The downtown area of Paso Robles is a historic district that centers around the downtown city park. It's very pedestrian friendly but there is ample street parking around the area. It has a small town charm but still has everything you'd need. There are a variety of restaurants, boutique shops, coffee shops, and of course wineries. They are all throughout the area on every block which is convenient if you don't want to visit the estates further away. They're slowly building out more hotels in the area which is great for tourism. Overall Paso Robles is a great place to visit and the majority of people will visit the downtown area. read more

Tons of cute little shops and wineries! A great pit stop to break up your road trip or to stay the weekend. If we weren't on a schedule we absolutely would have stayed the night to explore more. There's so much more to offer in this area! Definitely planning on coming back for a weekend trip. read more

Downtown Paso Robles - Adorable Antique shop. - Shopping Near Me - Paso Robles, California

When on vacation last month with family, we chose Paso Robles as the meet-halfway destination. We were coming in from points north and south, and Paso is a wonderful place to meet. We scored a charming AirBnB villa, and sampled various venues around the area for wine, beer, and olive oil tasting. On our last evening, we decided to head into town and seek a nice dining spot. Though it was a Tuesday, our first choice restaurant had a waiting list. That gave us time to stroll around the downtown plaza area. Many of the shops had just closed - this is not a nightlife kind of place as far as shopping goes, but the foodie places were just getting started. Our Sweet Granddaughter had a great time hanging out with her older cousins, and they took her farther around the park area than Dear Hubby and I had the energy to go on a hot night. The plaza has a small town vibe with lots of charm. Someone suggested a Hallmark movie kind of vibe. I agree with that assessment. Bring in some set decorators with some additional floral decor, and you'd be ready to be in the movie mode. We ended up at a different restaurant than we had originally planned for, and that was a good choice. Because of the wait we'd encountered it gave us more time to enjoy the unique architecture and vintage charm of the downtown Paso vibe. read more

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A quint picturesque town straight from a hallmark movie. The downtown area isn't that big, a few blocks radius and does pack a major punch. With the park as the main square, loads of restaurants and cute boutique along the front. Brown cookie company and the general store is always a must whenever we're here. They have a really good selections of restaurants and tasting rooms if you didn't want to go into the vineyards. Paso is a cute visit for a long weekend, a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and a must for wine tasting. read more

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It was okay. I went to the bathroom. I parked. I got gas. Mostly I bought some water at a coffee shop so they'd let me use their bathroom. It was a nice bathroom. That is all. read more

"Paso Robles, California In my soul i feel a fire 'Cause I'm heading for the pride of the inland empire My life's about to change Oh my gosh 'Cause I'm hopelessly, desperately in love with Paso Robles..." However Downtown Paso Robles is where the party is! So many amazing shops, wineries, creameries, eateries and "ries" of all sorts... The vintage movie theater, Red Scooter and Downtown City Park are some of my favorite highlights. I've only been to Paso twice in my life... Once before a lot of this amazing gems that make up the city and area existed and the other time a few weeks ago and I'm in love! The Downtown City Park is pretty much the center of all things Downtown Paso and everything is a short stroll about... From the Neighborhood Juice bar on 13th to the thrift shops, gas stations and Paso Market Walk off Spring Street back to SLo Sweets on Pine Street. The one thing Downtown Paso is definitely not lacking in is friendly people, outdoor seating or great dining. Parking in the area is complimentary for up to two hours daily, with a small fee after. If you pace yourself, you can do a lot in two hours with everything within walking distance. Have a great Italian meal at Buona Tavola radiating from 10th street and/or "treat yo self" to California Coast Beer Co, Iron Works Winery and Roots on Railroad... ironically all on Railroad Street. Whatever your bliss DPR is there to assist. Great places to stay when visiting and some of the best AirBnB's in California hands down. read more

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Downtown Paso Robles: compact and laidback, with an interesting assortment of restaurants, shops, coffee places, wine tasting rooms, breweries, and green space. With a winery itinerary already in progress, we opted for coffee at Spearhead, food at Hatch, a stroll in the park, and beer tasting across the train tracks at Toro Creek - all nice. read more

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Shhhhh there is an amazing new winery in downtown. Cloak and Dagger winery moved from the west side to a new corner location on 11th street. The dark club atmosphere was a surprising experience. Known for their amazing pinots we enjoyed all of their wines especially the glorious sangiovese and zin. The friendly staff was helpful explaining the creative vibe of the wine bar. Good luck with your new venue this is diffientaly a not to miss experience. read more

The park of a small town with the gazebo in the center and surrounding by sweet shops, restaurants and bars - is the ideal spot for hanging out. We love the short bread from The Brown Butter Cookie Company. When it comes to dining, Stokehouse Grill is on top of our list. We like to have our dessert at Negranti Creamery. Nothing beats Copia Vineyards Downtown Tasting Room. Too much to do here with so little time! read more

