If you are looking to escape the gloom and fog of the Peninsula, Paso Robles is the place to go. Located less than 2 hours from Monterey, Paso Robles offers warmer temps, sun, and fun for the whole family.
The Ravine Waterpark. Your kids will love the opportunity to splash around at this fantastic water park. Located right off Highway 46, it is easily accessed from downtown Paso Robles and many hotels. The park has a lazy river, wave pool, several slides and a tadpole, perfect for little ones. Daily admission tickets are less than $35 per person and children under 2 are free. The park is open from May-September. Visit their website, www.ravinewaterpark.com for a daily schedule, discounts and to purchase tickets
Family Friendly Wineries. Yes, you read that correctly. Paso Robles has several family-friendly wineries. Sculpterra Winery offers a beautiful backdrop for your tasting experience, with amazing gardens and beautiful sculptures. They also have a game area that your kids can enjoy free of charge including chess, foosball, table tennis and bocce ball. Pistachios are also grown on site. Tooth and Nail Winery is another great option. Your kids will feel like prince and princesses at this winery, as the main building for tastings is a castle, complete with a moat around the outside. Tooth and Nail has a great outdoor patio with corn hole boards. They even have french fries on their menu. Eberle Winery is located on 38 acres and they are dog friendly. At Castoro Cellars, you’ll find a state of the art, premier 18-hole disc golf course. They also provide coloring books and have a large grassy area for the kids to play in.
Paso Robles Children’s Museum at the Volunteer Firehouse. Don’t come to Paso Robles without a stop at this museum, which is a non-profit organization that encourages learning through play and honors the heritage of the volunteer firefighters. There are several interactive exhibits, with kid favorites being El Mercado, where kids can shop and check out in the grocery store while learning Spanish and the Grape Stomp with its fun ball pit. Tickets are $7 for adults, $8 for children (1-13) and $5 for grandparents (65+). The museum is open Friday through Monday. Visit www.pasokids.org for more information.
Breweries. There are two local brew houses to visit in Paso Robles. The first is Firestone Walker Brewing Company, famous for their “805” beer. The Brewhouse Tour is for kids 12 and up, but the Barrel Room and Evening Tour is strictly 21 and up. The Taproom Restaurant, located across the street from the brewery, is family friendly and has an excellent kid’s menu. Menu favorites include the Tator Tots, Buffalo Cauliflower and the Crispy Brussels and Spinach Salad. Visit www.firestonebeer.com for more information. Barrelhouse Brewing Co. is another brewhouse, complete with a half-acre beer garden, live music, and food trucks. Visit their website for their live music and food truck schedule at www.barrelhousebrewing.com.
Jack Creek Farms. This fifth-generation family farm is a must see on your visit to Paso Robles. The farm features cider and honey tasting, a seasonal u-pick garden complete with sweet onions, garlic, blackberries, olallieberry, lavender, apples, pumpkins, peach and plums, farm animals with goats, rabbits, chicken, and ducks, too. The farm also has a wooden train play structure, tractor tire garden and old water pump for your kids to play with. You’ll find many opportunities for great vacation photos. Visit www.jackcreekfarms.com for a current harvest listing.
Hearst Castle. If you are up for short drive to San Simeon, Hearst Castle is a must-see and an excellent opportunity to share a piece of history with your children. You may even see zebras on your drive in. Tours book up quickly, so be sure to check out their website and book yours in advance. A tour reservation is required to get on the bus for the 5-mile ride up to the castle. Strollers are not permitted, but carriers are great, and the castle provides them on a first come, first served basis. For more information and tickets visit www.hearstcastle.org.
Concerts in the Park. If you plan your Paso trip to begin on Thursday, you can start things off with music. Stop by Thursdays from 6-8 pm for live music on the Downtown City Park lawn where you’ll hear everything from country to 60’s rock n’ roll. Food and beverages are allowed, so pack a picnic and your family for a wonderful evening of good music and good times. Concerts run through mid-August but a visit to City Park is a must do. With lots of grass to play on and picnic tables for a takeout meal, it’s a great spot for a little break during sightseeing.