Inside Paso Robles

Dream Riders Descend on Paso Robles

by Timur Ender

On August 12, 2013 a group of individuals known as the Dream riders descended on Paso Robles, CA.  The mission of this Dream Ride was to raise awareness for the Federal Dream Act and advocate for a more humane immigration policy.  Our ride was from Berkeley, CA to Los Angeles, CA covering a  distance of 514 miles over 9 days.   

While in Paso Robles our group was welcomed with free space in the conference room at the La  Quinta Inn.  Not only were we given space in their conference room, we were treated as their guests and given free access to laundry, pool, and fitness facilities.  Furthermore, their staff went out of their way to ensure all our needs were met. This welcoming spirit and generosity speaks volumes about the hospitality of the people in the Paso Robles community.  

We were also offered shower facilities by River Oaks Hot Springs which felt perfect after a long day of riding.  This generosity came after what was perhaps the most beautiful day of riding along quiet roads with spectacular scenery.  

In all, our stay in Paso Robles was an unforgettable experience and I cannot thank enough the people who went out of their way to welcome us during our ride.

 

Timur Ender 
Dream Ride Organizer

5 reasons to bring your bike to Paso Robles over Memorial Day weekend

Photo courtesy of www.pathlesspedaled.com

If you love to ride, then you need to spend the next available holiday weekend in Paso Robles.

Sure we're known for our wine and food, but it seems that the word is slowly getting out that this is a fantastic place to ride.

And while most weekends of the year are great for cycling and offer quiet roads and friendly faces, Memorial Day weekend is special for the following reasons:

 

 

1. The Great Western Bicycle Rally is going on at the Paso Robles Event Center. Rides range from kid-friendly to century. Registration is dirt cheap and the fun factor is way high.

2. The completely free Paso Robles Festival of the Arts is going on in the downtown city park on Saturday, May 25th and offers a free bike valet service, along with fine art, live music, beer, wine, food and fun.

Photo courtesy of Great Western Bicycle Rally

3. We have the most helpful bike shop for miles around, Steve and the gang at Best Bike Zone can fill you in on routes, bike-friendly wineries, free group rides and everything else you need to cycle happily in Paso.

4. Paso Robles was just awarded the Bicycle Friendly Community designation this week - there are new trails, upgraded roads, bike racks and more here for cyclists. Click here for a guide to cycling in Paso Robles.

5. Paso Robles is a fantastic place to visit, with or without a bike and a three-day weekend is the perfect excuse to visit. 

So if you are looking for a great Memorial Day Weekend experience, check out Paso Robles from Friday May 24 through Monday, May 27, 2013.   

About Paso Robles: Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains of the Central California Coast midway  between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Paso Robles is a welcoming retreat that offers the authentic California experience. The extensive variety of activities and experiences provide enjoyment for  everyone including untouched natural beauty, more than 200 wineries, renowned cultural attractions including nearby Hearst Castle, a bounty of fresh cuisine supplied by local organic specialty farmers, ranchers and fisherman, first-class shopping, golf and entertainment, and much more.  Visitors can choose from a wide selection of accommodations, from historic hotels and boutique inns to leading brand properties and affordable, family friendly motels. For information on how to make the most of your stay in Paso Robles and to order a free visitor guide, visit www.travelpaso.com, call (888) 988-PASO (7276) or email [email protected]. For the latest news on the area, subscribe to the blog at http://blog.travelpaso.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/travelpaso and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/travelpaso.

 

Grab your Bike! My Favorite Paso Robles Back Road Ride

By Scott Brennan

One of my favorite pastimes in Paso Robles is going for a road bike ride. We have so many options to choose from, it’s no wonder that our wine country is becoming a destination for cyclists.

There has been a lot of talk recently about what a great experience it is to ride in Paso and how many local cyclists call this place home. Cycling in Paso Robles is a great way to explore the beautiful countryside views and take in the local flavor.

My favorite ride is through the west side wineries along Vineyard Drive and Peachy Canyon Road. Expect winding, hilly country roads with no bike lanes. Ride single file. If you start early, you’ll be done before there is very much vehicle traffic.

A great place to start is at the city park in downtown Paso Robles. It’s at 12th St. between Pine and Spring streets.  Ride west on 12th St. to Olive St; make a left on Olive St. and a right on Pacific Ave., about a half-mile. 

Pacific Ave. becomes Peachy Canyon Road as you head west.  Get ready for fun, steep climbing.  Around the 11-mile point, enjoy the views of the walnut orchard along your left. You can stop in and buy some at the Chateau Margene tasting room.

Now that the glide has slowed your heart down a bit, turn right on Vineyard. Another 4 miles will bring you to Adelaida Road, where you’ll turn right and continue 8 miles. 

This is the reward portion of the ride with its amazing views and portions of the road covered with a canopy of trees and wildlife. Look for turkeys, deer, quail, and squirrels.

This is a great place to stop and take pictures, look out over the valley or visit one of the many tasting rooms if your timing is right. Some tasting rooms are open at 10 a.m. on the weekends.

At the 25-mile point, turn right on Nacimiento Lake Road, which becomes 24th Street as you come into town. 