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I have never written a review of a downtown before, but, I must say this town deserves it! They have done an amazing job at keeping COVID protocols in place while maintaining a feeling of normlacy Masks are required and social distancing is in force. There is inside dining too, which was a bit strange to see, as in Monterey we are what has been called, stuck in COVID purgatory. Back to Paso Robles. A gorgeous downtown area that is easy to walk around. Loads of restaraunts with outside dining in place. So many food choices it is awesome. Mexican, sushi, italian, bakeries, clothing stores, etc. An absolutely gorgeous town park center with picnic tables that are OPEN!! Whoop, but if you are worried about germs, bring your own table cleaner and or better yet, a table cloth, to keep. The tables are set and social distanced apart. It is a perfect little downtown to stroll, eat, drink, and enjoy a tad bit of normalcy. Cheers and happy Yelping. read more

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A typical itinerary in Paso Robles will involve going to the countryside to explore the wineries west and east of the 101. While most tourists will spend time at the wineries, there is a unique charm to the downtown area. Seems like more people are starting to appreciate the city as Country Living mentioned Paso as one of the 10 best small towns in America. Being a renowned wine region in CA, the hospitality shown by the people in "the industry" is top-notch. The people here are so down-to-earth that sometimes I wish I lived here instead of craft beer mecca San Diego. I have visited Paso at least three times over the last six months. Here are my observations on the businesses so far. - The park: The "central area". I use it as a landmark to orient myself around the city. There's a gazebo, picnic tables for lounging and a playground. I don't think alcohol is permitted on the grounds. - Studios on the Park: A cool art gallery that features local artists. Their gift shop has excellent items for souvenirs. - Hotels - 1. Hotel Cheval: My go-to hotel. Though very pricey, the warm ambiance and friendly staff (and guests!) make this one of my most favorite hotel rooms. The complementary smores bar is always an appreciated treat after a full day of wine tasting. 2. The Piccolo: The more hip/swankier version of the Cheval. There's a Moët vending machine and wine fridges in each room. There's a rooftop bar with cocktails and wines but the prices for both are exorbitant ($20+/glass) that I'd rather support the winery directly via the tasting fee. - Wine Tasting Rooms - 1. Justin: One of Paso's "corporate" wineries (along with DAOU) but the only one to have a tasting room downtown. Selection of wine's not as much as the estate. Tasting's pricey ($40), though it is generous with revisits. 2. LXV: A very unique wine tasting experience featuring spice pairings with cheese. $30 for the wine/spice pairing. Their take on a super tuscan (The Spell, cab/sangiovese blend) is better than any super tuscans I've tried in Italy. - Small Bites - 1. Spearhead Coffee: Locals rave about their coffee. They have drip coffee, espressos/cortados, latte drinks, chai and cold brew nitro. 2. Brown Butter Cookie Company: A Central Coast institution. Though the original location is located in Cayucos, the outposts in SLO and Paso sell their famous shortbread cookies. While the original flavor is the most popular, I prefer the cocoa because it tastes like a brownie. - Cocktails - 1. The Hatch: Though the drinks are pricey, the focus here is on its stellar cocktail program. On my visit they had a good spicy tequila cocktail and a bourbon-based mule that contained carrots. 2. Eleven Twenty-Two: A speakeasy, though due to COVID the bar is at the back patio. Good concept though my old fashioned was a bit on the sweet side. 3. Alchemist's Garden: Another solid cocktail program according to locals. There's a seasonal cocktail that changes based on the zodiac. Although I haven't tried it, my coworker attests to it. - Restaurants - 1. Les Petites Canailles: My favorite restaurant in Paso. The chef/owner is Julien Asseo, the son of L'Aventure's owner/winemaker and has an exemplary culinary background working in Joel Robuchon and Guy Savoy in the Las Vegas Strip. Their steak tartare and beef cheek bourguignon are my gold star examples of said dishes. Considering I don't get to try French food that often, I finally found my most favorite French restaurant in the US. 2. Il Cortile: My other favorite restaurant in Paso. Run by the husband-wife team of Santos and Carole MacDonal, who also own La Cosecha. I love that the pasta noodle plays equal role to the dish as opposed to second fiddle to the sauce. I came across their *white truffle* pappardelle when it was in season - one of the best things I ever ate. SO WORTH THE $48. 3. Thomas Hill Organics: Focus is farm-to-table with a similar price point to the above two restaurants. Menu changes seasonally. Still need to do a future visit involving a full meal, but my side dish of chicken satay was decent. 4. Red Scooter Deli: A local and tourist favorite. There is a wide selection of salads, cold/hot sandwiches and wraps. The sandwiches are very filling and can keep a person soberish in between wine tastings, which can be a lifesaver because Paso's wines notably have high ABV. 5. Brunch: If your hotel doesn't have a breakfast option, this is a decent place for breakfast. There are savory and sweet options for entrees as well as healthier alternatives. Also has brunch cocktails... if you still need any more booze after all the wine! 6. Somm's Kitchen: I have very mixed feelings about this. I did this in 2020 and it's one of my most favorite travel/food experiences. However, due to a recent mishap that occurred involving another visit I *cannot* recommend this place at this time. The situation was handled poorly and Ian's unprofessional demeanor only made things worse. read more

