🔑 Quick Answer: The best things to do in Paso Robles go well beyond its famous wine. Graze the Paso Robles Farmers Market and the Paso Market Walk food hall, taste estate olive oil at The Groves on 41, and visit family farms like Windrose Farm, Jack Creek Farms, and Kindred Oak Farm for u-pick produce, lavender, honey, and farmstead cheese. Add Tin City for wine, beer, and spirits, the glowing Sensorio light installation after dark, and a soak at a local hot springs. Most stops sit within a short drive of the historic downtown, so two days is plenty to mix wine country with food and farms.
Traveling up the California Central Coast? Then you’re probably in search of things to do in Paso Robles. Our food-focused travelers come here first for its revered wines, but the region rewards anyone willing to look past the tasting room.
Some of the best things to do in Paso Robles are about food as much as wine. You can browse the Paso Robles Farmers Market and Paso Market Walk, stop by a tiny honey hut, pick your own lavender, and taste farmstead goat cheese, then explore Tin City, a one-stop collective of wineries, breweries, and distilleries.
Stay into the evening for the glowing Sensorio light installation and a soak at the town’s natural hot springs. Below are 15 of our favorite things to do in Paso Robles beyond the vineyards, the farms, food halls, and small-town corners worth building a day or two around.
Why Trust Us
I’m Aida Mollenkamp, a chef, food and travel expert, and a born-and-raised Californian. Paso Robles is one of my favorite Central Coast stops, as much for its farms, olive orchards, and food halls as for its wine, and I have spent years eating and tasting my way through the region.
At Salt & Wind Travel, we plan California wine-country trips constantly, and Paso Robles is a regular on our Central Coast itineraries for couples, friends, and families. We took a dedicated research trip through the region for this guide, eating and tasting our way from the farm stands to the distilleries. Because we are a food-focused agency, we look past the obvious tasting rooms to the farm stands, distilleries, and local tables that make a trip here memorable, and we book many of the region’s hotels with added perks for our clients. As a WSET Level 2 certified team, we can also steer you to the right wineries for your palate, not just the biggest names.
Hours and seasons shift out here, especially at farms and small producers, so confirm current hours and tasting reservations before you go.
15 Things To Do In Paso Robles For Food Lovers (Beyond Wine)
Paso Robles is a Central Coast wine town in San Luis Obispo County, known for its bold red wines, but the best things to do here also include olive oil tasting, farm visits, a historic downtown square, and a growing craft food and drink scene.
There are many places to try local craft beer (the largest being Firestone Walker Brewing Company) and a full Paso Robles Distillery Trail where you can try locally-made gins and whiskeys.
But here we’re partnering with our friends at California Grown and focusing on agritourism, aka farm tours you can book to better connect to your food. Here are 15 food-focused activities we’d recommend you add to your Central Coast itinerary, including farmers markets, farm tours, farm stands, and tastings. And we’ve indicated each location’s distance from Paso Robles town to help you plan:
| Attraction | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Paso Robles Farmers Market | Farmers market | Food lovers and families |
| Paso Market Walk | Food hall | Food lovers and families |
| Tin City | Wine and spirits collective | Groups and foodies |
| Mt Olive Organic | Organic farm and olive oil | Food lovers |
| Kindred Oak Farm | Farm visit | Families and food lovers |
| Sierra Honey Farm Honey Hut | Honey stand | Families and food lovers |
| Hambly Lavender Farm | U-pick lavender | Couples and families |
| Jack Creek Farms | U-pick produce | Families |
| Windrose Farm | Farmstand and farm tours | Families and food lovers |
| The Groves on 41 | Olive oil tastings and tours | Food lovers |
| Morro Creek Ranch Country Store | Country store | Road trippers and food lovers |
| Stepladder Creamery | Farmstead goat cheese | Food lovers |
| Historic Downtown Paso Robles | Town square with shops and dining | Couples and families |
| Sensorio | Outdoor light art installation | Couples and photographers |
| Paso Robles hot springs | Hot springs soak | Couples and relaxation |
| Paso Robles craft distilleries | Spirits tasting | Groups and friends |
Paso Robles Farmers Market
One of the quickest ways to get to know local farms is to shop at the Paso Robles Farmers Market. The market is held weekly on Tuesday and Saturday mornings on the north side of the downtown city park. Taste handmade tamales, locally-grown apples, or even honey from Sierra Honey Farm (more below).
