Blueeyedgirl

2 couples looking for the best location if we want to enjoy the wineries in Paso Robles. Would love to stay on the ocean, but don't want to drive more than 20-30 min for a winery each day. Do we stay in Paso Robles proper? does anyone have a great vacation rental they have used with 2 Master bedrooms with each having a bathroom?

Jean

I would stay in Paso Robles on or near the City Park square. You can walk to several good restaurants for dinner. If you want a full-service resort property, look at Allegretto Vineyard Resort.

NeoPatrick

Butting in here, as we're looking for May in Paso Robles, but we have a ton of Marriott points we'd like to use. We're thinking the Springhill Suites at Atascadero. How is that for location for a few nights?

Jean

Atascadero is fine as you're still within 20 miles of most (all?) of the wineries. Our favorite, Turley, is actually closer to Atascadero than PR.

But, just so you know, the area around the Springhill Suites is a bit bleak for tourists. Home Depot, Staples, vast parking lots... Presumably, staying for free would negate those issues.

Your bigger problem is deciding which wineries to visit. I like the cave tour at Eberle, the property at Sculpterra, and the drive up Vineyard Drive to Justin and then across Adelaida Road to Daou, even if you don't stop to taste at either. But there are so many great wineries.... Happy planning!

Jean

BTW, the nav system is our car has a hard time with this area. I don't know if it's the hills or what. Not a big deal, but, at times, we found our phones more helpful.

hpeabody

I really enjoyed my stay at the La Quinta in Paso Robles.

La Quinta Inn & Suites - Paso Robles, California Hotels

bear900

We'll be up there this Friday for a pick-up party at Opolo. Our last pick-up party was at Tooth and Nail. Both are on the west side of highway 46.

Spending time at the vineyards is relaxing and what makes your day. After a long day of tasting just about any pillow will work. I agree with Jean's assessments though.

I think what's key for most people to understand is there are two vastly different wine trails out of Paso, one east on the 46 and one west on the 46.
If you look at a map there's a jog between the two and they're not easily accessible to one another when tasting, IMO. The cellars are larger going east, but the topography is more flat and barren. I usually don't go that way just force of habit and taste preferences. I prefer the vineyard views more on the west side of the 101.

Now going West on 46...that's where I think most of the fun is at. It's also rolling hills with oaks and some beautiful scenery off the main road. For instance, a full day trip on the west side of 101 would start somewhere like Tooth and Nail, then up the road to Turley, Opolo, and perhaps Justin. That's a full day in itself. Add some spots in-between and you have yourself a long day and may want to try it again to explore more wineries. Then do something similar on the east side.

From Atascadero, there are two starting points to head west. You can take the Vineyard exit in Templeton and you will get to Turley but will bypass Tooth and Nail, a viewing experience I wouldn't want to miss. So in that case, drive up 101 a bit more and take the 46 west exit to catch all the trail. Hint: I always backtrack. Making the full loop around to Paso is a killer and not all that interesting on the last part of the drive, imo.

For the OP, there are three ways to the ocean from the immediate area. 41 west out of Atascadero into Morro Bay, 46 west out of Paso landing you close to Cambria (the drive is actually stunning the closer you get to the ocean and viewing south), and the 101 south into Avila Beach, Shell & Pismo Beach just past SLO. They are all around half an hour or more.

Overall, I would not recommend staying south of Atascadero as you have to drive over a steep grade and unless you have a designated driver I wouldn't chance it. So you get what you get when staying north of the grade and Patrick's selection taking everything into consideration isn't a bad one. Jean is right about the restaurant selection in downtown Paso being larger. We love the Sunday brunch at the Paso Robles Inn.

NeoPatrick

Years ago we learned that winery hopping in Napa/Sonoma is enormously better during the week than on weekends, with far smaller crowds at the wineries, and easier reservations at restaurants. Is the same true in Paso Robles, or is that not really much difference?

AustinTraveler

Week days are definitely less crowded and is usually when we do our wine tasting. But even on weekends it's not terribly crowded. We haven't become Napa...yet.

