Camping in Paso Robles, California, US: 12 Best Paso Robles Campgrounds 2024

United States
—
California
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Paso Robles

97% (4787 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Paso Robles

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

96%

(58)

Union Rd Trail Site

3 sites · RVs20 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We bought this place as our eventual retirement home. We want to share the space with friends and family hence here we are even sharing it on this platform

98%

(584)

Vinyl Vineyards

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Vinyl Vineyards is a 120 acre ranch, working vineyard, wine label, and 10 site private glampground on the Union Rd wine trail in Paso Robles, CA. The magnificient property includes hiking trails through vineyards, ancient oak forests, canyons, and flower filled fields, creeks, two seasonal ponds, 26 acres of vineyards, alpacas, vegtable gardens, sunset vistas, bbq grills, outdoor tables, frisebee golf, and more... We also raise alpacas, chickens, and honey bees which you can experience on the ranch. Just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles, we are walking distance to several wineries, a 5 minute drive to golf, Sensorio, Vina Robles, and boast enough natural beauty and amenities to never leave your site. Check our website for FAQ's, how to plan your trip, and liability waiver downloads.

Feather River Ranch Eco Retreat

2 sites · RVs6 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Feather River Ranch Eco Homestead is the perfect place to pull up and hook up your RV or camper van and enjoy the property. 110 plug (it’s green) conveniently located for use. Please park along the vines or by corral entrance if your travel trailer/ RV is too large. Enjoy the newly built 16•34 ft pool, private hot tub, and a walk down to the river. There is no bathroom on site so your rv or camper is needed.

100%

(75)

Twisted Branch

1 site · RV, Tent30 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We named our property the Twisted Branch after one of the big oak trees that sits on the site where you will camp with us! It's on a hilltop with amazing views in nearly all directions. The campsite faces South/West so sunsets are fantastic. We use no chemicals on the soil or annual grasses. It is very quiet and the night sky is always stunning. Owls hoot at night and Redtail Hawks hunt for ground squirrels during the day. We have alot of Acorn woodpeckers living in the oak trees, the ones with the bright red head feathers. April through June we see bright yellow Orioles. At night you will hear hundreds of little frogs in the nearby ponds, depending on the season. We are located in the heart of Wine Country and there are plenty of activities around us and in town.

86%

(568)

Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

10 sites · Tents124 acres · Cambria, CA

We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enter Gate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.

12 top campgrounds in Paso Robles

98%

(584)

Vinyl Vineyards

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Vinyl Vineyards is a 120 acre ranch, working vineyard, wine label, and 10 site private glampground on the Union Rd wine trail in Paso Robles, CA. The magnificient property includes hiking trails through vineyards, ancient oak forests, canyons, and flower filled fields, creeks, two seasonal ponds, 26 acres of vineyards, alpacas, vegtable gardens, sunset vistas, bbq grills, outdoor tables, frisebee golf, and more... We also raise alpacas, chickens, and honey bees which you can experience on the ranch. Just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles, we are walking distance to several wineries, a 5 minute drive to golf, Sensorio, Vina Robles, and boast enough natural beauty and amenities to never leave your site. Check our website for FAQ's, how to plan your trip, and liability waiver downloads.

Broken Branch Creek

9 sites · RVs80 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Broken Branch Creek is a new family farm in Paso Robles, CA. Our land is abundant with with blue oaks, local wildlife, and plenty of walking trails running through it. There is a creek bed, usually dry most of the year, that provides excellent rock hunting and a shady hike with overhanging oaks. The entrance to the camping area is a very wide oil pipe fenced driveway off Branch Road, designed to accommodate farm equipment and cattle trailers. Sometimes map apps say you've arrived at one of the separate residential driveways on the property. Please keep looking for the commercial sized entrance. We are a 15 minute drive to the restaurants and shopping in downtown Paso Robles, 8 minutes to the Vina Robles Amphitheater, 6 minutes to the Hunter Ranch Golf Course, and 5 min to the Sensorio Art Exhibit. We're just off the Union Road Wine Trail among the Back Roads Wineries of Paso Robles.

