Traveling to the California Central Coast? Then you’re likely in search of things to do in Paso Robles. Our food-focused travel clients head to this destination first and foremost for its revered wines, but there are a lot of food activities beyond that.
As a travel planner and editor at Salt & Wind Travel, I’ve spent over a decade researching and writing about travel. I was born and raised in California and have traveled here extensively. Not only did we head to California’s Central Coast to research this article firsthand, but it is one of the familiar places we send travelers as part of our California travel planning services.
Some of the best things for food lovers to do in Paso Robles include stopping by a tiny honey hut, visiting an adorable goat cheese dairy, and exploring Tin City, a one-stop food and wine spot.
12 Things To Do In Paso Robles For Food Lovers (Beyond Wine)
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 12 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:
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.
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 has 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 family-owned olive oil estate is 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)
Paso Robles Town
Be it for a few days or a long weekend, we suggest basing yourself in the Paso Robles area when you travel to California’s Central Coast. Set in northern San Luis Obispo county and adjacent to the 101 Freeway, the town’s central location provides access to everything from wine country and local farms to the coast and Hearst Castle. The hub of this walkable small town is the historic square, and there is a mix of local coffee shops, boutique hotels, restaurants, antique shops, and chic gift stores (Paso Robles General Store is a must!).
The town is an ideal launching pad for adventure, as you can easily head on a day trip to go hiking, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, or hot air ballooning. Don’t miss the various Paso Robles attractions like the Franklin Hot Springs, the Mission San Miguel, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre, or the Sensorio Field of Lights art exhibition.
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 for its world-class wine region. However, there is much to do beyond heading to a wine-tasting room, including visiting farm stands, tasting local produce, and exploring craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries.
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.
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!
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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
2 thoughts on “12 Best Things To Do In Paso Robles Beyond Wine (2024)”
One of the best gourmet experiences in Paso Robles is at California Lavender Honey Farm. Some of the locations mentioned in the article are only open a couple months a year, like Hambly Farms and Sierra Honey Farm is just a little store. California Lavender Honey Farm that is not mentioned in the article is a true gem in Paso Robles, it offers educational tours all year round with tastings that include honey, lavender products, and fresh produce.
Yes, California Lavender Honey Farm is a great option too!