27 BEST things to do in Paso Robles (besides wineries)
Paso Robles is world-renowned as a wine country destination and is brimming with vineyards and wineries. There are more than 200 wineries here!
But to be honest, everyone has a limit to how much wine tasting they can do in a day! There is so much more Paso Robles has to offer besides wineries.
I live in San Francisco, and it is very convenient to take a weekend trip from San Francisco to Paso Robles as it is only 3 hours away. We love Paso Robles as a quick weekend or long weekend getaway!
Paso Robles is also a great getaway from Southern California cities like Los Angeles and San Diego as well.
I find Paso Robles a great place for rest and relaxation and to spend quality time with family and friends. It feel it has the right mix of attractions, activities, and downtime.
Things to do in Paso Robles
Combining the activities and places below with your wine tasting will help you make the most out of your trip to Paso Robles.
If you do not drink wine or you are traveling with family, you should still visit Paso Robles, as there are so many cool things to do there besides wineries.
My favorite things to do every time I visit Paso Robles are:
- Visiting the Sensorio Field of Lights
- Exploring the Paso Robles downtown with its numerous shops, restaurants, and galleries.
1. Visit Sensorio Field of Lights
Sensorio Field of Lights in Paso Robles is a 15 acre walk through experience created by the internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro.
If you are in Paso Robles, do not miss visiting Sensorio’s Field of Lights! It’s a very unique experience combining art, technology, and nature. The Field of Light installation was launched in May 2019.
The Field of Light artwork is created over the undulating landscape of Paso Robles with 58,800 stemmed spheres that are lit by fiber optics in morphing color. The result is an illuminating and colorful field of lights that is a very stunning and unique experience.
I was blown away by the Field of Lights and how pretty it all looked with the combination of the Paso Robles rolling hills.
In 2021, the Light Towยญers installation by Bruce Munro was added to the Sensorio experience. This installation features 69 towers made of more than 17,000 wine bottles, lit by color changing optic fibers. This exhibit has a musical element added to it. The Light Towers celยญeยญbrates Paso Robยญles as a wine counยญtry destination. I thought the Light Towers area was pretty cool.
โก๏ธ My #1 tip is to reach at least 45 minutes before sunset for the full experience. You can read more details on my Sensorio Field of Lights experience in my review here Sensorio Field of Lights in Paso Robles.
2. Explore Paso Robles downtown
Paso Robles downtown has a lot of history and charm and is a great place to stroll and explore the shops and restaurants. I found the downtown to be very laid back and easy to walk around.
โก This 2-hour smartphone Paso Robles Scavenger Hunt Adventure is a great way to learn about the historic and cultural sights all within a mile of walking.
The intersection of 12th Street and Park Street is the most photographed spot in Paso Robles downtown with the iconic clock tower.
The Downtown City Park is in the center of the downtown scene with lots of mature trees, a gazebo, a kids’ play area, and restrooms.
The historic Carnegie Public library is an icon in the city park, which is now converted into a museum. Admission to the museum is free and is worth checking out to learn about Paso Robles history.
There are a lot of restaurants in the downtown area, ranging from local eateries to chain restaurants. Some popular ones are The Hatch Rotisserie, La Cosecha Bar and Restaurant, Alchemist’s Garden, and Basil Thai Restaurant.
Exploring Paso Robles downtown is one of the free things to do in Paso Robles.
3. Browse Art galleries in Studios on the Park
There are some great art galleries in Paso Robles downtown to explore, like Studios on the Park, which showcases the work of many local artists.
Studios on the Park is a nonprofit open studio art center that has many studios and galleries filled with the work of local artists.
They host many events and workshops and have a children’s corner. You can spend hours admiring the art pieces, and you can sometimes spot artists there.
It was free to browse the studio when we visited. I even got to chat with an artist while there about her work.
4. Visit the historic Carnegie Library museum in Paso Robles Downtown
The Carnegie Library Museum is an iconic landmark in the Paso Robles downtown city park. Admission is free (though donations are accepted). This is a cool place to learn about the history of Paso Robles.