If you’re hungry, stop in at La Reyna Market y Carnicería on 24th between Vine and Spring streets.  The carnitas from the outdoor taco stand are memorable. Turn right on Spring Street and left on 12th, heading back to the park at town center.

If it’s still early, check out Amsterdam Coffee House on 13th St. between Spring and Park streets.

Now you’ve got to experience the finer side of life in Paso Robles!

Scott Brennan is a triathlete and recreational cyclist, and is the editor and publisher of Central Coast Active magazine. He owns Access Publishing,  a marketing and advertising company in Paso Robles, CA.

Manly Vacations in Wine Country? Heck yeah.

Art of Manliness

It seems that when some men hear “wine country” they think “romantic vacation on my best behavior”.  Which may be fun for some people, but we're guessing the average Joe prefers to relax while on vacation.

Did you know that Paso Robles is a killer relaxation and adventure destination?

Yep.

Manly men everywhere should breathe a sigh of relief and pack their Bug Out bags to head for Paso.  

Come to Paso Robles and Experience the Great Western Bicycle Rally

By Nicole Adams, Promotions Assistant at Tri-California Events

Cyclists from near and far will converge on the Paso Robles Fairgrounds this Memorial Day weekend for 3 days of bicycling around the Central Coast in an event known as the Great Western Bicycle Rally. RV’s will roll in, tents will be set-up, bikes will be tuned and riders will fuel up on Santa Maria style BBQ while they map out their bike routes.

The Rally, now in its 48th year, attracts cyclists of all ages and levels to come together and explore Paso Robles & the central coast from a two-wheeled perspective. Lots of great activities and rides are planned, so pack up your trusty steed and come enjoy this popular annual extravaganza. View the complete schedule of events.

• Festivities kick-off on Friday evening for the GWBR Open House and Bike Swap. Participants are encouraged to bring old bicycles, spare bike parts, and other related items to sell.

• Saturday and Sunday offer riders the chance to participate in supportive group rides, or head out on a solo adventure of the area. Twenty-five pre-mapped “rally rides” are available for interested riders, ranging in distance from 3 to 100 miles and with varying degrees of difficulty.

Here are just some of the Rally Rides to choose from:

• Paso Robles Roundabout – 8 miles: A short and pleasant excursion around Paso Robles. View some of the Victorian houses that make Paso Robles so picturesque. Cross over the Salinas River for some great views of the city.
• Star Farms Stopover – 25 miles: The most popular ride in the Rally. Dean Porter of Star Farms opens his unique property for Rally participants to come hang out for the day. Can you say sandy beaches,  tiki huts, and volleyball courts?!
• Wine Taster’s Tour – 30 miles: This annual ride gives participants the chance to visit five local wineries: Peachy Canyon, Castoro Cellars, Donati Family, Norman, and Halter Ranch. Don’t worry about lugging around your bottles! The Rally will pick it up for you and bring it back to the Fairgrounds!
• Velo de Femme – 42 miles: A ride for women only! Enjoy the female camaraderie and take on a tough ride without the guys.  Along the way, enjoy stops at Le Vigne Winery and the Templeton Farmers Market!
• Great Western 100 Century – 100 miles: This epic ride will showcase the magnificent coastal range of Westside Paso Robles and the caost. You will need to use all your gears on some of the most beautiful climbs in California, including Old Creek Rd., Santa Rosa Creek Rd., and finishing with Peachy Canyon Rd. This ride is fully supported.

Visit www.greatwesternbicyclerally.com for detailed information on the event. Come experience Paso Robles from a different angle!

Tri-California Events is located in both Pacific Grove and Paso Robles, and has been serving the triathlon community since 1982.  We specialize in producing, managing, and running high quality events focused on the needs of our athletes. We produce "The One and Only" Wildflower Triathlons, The San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz, The Triathlon at Pacific Grove and Scott Tinley's Triathlon.

The Woodstock of Triathlon: Avia Wildflower Triathlon

By Nicole Adams, Promotions Assistant at Tri-California Events

Paso Robles has a lot of to offer in the way of great wine, gourmet restaurants, and boutique shopping. But many visitors don’t realize that it’s also the home base to one of the largest triathlon events in the world. A triathlon is a multi-sport endurance event combining swimming, biking, and running in one race.

For 30 years, thousands have been converging on California’s Central Coast each May to take part in an event commonly referred to as the “Woodstock of Triathlon,” and a well known “icon,” in the ever growing triathlon industry. The AVIA Wildflower Triathlons Festival is more than just triathlon racing. For many loyal participants, the event stands for tradition and community, offering an experience with a lasting impression.

A scenic 45-minute drive northwest from Paso Robles (and past Lake Nacimiento) will lead visitors to Lake San Antonio, home of Wildflower. Taking place May 4^th-6^th, this three day festival will attract over 7,500 athletes and 20,000 spectators! What makes it so special? A weekend full of camping, live music and entertainment, wine tasting, a healthy lifestyle expo, and of course some world-renowned triathlon racing! 