96%

(58)

Union Rd Trail Site

3 sites · RVs20 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We bought this place as our eventual retirement home. We want to share the space with friends and family hence here we are even sharing it on this platform

100%

(75)

Twisted Branch

1 site · RV, Tent30 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We named our property the Twisted Branch after one of the big oak trees that sits on the site where you will camp with us! It's on a hilltop with amazing views in nearly all directions. The campsite faces South/West so sunsets are fantastic. We use no chemicals on the soil or annual grasses. It is very quiet and the night sky is always stunning. Owls hoot at night and Redtail Hawks hunt for ground squirrels during the day. We have alot of Acorn woodpeckers living in the oak trees, the ones with the bright red head feathers. April through June we see bright yellow Orioles. At night you will hear hundreds of little frogs in the nearby ponds, depending on the season. We are located in the heart of Wine Country and there are plenty of activities around us and in town.

98%

(527)

Enney's Ranch

4 sites · Lodging850 acres · San Miguel, CA

Enney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.

96%

(26)

Oak Heart Estate

8 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Does a night under the stars on a mountain top in the middle of Paso Robles Wine Country sound appealing? Incredible sunsets, picturesque views, peace and quiet abound at Oak Heart Estate! We'd love to share our piece of heaven with you! Escape the bustle of the city find your way to a little spot out of town. You'll find plenty of wineries in every direction you turn!

Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

10 sites · Tents124 acres · Cambria, CA

We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enter Gate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.

McDavitt Country Camping

3 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Learn more about this land: Flat open field next to a private oak studded dry creek bed that borders a vineyard. Six wineries are nearby for wine tasting, (Tobin James, Ernest Hemmingway, Rio Seco, Penman Springs & Pear Valley Vineyard across the street). Paso Robles is a quaint old Western town that hosts the Mid-State Fair. Downtown Paso Robles is about 5 miles to the West and offers a variety of excellant restraurants, bars, a movie theatre, and shops that surround a large grassy park with large magnolia trees, a gazebo, museum and playground.

Feather River Ranch Eco Retreat

2 sites · RVs6 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Feather River Ranch Eco Homestead is the perfect place to pull up and hook up your RV or camper van and enjoy the property. 110 plug (it’s green) conveniently located for use. Please park along the vines or by corral entrance if your travel trailer/ RV is too large. Enjoy the newly built 16•34 ft pool, private hot tub, and a walk down to the river. There is no bathroom on site so your rv or camper is needed.

95%

(219)

Vineyard Oasis

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Paso Robles, CA

A small family owned vineyard in the heart of Paso Robles wine country.Bring your trailer, RV or tent to our 7.5 acre Vineyard. You will be able to camp right in the center of our vineyard next to our 1/2 acre foot ornamental pond. Our site is located just 12 miles from downtown Paso Robles and offers you a unique camping experience that we know you'll enjoy.We offer only 1 campsite, so you will have privacy.Amenities include: toilet, potable water, trash disposal, picnic table, area for a campfire (outside of a burn ban). We are also pet friendly! We sell campfire wood on site.Guests love staying here: "Wonderful stay! It was very private as we were the only ones on the site, no other campers, vehicles or other people were in our area at all the entire time. It really felt that we had space to settle and enjoy. The two dogs that live on site were a wonderful greeting and farewell crew! The portable toilet was clean and conveniently located on the site. Lots of vineyards to go wine tasting to that were a short drive away. Brought some twinkle lights with us that we put up to add more lighting and a special feel."

Roads End, Bradley Lockwood

2 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Lockwood, CA

Peaceful and private RV camping under the oaks with picnic table, fire pit and Adirondack chairs. We currently have two sites on our property. They are about 300 feet apart and not easily visible from each other. Property is fully fenced; both sites are next to an open field under the oaks with vineyard, olive orchard and mountain views. This property is 30 miles from Paso Robles and almost perfectly centered between Missions San Antonio and San Miguel. Lakes San Antonio and Nacimiento are close by. Coastal towns of Cayucos and Morro Bay are about an hour scenic drive, passing many wineries along the way. There is space for multiple RVs or additional tents sharing your party's RV restroom facilities. Site one will accommodate sixteen people and multiple vehicles. Site two will accommodate ten people and two vehicles. For larger groups we ask that that you book both sites. We have hosted many family reunions and the feedback has been 100% positive. Please feel free to message us with questions.

