Inside Paso Robles

Hearst Castle's Enchanting Story

by Maryann Stansfield, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

I feel such a sense of pride when I tell my friends planning a visit from back east that we live just 45 minutes from Hearst Castle. I can't wait to take them there and show them this amazing castle located right in my own back yard. (Then afterwards, of course, we hit up a couple Paso wineries, also in my backyard.)

This world-renowned attraction is really a beautiful slice of good old Americana, filled with historic art and artifacts from around the globe. When you dig deeper and discover where this family came from, and how this amazing castle-house-museum came to be, it's truly epic. The more I learn about this castle, and the man behind the vision, the more I just am in awe of its existence.

From hiring famed female American architect Julia Morgan to build his so called "country home", to hosting Hollywood actors like Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin, William Randolph Hearst became a legend in his own time. That legend lives on today, and can be found in Hearst Castle State Park at San Simeon.

I can't count the number of times I've been to Hearst  Castle on tours, or attended events, and one time, just once, I got to swim in the Neptune Pool!! Yep, that's me on the right -- what an amazing day! 

Please join me each month has I blog about Hearst Castle, its history and artifacts, and the family behind the Castle on the Enchanted Hill, located in my own backyard. I look forward to sharing my passion for Hearst Castle with you all.

Cheers!

Maryann Stansfield is the Marketing Director for the Travel Paso Robles Alliance and Mental Marketing. Oh, and she has a thing for Castles.

Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast Weekend Pass: Amazing May Ticket Special

Whether you’re just emerging into the world of wine and food, or well-traveled gastronomes, you’ll fall in love with Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast, happening September 27-30 at the renowned Santa Margarita Ranch - all for just $100 (50% off) if you buy your weekend passes this month.

No other wine and food event provides foodies with such a rich culinary immersion adventure as well as Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast. Home to our very own Paso Robles wine country and one of the most abundant agricultural counties in California, the event encompasses regional artisan food makers and nationally acclaimed wine producers – all coming together to create the West Coast’s most sought after wine and food event of the year. Aarti Sequeira, star of Food Network’s “Aarti Party” says “I was at this event five minutes and I had my mind blown.”
From the President of Sunset Publishing:  “From passionate foodies to people who just want to experience the best of the Central California Coast lifestyle, SAVOR offers four days of unforgettable culinary experiences in a setting where you can personally connect to the wine and food, whether it’s through cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs using fresh local ingredients or winemaking programs with regional winemakers,” says Barb Newton, president, Sunset Publishing. “You can also rub elbows with Sunset’s top editors and favorite experts, and be the first to taste the medal-winning wines of Sunset’s International Wine Competition while savoring spectacular places like Hearst Castle, unspoiled nature trails and even an evening reception lit only by the stars and glowing hot air balloons. Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast is one of the most exciting and accessible wine and food events around.”

Tickets for West Coast’s “Must Taste” Wine and Food Event of the Year Are on Sale with a Huge Savings in the Month of May: Get a Sunset SAVOR the Central Coast 2012 Weekend Pass for Just $100 (50% Off)

Some events do sell out, so get your tickets now and take advantage of this spectacular short-term deal!

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.savorcentralcoast.com or call the SLO County VCB at (805) 541-8000.

Friday Giveaway - Enter Now to Win Hearst Castle Tickets!

It's just about time for this week's Friday Giveaway. Submit an answer to the following question for a chance to win TWO HEARST CASTLE TOUR PASSES*.

Q: What is the name of the guest cottage at Hearst Castle, location for the upcoming Twilight on the Terrace event that will allow the public to stroll around Hearst Castle at their leisure while sampling sumptuous tastes from some of the Central Coasts finest wineries and gourmet caterers, pictured at right?

Introducing Paso Robles’ “Friday Giveaways”

by Shonna Howenstine

It was recently brought to our attention that everybody loves Fridays. And free stuff. And Paso Robles.

So, with us being the progressive tourism office that we are, we’ve decided to combine these three things and conquer the world. Well, maybe “conquer” is the wrong word. Perhaps “enliven” or “enhance” or “improve” would be better in this instance.  We have SUCH a cool program that we’re calling Friday Giveaways. And it’s legit - we officially launched it last week and gave away two tickets to the 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival!

Paso Robles: Exploring Hearst Castle as a Family

by Tina Swithin

One of my favorite childhood memories on the Central Coast was visiting Hearst Castle with my family.  The bus ride up to the “castle in the sky” with my grandparents and the anticipation as we stepped off the bus was something I will cherish forever. 

This past weekend was a special weekend for me as I had the pleasure of creating those memories again but with my own young daughters.

My daughters, Makena and Kailani are five and seven years old so anything castle-related is a big deal in our world.  I spent about a week prior to our trip discussing the castle, the history and Mr. Hearst himself.  I didn’t want them to think this was Cinderella’s castle at Disneyland—I wanted them to fully appreciate the experience that was in front of them. 

Before leaving for our journey, I was able to uncover some tips for families planning to visit the magnificent Hearst Castle. 

Wine, Love and Paso Robles Hotel Month

By Coy Barnes, The Wine Wrangler

Want to get away? I recommend taking an extended Valentine’s Tour in Paso Robles.