They have a lot of old artifacts, memorabilia, and pictures from early Paso Robles history. They also have a gift shop with historical books and vintage items. Worth peeking inside if you are strolling in Paso Robles’s downtown park.
5. Soak in Hot Springs in Paso Robles
There are a couple of places in Paso Robles that provide a relaxing and invigorating experience to soak in mineral hot springs.
River Oaks Hot Springs Spa provides artesian mineral spas in a private setting. The prices are very reasonable too for an hour of private hot spa. Enjoy the mineral soak with views of hills and vineyards and feel invigorated! They have many add-on packages like wine tasting, chocolates, spa treatments, etc., to enhance your experience.
Paso Robles Inn is a historic hotel in downtown Paso Robles. Here, you can request rooms with a mineral hot tub on a private balcony.
If you are looking for a more natural experience and not private hot tub spas, Franklin Hot Springs is a public mineral hot springs pool that is run by the Franklin family. The prices are really low, like $10 per person, and you can stay as long as you want. This also includes being able to do fishing all day there.
Franklin Hot Springs is a no-frills hidden gem in Paso Robles, where locals go to soak in the therapeutic waters of the mineral hot springs.
6. Try Olive oil tasting in Paso Robles
It is not well known that Paso Robles wine country also has a lot of olive farms that produce the best olive oils in California.
Olive oil tasting is a thing! And it is not a greasy experience if the olive oil is some of the best quality ones. There are many olive oil farms in Paso Robles that offer olive oil tasting. Paso Robles is one of the best towns to try olive oil tasting in California.
Experience Olive Oil tasting at the family-owned Kiler Ridge Olive Farm, which produces some of the best extra virgin olive oil in Central California. They offer olive oil tastings at a nominal fee of $5 per person. They also have tours of their orchards and processing facility. Make sure you buy your favorite olive oil to take home!
Olivos De Oro Farm also offers olive oil tastings and has a shop with an assortment of oils, vinegars, salts, and spreads to take home. Pasolivo Olive Oil is another store where you can sample a great selection of oils and vinegars.
We Olive shop is conveniently in downtown Paso Robles, where you can just walk in and sample many award-winning olive oils before buying. You can also sample their many varieties of vinegars, tapenades, pesto, mustard, and more. They also carry gift products like olive wood items, oil dispensers, etc.
7. Visit Tin City in Paso Robles
Tin City in Paso Robles is a great evolving industrial makers market to explore and try beverages from many local producers. Here apart from wine, you can try craft beverages like beer, spirits, and cider.
Just park your car anywhere in Tin City and explore the many tasting rooms, restaurants, breweries, and shops.
McPhee’s canteen is a great restaurant with farm-to-table eats. They also have a patio garden with a waterfall feature to enjoy your meals outdoors.
The Italian shop ETTO Pastificio, next door to McPhee’s canteen, has some great Italian food to go and was recommended to us by a local. It did not disappoint! They have a great selection of freshly made pasta, both dry and cooked. They also have sauces and olive oil collections to take home. Desserts like Tiramisu too!
Stop by Negranti’s Creamery for some delicious ice cream. They make ice cream from pasture-raised sheep’s milk, and it’s delicious! Also great for people who are lactose intolerant. They have cow’s milk ice cream and vegan ice cream, too. There is a nice patio to sit in and enjoy the treat!
8. Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden
I know we are not talking about wineries in this post, but Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden is an exception! It is not just a winery but also a sculpture garden to enjoy art.
On weekends, they have live music and local food trucks to enjoy lunch outdoors, admiring the art sculptures. They also have games set up like ping pong and bocce ball, as well as a walking trail among the vineyards.
It is free to roam the gardens and admire the art, although the wine tasting is not free. They also have a gift shop where you can buy miniature versions of the sculptures and other local art. Overall, it is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.
9. Go Horseback riding in Paso Robles
Central Coast Trailrides offers unique trail riding experiences amidst ranches, vineyards, and private lands. They have a great selection of friendly horses and great staff as well. They offer many different rides for all levels of riders, from beginner to advanced.