FYI, this is just one of the many farmers’ markets across San Luis Obispo County. So, if you’re not in town on Tuesday or Saturday, head to another nearby farmers market, such as Atascadero, Cambria, or Los Osos. Before going, read up on what is grown in California.
Paso Robles Farmers Market, 11th St. &, Spring St, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: In Town!
Paso Market Walk
Another way to support small business owners while discovering the food culture is to head to the Paso Market Walk. Deborah Baldwin, who co-founded local winery Justin in 1981, is the mastermind behind this food hall just north of downtown. There are a handful of casual vendors in the center hall, including The Vreamery, Just Baked, Joebella Coffee Roasters, Templeton Valley Farms, and Colline Flowers. Some great restaurants, including the casual, Baja-inspired spot, Finca, and the sophisticated farm-to-table restaurant, In Bloom bookend the walk.
Paso Market Walk, 1803 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: In Town!
Tin City
The industrial makers market known as Tin City is a perfect place if you’re short on time and want to try wine, as it’s home to more than 25 producers. Head here to try wines from our favorite local producers like Desperada, Sans Liege, and Field Recordings. But you can also check out other local artisans such as Tin City Cider Company, Etto, and Negranti Creamery.
Tin City Cider Company crafts refreshing and innovative ciders, showcasing the region’s apple orchards. Etto, a local pasta producer, brings the taste of Italy to Paso Robles with its artisanal pasta. Negranti Creamery churns out creative sheep’s milk ice cream with a significant following. FYI, Negranti has shops in Tin City, Atascadero, and downtown Paso Robles, so you have multiple options to taste their ice cream!
Tin City, 450 Marquita Ave, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: 7 miles south (~10-minute drive)
Mt. Olive Organic Farm
If you plan to explore Lake Nacimiento or do a wine tasting at DAOU Family Estates, add a stop at nearby Mt. Olive Organic Farm. This certified organic farm has operated since the early 1990s and is a multi-generational affair with family members handling everything from farming to the farmers’ markets. They use sustainable practices like diversified farming, vermiculture, composting with nitrogen-fixing plants, and raising their animals outdoors without antibiotics or hormones.
Head there to explore their grounds or book a tour to learn about how they use vermiculture, explore their petting zoo, or shop their farm stand, where you can taste their various handmade artisanal food products. We’re fans of the Persimmon Walnut Nougat, the Peach Balsamic Dressing, the Spicy Walnut Tapenade, and the Pickled Plums. If you can’t make it in person, shop their products online or at regional farmers markets like Ojai, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Templeton.
Note: If you do get some of their local walnuts, be sure to use them to make this Crunchy Romaine Salad Recipe With Maple Soy Vinaigrette.
Mt. Olive Organic Farm, 3445 Adelaida Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: 7 miles west of town (~15-minute drive)
Kindred Oak Farm U-Pick
Some of the area’s best wineries are just southwest of town along Highway 46. It’s also where you’ll find small farms like Kindred Oak Farm and Jack’s Creek (see below). Kindred Oak Farm is a delightful small-scale farm and boutique inn dedicated to sustainable agriculture and community engagement. Their farm is open to the public to walk and forage or picnic. Their “Gather Garden” is a unique U-pick experience where visitors can gather organically grown, seasonal blooms. Call ahead to confirm availability.
Kindred Oak Farm, 1250 Paint Horse Pl, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: 6 miles (~10-minute drive)
Sierra Honey Farm Honey Hut
If you find yourself meandering the back roads of North County, make sure to stop by the Sierra Honey Farm Honey Hut. It’s the perfect way to end a trip and snag food souvenirs. Led by beekeeper Thomas McCall, Sierra Honey Farm is a specialty beekeeper committed to producing the finest “raw,” natural honey in Central California.
Thomas comes from a family of beekeepers and worked with his grandfather (the family’s first-generation beekeeper) to learn the craft. His process is slower than other operations (no heat, steam, or separators used!), which ensures the quality of the honey is not jeopardized. If you don’t have time to stop by the Honey Hut, you can find their products at local farmers markets and on the menu at area restaurants such as Six Test Kitchen and In Bloom.
