By Matt Browne
I’m sure everyone that loves Paso Robles would come up with a different set of answers to that question. I’m hoping some of you leave your answers in the comment section below…for now I will give you my answer.
I moved here in November of 2003, right before the big earthquake hit the Central Coast. I think that Paso Robles has truly come alive since then. The downtown is a vibrant center filled with wonderful food, wine, beer, art, and small boutique shops all surrounding the beautiful park that is home to Friday nights concerts (photo below) through the summer as well as many holiday-related events throughout the year.
This town has become known for its wine but one of the most impressive things about this place is all the OTHER stuff that there is to do. There has been an annual cigar event, a hot air balloon festival, home shows, ag and ranch events, an art festival, classic car events, food related events; we’ve had the Amgen Tour come through twice, we have upcoming beer events, well known entertainers at the Mid-State Fair, the Olive Festival, the Lavender Festival and several other things I know I must be forgetting; but I think you get my point.
After living all over the state of California, Texas, and Kentucky…Paso Robles is the first place in my 35 years that I would call "home". The diversity in events and activities along with the warmth of the community really gives the individual an opportunity to connect. All this along with the rolling hills and vineyards allow you to hop in your vehicle (or on a bicycle) and head in any direction for an amazingly beautiful drive.
My advice to visitors and new transplants…get involved, go to the events, meet new people, be part of the community rather than a bystander, and do all the adventuring you can in this paradise called Paso Robles!
Now it’s your turn; what is it about Paso Robles?
Matt is a 10-year Paso Robles area resident. He and his wife Annie love exploring the Central Coast looking for food, drinks, and adventure. You can follow their adventures on their blog at HootnAnnie.
Perfect Tina...great community that's for sure!
Posted by: Matt Browne | March 28, 2012 at 12:24 PM
Great round-up of ALL of the reasons that I love Paso Robles! :)
Posted by: Tina Swithin | March 28, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Great points Shawn...all of what you said is why I have not left. Annie and I absolutely love our lifestyle here without question and you're 100% right, it's about the community!! Cheers!
Posted by: Matt Browne | March 27, 2012 at 07:37 PM
Wino, you're the best. We love that you get Paso Robles and that you spread the gospel of our wines and restaurants. And yes, the people here are really great. Thanks for the enthusiastic support!
Posted by: Inside Paso Robles | March 27, 2012 at 04:45 PM
Amen for Paso love! My wife and I have been visiting since June 2000 and even had a 45ish degree picnic in the days following that earthquake on the Eberle deck. People in the tasting room must have thought we were nuts.
When you combine real honest genuine people with a beautiful region, and top it off with amazing wine, well....what else could you ask for? Oh yeah, now add restaurants that would rival some of LA's best, now the angels can sing while we eat and drink.
Other regions offer some of these same things, but I think at the end of the day, it all goes right back to the great people of Paso that make it so great!
Posted by: Wandering Wino | March 27, 2012 at 04:33 PM