Wildflower features the following three triathlon races:

Long Course Triathlon: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Olympic Triathlon: .93-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike, 6.2-mile run

Mountain Bike Triathlon: .25-mile swim, 9.7-mile bike, 2-mile run

Camping spaces are available on a first come, first served basis and passes are available for purchase here. Spectators not interested in camping will need to purchase a Festival Entry Pass and a Daily Parking Pass. View the complete schedule of events for the weekend. Visitors are encouraged to join in the fun and experience what makes Wildflower so unique!

Tri-California Events is located in both Pacific Grove and Paso Robles, and has been serving the triathlon community since 1982.  We specialize in producing, managing, and running high quality events focused on the needs of our athletes. We produce "The One and Only" Wildflower Triathlons, The San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz, The Triathlon at Pacific Grove and Scott Tinley's Triathlon. 

Getting Around Paso Wine Country: Cycling Concierge

by Tina Swithin,Travel Paso Robles Alliance

Paso Robles and surrounding areas have quickly become one of the most sought after areas for cycling in the state of California.  You would be hard pressed to find an area that has more breathtaking views.  The vineyard roads that meander through the valleys and hillsides are a cyclist’s dream come true.  If you are like me, and would love to experience the countryside by bicycle but don’t know where to begin—this is your lucky day.  Grab your "gorp" (cycling lingo for trail mix) and enjoy the best of the wine country by bike with the help of a fabulous new service called Cycling Concierge.

Take a Hike in Paso Robles

TAKE A HIKE: Three Local Areas to Hike this Fall

Guest Blogger, Samantha Sales
Promotions Assistant for Tri California Events

Currently, over 300,000 people claim the Central Coast to be home, and for many reasons: great weather, friendly people, a brilliant mix of land and water, and thousands of opportunities to stay active and healthy.  In Paso Robles, any back-country road can serve as a beautiful hike or challenging bike ride, but these following trails are some of the local favorites. 

Long Valley Loop @ Lake San Antonio
Fast Facts
Trail Length: 7.1 miles
Highest Elevation: 1,115 feet
Trail Type: Loop, dirt road
Difficulty: Moderate

Lake San Antonio is home of one of the biggest triathlons in the world – Wildflower: The One and Only. It serves as a magnificent race spot because of the great weather, challenging course, and close amenities. For these reasons, it is also a great place to spend a local weekend getaway. Even if it is just for the day. The drive out to Lake Valley Loop is beautiful and so you’ll want to take a camera if you’ve never been.
 
Just along the south side of the lake alone there is over 26 miles of hiking and dirt bike trails, not to mention the countless areas you can explore on your own. The area is chock full of gentle deer, countless birds, and beautiful sunsets. If you forgot to bring snacks, water, a bathing suit, or anything else, you can always stop by the marina grocery store located next to the boat drop off. 

You can easily make a hiking, or mountain biking, weekend out of this area – a great “stay-cation” for locals! For information on camping, boating, or trails near Lake San Antonio visit http://lakesanantonioresort.com/camping.html

Oak Knoll and Quail’s Roost Trail at Lake Nacimiento
Fast Facts
Trail Length: 1.5 miles
Highest Gain: 100 feet
Trail Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy

This trail, nestled not too far from Lake San Antonio, also provides breathtaking views of Lake Nacimiento and the Nacimiento Dam. This pleasant leisure trail should only take you about 45 minutes, which is great for the beginner hiker. Not far from the trail is a local grocery store, Oak Hill Market, which serves delicious, fresh made deli sandwiches and specialty products that are great for the barbeque.
 
On your way to the trail, grab a sandwich from this local grocery store—my personal favorite is the Teeny Bikini—and fill up the car with gas so that you can go a scenic drive after the hike. The trail is located just past the market on your way in, so grab some snacks and enjoy part of the 165-mile shoreline of the area.

Salinas River Parkway @ Larry Moore Park
Fast Facts
Trail Length: 2.2 miles
Highest Gain: 80 feet
Trail Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

If you are looking for a trail that can accommodate the whole family, including your dog, this trail is it! With mixed terrain it provides a good amount of sidewalk, dirt, and oak groves and is located in a safe area just off the101 freeway. It includes a short stint through a residential area, where a cul-de-sac serves as the turn around for the trail.

The trail is used year round and is most popular in the early mornings and evenings. The short trail offers beautiful fall colors, birds, and other wildlife, but is conveniently located just a few miles from the City Park.

For more information on these, and other trails, please visit Paso Parks and Trails and Must-Do Hikes for Everyone By Brian Milne.

Amgen Tour of California Comes to Paso Robles

By Lisa Solomon, Paso Robles Chief of Police and Chair of the Paso Robles Organizing Committee for Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California

On Thursday, May 19th, 2011 Paso Robles is the host city for Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California, the largest spectator sport in the United States, witnessed live by over a million spectators each year.

Discover Paso Robles -- It's a Good Life!

By the Travel Paso Robles Alliance

Want to see what you are missing? Check out our new TV commercial showcasing our beautiful vineyard covered hillsides, green and grassy downtown square, fun-filled farm excursions and farmers' markets, amazing dining, wine tasting, spas, shopping, golf and a plethora of outdoor activities! Come discover Paso Robles, you'll be glad you did!