely did not deliver anything short of spectacular.

The menus here are well thought out, unique and most importantly, really dang tasty! I wish we could have tried everything but alas, our stomachs are only so big. 

I highly recommend everything we ordered but my personal favorites were the bone marrow and the duck chalupa. Yes, you read that right. There’s a chalupa on the menu. It’s simply divine. 

I was honestly surprised Paso Robles had such a unique restaurant. This actually wasn’t the only one, Paso Robles’ food scene is popping! There are so many other restaurants I want to try next time we’re in the area.

Recommendations:

Croquettes of the Day (ours were sweet potato).

Cast Iron Fondue – melted mozzarella and raclette, soyrizo, cilantro, pepitas and crispy potato dippers.

Bone Marrow – Harris Ranch rosemary brined bone, cherry onion jam, chocolate and smoked sea salt.

Duck Chalupa – crispy pita, melted cheese, spicy slaw, sour cream, fresh herbs and duck carnitas.

Coffee Rubbed Skirt Steak – root vegetable smash, chimichurri and sweet potato threads.

Confetti Tiny Cake – vanilla cream cheese frosting and raspberry sorbet.

Bruleed Banana Split – salted caramel sauce, chocolate, peanut butter mousse, hazelnut ice cream and luxardo cherries.

Brunch

I’m all about restaurants having a specialty and Brunch does Brunch right! They have all your favorite dishes, definitely more breakfast-forward (which I prefer for brunch), made with local ingredients in a bright and airy atmosphere.

I highly recommend this restaurant for Brunch if you’re ever in the Paso Robles area!

Recommendations:

California Eggs Benedict – house made hollandaise and roasted potatoes.

Monte Cristo – French ham, turkey, Havarti, cheddar cheese, potato bread, bacon raspberry jam and potatoes.

Mimosa Flight – orange juice, guave juice, pineapple juice and strawberry lemonade.

Paso Market Walk

Paso Market Walk is a small market in downtown Paso Robles with several restaurants to choose from. I really like this concept as you can go with a group and everyone can get something from a different restaurant if you want. No need to try and figure out what you’re all craving when you can just walk into the market and have everything you need!

We tried the Momotaro Ramen which is probably one of the best ramens I’ve ever had. We also got a burger from Third Degree Grill which was delicious and then we finished it off with some cookies from Just Baked. Oh, and don’t forget to get a bottle of wine from The Wine Merchant!

Paso Robles Restaurant Wish List:

Fish Gaucho

I hear everyone rave about Fish Gaucho in downtown Paso Robles. I’m definitely headed here next time for some yummy Mexican food and margaritas! You know, when you need a small break from all the wine.

Les Petites Canailles

Are you as shocked as I am to find a French restaurant in central California?? Les Petites Canailles is definitely on my list for our next trip to Paso Robles. French farm-to-table bistro? Yes please!

Other Things to do in Paso Robles

Antique Shopping

Like a lot of other small towns in Central California, there are some great antique shopping possibilities. We stopped in at the Great American Antiques Mall and I was blown away at all the antiques they had. It was huge! Anything you can think of was in here and it was fun to walk around and look at all the goodies.

Sensorio Lights

Unfortunately, this beautiful light display was not open while we were in town. Good news is, they’re re-opening April 15^th! You have until September 30, 2021 to go and see this magnificent field of lights. I really want to go see it so hopefully we can sneak a trip in before the end of September!

As I mentioned before, I was quite surprised how much fun I had during our road trip to Paso. I never knew central California to be much fun, but Paso Robles is definitely making a name for itself! I’ll definitely be back to try more wineries and restaurants. 

Tell me, if you’ve ever been to Paso what was your favorite thing you did? I’m always looking for ideas to add to my list for next time!

Thank you for reading!

Related Posts:

San Diego to Carmel: A California Coast Road Trip

Weekend Road Trip to Paso Robles, California

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The Kimpton Rowan is located in the center of downtown Palm Springs with two restaurants, a lobby bar, bright and clean guestrooms and a stunning rooftop pool and bar. The location couldn’t be more perfect. We were walking distance to everything we wanted to do. Now if we actually walked to any of our destinations is an entirely different story…but it can be done! I’ve seen it with my own eyes!

I’ll let these photos of the décor do most of the talking but come on, this place is beautifully decorated. Me being born in the 90’s, am not used to this kind of décor so I found it extremely trendy and easy on the eyes. My mom however, kept getting flashbacks from her childhood. By the look on her face when she would say this, I don’t think she was quite as keen on the décor as I was.