The sunset rides are popular, as well as the Santa Margarita Ranch and Cass Vineyard Rides. They can customize your package as per your group’s needs.
10. Try a hot air balloon ride over Paso Robles
Balloons Over Paso company offers sunrise hot air balloon rides for your private group. It is a little expensive at around $300+ per person, but this is a worthwhile experience for a special occasion.
Enjoy sunrise while floating in a hot air balloon over the rolling hills and vineyards of Paso Robles. The crew is very professional and big on safety, but also fun. They make it an experience by providing refreshments at the end.
11. Zipline at Margarita Adventures
Margarita Adventures is a zipline adventure tour company in the town of Santa Margarita, 30 minutes south of Paso Robles. It is popular for ziplining tours in Santa Margarita Ranch. They also offer nature, wildlife, and photography tours. The sunset zipline tour and the night safari tour are recommended.
The zipline tour has six ziplines included and is family-friendly. The staff is very professional, informative and friendly and they are big on safety. There are two small hikes involved in the zipline tour to walk to the ziplines. You will also walk across a narrow suspension bridge! There are restrooms and water stations between ziplines.
12. Play a game of Disc Golf at Castoro Cellars
Have you ever heard of Disc Golf? It’s a unique sport, similar to traditional golf, but played with discs instead of balls and clubs. You tee your disc into the metal basket and then move on to the next basket. The goal is to complete the course in the fewest number of shots.
Whale Rock Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole course in a beautiful vineyard setting called the Whale Rock Vineyard. Check-in is at the Castoro Cellars tasting room. There is a very nominal fee, around $5, to play the course. You do not have to do a wine tasting to play Disc golf here.
13. Visit Estrella Warbirds Museum for history, aviation, and/or cars
Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum in Paso Robles dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft and vehicles. This place has many exhibits that display military memorabilia. They have artifacts even from World War 1 and World War 2.
The entire place is very kid-friendly, and they can climb onto many airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles. They also have an indoor vintage car museum, which is really cool!
Definitely worth a visit if you like military history, aviation, and/or cars. Kids will not be bored with this one! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.
The museum is open from Thursdays to Sundays. The entrance admission ticket is around $15 for adults and includes full-day admission to both the Estrella Warbirds Museum and Woodland Auto Display. They have discounted tickets for veterans, seniors, and children.
14. Try water sports, fishing, or camping at Lake Nacimiento
Lake Nacimiento is also called the Dragon due to its unique shape caused by 18 miles of winding waterways. It is only a 30-minute drive from Paso Robles and offers recreational activities like water sports, hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
The marina at Lake Nacimiento offers boat rentals, water skiing, and fishing rentals. This lake is popular in Central California for water sports and fishing.
You can spend a day on the lake by paying the daily entrance fee per vehicle. But an overnight stay is possible if you want to spend a couple of days exploring the lake. The Lake Nacimiento Resort has fully furnished accommodations in the resort, as well as RV and regular campsites.
15. Take a splash at Ravine Water Park in Paso Robles
Ravine Water Park is only 10 minutes from Paso Robles downtown and is a great family-friendly attraction. There are numerous water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and plenty of water fun to keep people of all ages having a blast!
They also offer cabana rentals and have a restaurant onsite. There is a mini golf, too, included in the price. If you have an extra day and have young kids in your group, this would be a fun activity.
16. Paso Robles Children’s Museum
The Paso Robles Children’s Museum is in downtown Paso Robles and is a great place for young children to explore and engage in various exhibits and activities. They have great pretend play exhibits like a pizza parlor and grocery store, an art station, foam building blocks, a ball pit, and many more. They even have a real firetruck with firemen gear!
It’s open Fridays to Sundays, and the admission fee is around $8 per kid. This is a cool museum to stop by on your road trip to give the kids a car break.
17. Learn about Paso Robles history at Pioneer Museum
The Pioneer Museum at Paso Robles is a great place to learn about the pioneer history of this small California town in the 19th and 20th centuries.
