The city of Paso Robles is located in San Luis Obispo County in Central California. Famous for the 200 plus wineries covering over 40,000 acres of planted vineyards, there is a lot more to this unique region than the fermented grapes corked up in a bottle.

The full name of Paso Robles “El Paso de Robles” in English means “The Pass of the Oaks”… which is the essence of this article… passing through to the wonders that surround this enchanted enclave.

A Little Background

Paso, as the locals call it, is a relatively small, farming/ranching town with a population of about 30,000 people and is known for wineries, almond orchards and the production of olive oil, capped off with hot springs which was Paso’s original tourist attraction.

Paso Robles has a vibrant downtown area consisting of exceptional dining options, and eclectic shopping choices with something for everyone’s taste and imaginations. The “Main Street Association” is a very good source of information (PasoRoblesDowntown.Org) with their motto being “Where Everybody Comes Together”… and it is true.

Therapeutic Hot Springs of Paso

As in most travel experiences, it is the journey and the unexpected that leaves an indelible imprint in your memory. In Paso’s case it is the sometime pungent smell of sulfur that adds a little something extra.

The abundant thermal waters are known for their therapeutic and rejuvenate benefits and thus were a major attraction in the very early days of the town’s history.

The Salinan Indian Tribe was the original settlers of this area. In the early 1700s they introduced the newly arrived Franciscan Priests to the beneficial effects of the water. The Franciscan’s subsequently introduced the locals to farming, cattle ranching and… wait for it… wine making and vineyard cultivation.

Hot sulfur springs still flow through Paso Robles and are open to the public in three locations: River Oaks Hot Springs Spa, Franklin Hot Springs as well as in select guest rooms at the Paso Robles Inn.

A Special Treat – The Paso Robles Amphitheatre

The Vina Robles Vineyards and Winery has been in the wine business since 1996 and began hosting an annual Summer Concert Series in 2007. The combination of live music and wine under the stars proved so successful that they decided to create the Vina Robles Amphitheatre in 2013.

The Amphitheatre is one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County and offers a concert season that runs from April through November and features top tier acts from around the world and in all genres. The legendary Tony Bennett performing on a warm, starry summer night… 100 feet away… was a magical experience.

There is not a “bad” seat in the house and all at reasonable prices to accommodate everyone’s budget… general admission lawn seating to VIP boxes… all within 150 feet from the stage.

Tin City

When visiting Paso a must-see stop is on the east side of the 101 Highway. A group of entrepreneurial people created a collection of industrial warehouses known as Tin City.

Their objective is to showcase their unique creations such as small-production wineries, breweries, distilleries, cider houses and an amazing pasta factory and their new restaurant. You can watch them make the pasta as you enjoy eating their excellent entrees.

Parking is plentiful and you can easily walk the entire cluster of buildings set up in a two or three block radius. Of course a stop along the way may include an outdoor beer garden serenaded by a local band as you partake in a unique tasting experience.

Excellent Logistical Jumping-Off Point

Located on U.S. 101 and midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco this area makes a great destination for a road trip.

Paso is a strategic jumping off point with easy access to the scenery that made this part of California famous including the unique towns and villages such as Morro Bay, Cambria, Harmony, Cayucos and San Simeon… home of the magnificent Hearst Castle.

A Road Trip Back In History – Hearst Castle

California Department of Parks and Recreation manages more than 280 park units and this palatial property is considered to be one of the crown jewels in the system.

In 1919, Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, along with architect Julia Morgan initiated the plans for the construction of a hilltop house on his ranch at San Simeon. With vast sums of money at his disposal, the “house” became a Mediterranean Revival estate which he named “La Cuesta Encantada” (The Enchanted Hill).

The history is also enchanting but by 1947 the project was still not finished. Unfortunately Hearst’s health became an issue and he had to leave his house… all 165 rooms on 123 acres of prime coastline property with gardens, terraces, and pools… but the house became a full-fledged castle all the same.

A picture is worth a thousand words or more in this case… for more insightful information and hopefully a journey to The Enchanted Hill… go to hearstcastle.org

A Road Trip to the Point Piedras Blancas Rookery

Driving five miles north from Hearst Castle, along one of California’s most scenic vistas leads you to a very unique destination and experience… the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.

The rookery spreads over 6 miles of shoreline with ample parking and easy access, as well as docents to provide information.

The viewing areas are open every day of the year, are wheelchair accessible, and free. No reservations required.

Summary

Paso is known for their wine and exceptional cuisine options, but in reality after a few tasting sessions your taste buds go flat. To get more out of your visit one should explore the many options of short day trips and experience a part of California that made the Central Coast famous.

After all, what is the hurry… be inspired…

© 2019 Inspired Travel Itineraries with Bob and Janice Kollar

Home theater or season tickets? They both can cost a great deal of money but which is the better choice? Let us absorb the season tickets are on the 50 yard line and they only cost ten thousand dollars, for the season, for the four seats. That was the choice of one brother while the other saved his money and put it into a media room in his home. Who is really ready for football season?

The brother with the season tickets is at the game having his tailgate party while the other is shopping for whatever he wants to serve his friends. When game time arrives, the tailgater packs up and he and his guests head to their seats. Security makes sure they do not bring any food or beverages into the stadium. The brother with the home theater is setting up the platters of shrimp, wings and nachos, filling the fridge with beer and answering the door. It is the first game of the year and everyone is excited for the season to start. It could be a Saturday collegiate rivalry or a Sunday Pro match up but the season is exclusively here and the air is charged.

Its game time and the stands erupt as the home team scores its first goal. This is followed by dead silence as there is a challenge. Was the receiver in bounds or not? The season ticket holder waits for a decision while the flat screen fans are pausing, zooming and even pointing at the receiver's foot with a laser to decide for themselves. When the game seasons, the fans in the media room can see the whites of the punt returner's eyes as he looks skyward waiting for the ball. They can hear the loud crack of padding to padding as the ball is jarred loose. Meanwhile the season ticket holder is having trouble seeing past the umbrella that the guy in front opened when the rain started.

Halftime arrives and the folks in the stands get to see the entertainment. The guests in the theater click the picture in picture and watch the other division rivalry being played simultaneously. Meanwhile the host is outside taking the brats and Italian sausage off the grill. The party is just starting for the theater crew. The ticket-holding brother has to climb a long flight of stairs, walk a long hallway, and end a line just to reach the restroom, whether he needs to or not, so as not to miss anything. After all, there is no rewind in the stadium.

After the game, the ticket owner walks to his car and his weekend of football has ended with a long wait in traffic and a tiring drive from the stadium. The media brother has now switched to the 4 o 'clock game and is discussing ordering a pizza for later – which he can do online without leaving his chair. When the late game is over, there is still a game at eight for those diehards. And, if that is not enough, Monday has TV's longest running primetime show known as Monday Night Football, and the same seats are still available.

Home theater or season tickets? For less than the ten grand spent on a few hours of cramped stadium seating, waiting in lines and so-so visibility of home games only, the media fan had all of the following benefits:

• Refreshments available although the whole game
• All the games
• Rewind, stop and zoom
• Close up camera and sound
• Crystal clarity with an unobstructed view
• No annual renewal

It's Monday night and the doorbell rings. It's the season ticket holder. His brother has only one question to ask him in the famous words of Hank Williams Jr. "Are you ready for some football?"