What the Huffington Post Taught Me about Paso Robles

by Shonna Howenstine

I can't say that I'm upset with the Huffington Post, really, I just don't like being scooped. My job description (and pride, clearly) requires that I know all there is to know about Paso Robles, California. How then did two guys from New York City get the jump on me?

This week's Huffington Post Travel article about Paso Robles offered some really exciting, new information about Paso Robles that made me feel glad to live here and simultaneously wish I was a tourist.

For one, did YOU know that there is a vacation rental above Il Cortile Ristorante?  Just like in Paris or San Francisco, yep. It's called Moon Spinners and it even has a rooftop deck. It's offered by a company called Paso Robles Vacation Rentals, I do know that much.  

HuffPo also reported about a new company making honest-to-goodness hand-made caramels in Paso Robles. They are called Sugar + Spoon  and their story is fantastic; so great in fact, that our team immediately reached out to them and talked them into giving away some caramels to our blog readers. So, anyone that posts a comment on this post is entered to win a bag of hand-made caramels, crafted right here in Paso Robles. (We'll pull a winner and email you next week.)  

And finally, they didn't exactly scoop me on this one, but HOW in the heck did they know about cooking classes at the brand new Refugio space? Artisan pizza mastery, mozzarella making and rock star winemakers are all on the calendar there, unbeknownst to many. They must have a really connected Paso connection.

So, I just want to thank Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen at the Huffington Post for making my job a little bit easier this week and for finding some really killer Paso Robles experiences riding below the radar.

Well played, gentlemen.

 

Shonna Howenstine is the Tourism Coordinator for the City of Paso Robles and sometimes wishes she could be a tourist and rent a room above a great Italian restaurant in downtown Paso Robles.

Comments

[Inside Paso Robles]

We have picked a winner of a box of delicious Sugar + Spoon caramels and the winner is.....

Vicki Jacobs Costello!

Congratulations Vicki, you can pick up your caramels at the Sugar + Spoon booth in the Paso Robles downtown city park during the Saturday Farm & Craft Market.

[Diane]

The secret is getting out!!

[Phyllis]

I was a tourist 30 years ago. Fell in love with Paso, moved here and still love it.

[Sandy Throop]

Fell in love with Paso, the moment I arrived!

[Mike and Jeff]

Hi Shonna, Thanks for the nice words....it would be great to get together and share a glass of wine or two!!
Mike and Jeff

[Paul Sloan]

Excellent blog post, and LOVE the bio...! ;-)

[Jerolyn Selkirk]

I'm on my way to Paso Robles on Tues. to visit my daughter and her husband, who own Siegel's Jewelry. I really enjoy searching that little city. They have wine tasting in their store.

[A Smiley]

As a semi-tourist (we have family in cayucos and visit often) I love weekends when I get to explore all that paso has to offer! It really is a special place and I hope to call it home in the near future!

[Dena MacDonald]

Paso is a beautiful place. I need to get back there someday.

[Brenda]

I could not agree more with what Hilarie and Jay said. Paso is our quick weekend escape and we love the place beyond words. So glad to see positive press but hate that it make it more difficult to get a reservation.

[Faith Polk]

Paso is the bomb!

[vicki Jacobs Costello]

I had to reply, because I also live here in Paso Robles, and after reading the Huffington Post Article, I thought,"Wow! It seems the tourists know more about our little piece of heaven, than I do"? Its time to start inviting friends and family more often, and just do what the tourists do? Research these places to go or ask more questions? Instead of always just thinking the " beach"! I will save more by planning " staycations", instead of a vacation. Its apparently all in my backyard.. great Article!

[Jenn]

It had to happen sometime-it's tough to keep that much greatness a secret forever!

[Hilarie Larson]

Count yourself lucky to live in Paso, Shonna. Being a tourist means you have to leave!

[July Ackerman]

I've had these caramels and yes, they are AMAZING!

[Amy]

We do live in an awesome place. I, too, want to be a tourist in my hometown! I tried making homemade caramel myself and it's a science. Thank goodness there is someone locally making it happen!

[Lindsay Masten]

Love that so many great people (read: local businesses) got love in that article. I don't mind the crowds if they're supporting my friends.

[Jay Lukes]

Love and hate all the press Paso is getting lately. Great for business, bad for crowds.