The Lobby at The Kimpton Palm Springs

Accommodation

The rooms were bright and simple and had everything you could possibly want. We were upgraded to a spa suite thanks to some awesome friends and it was absolutely beautiful. The beds were comfortable and although I didn’t get a photo, the bathroom in this room type was a shower. Literally, half of the huge bathroom was a shower. How cool is that!?

Window Bar at the Kimpton Palm Springs

As one does once you check-in and get all of your belongings into the room, you immediately check out the lobby bar. I love lobby bars. I usually decide if I want to stay somewhere based on whether or not they have one, or at least in close proximity to the lobby. And it’s not because I’m desperate for constant access to alcohol, although that does depend on certain factors of a trip, it’s because it is what I like to call “home-base.” Feet need a break from site seeing? Lobby bar. Need to cool down when you’re somewhere hot and humid? Lobby bar. Group gets separated while out and about? Lobby Bar. Waiting for others to get ready for dinner? Lobby Bar. You get the jist. And honestly, it’s up to you if you want to get a cockatoo (cocktail) during each visit. But honestly, why not? You’re on vacation; you deserve that delicious cockatoo under every one of those scenarios.

Now that I’ve gone into great detail about my love for lobby bars, let me tell you about The Window Bar. Ok, first off, the décor is on point. Although the seating at the bar is extremely limited, there are multiple couches and chairs where one can lounge with said cockatoo. Bonus points if you have a cocker spaniel as well. The drink menu is diverse and very unique which I absolutely love. I hate when I go somewhere exciting and new and they have most basic drinks on the menu. BORING. My favorite was the One Blind Buck, which has absolute vodka, allspice, ginger, strawberry, lime and mint. UM, YES PLEASE.

The mixologists here are simply incredible. They are so creative and if you describe your favorite drink, they will make it for you but no less than 10x better than you’ve ever had. For example, my mom and brother are connoisseurs of chocolate espresso martinis. Everywhere we go, usually in place of dessert, they will order one. They’ve been on the hunt for the last couple of years for the best, and they thought they had found it back home in San Diego, until the mixologist here at the Window Bar was like, “hold by beer” and blew their damn minds.

Fun Story Time!

Another reason I love lobby bars is that you get the opportunity to meet some of the most fascinating people. As I approached the bar after we checked in, there was an empty seat next to a woman who was just absolutely radiant. She had the best smile, and this may be really weird, but she also had the best set of teeth to match that smile. Like you could tell she had never had to get any permanent teeth removed. I on the other hand, have had multiple removed so I guess this is why I notice such things. This lady was an absolute hoot. We first bonded over living in the same area (Visalia), but what made me love her even more was when she said, “It’s a great place, but my dreams were far too big for that town.” I hung on every word after that. She told me about her days singing and performing in Reno and Las Vegas and then moving on to Palm Springs where she has performed for the last 20 years. You could tell she has lived her life by her own terms and she looked incredibly happy. She was actually one of the residents of Palm Springs that protested the building of the new Kimpton Rowan because of the height of the building. When it opened she entered the bar and immediately told the mixologist exactly what she thought about this new establishment. This was nothing these magicians of mixologists couldn’t handle. They promptly won her over with their amazing drinks. She is now a weekly regular. When she had finished her One Blind Buck, she signed her bill, turned to the rest of the bar and sang a single line, “The time has comeeeeee,” smiled her radiant smile and floated out the exit. I was in awe. I’m still in awe.

Roof Top Pool and Lounge

If my sources are correct, I believe the Kimpton Rowan is home to the only rooftop bar/pool in all of Palm Springs. I am LOVING the cushions on the lounge chairs! Every chair has a good view of the surrounding mountains and it is quite an enjoyable place to nurse a hangover. With the stunning views and comfy lounge areas, I am not surprised The Kimpton Palm Springs makes the list for one of the best hotels in Palm Springs. The pool menu was ok. I wish they had more options for sandwiches besides a burger and a lobster roll. Their fries were bomb though, which lets be honest, that’s all that really matters anyway.

Restaurants at the Kimpton Palm Springs

We didn’t get a chance to eat at the top floor restaurant, 4 Saints, which looked beautiful, but we did try the downstairs café. Juniper Table is a cute little café/coffee shop. We came down here for lunch from the pool since we weren’t too keen on the pool menu. Their veggie sandwich was absolutely delicious! Although they don’t advertise it, we asked if they could add some chicken to the sandwich and they happily catered to our request. It seems like a cool area to hangout with friends/family. They had corn hole set up as well as jumbo jenga and some other fun looking games. The outside patio looked out into the busy streets of Palm Springs so it would also be a good place to people watch.