Sierra Honey Farm, 8275 Barnes Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: 10 miles north (~15-minute drive)
Hambly Lavender Farm U-Pick
Just up the highway from Sierra Honey Farm is the Hambly Lavender Farm. Owned and operated by the Hambly family, who have been in the area for 6th generations, they have a U-pick farm and provide tours. Book a private experience directly with them to learn how they make their various lavender products. FYI, the farm is open to the public seasonally (ie when the lavender is in bloom) from spring through summer. However, you can find them at regional events or shop their products online, from dried lavender and oils to soaps and cocktail syrup.
Hambly Lavender Farm, 1390 Grana Pl, San Miguel, CA 93451
Distance from Paso Robles: 12 miles north (~17-minute drive)
Jack Creek Farms U-Pick
Like Kindred Oak Farm (above), Jack Creek Farms is set off Highway 46 near some of the region’s best wineries, such as Austin Hope Winery, Denner, and Epoch Estate. This family-owned farm welcomes visitors to pick pumpkins, apples, and berries during the respective seasons. The farm’s country store brims with homemade jams, artisanal goods, and local treats, making it a delightful stop for the whole family and a great place for gifts.
Jack Creek Farms, 5000 CA-46, Templeton, CA 93465
Distance from Paso Robles: 11 miles southwest off Highway 46 (~15-minute drive)
Windrose Farm Farmstand and Farm Tours
Windrose Farm epitomizes organic farming at its finest. Situated just east of Paso Robles and Templeton, this diverse farm cultivates a wide range of organic fruits and vegetables. Farm visits allow you to connect with the farmers, learn about organic agriculture, and pick your own produce. From heirloom tomatoes to juicy peaches, the seasonal offerings are a treat for any food lover.
Windrose Farm, 5750 El Pharo Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Distance from Paso Robles: 11 miles southeast (~20-minute drive)
The Groves On 41 For Tastings And Tours
An agritourism tour in Paso Robles wouldn’t be complete without an olive oil tasting, so add a visit to The Groves On 41 Olive Oil Orchard to your things to do in Paso Robles. This olive oil estate is run by a mother-daughter duo who are just a few of the inspiring California women in agriculture. It is also located east of Templeton, so it is a natural to combine with a visit to Windrose. They offer guided tours where visitors can wander the olive groves and learn the art of olive cultivation. The highlight of the visit is the olive oil tastings, where you’ll savor the rich flavors and aromas of the estate’s extra virgin olive oils.
The Groves On 41, 4455 Highway 41 East, Templeton, CA 93465
Distance from Paso Robles: 16 miles southeast (~20-minute drive)
Morro Creek Ranch Country Store
If you’re heading from Paso Robles to Morro Bay along Highway 14, plan to stop at the Morro Creek Ranch farmstand. This expansive ranch is renowned for what some claim to be the best avocados in the state. Their tiny roadside shop sells local avocados and other fruit and products like avocado skin cream, which has many fans!
Morro Creek Ranch, 1800 Atascadero Rd, Morro Bay, CA 93442
Distance from Paso Robles: 27 miles southwest (~30-minute drive)
Stepladder Creamery
While many visitors plan a road trip down California Highway 1 or to Hearst Castle, most miss out on one of our favorite farm tours: Stepladder Creamery. This creamery is set inland in northern San Luis Obispo County and is where some of our favorite California cheeses are produced. This charming farmstead produces artisanal cheeses of exceptional quality. Stepladder Creamery prides itself on sustainable practices and animal welfare. Visitors can take guided tours of the creamery, where they’ll meet the friendly goats and learn about the cheese-making process. Sample an array of award-winning cow and goat’s milk cheeses with local wines for an unforgettable experience.
Stepladder Creamery, 4450 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Rd, Cambria, CA 93428
Distance from Paso Robles: 40 miles west (~50-minute drive)
Pro Tip: Also, make time to visit local u-pick farms in California, and consider adding these 15 farm tours to your California food adventures.
