Inside Paso Robles

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 9: The La Quinta Inn & Suites

Ten-year-old guest journalist and blogger Zane Thormodsgaard shares his impressions of a number of family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles after a visit to Paso Robles in late June.

The La Quinta was a very good hotel.  They provide a nice room and a breakfast buffet in the morning.  I liked the hot waffles and the cereal. 

I also loved swimming in the pool and jacuzzi.  It was so easy to fall asleep in the comfortable beds.

I recommend staying at the La Quinta Inn & Suites whenever you go to Paso Robles!

 

Zane Thormodsgaard

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 8: Santa Margarita Ziplines

This is part eight in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences.

If you are a thrill seeker, come to the Santa Margarita zip line (www.margarita-adventures.com)! You might think you just zip line, but you also get a tour through their land on your way to the zip line.  Our tour guide Willie was awesome!  He was funny and informative. 

The property includes a vineyard and ranch.  We saw a lot of animals including a huge bull, some cows and fawns.  There were also many types of birds, including vultures, owls, magpies and hawks. 

The ranch is as big as 160 Disneylands!  It was amazing.  I loved learning about it.

We finally reached the top of the mountain and we were ready to zip line.  When I looked over the   cliff, I was so nervous my hands were shaking!  But as soon as I jumped, I was relieved! 

I zipped through, but when I looked down, I thought I must have been 100,000,000 feet in the air. 

The first zip line was the longest and had the steepest drop.  The next one was shorter, but just as exciting! On the third course, you get a running start, then jump off into mid-air.  On the fourth course, they give you a bean bag and you have to try and throw it into a bucket for a prize!  None of my family made it however. I had so much fun!  

I would recommend you go the Santa Margarita Ranch Zip Line after they have finished building the fifth one that is even bigger and faster than the other ones!

 

Zane and Koda Thormodsgaard

 

About Margarita Adventures: Margarita Adventures, LLC is a private family-owned and locally operated company. The Margarita Adventures team is committed to offering guests a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.
Our mission is to:
    -Offer a uniquely thrilling perspective on a true California landmark—the historic Santa Margarita Ranch.
    -Promote awe and appreciation for our natural surroundings, taking inspiration from the Native Americans and indigenous peoples who inhabited the terrain of Santa Margarita Ranch for thousands of years.
    -Introduce guests to Santa Margarita Ranch as one of the California coastline’s most significant historical and geological experiences.
    -Showcase how native ecosystems can be nurtured and even restored within a working ranch and vineyard environment.
    -Honor the tradition of early California rancho hospitality with a healthy sense of adventure and accomplishment.
Join us today for a soaring taste of California history, nature, wine and adventure.

www.margarita-adventures.com

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 7: Harris Stage Lines

This is part seven in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences.

If you are a horse lover, go to Harris Stage Lines.  You can sign up for a week-long summer day camp which includes stagecoach riding, horseback riding and learning how to take care of the horses.  As Tom Harris says, “Time, patience and practice is what it takes to be a good horseman.”

They have many carriages and 20 horses.  You can groom, brush and ride the horses. I enjoyed riding on the carriage!  At the end of the week, the campers perform a show that demonstrates what they learned. 

I recommend that you wear jeans and a hat, ‘cuz I made a big mistake and wore shorts and sneakers!

Zane Thormodsgaard 

About Harris Stage Lines: This is your horse riding, driving, party and event headquarters located just 4 miles north of Paso Robles, California along the Salinas River. Your hosts, Tom and Debby Harris invite you to take a journey into the past. Uniquely qualified to be your guides, because the Harris's are recognized worldwide in the entertainment business and equestrian circles for their expertise in horsemanship and specialized training. They offer day and week-long camps, classes, seminars, clinics and event space. www.harrisstagelines.com

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 6: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

This is part six in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences.

June 23, 2013

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is a very sweet place (pun intended)! 

Not just the because of the candy, but for the people who work there too. 