94%

(47)

Campsite in the Vineyard

1 site · RV, Tent40 acres · San Miguel, CA

Learn more about this land: A beautiful spot in a vineyard with peaceful rolling hills with tons of privacy in Paso Robles Wine Country. We offer a level spot beside a barn surrounded by apple trees and acres of vineyard. There is a small fire pit. A perfect location for outdoor activities and wine tasting around Paso Robles Wine Country, secluded and surrounded by nature. Live working vineyard, may experience vineyard operations from time to time. FALL DISCLOSURE: Two nights of harvesting will happen between late September and late October, but unlikely disturb your stay (though we cannot not guarantee as we are an operating vineyard). It's kinda cool to watch if you happen to be here during our harvesting of wine grapes. If desired, contact us a few days before your scheduled stay to get the harvesting schedule. Our tasting room is currently closed for daily tasting, the upper buildings on the property may be rented out for private parties and overnight stays. These buildings are approximately 300 yards from the hip camp location and are not in direct few of our Hip Camp site. If you are interested in renting out the upper buildings, please inquire with host. WINERIES As of now Central Coast wineries are requiring tasting appointments by reservation under California law as of 2020. Weekend reservations are highly recommended. Weekday reservations can usually be made day of. Visit PASOWINE.com to tailor your tasting experience in Paso Robles - you can select "Wineries" and then by "Amenity" (such as picnic spots, pet friendly, tasting fees, etc.) Visit pleasantvalleywinetrail.com for wineries just around the corner from our Hip Camp. OUTDOOR ACTIVITES Many outdoor adventures await within an hour drive. Exploring small towns, biking in the rolling hills of Paso Robles, hiking trails in San Luis Obispo and many beautiful beaches are less than 45 minutes from our camp. Visit SLOCAL.com Golf - Hunter Ranch Golf Course and Links Golf course within a 10 minute drive. Family Fun - The Ravine Waterpark is a 10 minute drive from our site. Lake Nacimiento - 35 minute drive Mission San Miguel - 12 minute drive DINING Downtown Paso Robles has a variety of dining options from casual Mexican restaurants and pubs, French and Italian fine dining and everything in between. Negranti's Ice cream parlor is a local fav!

Star Hosts in Paso Robles

100%

(75)

Twisted Branch

1 site · RV, Tent30 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We named our property the Twisted Branch after one of the big oak trees that sits on the site where you will camp with us! It's on a hilltop with amazing views in nearly all directions. The campsite faces South/West so sunsets are fantastic. We use no chemicals on the soil or annual grasses. It is very quiet and the night sky is always stunning. Owls hoot at night and Redtail Hawks hunt for ground squirrels during the day. We have alot of Acorn woodpeckers living in the oak trees, the ones with the bright red head feathers. April through June we see bright yellow Orioles. At night you will hear hundreds of little frogs in the nearby ponds, depending on the season. We are located in the heart of Wine Country and there are plenty of activities around us and in town.

Broken Branch Creek

9 sites · RVs80 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Broken Branch Creek is a new family farm in Paso Robles, CA. Our land is abundant with with blue oaks, local wildlife, and plenty of walking trails running through it. There is a creek bed, usually dry most of the year, that provides excellent rock hunting and a shady hike with overhanging oaks. The entrance to the camping area is a very wide oil pipe fenced driveway off Branch Road, designed to accommodate farm equipment and cattle trailers. Sometimes map apps say you've arrived at one of the separate residential driveways on the property. Please keep looking for the commercial sized entrance. We are a 15 minute drive to the restaurants and shopping in downtown Paso Robles, 8 minutes to the Vina Robles Amphitheater, 6 minutes to the Hunter Ranch Golf Course, and 5 min to the Sensorio Art Exhibit. We're just off the Union Road Wine Trail among the Back Roads Wineries of Paso Robles.

