If you’re a dog owner like me you’re always looking for the perfect places to travel to with your pup. Just a three-hour drive north from Los Angeles sits Paso Robles. The perfect place to sip on some delicious California wine while having your pooch by your side. I just for back from the perfect two nights in Paso and here's an ideal itinerary.
The Courtyard at the Allegretto Resort
Hotel: There are a few pet-friendly hotels in the area but my favorite has to be the Allegretto Resort. They have everything you need on the property and their staff is kind and truly loves dogs. They've got a great pool, restaurant, wine tasting area, and their grounds are stunning. Whether it's a romantic getaway or just an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city the Allegretto will meet all your needs. Also, they followed all the social distancing guidelines to ensure everyone's safety. Bravo to them they also have Tesla chargers for their guests!
night time at the Allegretto
Day 1:
Check into the hotel and enjoy one of their poolside cabanas and relax after your drive up. The wines by Allegretto are great so don't hesitate to have a bottle poolside. Head to the hotel's outdoor pet-friendly wine tasting area and sample the Allegretto's portfolio of local wines. After your wine tasting, make your way to Cello Restaurant on the property and have a world-class meal just a few feet from your room. Some of my favorites are their Calamari and Carbonara Pasta. Perfect after a long day of driving, pool time, and wine tasting. Lastly, I made my way over to Sensorio. The ultimate art installation in Paso. A sea of beautiful lights will make you feel like you're walking on the set of the movie "Avatar."
The Calamari at Cello
Perfect Carbonara at Cello
Great poolside cabana
So cool… Sensorio
Day 2:
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Cello Restaurant also offers a great breakfast menu featuring local ingredients and top-notch dishes. There are so many dishes you're going to want to try on the menu that I suggest eating there more than once during your stay. A few of my favorites are the Huevos Rancheros, Pancakes, and Breakfast Burrito. After filling your belly make your way just a few minutes down the road to Castoro Cellars for a scenic wine tasting experience. Great rose, whites, reds, and red blends. A few of my favorites are The 2019 Castoro Rosé, Primitivo, and their 2017 Trentasei Anni. I can't wait to open up the wines I purchased to bring back home with me. It's always great when you can find a winery that has amazing wines and also serves delicious food. For lunch, I went over to Niner Wine for wine tasting and some of the best fried chicken I've ever had. The star of the show is definitely the wines but it doesn't hurt if the food is bomb. All the tables nicely distanced and they serve your food picnic style at your table. All with the view of their prized Hearthill Vineyard. Their fresh ingredients pair in synergy with their wines. If you go you gotta have their albariño and Fog Catcher. Some of the best wines I've had from Paso. With so much yumminess in my tummy, I had to find somewhere to walk it off. The Paso Market Walk is the perfect spot for that. A brand new food hall of sorts and as they put it in their words "Paso Market Walk is a mixed-use development that will give residents and seasoned travelers the opportunity to convene, relax, shop, and taste the distinctive flavor of the Central Coast. Celebrating the people of Paso Robles – from the small scale, family-owned operations, to a new generation of standouts making names for themselves in food and wine, to the neighbors and guests who can savor them all." There are so many great places to check out that I'll have to come back again. Some of my faves are Leo Leo Gelato, Just Baked, Paso Robles Wine Merchant, and JoeBella Coffee Roasters. For dinner, I made my way over to Thomas Hill Organics for a chef's tasting of the local flair. Their ample patio is ideal for a socially distanced dinner. One thing you'll notice when you eat anything in central California is that everything is beyond fresh. Thomas Hill Organics executive chef hit's the nail on the head with every dish. Stone fruit and tomatoes are in season and were highlighted on the menu. If you're a fan of Seabass theirs is stellar. There's only so much wine tasting you can do in a day. That's why downtown Paso has an incredible speakeasy that's on par with anyone you'll find in the big city. Eleven Twenty-Two Cocktail lounge serves up primo libations right in the heart of downtown Paso. Get there early since there may be a little bit of a wait. If nothing on the menu tickles your fancy, they'll make you something special off the menu to your liking.
Perfect Huevos Rancheros
Outdoor tasting area at Castoro
Perfect tasting table at Niner
Sipping Hearthill Vineyard Cabernet while staring at the Hearthill vineyard
lunch at Niner
Fried Chicken at Niner
The ‘Fog Catcher” from Niner
Salad…Thomas Hill Organics
Perfect Sea Bass at Thomas Hill Organics
Amazing smoke S’mores from Thomas Hill Organics
special cocktail at eleven twenty-two
Day 3:
As hard is it is to check out and drive home...you gotta do it at some point. Had breakfast at Cello and then set up a couple of tastings before driving home. First on the list was at Hope Family Winery. Home of my favorite cabernet in Paso Robles. The "Austin Hope" estate cabernet. Not only do they make rockin cabs but their entire lineup of estate GSM wines will blow your mind. Last but not least I started driving down towards LA and hit up one last winery on the way. Tolosa Winery in Edna Valley is known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay. All I needed was one of their cheese plates and some of their elegant Pinots and I was good to go. What a perfect way to end my two nights in Paso Wine Country. Follow this itinerary and you won't be steered wrong.
fav cabernet in paso
Amazing Pinot at Tolosa