Trixie gave us a warm welcome by greeting us with samples of fudge and peanut butter dark chocolate.  She also let us make our own caramel apples with white chocolate and we could add as many toppings as we wanted! 

I recommend that you buy the caramel apple with nuts. 

I think that Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has the best chocolate ever!

 

Zane Thormodsgaard

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 5: Big Bubba's Bad BBQ

This is part five in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences.

June 23, 2013

When I walked into Big Bubba’s Bad BBQ, the sweet barbecue smell inside made me know it was going to be good!  It was a very family-friendly place.  Our waitress Jenna was awesome and her cow-print shirt persuaded me to get milk to drink instead of soda! 

 

We ordered finger-licking good wings and ribs.  I kept asking for more napkins because the wings were dripping with sauce.  

There were three main reasons why the restaurant was fun: 

    First, the artwork was very cool. 

    Secondly, there are two tables surrounded with jail cells. 

    Lastly, there’s a mechanical bull that you can ride. 

 

I recommend that you ride the bull before you eat! 

 

Zane Thormodsgaard

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 4: Pithy Little Soda Works

This is part four in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences.

Pithy Little Wine Company and Pithy Little Soda Works was a very fascinating place. 

We got a warm welcome by Felicia and Bianca.  While my parents were tasting wine, my brother and I were tasting soda. Nothing is better than a cold fizzy drink on a hot day! All of the soda was made at their farm in Northern California. 

We got to taste four sodas - root beer, cream soda, orange cream and black cherry. They also gave us salted carmel popcorn to eat with the soda. 

My favorite soda was black cherry.   It had a taste of Twizzler’s licorice and Jolly Rancher’s candy. 

The coolest part is that the ingredients were all natural and had no high fructose corn syrup, so my parents can’t say that this soda is bad for me!  

I recommend that you join Pithy’s soda club because only members can buy the black cherry soda. 

Zane Thormodsgaard

 

About Pithy Little Winy Company and Pithy Little Soda Works: From humble farming beginnings to more than 500 acres and a diverse variety of products today our family business spans more than 70 years. Established in the 1930s by our grandparents with the founding principles of hard work and a commitment to family. From orchards and row crops to wines, olive oils and old fashioned sodas, we continue the legacy and hard work of family before us to create things uniquely Californian. www.pithywine.com

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 3: Panolivo Family Bistro

This is part three in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences.

 

June 23, 2013

If you are looking for a good place to eat, Panolivo Family Bistro is the place for you!   

Not only does it have good food, but the service was amazing.  A girl named Tanisha was our server and she was really nice and welcoming.

The food was delicious.  There are many choices of pasta dishes on the menu, my family each enjoyed a different one. My mom had the butternut squash ravioli, my dad had the shrimp pasta, my brother had the marinara pasta and I had the buttered pasta and Caesar salad.

I also loved the bread! It was crisp, warm and buttery.  

Last but not least, it had a great location in downtown Paso Robles. 

I recommend going to the movies after a nice meal at Panolivo’s Family Bistro.

 

About Panolivo Family Bistro:

Established in 2003 by husband and wife Beatrice and Didier Cop, Panolivo caters to locals and wine country visitors looking for a tasty dinning experience in a warm and inviting, casual atmosphere. 

Chef Beatrice utilizes her long experience of traditional French Family cooking combined with local, fresh California ingredients and flavors to create a unique experience of wholesome and comforting food. 

When you step in the door of Panolivo Family Bistro you will most likely be greeted by Didier. Every detail is carefully thought out so that your dining experience is exceptional. Both Didier and Beatrice are proud to welcome you to their home away from home.

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 2: Eberle Winery Tour and Bocce Ball Court

This is part two in a series from guest blogger Zane Thormodsgaard, who impressed local marketing experts with his fourth grade social studies report on Paso Robles and was invited to enjoy the family-friendly attractions in Paso Robles firsthand and report out on his experiences. Day Two began at Eberle Winery.