Vinyl Vineyards

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Vinyl Vineyards is a 120 acre ranch, working vineyard, wine label, and 10 site private glampground on the Union Rd wine trail in Paso Robles, CA. The magnificient property includes hiking trails through vineyards, ancient oak forests, canyons, and flower filled fields, creeks, two seasonal ponds, 26 acres of vineyards, alpacas, vegtable gardens, sunset vistas, bbq grills, outdoor tables, frisebee golf, and more... We also raise alpacas, chickens, and honey bees which you can experience on the ranch. Just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles, we are walking distance to several wineries, a 5 minute drive to golf, Sensorio, Vina Robles, and boast enough natural beauty and amenities to never leave your site. Check our website for FAQ's, how to plan your trip, and liability waiver downloads.

Union Rd Trail Site

3 sites · RVs20 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We bought this place as our eventual retirement home. We want to share the space with friends and family hence here we are even sharing it on this platform

Oak Heart Estate

8 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Does a night under the stars on a mountain top in the middle of Paso Robles Wine Country sound appealing? Incredible sunsets, picturesque views, peace and quiet abound at Oak Heart Estate! We'd love to share our piece of heaven with you! Escape the bustle of the city find your way to a little spot out of town. You'll find plenty of wineries in every direction you turn!

Available this weekend

96%

(35)

Feather River Ranch Eco Retreat

2 sites · RVs6 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Feather River Ranch Eco Homestead is the perfect place to pull up and hook up your RV or camper van and enjoy the property. 110 plug (it’s green) conveniently located for use. Please park along the vines or by corral entrance if your travel trailer/ RV is too large. Enjoy the newly built 16•34 ft pool, private hot tub, and a walk down to the river. There is no bathroom on site so your rv or camper is needed.

Twisted Branch

1 site · RV, Tent30 acres · Paso Robles, CA

We named our property the Twisted Branch after one of the big oak trees that sits on the site where you will camp with us! It's on a hilltop with amazing views in nearly all directions. The campsite faces South/West so sunsets are fantastic. We use no chemicals on the soil or annual grasses. It is very quiet and the night sky is always stunning. Owls hoot at night and Redtail Hawks hunt for ground squirrels during the day. We have alot of Acorn woodpeckers living in the oak trees, the ones with the bright red head feathers. April through June we see bright yellow Orioles. At night you will hear hundreds of little frogs in the nearby ponds, depending on the season. We are located in the heart of Wine Country and there are plenty of activities around us and in town.

Creekside Camping and Mineral Baths

10 sites · Tents124 acres · Cambria, CA

We can accommodate tent campers or car campers. Each campsite fits 4-6 people. The price is $40/per person. Kids under 12 are free. Most campsites are accessible by car and all campsites are accessible by foot. PLEASE NOTE, we do not have a traditional check in procedure. Campsites are first come first serve. Expect a "self-check in process" most of the time. However, there are sometimes people working onsite that you may run into, that are happy to help and lead you in the right direction. You choose your own campsite so plan to arrive early. You can park and walk around. There is signage that says "CAMP" with Arrows. BYO water. We have sulfur spring water. Great for your skin, not good to drink! There's a couple outhouses on the property. One in the main camp zone, one at the far north end of the lower Redwood campsite. You can also bring a shovel and take a walk if you're in the more remote campsites. We have a dumpster outside the gate for your garbage. IMPORTANT INFO Please don't mind our farm junk/tools as you enter Gate 1! We are slowly working on clean up and relocation of materials from the entry road and away from view. Before you arrive, have knowledge of poison oak because it is a native plant. The main photos in the listing are taken from Hipcamp Scouts back in 2018 and they are featuring our Original campsite. This is located past the mineral baths. It's the furthest one to reach, and accessible by foot. I will update photos to depict all the campsites, but please share your photos with us on Instagram and tag @charanspringsfarm to help future campers get a view of what the sites look like with a tent set up! SULFUR MINERAL BATHS Include in your experience the use of our sulfur mineral baths. It's $10 per person. PLEASE BOOK THIS AS AN EXTRA AT CHECKOUT. The mineral baths are 2 funky vintage clawfoot tubs that are pictured in the actual listing.The photos show an accurate description of the Mineral Baths. They are not located in the main camp zone. Please call ahead to book your time slot and get directions to the mineral baths. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK IF: You are looking for "Glamping," (Glamour Camping). It's primitive camping on a private property with bonuses like the garden, rustic baths, and beautiful nature. This property has been a working farm for decades, which has struggled with hard times. If farm yards/junk piles make you uncomfortable or give you a creepy feeling, don't book because our boneyard is adjacent to the entry road and it can't be ignored. Thank you for reading this whole description and we hope you have a good experience.

