rjw_lgb_ca

So we've decided to take our August 2015 Monumental Winery Schlepp up to Paso Robles now! As you all may recall (like the rhyming there?), this will be to celebrate my adorable husband's (gasp!) 55th birthday (or, as we like to call it, "the 25th anniversary of his 29th birthday"). We're beginning to see some clarity on what our requirements will be as well:

-- Nice hotel that accepts small dogs (my MIL may be bringing her teacup chihuahua-- normally I hate tiny, overbred dogs, but this little boy is an exception-- I adore him)

-- Winery-close is always nice

-- Not too far outside of Paso Robles (whose downtown area looks fun)

We had been looking for available RV parking in our original quest involving Santa Barbara County. But it looks like that won't be necessary; given that one of my nieces is starting college in the fall, her parents will be too busy to join us (and besides, they will see us a bit later in the month, as she will be attending a school very near us). The in-laws with small children won't be coming either. We'll be a small group of dedicated winos...!

I've read good things about the Adelaide Inn and the Bellasera. Any other properties I should investigate?

And any really good restaurants we should seek out?

Any and all insight and suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks to all you generous Fodorites in advance!

MichelleY

We have stayed at Best Western Black Oak, right across the street from Adelaide. Handy for getting on Hwy 46 or 101, so that makes it a busy traffic area also. Margie's diner is next door and great for breakfast. A snazzy place downtown, Hotel Cheval looks charming and $$$.

MichelleY

Have visited J Lohr and Vina Robles wineries.

AustinTraveler

Lots of good restaurants in the area, including (in downtown Paso):

Thomas Hill Organics
Robert's
Artisan
La Cosecha
Fish Gaucho

Downtown Paso is small so it's easy to just walk around and read the menus posted outside the restaurants.

Bellasera is a great location for visiting the wineries on the west side, but keep in mind it is not downtown Paso. But, seriously, there is no traffic here to speak of so getting to downtown will take you 5-10 minutes. Directly behind the Bellasera is a Hampton Inn.

As for the wineries, you will hear them referred to as west side and east side. They are talking about west and east of the 101. In August, I highly recommend sticking to the west side as it will be noticeably hotter on the east side. Lots of beautiful vineyards along Vineyard Drive, Peachy Canyon, and Adelaide Drive, and Hwy 46 West. There are too many to recommend but some of my favorites include:

Opolo, Daou (for view only, wine not my favorite and tasting fee is $20), Calcareous (great views too!), Halter Ranch, Tablas Creek, Oso Libre, Thatcher, Peachy Canyon, Whalebone, and about a zillion others.

If you like olive oil, don't miss Pasolivo.

If you have time, drive Hwy 46 West to the coast. North from there will take you to Cambria, Hearst Castle, and the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. South from there will take you to Cayucos and Morro Bay.

AustinTraveler

And, not that you need more recommendations but these two are great and conveniently located on Hwy 46 West:

Niner and Summerwood. Summerwood also has a beautiful inn.

If you go to Niner, be sure and take a picture of the "heart" oaks.

Patty

We've enjoyed Artisan, Thomas Hill Organics and Bistro Laurent in Paso. Be prepared for VERY hot temperatures. It can be well over 100 especially on the east side. Hwy 46 to Cambria is a beautiful drive and you may want a respite from the heat.

emd3

Two words.

Tobin James.

TerryLFred

Adelaide Inn is nice but they don't take dogs (unless they've changed their policy). We've stayed at La Qunita which is nice and takes dogs. Unfortunately it isn't near downtown but it's really not bad to drive to downtown. Another great place to stay with a dog is Blue Moon Hideaway. It's a vacation rental that I booked through Trip Advisor. Again, it's not near downtown but with a dog you have limited choices.

rjw_lgb_ca

Our research is pushing us in the direction of La Quinta Inn & Suites, actually. They allow pets for free in most cases, apparently, and a 5-pound chihuahua should not be a problem (although we'll need to keep him occupied to hold down the Yap! Factor). The location looks pretty central to everything, and as we're driving in, the proximity to CA-46 and US-101 is great. There is also apparently a killer Peruvian restaurant about half a mile away, so it's not like we're in chain-resto Hell there. So again, to everyone, thanks! If La Quinta doesn't work out, we've now got other ideas. And thanks for the winery and restaurant recommendations, we'll be sure to check them out!

emd3

My best friend who lives in Santa Monica is having a 60th bday dinner party for me in DC in a few wks. She has bought small they wine from Tobin James, a case each of their fabulous zin and chard and sparkling, and is having it shipped to my house for the dinner party in DC. She negotiated a good corkage deal at the restaurant.

Now that is a good friend.

Do try to get to Tobin James. It is very very good, esp their reds, and the tasting area is nice, great friendly people there.