Museum Trail Hike

I’m sure as soon as you check into your room and look at the view, you’ll see a giant mountain. You’ll look closer and actually see people hiking UP the damn thing. Naturally, we had to try it. The hike is called the Museum Trail and the entrance is just a short walk from the hotel just past the art museum. We had it in our heads that this would be a nice leisurely walk up the mountain but we quickly realized you had to actually work for this hike. There are a lot of rocks and the path is very narrow so make sure you are wearing proper hiking shoes on this hike. While we didn’t make it up to the very top, we got pretty far up and the birds eye view of the Kimpton Palm Springs and downtown is absolutely incredible.

Palm Springs Restaurants

Now for more food talk! For our breakfasts, we got room service at the hotel. The menu is actually pretty good and the overnight oats were AMAZING. A few other Palm Springs restaurants I recommend are:

Copley’s – Once Cary Grant’s guesthouse, this restaurant has been converted into a restaurant serving up delicious classic cuisine. Try and get a table on the patio, the ambiance is so romantic! Copley’s is definitely the go-to spot for a nice dinner in Palm Springs.

Bootlegger Tiki – Looking for a place for some fun drinks after dinner? This is your spot! However, beware. When they say on the menu, “Limit 2 per Person” they mean it. Those suckers are strong!

Le Vallauris – A wonderful French restaurant just a short walk from the Kimpton Rowan. Hands down the best meal we had while in town!

Norma’s – Located in the insta famous Parker Hotel in Palm Springs, this is the spot for brunch! The vibe in itself should be enough to get you to come hang out and have some brunch cocktails but the food is also pretty yummy.

After such a great weekend at The Kimpton Rowan, I will definitely be back! If you’re looking for a place to stay for your next trip, I highly recommend this hotel. The Kimpton Palm Springs is definitely one of the best hotels in Palm Springs.

Please let me know if you’ve stayed here or plan on staying here! I would love to hear your experience and stories!

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My boyfriend and I decided to take an end of summer trip from one beautiful beach to several others because when you live in Southern California and are dating a surfer, you do as such. I’m definitely not complaining. We started out in Carlsbad and made our way north, ending our trip in the picturesque town of Carmel By the Sea.

We took four days on this trip. Obviously, I wish we could have gone longer, but if you just have a long weekend to take a trip, it’s definitely doable.

Day 1: San Diego to Santa Barbara

Now, to do a road trip the right way, you have to take the 101. There’s no if ands or buts about it. Some of the most stunning views are the stretch from Ventura to Santa Barbara so make sure you have your camera ready! I however, did not. I was too busy starving because I forgot car snacks. Don’t ever forget car snacks.

• Check the surf at Rincon. Like I mentioned before, if you date a surfer, you do as such. Rincon is known for waves that seem like they never end which makes it a popular location for many professional surfers. Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot one!

• Lunch at Pickles & Swiss. This little deli made Yelp’s Top 100 so I knew we just had to try this gem! Our sandwiches were quite delicious! What stood out the most to me was that their bacon was actually CRISPY! Nothing worse than getting a sandwich with bacon and it’s sad and precooked from SYSCO.
• Check in to The Harbor House Inn. This little Inn is so cute! All the rooms are decorated differently and you can actually see pictures of your particular room on their website before booking!
• Take advantage of the free bikes offered at The Harbor House Inn and take a cruise along the boardwalk. Just don’t ride it on the pier, you’ll get yelled at…

• Dinner at Santo Mezcal. I LOVE Mezcal and I LOVE Mexican food, so this was a match made in heaven for me. Their shrimp empanadas are amazing and their Mezcal Shrimp was delicious! If you’re looking for something a bit more casual, they have a sister restaurant called Los Agaves which has some similar menu items.

• Explore State Street! If you’re looking for a more casual sports bar, try The Neighborhood. They even have beer pong in the back room. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, try Test Pilot. They have a menu of fun drinks, Tiki Bar style!

Day 2 Santa Barbara to Solvang

Solvang was just a quick 45 minute drive north of Santa Barbara. We took the Chumash Highway to get a little change of scenery and drive through the beautiful foothills.

• Lunch at The Succulent Café. Their cheese and meat board was AMAZING. That, and a glass of local Pinot Noir, I was one happy girl.