What a great little place to visit. The Downtown in Poso is super quaint, quite, and has some great architecture, and places to visit. I am still kicking myself for not going into the library located in the center of the park. It is no surprise to see wine bars and cafes everywhere. My Uber driver told me there are more than 300 wineries in Paso. Downtown is the place to be in Paso. I arrived on a Friday and there were signs everywhere about an upcoming Olive Oil festival. I was so sad to have missed it but it reminds me of my hometown Downtown and I know that these events should not be missed. I love wondering around different cities and feeling safe. In Paso I felt safe and it had a real hometown feel. I even crouched down on a park bench and caught a 10 minute nap under a tree while I waited for my VRBO to open up. The one thing that I did find odd was that there was no real place to buy any souvenirs. I looked everywhere, the Visitor Center, and all of the little shops surrounding. If I were looking for a business idea I would absolutely open a souvignier store. read more

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Downtown Paso Robles is a great little stop for me as I'm driving up and down the state. I can't believe I "discovered" it only a year or two ago. This is a trendy little downtown with lots of great restaurants and shops. Most of the restaurants had outdoor dining due to covid restrictions and protocols. I've visited several times and have discovered some great places. I like that Downtown City Park is located in the middle of downtown. The are lots of wineries in the area, if that is what you like. I like it, and will make it a regular stop for me as I'm traveling through the state. read more

Such a cute downtown! It reminds me of Sonoma and Healdsburg's town square. There's a park in this square with lots of benches, old trees providing shade, well-tended grass lawn and a clean restroom for park users. The park is surrounded by lots of stores, restaurants, a movie theater and the Paso Robles Public Library. Plus parking is free. I didn't see any limits on the parking so no need to keep track of the time. We stopped by the General Store which sells local gourmet food, cookbooks, home decor and entertaining items to get some local provisions like Paso Almonds and Olive Tapenade for my next Wine and Cheese party. Definitely a must visit if you're passing by or staying in SLO County! read more

What a beautiful downtown area in Paso Robles, City Park. This was our first visit and with the beautiful weather last weekend and the beautiful park we had a great time. The streets and shops are quaint and everyone was very friendly. read more

What a gorgeous city and downtown area! It's well maintained, restrooms by a children's play area were clean, and has an adorable white bandstand in the middle of a grassy park. When we're there on a Thursday evening this summer, there was a rock cellist playing awesome music and people had come with picnics and blankets. Around this area are tons of wine tasting shops, antique stores, restaurants, a candy store and a movie theater. Charming and plenty of free parking too. read more

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Cute little town surrounded by great people and community unity great food and drink options and surrounded by over 200 Wineries hidden gem Always ready to go back and explore looking forward to when the breweries open back up and have concerts. read more

If you love freedom, stay away from downtown Paso. It is a THIEF, a place for the city to rob automobile owners of their money when they choose to support small downtown businesses as opposed to FREE PARKING chain restaurants outside the downtown area. I REFUSE to do business in that city after being given a $50 parking ticket (Not a reasonable $15 or even $25, but a whopping $50!!!), in a space UNMARKED except for three spaces down, no parking meter, I had zero idea that parking wasn't free!! Imagine my surprise, after having a decidedly mediocre lunch for big bucks (my bad!) at learning that it cost $50 EXTRA in parking!!! For less than 2 hours, in a regular parking place with NO meter ... but a small sign, which we didn't see, three spaces down directing me to a "pay station" at the END OF THE BLOCK!!!! Had I known, I'd have driven on to the outskirts and a chain restaurant and free parking. Screw Paso Robles and the wineries it rode in on. Stay away from Paso, PLEASE, that city deserves to GO BROKE. read more

As far as Charming downtown's go, Paso Robles is a real winner. All around the park is restaurant after restaurant after restaurant and Pub Pub Pub and movies and a candy store and and more places down the street in both directions. With a nice walk around the park in the middle and drinks and dinner and the art gallery, looks to me like you have a lot of choices and a lot to explore and it's always fun. Don't forget to go down the other side streets for some very interesting shops and Big Time BBQ. Paso has it happening read more

What a great downtown area. There are a lot of restaurants and wine tasting, with a few breweries and art studios thrown into the mix. Parking on the street was fairly easy, but the area is pretty compact, so even if you have to park a little way out, it is an easy walk to the center. Everything was well-maintained and clean and there was so much to do! Several motels close by and a fairly large shopping center (read Albertson's, Kohl's, etc) just south of town. read more