There are several interesting exhibits, such as the one-room schoolhouse, jail replica, and other historic visual and written artifacts.
They even have a recreation of historic Paso Robles downtown and a collection of antique cars, tractors, and carriages.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The staff and volunteers are really knowledgeable about the history of early Paso Robles.
18. Visit historic Mission San Miguel Arcร ngel
Mission San Miguel Arcร ngel, a National Historic Landmark, is only 15 minutes from Paso Robles downtown and a nice historical stop right on 101 freeway. It was founded in 1797, more than 200 years ago. The Mission is still used as a parish church.
Mission San Miguel Arcร ngel has a beautiful church with original paintings, a museum with lots of old artifacts, and a gift shop to explore. The museum has a small entry fee of $8 per person. The Mission can use some repairs to preserve it for future generations.
19. Drive or bike the back roads in Paso Robles
There are plentiful secluded back roads in Paso Robles with views of vineyards and rolling hills, that you can enjoy at your own pace and experience the solitude and laid-back life.
On the west side, Vineyard Drive and Adelaida Road pass through many vineyards and have gorgeous views of vine-covered hills. Driving west on scenic Hwy 46 will take you to the coast, where you can explore many coastal towns like Harmony and Caycous. We loved the west Hwy 46 route!
By driving east on Hwy 46, you will pass through Sensorio, the exhibit of lights. The Estrella Warbird Aviation Museum and Hunter Ranch Golf Course are also on this route. The Estrella road that runs alongside the Estrella River passes through many vineyards.
20. Go on an agriculture tour with FARMstead ED SLO County farm trail
Visit the many local farms, ranches, and food producers and support local growers by following the FARMstead ED SLO County farm trail.
The farms and ranches on this trail offer many interesting hands-on workshops, site tours, events, and gatherings to connect people to the hardworking growers and the local lands and learn about the true farm-to-table experience.
More Things to Do near Paso Robles
The Central Coast of California is full of amazing things to explore. You will find charm and history in coastal towns, recreation and relaxation in great beaches, promising food and wine scene, and even castles!
21. Take a tour of Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle, a historical museum and California State Park, is less than an hour’s drive from Paso Robles. Hearst Castle’s history began in 1865 with newspaper magnate George Hearst.
The magnificent castle has a main building and three guesthouses totaling around 165 rooms and 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and pools. The museum offers several tours of the grand rooms and the grounds.
22. Day trip to Morro Rock beach
Morro Bay is around a 45-minute drive from Paso Robles and a great place to spend a day. Make sure to visit the iconic Morro Rock, which is the crown jewel of Morro Bay. We spent half a day exploring Morro Bay during our Paso Robles trip.
The Morro Rock beach is famous for surfing events and surfing lessons. The Embarcadero has a great view of the Morro Bay Marina and is filled with great restaurants to enjoy.
23. Visit San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is another coastal town that is just around 30 minutes drive from Paso Robles. San Luis Obispo has a downtown area where you can spend the day browsing shops, restaurants, and the local farmer’s market.
Make sure to check out the Bubblegum Alley on Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, which is a unique alley that has chewed-up bubble gum stuck to the walls, some of which are many years old! I had to see this one to believe it. Gross or not, the Bubblegum Alley has become a landmark of downtown San Luis Obispo.
Madonna Inn is a great place to stay, with whimsical-themed rooms. I stayed there once with my family in a Paris-themed room! It was such a cool experience.
24. Visit Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is probably the most popular beach on the Central Coast of California and is around 45 minutes from Paso Robles and Sensorio. It attracts much more crowds than the nearby Morro Rock Beach and Avila Beach.
Pismo Beach can easily be a weekend getaway destination. There are plenty of hotels and Inns at Pismo Beach to stay for a night or the weekend.
25. Visit Avila Beach
Avila Beach is another great coastal town and family-friendly beach just 45 minutes from Paso Robles.
