A PERFECT DAY IN PASO ROBLES PPaso Robles is often overlooked when travelers think of great wine regions and vacation spots. Admittedly, having gone to UC Santa Barbara and living in Napa Valley, Paso for me was mostly a landmark for being about a quarter of the way home or three-quarters of the way to the beach. Last week that changed completely. Based on my trek, I’ve put together a perfect day plan for Paso Robles, which I developed and executed based on advice from locals, leading wine experts, wine buyers and publicists. Three quick notes before we begin: 1) Go to Savor the Central Coast (savorcentralcoast. com) and make sure to attend the event at Hearst Castle. It’s unbelievably elegant, the views are amazing, and the event is a ton of unpretentious fun. 2) I was looking for small, family owned wineries and high-end experiences. I don’t expect that all of you are looking for those exact things, but have no doubt you’ll find this useful, and hopefully entertaining, no matter what your pleasure. 3) I only planned one day because you should use the other to attend the main event at Savor, find wineries you can call your own, or head to San Luis Obispo for a hike (Bishop Peak) and Beach Day (Avila). STAY: Sunset At Hearst Castle: Savor the Central Coast Stay at the Paso Robles Inn (pasoroblesinn.com) if you’re looking for a quirky spot that exemplifies the perfect balance between historic charm and playful elegance. Some rooms come with natural sauna baths, and you’re right on the square, so restaurants and shopping are only a few footsteps away (perfect if you don’t have a designated driver). Don’t expect the same posh experience that you’ll get in Healdsburg, or even Sonoma Square for that matter, but there are some strong similarities when it comes to high-end restaurants with tasty local cuisine, wine, art galleries and boutique shopping. If you’re looking for a more Meadowood-like experience, then pass the square and head straight for the Summerwood Winery and Inn (summerwoodwine.com). TOP PICK This place not only looks and feels like Meadowood, but I’m fairly certain they used the same interior designer and matched everything down to the linens. Please know I’m not knocking it in any way, or calling them copycats. Meadowood is as good as it gets and while Summerwood may lack a golf course, pool and a few other amenities, the hospitality and experience is every bit as elegant and wonderful. This is a top pick for places to stay in Paso, or anywhere. Summerwood Inn and Winery
NVLife_NovDec_2013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above