Due to the new incarnation of Paso Robles’ Hotel Month (book a two nights stay and get the third night free PLUS a bottle of Paso Robles wine), exploring our wine region just got easier. In additon to wine, there are lots of things to do in the area to fill your days and evenings… here is a sample itinerary for you:

Day 1 (Saturday February 11)

There are many leisurely events that you can take part in during the day starting on Saturday.

For those romantics at heart,  Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines has a special music event “Sax in the Vineyard”.  J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Le Vigne Winery, and Twilight Cellars are offering chocolate and wine pairings to please your palate.  Or, Sextant Wines is offering a Harbor Cruise with wine and food pairing from 1-4pm in Morro Bay.

On into the evening there are many wineries offering Valentine dinners such as:  Croad Vineyards, Calcareous, Mitchella, Graveyard, Christian Lazo, and Eberle who is currently planning their annual Black Tie Valentine Dinner in the Caves.

If a Valentines Dinner is not what you are looking for, Saturday evening, D’Anbino Vinyards and Winery has a jazz band playing from 8-10pm.

 

Day 2 (Sunday, February 12)

Make reservations in advance for a Brunch at the Grill at Hunter Ranch – brunch is served from 9 to 2pm.   Kelly, the restaurants’ chef, serves up her special bacon, sausage, prime rib, cheese blintzes, cheesecakes and more.  There is something for everyone in the family. Don’t forget the bottomless Mimosas!  Unbelievable!

After that, continue to Twilight Cellars where they are still offering chocolate infused appetizers and wine or any other winery you didn’t get to the day before.

To top off the day – return to downtown Paso Robles for Movie Night at the Theatre where they will show a 1938 movie “Bringing up Baby” starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.

 

Day 3 (Monday, February 13)

Take a break from the wine and visit the coast or Hearst Castle. We're only 30 minutes away form Morro Bay and Cambria, and 40 minutes from the Hearst Castle Visitor Center.

 

Day 4 (Tuesday – Valentine’s Day)

If you decide to extend your stay, celebrate Valentine's Day at Robert Hall Winery or Pear Valley Vineyards for their special dinners.

Anytime during your stay from February 11-14th, complete your oenophilic journey with a special chocolate and port tasting at the Paso Robles Wine Club featuring a variety of wineries ports or make reservations for the Wine Wrangler’s Valentine Tour that visits between 4-6 wineries.

Isn't it lucky that Valentine's Day falls during Paso Robles Hotel Month? See you next month!

For more information on Paso robles lodging, dining, wineries and attractions, go to www.TravelPaso.com

Coy Barnes is the owner of the Paso Robles Wine Club, a wine club that sends an assortment of Paso Robles wines; and The Wine Wrangler, Paso Robles’ longest running wine tour service. Both businesses are located at the Paso Robles Train Station.

 

Holiday Magic on the Hilltop at Hearst Castle

by Jim Allen, Director of Marketing for Hearst Castle

For the past 23 years, I have been fortunate to enjoy the holiday season and decorations at Hearst Castle from an insider viewpoint.  As I made my way up the familiar winding hilltop road this past week, I was just as excited as the very first time I traveled the very same route many years ago.  The extraordinary Christmas displays at Hearst Castle are something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.    

People often ask my advice on which tour I recommend for the holiday season.  The Grand Rooms Tour is a great way to see the house during the holidays as that tour includes the most lavishly decorated rooms.  You will be able to tour the Assembly Room, Refectory, and the Morning Room.  In my personal opinion, you really can’t go wrong when selecting a tour to see Christmastime at the Castle as there are decorations throughout the entire estate. 

Paso Robles Hotel Month: Stay Two Nights, Third Night Complimentary!

by Maryann Stansfield, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

Because everyone needs a holiday after the holidays, “Paso Robles Hotel Month” throughout the month of February 2012 makes getting away to wine country after the holidays even more affordable. Visitors who stay two nights during the month of February will receive their third night complimentary at a range of participating resorts, flagship hotels and inns in Paso Robles wine country. In addition, guests will enjoy a complimentary bottle of Paso Robles wine donated by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, plus special amenities unique to each property.  For those who are feeling more wiped out than refreshed after the holidays, Paso Robles has the answer for you. This offer begins December 1, so watch for links on how to book your February wine country getaway at travelpaso.com. 

Sweetheart Sweepstakes

As part of the Hotel Month Promotion, be sure to watch for our Sweetheart Sweepstakes Facebook giveaway also being launched Dec 1. You and your sweetheart could win a Valentine's weekend getaway to Paso Robles wine country by just liking us on facebook.com/travelpaso and entering our sweepstakes. It's that simple!

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains of Central Coast California just 3 hours from Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area, Paso Robles is an ideal place for a relaxing winter getaway. With current average daytime temperatures hovering around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round activities include wine tasting at more than 200 Paso Robles wineries, farm fresh dining, hiking, biking, premier golfing, hot springs spas, and Hearst Castle, and nearby beaches are only 30 minutes away.

Maryann Stansfield loves wine and the holidays. She is the Marketing Manager for the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, and Marketing Director for Mental Marketing. Photo Credit TPRA.