The crowds at Avila Beach are a little smaller compared to those at Pismo Beach, and it has a very laid-back vibe. We stopped here once in the afternoon for lunch and ice cream and enjoyed the ocean views and the pier.
The Front Street at Avila Beach is a great place to stroll and enjoy some local food and shopping while looking at fantastic ocean views.
The Bob Jones City to Sea trail is popular for biking and running. Visit Avila Hot Springs for a soak in the natural mineral water from the earth’s surface.
26. Explore Cayucos town
Just a little north of Morro Bay is the historic coastal town of Cayucos. The Cayucos State beach is the ideal spot for surfing, tide pooling, and swimming. The beach has a long pier to walk on and admire the views. Fishing is also permitted from the pier.
The town of Cayucos is charming and laid back and retains the old California style. Stroll down Ocean Ave, which is the main street running through town.
There are many antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants here. Make sure to stop by Remember When Antique Mall, which is a three-story store with many vendors selling their antiques. You might find something interesting!
27. Drive on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1
Highway 1, which hugs the Pacific Coast of California, is only a 30-minute drive from Paso Robles via West Highway 46.
If you have an extra day or two in Central California, you can drive either north or south on Highway 1 and explore the many coastal towns and beaches, and of course, marvel at the fabulous ocean views.
South of Highway 1, you will find charming coastal towns of Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Avila Beach, with some awesome family-friendly beaches.
North or Highway 1 lies the town of Cayucos, San Simeon, and Hearst Castle, and further up the magnificent Big Sur scenic drive.
โก I highly recommend getting this Self-driving audio tour app for Pacific Coast Highway which will tell you about upcoming stops, stories, and history as you drive. We always get audio tours while we are driving to explore so much more as we go along!
Where to stay in Paso Robles
Staying within walking distance of downtown Paso Robles is great, as you can walk to restaurants, bars, art galleries, and events.
Paso Robles Inn is a very popular hotel due to its great location right across from the Downtown city park and within walking distance of all the downtown restaurants, bars, and events.
Adelaide Inn and Best Western Plus Black Oak are at a great location close to the freeway to access the wineries on the east and west sides of the town. It is also just a 5-minute drive to the downtown city park.
La Bellasera Hotel and Suites is a little further from Paso Robles downtown but near Tin City. It is still just a 7-minute drive to downtown Paso Robles.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort in Paso Robles is a beautiful resort in a vineyard setting with an outdoor pool, restaurant, and wine-tasting room.
โก๏ธ Check rates and availability for your stay in Paso Robles.
Paso Robles also has plenty of vacation rentals all over the surrounding hills with amazing views of vineyards and the landscape.
We rented a vacation rental and it was a huge ranch-style house on a hilltop with a swimming pool and 360-degree views of vineyards around us. We went in the fall season, so the hills were tan brown, which looked spectacular with the sunset hues.
In the spring these hills would be all green and have a very different view altogether, lush greenery would make the hills look alive.
โก๏ธ Check rates and availability for vacation rentals in Paso Robles that best suit your group’s needs
Wrap-up: What to do in Paso Robles
Although Paso Robles is renowned as a wine country destination, there is definitely a bucket load of things to do in Paso Robles besides wineries and wine tasting.
The things and places mentioned here can keep you busy for at least a week!
Hope you have a great time in laid-back Central California and Paso Robles.
Check out my Paso Robles itinerary for planning your trip to Paso Robles.
Finally, if you are looking for some wine experiences while in Paso Robles, below are some highly-rated recommendations –
โ Private Paso Robles Wine tour in your own vehicle – Use your own vehicle and your list of wineries or get recommendations from your driver/guide.
โ Best small group wine-tasting tour – Visit several wineries with a small group and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in a winery setting!
โ Paso Robles Deluxe Sidecar Wine Tour – What a fun way to experience some wineries in a sidecar!
โญ Got questions about your trip?
Join my private Facebook group – California Travel Advice & Tips! It’s the perfect spot to connect with me and other California locals, as well as past visitors. It’s a great growing community and the quickest way to get answers for your visit!
โก๏ธ Join my Facebook Group here