Visiting Paso Robles wine country
Mar 13th, 2014, 08:43 AM
#23
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Wow lots of good information about Paso even though I've been there a few times. Like I said up at the beginning of this post, I usually stay in Cambria at Moonstone Beach. Love that little town and not a bad drive to Paso and the wineries on Hwy 46.
Mar 13th, 2014, 04:42 PM
#24
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Welcome to my neighborhood, Neo! bear900 where do you live?
I live in Templeton, but haven't been to many of the wineries since I really don't much like wine. I only go for events. There's plenty of info here about the wineries.
But restaurants, I can dish about those. I take issue that there aren't any foodie places here. There are loads.
McPhee's here in Templeton has wonderful food. A.J. Spurs has GREAT western style food, both are on Main Street in Templeton. The Hoover's Beef Palace is only open for breakfast and lunch farther down Main by the stockyard. They serve a big American breakfast and lunch you won't be able to finish, but wish you could since it's so yummy. For quick seafood, Pier 46 has FRESH stuff, yummy, but it's small. Eating on the patio is OK, but you get a lovely view of the TJ's parking lot. I like the calamari or fishn chips, they serve with 1/2 sweet potato fries. It was initially meant to be a fresh seafood outlet from their shop on Avila pier and the popularity of its cooked food has outgrown their space.
In Paso my favorites are Villa Creek (love their squash enchiladas), and Basil's (Thai- have the green curry). Buon Tavola in SLO is very good, haven't been to the one in Paso, but it's probably similar. People like Artisan, I haven't been there yet. All of the restaurants on the square in Paso are good except the diner place next to the movies. If you are on the road, and want to eat in an old-style diner, try Margie's Diner in Paso or SLO, both close to 101 exits. Their salads are HUGE, french fries and onion rings awesome, everything is good.
Avoid McClintock's and Firestone. Too average. No good Mexican or Chinese food around here except the burritos at Touch of Mexico in Templeton. Nowhere decent to eat in Atascadero. Not sure what that's about. Same for Santa Maria.
The bakery at Madonna's has the most amazing cakes and good pies, but I wouldn't stay or otherwise eat there. Too weird and dated.
Sounds like you might be happy at one of the B&B's. There are so many; most of them are new construction and like the wineries proliferated so quickly from '05-'09 you couldn't keep track. In Templeton, the Country House Inn is in a historic home right on Main Street. It's not as posh as newer purpose-built ones of course, but the location can't be beat. The others are all out in the hills. For in-town Paso, I'd recommend the Paso Inn or Cheval. Bellasera is just off 101 between Paso and Templeton, and it's very nice.
Thursday night Farmer's market in SLO is lots of fun; a big street party. Saturday morning market in Templeton borders the park. It has a few take-away food booths and you could put together a picnic. If you want to borrow a cooler just call me
It could be beastly hot here mid-day in June, or could be mid to high 80's. I've seen both. Good to have a plan to take cool shelter for lunchtime. Maybe a good time to head over to Cambria or Avila beach for a while, or be in a cava.
I hope you enjoy your visit.
I live in Templeton, but haven't been to many of the wineries since I really don't much like wine. I only go for events. There's plenty of info here about the wineries.
But restaurants, I can dish about those. I take issue that there aren't any foodie places here. There are loads.
McPhee's here in Templeton has wonderful food. A.J. Spurs has GREAT western style food, both are on Main Street in Templeton. The Hoover's Beef Palace is only open for breakfast and lunch farther down Main by the stockyard. They serve a big American breakfast and lunch you won't be able to finish, but wish you could since it's so yummy. For quick seafood, Pier 46 has FRESH stuff, yummy, but it's small. Eating on the patio is OK, but you get a lovely view of the TJ's parking lot. I like the calamari or fishn chips, they serve with 1/2 sweet potato fries. It was initially meant to be a fresh seafood outlet from their shop on Avila pier and the popularity of its cooked food has outgrown their space.
In Paso my favorites are Villa Creek (love their squash enchiladas), and Basil's (Thai- have the green curry). Buon Tavola in SLO is very good, haven't been to the one in Paso, but it's probably similar. People like Artisan, I haven't been there yet. All of the restaurants on the square in Paso are good except the diner place next to the movies. If you are on the road, and want to eat in an old-style diner, try Margie's Diner in Paso or SLO, both close to 101 exits. Their salads are HUGE, french fries and onion rings awesome, everything is good.
Avoid McClintock's and Firestone. Too average. No good Mexican or Chinese food around here except the burritos at Touch of Mexico in Templeton. Nowhere decent to eat in Atascadero. Not sure what that's about. Same for Santa Maria.
The bakery at Madonna's has the most amazing cakes and good pies, but I wouldn't stay or otherwise eat there. Too weird and dated.
Sounds like you might be happy at one of the B&B's. There are so many; most of them are new construction and like the wineries proliferated so quickly from '05-'09 you couldn't keep track. In Templeton, the Country House Inn is in a historic home right on Main Street. It's not as posh as newer purpose-built ones of course, but the location can't be beat. The others are all out in the hills. For in-town Paso, I'd recommend the Paso Inn or Cheval. Bellasera is just off 101 between Paso and Templeton, and it's very nice.
Thursday night Farmer's market in SLO is lots of fun; a big street party. Saturday morning market in Templeton borders the park. It has a few take-away food booths and you could put together a picnic. If you want to borrow a cooler just call me
It could be beastly hot here mid-day in June, or could be mid to high 80's. I've seen both. Good to have a plan to take cool shelter for lunchtime. Maybe a good time to head over to Cambria or Avila beach for a while, or be in a cava.
I hope you enjoy your visit.
Mar 14th, 2014, 04:38 AM
#25
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OK, I'm a little embarrassed, but sure glad others welcomed this information. This week we sat down to do some major planning of Peter's vacation times this year and have decided we just can't fit in that trip to the family gathering in Santa Cruz in June. So I guess this whole Paso Robles trip is out along with it. Maybe next year. We were getting very excited about checking that area out as an alternative to Napa/Sonoma.
There is some wonderful sounding advice and suggestions here.
There is some wonderful sounding advice and suggestions here.
Mar 14th, 2014, 08:22 AM
#27
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Paso Robles would not be my first choice for wine tours unless you just love Noirs, when you could enjoy a coastal trip to Hearst Castle, charming Cambria, Santa Clarita, Santa Barbara (beautiful) and some world class restaurants which serve local wines. For a special treat go inland to Solvang Village. We live near Napa/Sonoma and every where in the world we travel that's what we see on the wine list so go figure. We vacation near San Diego every year and love returning home by the coast and hit Carmel, Monterey,San Juan Bautista, all offer wine tasting in town from their vineyards.