Sensorio
Sensorio is an immersive outdoor light-and-art experience from artist Bruce Munro, set across the rolling hills just east of downtown Paso Robles. After dark, more than 100,000 solar-powered fiber-optic stems glow across the landscape in the Field of Light, and the Light Towers installation pairs illuminated columns with a wine and beer garden. It is one of the most magical things to do in Paso Robles after a day of tasting, so book timed tickets ahead, especially on weekends.
Paso Robles Hot Springs
Paso Robles was built on its natural hot springs, and a soak in the town’s geothermal mineral water is one of the most relaxing ways to end a day here. River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa has private hillside tubs and spa treatments, while Franklin Hot Springs is a more low-key, local outdoor spot. Both are a short drive from downtown.
Paso Robles Distilleries
Paso’s craft scene reaches well past wine, and its distilleries are worth a stop for anyone who likes a good spirit. Around Tin City and the surrounding area you’ll find makers such as RE:FIND Distillery, Krobar Craft Distillery, and Wine Shine, pouring everything from brandy and whiskey to gin and vodka, much of it made from local grapes and produce. Many share tasting rooms with wineries and breweries, so you can taste across categories in one stop.
Historic Downtown Paso Robles
Whether you have a few days or a long weekend, base yourself in Paso Robles when you travel to California’s Central Coast. The town sits in northern San Luis Obispo County right off Highway 101, and its central location puts you within easy reach of wine country, local farms, the coast, and Hearst Castle. The heart of this walkable town is its historic downtown square, ringed with local coffee shops, boutique hotels, restaurants, antique shops, and chic gift stores. The Paso Robles General Store is a must.
Downtown also makes an ideal launching pad for a day of adventure. From here you can head out hiking, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, or hot air ballooning, or fold in nearby Paso Robles attractions like Mission San Miguel and the Vina Robles Amphitheatre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some activities include visiting the Paso Robles Farmers Market, exploring Tin City, picking your own produce at Kindred Oak Farm, visiting the farm stand at Manzanita Manor Organics, and touring Stepladder Creamery.
Paso Robles is best known as one of California's most dynamic wine regions, especially for bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Rhône varietals, which make up the large majority of its production. Beyond wine, it is known for estate olive oil, farm-to-table food, a historic downtown square, and a cowboy-meets-wine-country character
The top ten crops grown in the county are strawberries, wine grapes, avocados, broccoli, cauliflower, head lettuce, lemons, cut flowers, and nuts. Strawberries and wine grapes comprise more than 50% of agricultural crops.
Two days is enough to combine wine tasting with the town's food, farms, and olive orchards. However, most of our travel clients add a third day to fold in a hot springs soak, more wineries, or a side trip toward the coast at Cambria or Morro Bay.
Yes. Paso Robles offers world-class wine without the crowds or prices of Napa, plus a genuine small-town feel and a strong food scene. It is an easy and rewarding stop for anyone driving California's Central Coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Couples do well pairing intimate winery tastings with an estate olive oil tasting, a stroll and dinner around the downtown square, and a soak at a local hot springs. It is a relaxed, romantic base for a Central Coast weekend.
Plenty: taste estate olive oil at The Groves on 41 or PasoOlivo, visit a working farm like Windrose Farm, graze the Paso Market Walk food hall, tour craft breweries and distilleries around Tin City, and explore the shops and restaurants on the historic downtown square.
Paso Robles Wine
If you’re heading to Paso Robles, you’re likely curious about Paso Robles wine, too. From what is grown in Paso Robles to the best tasting tips and wineries to visit, we get into it all!
California-Inspired Recipes
Want to get a taste of the Golden State at home? Cook up these recipes inspired by the Golden State:
California Wine Country Travel Guide
If you’re inspired to explore more about this iconic region, our California Wine Country Travel Guide offers everything you need to plan your visit. Discover the best wineries, restaurants, and experiences that showcase the beauty and bounty of California wine country.
Have Us Plan Your California Trip
Did you know we’re also a boutique travel agency specializing in California vacation planning? If you want to plan a trip to California, our California trip planner services are here to help you plan your perfect itinerary.
Photo Credit: Photo of beekeeper Thomas McCall of Sierra Honey Farm by Brittany App; photo of wine being poured and goats by Paprika Studios; all other photos by Salt & Wind Travel