• Walk the streets of Solvang! The buildings are so cute, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Switzerland.

• Wine tasting at SevTap. Thanks to The Blonde Abroad, we decided to check out this cute tasting room. The owner was really nice and accommodating. He played a little bit of Spice Girls, JT and Britney while we tasted his red selection. If you name one of your wines after a popular Spice Girls song, I automatically like you.

• Check out the ever popular Mortensen’s Danish Bakery and get some goodies for your drive to Carmel By The Sea!

Day 2 Solvang to Carmel By The Sea

Next stop is Carmel By The Sea. The land of picturesque homes and fine dining!

• Check in to The Carmel Village Inn. This little Inn is at the very beginning of Ocean Ave (the main drag) so it was an ideal location! This property has actually been taken over by Plump Jack and will be undergoing renovations this year. I’m already excited to go check it out once they’re complete. Plump Jack is known for their boutique hotels and delicious wines!

• Dinner at La Bicyclette. This restaurant was a gem! We shared a salad and one of their infamous wood-fired pizzas. We ordered the mushroom pizza and decided to add pepperoni. We were hesitant to do something we would normally do at our local pizza joint at a fine dining establishment but our wonderful waiter overheard our discussion and confessed he does the same thing so we knew we were golden!

• Walk off dinner with a walk down to the ocean. Our waiter recommended we take Seventh St down to the ocean rather than Ocean Ave for more to see. And let me tell you, the houses here are so cute. I felt like they were all occupied by fairies, actually I know they are, how else can they be so green and have so many gorgeous flowers blooming?

• Listen to some live music at La Balema. If this is Carmel’s idea of a divebar, then I’m at a loss for words what to call them back home. They had a banjo player playing and he had the crowd rocking! Oh and guess what? They had a mezcal drink! The Mexican Mattress. Get it. That is all.

Day 3 Carmel By The Sea to Monterey

You just can’t go all the way to Carmel and not drive the 15 minutes to The Monterey Bay Aquarium.

• Explore the beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium. Tip: Bring your student ID if you for some reason kept it like I have, and get $10 off admission! Make sure you’re there for all the feedings. Those were my favorite to watch and the commentators gave some really interesting facts.

• Lunch at the legendary 19^th Hole at Pebble Beach! Sit down and get yourself a huge burger and a pint of their local draft and you’ll be the happiest little clam. There’s also a restaurant downstairs that overlooks the course that looked beautiful but we opted for a more traditional clubhouse meal.
• Check out the 18^th green! No wonder this is the #1 public golf course in the world, this place is what golf dreams are made of. Next time I have $500 to spare, I’m coming back and playing.

• 17-mile drive. Looking for more of the classic northern coast views? Look no further, on this drive you’ll get all the views you’ve ever dreamed of. We didn’t do the whole drive, for lack of time, but we went a few miles in and then turned back around to head back to Carmel. I can only imagine what this drive would look like on a sunny day. I’d imagine pretty dang dreamy.

• Head back to Carmel and if you’re able to fight off the mid-day nap, head out to a couple of the wine tasting rooms around Carmel. We stopped at a couple but Scheid Vineyards was my favorite.

• Dinner at Little Napoli. Holy moly guys. Best Italian food I’ve had in a while! Their infamous garlic bread was top notch as well as their veal scapolini. Pair that with a couple glasses of Super Tuscan and you’ll be on cloud nine.

Day 4 Carmel By The Sea to Carlsbad

• We woke up early, packed up, had some complimentary breakfast at the hotel and headed off for one last lap around Carmel Village before we headed home. Make sure to walk down a few hidden alleyways, you’ll never know what you’ll find at the end! And if you’re an art lover, there’s tons of art galleries to roam around as well.

• Lunch at High Street Market and Deli in San Luis Obispo. Ok, hands down best damn sandwich I’ve ever had. I got the Dutch Punch and heyoooo I’ll never be able to enjoy a regular sandwich ever again.
• Check surf at Rincon, because as you do.
• Check surf at C Street in Ventura because you’re desperate to find a good wave. California isn’t known for having that great of surf in the summer. Poor guy, he really tried this trip. Bless him.
• Drive into Carlsbad and go straight to your favorite poke bowl spot, PokeWan, get your order to-go, go home and reminisce on your fabulous 3-day weekend!

Hope you enjoyed reading about my 3-day coast trip as much as I enjoyed living it! Please let me know if you give this a try or if you’ve done something similar. Always looking for a new way to explore the California’s coast!

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