Vinyl Vineyards

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Paso Robles, CA

Vinyl Vineyards is a 120 acre ranch, working vineyard, wine label, and 10 site private glampground on the Union Rd wine trail in Paso Robles, CA. The magnificient property includes hiking trails through vineyards, ancient oak forests, canyons, and flower filled fields, creeks, two seasonal ponds, 26 acres of vineyards, alpacas, vegtable gardens, sunset vistas, bbq grills, outdoor tables, frisebee golf, and more... We also raise alpacas, chickens, and honey bees which you can experience on the ranch. Just 15 minutes from downtown Paso Robles, we are walking distance to several wineries, a 5 minute drive to golf, Sensorio, Vina Robles, and boast enough natural beauty and amenities to never leave your site. Check our website for FAQ's, how to plan your trip, and liability waiver downloads.

Enney's Ranch

4 sites · Lodging850 acres · San Miguel, CA

Enney's Ranch is one of the few remaining grain and cattle operations on the Central Coast. We dry farm and malt barley, wheat and rye for local breweries and distilleries. We have a small herd of cattle and rotate them between the fallow fields. Our goal is to maintain the natural beauty of the ranch and share it with you.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

100%

(9)

Santa Margarita Lake

Santa Margarita, California

96%

(436)

Los Padres National Forest

Mission Canyon, California

94%

(70)

Montaña de Oro State Park

Morro Bay, California

After setting up, the wind kicked up so we moved over a spot for some better wind protection. The sand gets kicked up off the beach and stings a bit on a super windy day!

88%

(32)

Morro Strand State Beach

Morro Bay, California

Hearst San Simeon State Park

California

93%

(94)

Pismo Beach State Beach

Grover Beach, California

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area

California

Camping near Paso Robles guide

Overview

Situated on the Salinas River in inland San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles is a great base for campers visiting Central California's beaches and forest areas alike. It's about a half-hour drive from the 5,000-acre Lake Nacimiento and a 45-minute drive to the Pacific Coast, but plenty of visitors opt to stay closer to town, either to go wine tasting at some of many area wineries, to check out the 18th-century Mission San Miguel, or to take a dip in the city's three public hot springs. Camping in Paso Robles can be as rustic or luxurious as you want, though it is mostly limited to private campgrounds and RV parks as well as Hipcamps—a few are even located on ranches or in vineyards. Choose from RV parks with pools, club rooms, and other cool extras, or find a state park for wilderness tent camping. If you're looking for glamping options, you can't beat a romantic getaway in a chalet, cottage, or vintage Airstream trailer.

Where to go

San Luis Obispo County

A stay in Paso Robles means easy access to the many attractions and communities in the surrounding SLO County. Popular destinations include Morro Bay State Park and its year-round campground, known for its kayaking near Morro Rock, golf course, and natural history museum, and Hearst Castle, a 19th-century mansion that now operates as a museum. Sea otters and spouting whales are a common sight, so don't forget binoculars.

Big Sur

One of the most beautiful parts of California’s Central Coast, Big Sur draws in crowds with its cliff-lined coastal views and huge state parks. This area was made famous by Henry Miller and his contemporaries and has a large counterculture community to this day.

Los Padres National Forest

If you want to get out and explore in the woods, Los Padres National Forest is the place to do it, with miles of hiking trails and massive expanses of protected wilderness. There’s a lot to cover—around 2 million acres in total.

When to go

Paso Robles's inland location means that it tends to be considerably warmer than nearby coastal communities. Summers are hot and dry, with highs in the 90s and wine tasting crowds, and it's rare that it drops below freezing in winter, even at night. Winter is the rainy season—if you're planning a January trip, remember your rain gear. There are plenty of events throughout the year, from the Paso Wine Fest held every May to the annual Pioneer Day, held on the second Saturday of October.