June 23, 2013
 
At Eberle Winery, we ate lunch outside while we enjoyed the beautiful scenery.  Then Steve gave us a private tour of the winery. One interesting fact I learned about Eberle is that they hand-pick all their own grapes.  Steve took us inside and led us down into the cool, damp wine caves.  Although they were man-made, it was neat to see a bunch of wine barrels stacked in the caves.

I wished I could have played tag in the caves, but my mom said it wasn’t appropriate!

Another cool fact was they saved a lot of the wine from evaporating in the barrels because the caves are more humid than being above ground.   

 
I think my parents enjoyed the wine tour more than I did, but I still had fun!  While my parents were doing the wine tasting, they had a bocce ball court to keep me, my brother and my cousins entertained.  
 
I recommend that families go to Eberle Winery in October during Halloween because there’s a haunted house in the wine caves.

Zane Thormodsgaard

 

About Eberle Winery

In 1973, Gary Eberle began his career in the wine industry by heading his family’s Estrella River Winery (currently 360 Degrees in Paso Robles) and produced 500,000 cases a year at its facility. Eberle’s pioneering spirit didn’t stop there. In 1980, he co-founded the Paso Robles Appellation and in 1983, Gary opened the doors to his own Eberle Winery with the premiere of Eberle’s 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, Eberle handcrafts 25,000 cases of wine each year from surrounding Estate vineyards. And, after more than 33 years since the release of the Eberle label, the winery consistently remains one of the highest award-winning wineries in the United States.

Family-Friendly Paso Robles, Part 1: Ravine Waterpark, by Zane, Age 10

A school project on Paso Robles turns into a journalist familiarization tour for a Southern California fifth grader.

Last year we were contacted by a 4^th grader from Manhattan Beach, named Zane Thormodsgaard, looking for information for a report on Paso Robles. We sent him some information on the area, he got an A on his report and we struck up a relationship with him and his family along the way.

We wanted Zane to experience first-hand all of the things he wrote about in his report, so we invited him back as a guest journalist to cover a summer family adventure in Paso Robles. 

He arrived on June 22^nd and spent the weekend exploring some of the the kid-friendly attractions in the area. He will be sharing his impressions of each experience on our our blog. Here is Zane's first installment:

 

June 22, 2013

I just visited the amazing Ravine Water Park in Paso Robles, California. 

The park was so much fun and family-friendly!  A kid named Kyle even let me cut him in the line so I  could race down the tube with my brother.  The Ravine Water Park is a very exciting and welcoming place. 

My favorite ride was “The Toilet Bowl.”  What does the ride do, you might ask?  Well, it is a crazy-cool ride with a cone-shaped drop at the end.  I whizzed down the toilet bowl (no pun intended) as my heart raced out of my chest!  Unfortunately, my head kept bumping on the slide since I didn’t listen to much of the instructions because I was so excited.  I recommend you follow the lifeguard’s directions to tuck your chin as you ride. 

I hope you have as much fun as I did when you visit the Ravine Water Park.

Zane Thormodsgaard

 

About The Ravine Waterpark

The Ravine Waterpark features many fun and exciting water rides,  like the fabulous "Kamakaze" drop slide, "Vertigo" body bowl, Lazy River and Wave Pool, for family fun throughout the whole summer!  Don't forget to ask about hosting your next birthday party, corporate event or fundraising parties at The Ravine Waterpark! We are a fun, family-oriented event center located in the heart of the Paso Robles Eastside Wine Country.

 

About the Travel Paso Robles Alliance

The Travel Paso Robles Alliance (TPRA) was founded in 2008 by a group of 19 area hoteliers with the mission to help business, leisure and group travelers discover the Authentic California™ experience of the Central Coast. The alliance offers information for the 1,100 luxury, specialty, value, and budget room choices available to visitors. The organization consists of owners and operators of luxurious resorts and inns, leading brand hotels, motels and budget accommodations. For more information on the TPRA, visit www.travelpaso.com or contact (805) 227-PASO, [email protected]