48 Perfect Hours in Paso Robles: California’s Central Coast Wine Region
Tablas Creek Vineyard
Tucked away on California’s Central Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is a wine lover’s dream. Paso Robles stuns with its rolling hills, expansive vineyards, and occasional wild animal spotting. Many of the area’s wineries are earth-minded, embracing sustainable practices to protect its unique environment. Add in the region’s authentic charm and friendly, down-to-earth vibe, and you’ll wonder why you hadn’t visited sooner - I definitely did. Fortunately, two of my best friends in California planned an unforgettable weekend getaway in Paso Robles for us three, and I’m excited to share every detail with you in this blog post.
A HUGE thank you to Brian and David for PUTTING TOGETHER SUCH A thoughtful, FUN, AND WINE-FILLED weekend ADVENTURe (excel SPREADSHEET and all)!
“Wine is a passport to the world.”
things to know before VISITING PASO ROBLES
Arrive the Night Before
No matter where you’re coming from, it’s very likely it’ll take some time to reach Paso Robles. To get the most out of your two days there, consider arriving the evening prior. This way, you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to start your wine tasting adventures right from the start. If you’re as ambitious as we were, you can always sneak in a tasting and dinner the night prior.Book Ahead for Wineries
Most wineries in Paso Robles require reservations, so be sure to schedule your tastings and tours in advance to avoid disappointment.Traveling with Wine
Many airlines allow you to check wine bottles, either packed within your luggage or as a dedicated wine shipping box, which is what I chose on this trip and highly recommend. Some airlines even offer free checked wine boxes, so be sure to check your airline's policy before you travel. I decided to only purchase bottles I didn’t think I could find back home.
GETTING TO PASO ROBLES
Getting to Paso Robles from either San Francisco or Los Angeles promises to be a scenic journey. From San Francisco, it’s about a 3-hour drive south along Highway 101. If you’re coming from Los Angeles, the drive takes about 3.5 hours, also via Highway 101. For those who don’t want to drive, you can take a flight into San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, just an hour from Paso Robles. Regardless of how you decide to get there, it'll be worth the effort. In my case, I flew from New York City to Los Angeles first. That’s commitment :)
View of Pismo Beach from the car heading north on Highway 101 from Los Angeles to Paso Robles
VISIT TIN CITY FOR YOUR First WINE tasting at union sacrÉ WINERY THEN SWING BY ETTO FOR ARTISANAL PASTA TO TAKE HOME
Tin City is a creative community of winemakers, brewers, distillers, and artisans all housed within what were formerly industrial warehouses. Two gems you’ll find here are Union Sacré Winery and Etto Pasta Market.
Union Sacré Winery is a tribute to the spirit of Alsace, France. It was established in 2014 by two friends, Xavier Arnaudin and Philip Muzzy, who came from different parts of the world - Xavier from France and Philip from Michigan. Together, along with their friendly staff, they serve up some of the most delightful Alsace-style wines including Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. Enjoy a tasting in their artfully designed space inside or their relaxed outdoor patio. We chose the patio and I just had to bring home a bottle of their 2023 Chipie Sangiovese - my favorite tasting that day!
Next, we stopped at Etto Pasta Market to pick some fresh pasta and other ingredients to make an Italian-inspired meal back at our Airbnb. However, there are plenty of items you can choose from to bring back home. Etto is family-owned and is known for its variety of fresh and dried pasta, along with local and imported foods and wines. Learn more about their story here.
LUNCH IN THE HEART OF Paso Robles AT PASO MARKET WALK
Paso Market Walk is a modern food hall and community hub that houses a variety of local eateries and shops. They describe themselves as a “marketplace that supports a new generation of food purveyors – people who produce goods with respect for human, animal, and environmental well-being”, which we love to support! You can learn more about Paso Market Walk’s mission here. My friends Brian and David are vegan, so they indulged in The Vreamery offering incredible plant-based food, while I opted for a warm bowl of ramen from Momotaro Ramen, serving Japanese soul food. We sat outside because it was a gorgeous day, but you can enjoy your food indoors too. Paso Market Walk is a great option for casual dining with many options for everyone you’re traveling with.
AFTERNOON WINE TASTING OUTDOORS AT KIAMIE WINE CELLARS
At Kiamie Wine Cellars, founders and friends Aram Deirmenjian and Greg Johnson craft distinctive and balanced wines that are representative of the unique Paso Robles region. Enjoy your wine tasting in their serene outdoor seating area which offers sweeping vineyard views while admiring the goats and dogs on the property living their best lives. When we visited we were lucky to spend time with Greg, who was not only a gracious host but whose sense of humor made our experience memorable. Overall Kiamie Wine Cellars is a charming spot to relax and unwind, while truly feeling immersed in the best Paso Robles wine country has to offer.
VISIT TABLAS CREEK for A TOUR OF THE FIRST Regenerative Organic Certified™ vineyard in the world FOLLOWED BY A WINE TASTING
A highlight of the weekend was the morning we spent at Tablas Creek Vineyard. One of Paso Robles’ best-kept secrets is Tablas Creek’s vineyard tour and tasting, which includes a free daily two-hour guided group tour of Tablas Creek's Regenerative Organic Certified vineyard, grapevine nursery, and winery - an insightful experience where you learn about their farming practices and winemaking. After the tour, enjoy a wine tasting for a small fee (waived if you purchase two bottles) in their indoor tasting room. I decided to take home two bottles - the 2023 Patelin de Tablas Rosé and the 2022 Vaccarese. Tablas Creek is an unbeatable experience if you’re a wine lover and sustainability enthusiast.
END YOUR WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE AT THE RENOWNED JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery
Chances are you’ve heard of Justin wine. For a well-rounded experience, we couldn’t miss a stop at the Justin Vineyards & Winery and it didn’t disappoint. The estate embodies an upscale environment, but we were pleasantly surprised by how welcomed we felt by the sommelier who served us. Aside from the stunning vineyard views and award-winning wine, there’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant onsite and accommodations at the Just Inn. I couldn’t leave without a couple of bottles to bring home - the 2021 Right Angle and 2021 Reserve Malbec.
TASTE AUTHENTIC EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL AT PASOLIVO - home to 10,000 olive trees
Before visiting Paso Robles, I had never experienced an extra virgin olive oil tasting, and I’m so glad we chose Pasolivo for it. The grounds are not only stunning, but you also feel fully immersed in nature as you sample Pasolivo’s wide selection of olive oils, fruit and balsamic vinegars, salts, and spices. I might’ve overindulged in the bread they served everything with, but it was well worth it! The shop is absolutely charming, offering olive oil-infused products, locally-made items, and other unique goods. To top it off, Brian and David surprised me with Pasolivo Black Lava Sea Salt, which I thought was sold out, tucked away in my wine shipping box. They know how to make this girl cry!
I hope this two-day itinerary inspires you to visit Paso Robles someday. Even though I lived in California for several years, I often overlooked Paso, choosing to visit more popular wine regions like Napa, Sonoma, and Temecula. But I’m so grateful that I had friends show me the way and now I hope I have too. Paso Robles is the perfect blend of wine, scenery, and relaxation—an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.