Vineyards: Paso Robles, Calif., is the heart of Paso Robles Wine Country, with more than 250 wineries in the area. Vineyards cover the hillsides, creating a beautiful landscape. Most of the wineries have tasting rooms for visitors to enjoy while at the winery. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Countryside: In addition to the many wineries and vineyards in and around Paso Robles, there are miles of beautiful countryside as well. Shown is an area just west of town showing the rolling hills that dominate the landscape around Paso Robles. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
By GARY WARREN
Photographer
Formerly of Los Alamos
Paso Robles, Calif., is a popular travel destination located about 25 miles from the Pacific coast in central California. The area has a rich history dating back hundreds of years, when Native Americans occupied the area. Historically, Paso Robles is known for its hot springs, which are still in use today.
Today, Paso Robles is known for the wineries located throughout Paso Robles Wine Country. Over 250 wineries are located in and around Paso Robles. There are numerous large operations as well as several smaller family-owned wineries scattered about the area, which produce 25 varieties of grapes in the region.
In addition to vineyards, there are many olive groves, almond orchards, as well as other nut-producing trees. Agriculture is a major source of income in the area.
Paso Robles has established itself as a favorite weekend trip for residents in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as a major destination for tourists from around the world. A vibrant downtown area, three museums, and a growing art scene have become popular with visitors as well. Of course, the major draw to the area is the number of wineries scattered throughout Paso Robles Wine Country.
Paso Robles is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The area features rolling hills and a beautiful and scenic landscape. In addition to many local activities, Paso Robles is only 25 miles from the coast. California Highway 46 leads travelers from Paso Robles through the rolling hills of the wine country, which transitions to farms and ranches before reaching the Pacific Coast Highway at the coast.
Eight miles north of Paso Robles is one of the California Missions, Mission San Miguel Arcángel, which was founded in 1797. A 6.5 magnitude earthquake only 35 miles from the mission caused damage in 2003, which closed the mission. After fundraising efforts and a lot of work, the sanctuary reopened in 2009. We were unable to visit the mission on this journey, but that is another reason to revisit the area.
The Pacific Coast is also a major tourist destination, and many use Paso Robles as a base for visiting the coastal towns and beaches and other attractions while in central California.
We have visited many other areas along the west coast, but this trip was our first visit to the central coast of California. We quickly saw why this portion of the state has become a popular travel destination. This journey provided a good overview of the area, and while we spent several days exploring the area, we just scratched the surface of what is there. There is so much to see and do with far fewer crowds than the cities to the south, as well as the north. We will be returning to the area in the future.
Editor’s note: Longtime Los Alamos photographer Gary Warren and his wife Marilyn are traveling around the country, and he shares his photographs, which appear in the “Posts from the Road” series published in the Sunday edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Skyscape & Landscape: The clouds fill the sky above a vineyard near Highway 46, which leads drivers from Paso Robles to the coast, where it meets the Pacific Coast Highway, creating a dramatic view. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Hillside Vineyard: A hillside vineyard is seen near Paso Robles. The area vineyards produce 25 varieties of grapes used in the wineries in the area. The light green spring foliage of the vines begins to fill the hillside with color. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Paso Robles Downtown: Downtown Paso Robles is an active and vibrant area. The area is home to several wine tasting rooms, shops, and restaurants. A downtown park created by two blocks of open space and trees creates a town center, which also includes the Historical Museum. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Historical Museum: The Historical Museum in Paso Robles is housed in a former library. The need for a library began in 1901, and a grant from the Carnegie Foundation provided funds for the Carnegie Library. The library operated in this location until 1995, when a new, larger library opened across the street. The building was purchased by the Paso Robles Historical Society and is now the Historical Museum. The building was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historical Places in 1998. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Coastal Mountains: The rolling hills of Paso Robles become a part of the coastal mountains, which separate the Paso Robles townsite and the Paso Robles Wine Country from the Pacific Ocean and the coastal communities. While just 25 miles, the drive from the townsite to the ocean is very scenic and passes through these coastal mountains before reaching the coast. There are farms and ranches scattered among the hills west of Paso Robles as you approach the coast. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
