I wrote the below article and it originally appeared on TravelPaso.com, thought we’d share it here on our site. As many of you know, we are quite fond of Paso Robles and have enjoyed making it our home. Check it out and let us know what you think. Cheers, and Happy Monday folks!!
I’m sure everyone that loves Paso Robles would come up with a different set of answers to that question. I’m hoping some of you leave your answers in the comment section below…for now I will give you my answer.
I moved here in November of 2003, right before the big earthquake hit the Central Coast. I think that Paso Robles has truly come alive since then. The downtown is a vibrant center filled with wonderful food, wine, beer, art, and small boutique shops all surrounding the beautiful park that is home to Friday nights concerts (photo below) through the summer as well as many holiday-related events throughout the year.
This town has become known for its wine but one of the most impressive things about this place is all the OTHER stuff that there is to do. There has been an annual cigar event, a hot air balloon festival, home shows, ag and ranch events, an art festival, classic car events, food related events; we’ve had the Amgen Tour come through twice, we have upcoming beer events, well known entertainers at the Mid-State Fair, the Olive Festival, the Lavender Festival and several other things I know I must be forgetting; but I think you get my point.
After living all over the state of California, Texas, and Kentucky…Paso Robles is the first place in my 35 years that I would call “home”. The diversity in events and activities along with the warmth of the community really gives the individual an opportunity to connect. All this along with the rolling hills and vineyards allow you to hop in your vehicle (or on a bicycle) and head in any direction for an amazingly beautiful drive.
My advice to visitors and new transplants…get involved, go to the events, meet new people, be part of the community rather than a bystander, and do all the adventuring you can in this paradise called Paso Robles!
Now it’s your turn; what is it about Paso Robles?
As well as all the above mentioned reasons to love Paso, I really love that you can look for miles without seeing a tall building. You can drive for miles without coming to a congested intersection every quarter mile. It seems like around every turn is a new and beautiful vista. I love the slower pace…I love the quiet….I love Paso Robles!
Xochitl…well said. I was born in Los Angeles and lived down there for part of my adult life, so I completely agree with your comments. There is just something about this area that truly does SLO you down. I’m 36 years old and have lived in roughly 10 different cities in 3 different states…Paso is my home!!
What isn’t there about Paso’s qualities???? Paso Robles has it all as far as this “dyed in the wool” Texan is concerned. We live in a tiny unincorporated town of about 2,000 people that we consider “heaven on Earth.” Paso is the California equivalent with lots more wine!!!! The pace is slower, with no traffic jams. The overall quiet and lack of auto or people congestion is terrific. In all the visits we have made to Paso, we have met tons of friendly people who want to share their wines, their foods and their hospitality. We are a willing audience and receptive to all Paso has to offer! There is no part of CA that we love even half as much as we love Paso! In Texas, Austinites have a saying, “Keep Austin weird.” Paso Robles’s should be “Keep Paso wonderful.”
I totally agree April, and I appreciate your comment. I use to live in San Antonio and my sister lives in Fort Worth…that being said, Paso is my favorite place for adventure, wine, people, and the growing food scene. Let me know next you’re coming out!!
We love Paso we started visiting years ago when there were very few wineries now one needs a month or more to get to all of them. The wine is fabulous in this area. We also like the many restaurants and we love the people of Paso, so friendly. We love the boutique shops no malls but mostly we love NO traffic! We live in LA. We hope to move to the area ASAP but may be a few years!
I hear ya Jo!! I was born in LA and have lived many other places…Paso is my home though. We’ve been visiting wineries for almost 6 years and have not hit them all…seems there are always new ones popping up…LOL. Cheers to ya and next time you’re coming to Paso let us know! 🙂
we will be in Paso in March and May for the festivals! 🙂 We have been visiting Paso for a lot longer than six years! 🙂 Still can’t get to them all, sometimes we don’t get back to some of our favs because someone is always recommending several that we have to try. One can only do so much wine tasting in a weekend! 🙂 🙂 Cheers
Very nice Jo…good times to visit Paso. Keep in touch and maybe we can clink a glass. 🙂 And yes, only so much tasting you can do in a weekend. I know there have been tastings my wife and I have partaken in where we’ve tasted any where from 40 to 80+ wines in a day…TOO crazy, even with spitting and dumping.
Where can we find you? That sounds like fun!!!!
Jo…I usually use Facebook or email…if you find us on Facebook and like us that’s an easy way to get in touch. If you don’t use Facebook I can give you my email…let me know!
Can’t find you on FB friend me Jo Jacobus Trust please
Try this link https://www.facebook.com/hootnannieblog , that is to our brand page. I will search for you as well.
My husband and I absolutely love Paso Robles! We have been visiting the central coast area for over 15 years starting with the Cayucos/Cambria areas. We soon discovered PR and have been hooked! Throughout the years we have met many nice people in the community and we hope to make Paso our home sometime in the future. We did manage to buy a vacation home, which we hope will be our retirement home. As for now, we drive up as often as possible to relax and wind down from the rat race in Los Angeles.