Just three hours north of Los Angeles, Paso Robles has long been a popular escape on the Central Coast. It’s a great laid-back destination for innovative food, great wine, and vibrant culture.
Now, National Geographic‘s Brenna Darling has included Paso Robles as one of the few California towns included in her new book, Small Towns U.S.A.: 100 Must-See Getaways Across The United States.
Here’s a closer look.
National Geographic’s stamp of approval
Darling praises Paso Robles as the “Wild West of California wine,” highlighting its standard-defying diversity across more than 200 tasting rooms and 40,000 acres of vineyards. The publication spotlights the five-acre Downtown City Park, a historic hub for community festivals surrounded by walkable, standout eateries like Fish Gaucho and The Hatch Rotisserie and Bar.
Nat Geo also points visitors toward local staples just outside the city center. They highly recommend exploring Tin City—a buzzing artisanal hub of repurposed industrial buildings—and ending the day at Sensorio, a breathtaking 35-acre open-air art installation featuring over 100,000 glowing fiber-optic lights created by artist Bruce Munro.
Deep roots and an easy escape from L.A.
Long before its modern acclaim, the Paso Robles region was inhabited by the Indigenous Salinan and Chumash peoples, who utilized the area’s natural bounty and local hot springs. Centuries later, in 1790, Franciscan friars introduced winemaking to the area. The town was situated right along the historic El Camino Real, the trail connecting California’s Spanish missions. Today, the region is famous for its robust Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux-style blends, and rejuvenating natural mineral springs like River Oaks.
You can reach Paso Robles via a scenic three-hour drive from L.A. up the US-101. If you plan to make the trip to experience the craft breweries, picturesque vineyards, or nearby historic sites like Hearst Castle and Sensorio, consider booking tickets and entrance times in advance.
