Amtrak Vacations

Paso Robles is conveniently located along California’s Central Coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, along U.S. Highway 101. Paso Robles is a perfect getaway from each metropolis and in easy driving time. State Highway 46 enters Paso Robles on its eastern border, easily connecting California’s San Joaquin Valley and Interstate 5 to Paso Robles. State Highway 46 continues west allowing easy access to the coast near the towns of Cambria and San Simeon.

Paso Robles prides itself on its culture and early California heritage. The Downtown City Park plays a graceful host to a number of entertainment events throughout the year. Enjoyable wine festivals, relaxing summer concerts and art expositions highlight the local artisan talent of the quaint Paso Robles region. Patriotic nods to Americana, and recollections of the Pioneer era all envelop Paso Robles for separate weekends of nostalgia and remembrance, and local museums display classic mementos of times past, year round. The town is a gateway to two of the California Missions. Dating back over two hundred years these sanctuaries include artifacts from the early Native American settlements. From antique airplanes and vintage tractors, to family homestead antiques and bits of legacy from the town’s hot springs period, history is alive and well 365 days of the year in Paso Robles.

No other agricultural area in California advanced as rapidly as the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. Paso Robles wine production began two centuries ago at Mission San Miguel Archangel.

But the boom in wine grape growing began in the late 1960's. When the vineyards started appearing east of Hwy. 101, at Estrella River Winery, now Meridian Vineyards and Eberle Vineyards. Then, new wineries blossomed on Paso Robles’ western mountains, under names like Adelaida, Castoro, Norman and Peachy Canyon, which impressed wine lovers with their rich red wines. At the same time, Justin Vineyards and Wild Horse won everyone over with their outstanding Bordeaux varietals and blends.

The last decade of the 20th century saw significant vineyard development in Paso Robles, which grew 72 percent. Again, it was the most dramatic increase of any American Viticultural Area according to the San Francisco marketing firm Gomberg, Fredrikson and Associates.

Paso Robles now boasts over 26,000 acres of wine grapes, 170 wineries, and more than 100 tasting rooms.

So visit, relax, and tour this breathtaking wine country.

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