NeoPatrick

Phew, good to hear. I remember after the movie Sideways came out, there was a report that the weekend crowds in Paso Robles were almost unbearable. Perhaps a short lived sudden fascination. Or perhaps just a comparison to how quiet it was before.

AustinTraveler

Sideways was filmed down in the Santa Ynez Valley so you're probably thinking of Solvang or Buellton. That stupid movie all but killed Merlot, but it's now making a comeback. People who have lived in Paso for a long time like to recall the days when there were 5 or 6 wineries. Now there are over 200! But the good thing is that it's a very laid-back area and very welcoming. I've never met so many nice people in my life.

Blueeyedgirl

We have booked a place to stay in downtown Paso Robles! Thanks for everyone's comments on a previous Post. We LOVE eclectic places to eat, really yummy food and not typical chains. Does anyone have any dining suggestions, not just in Paso Robles proper, but even surrounding area. If there is a MUST place?!!!

Also, we LOVE unique & interesting wineries...............in doing a little research it appears there are an abundance of wineries, so if anyone has a MUST DO, please share. We will be there on a Monday thru Thursday.

Thanks so much for helping to make our trip awesome!!!

AustinTraveler

Wineries: Halter Ranch, Calcareous, Tablas Creek, Oso Libre, Opolo, Niner, Peachy Canyon, Tooth & Nail, Shale Oak, Sculpterra, Cass, Vina Robles, Villa San Juliette. Also, check out Tin City for unique wineries and breweries. Don't be put off that it's in an industrial area. Barrel House Brewery is great and Lefondusac is my favorite winery there for wine out of a keg and a good game of darts.

Food: Available at wineries: Niner, Cass, Vina Robles, Villa San Juliette, Opolo, and Calcareous. Be sure and check their websites as not all serve every day and hours are limited. Best food by far is Niner and Cass. Also, you can always take your own picnic and buy a glass or bottle.

Restaurants: There are many in Paso and all post their menus outside so check those out. My favorites: Il Cortile, Hatch, Fish Gaucho, Berry Hill Bistro, Goshi, Buona Tavola. In nearby Atascadero I like Street Side. In Morro Bay, Blue Sky and Taco Temple for casual; Windows on the Water and Galley for nice.

If you plan on seeing Hearst Castle or Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, a good place to grab a bite is Sebastian General Store in San Simeon. You can taste Hearst Ranch wines there as well. Cambria has some good restaurants with Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill and Robin's being my favorite. In Cayucos, Cafe Della Vin.

Let me know if you need any more information.

Blueeyedgirl

You're amazing! Thanks so much!

Jean

To the winery list, I'd add Eberle for a tour of its caves and Turley because their wines are my favorite. For quirky, look for Zinalley on Hwy. 46, technically in Templeton. This is a nearly one-man operation on a small scale (perhaps 3 acres?), and Frank is a unique character. He even trims his vines differently. His family is very Old Paso Robles (Pesenti family) and the land is part of the original Pesenti Estate.

I love the drive from Hwy. 46 north on Vineyard Dr. to Justin and DAOU Vineyards.

starrs

I loved Peachy Canyon.
But we also enjoyed staying overlooking the water at Cambria's Moonstone Beach.

smalltowngal

Starrs - recgonize your name here. Hey, I got locked out of The Lounge somehow, I think I did a clear history and lost my Fodors registration for one thing; but finally that got straightened out somehow without me re-registering however my bookmark to the Lounge is gone. Anyhow, if you would please, let them know over there that apparently I'm out now after all these years but not because I want to be. Bye.

janisj

smalltowngal: Post a thread on theTechnical Support forum. Someone from Fodors/iB will probably be able to help you.

smalltowngal

janisj, I'll try that. It's just that I thought once you lost your admittance to the Lounge you couldn't get back in. Thanks I'll go to Tech Support.

smalltowngal

I'm back in The Lounge! I went to Tech support where I saw another poster having problems. Someone told them to click on their name above "original poster" and look for her posts in the Lounge. I clicked on her name (sorry to the person I did that too, didn't mean to be nosy", and I got to Lounge that way. THANK YOU!