by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

If you’ve ever found yourself in the doghouse for vacationing without your best friend, I can help you to thoroughly redeem yourself. I double-dog-dare you to grab your favorite furry friend along with a leash and head straight for Paso Robles. Whether you are seeking hotels, wineries or restaurants—there are people anxiously waiting to shake Fido’s paw and welcome you both with open arms.  

by Tina Swithin,Travel Paso Robles Alliance

 

There are very few things in this world that can beat an afternoon of wine tasting in Paso Robles.  I recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon wine tasting with my best friend, Meadow, and we discovered a new way to meander through the local wineries.  The Wine Line puts a new spin on wine tasting by offering a very unique service with the tag line of, “Hop on…hop off”.

 

By Shonna Howenstine, City of Paso Robles Tourism Coordinator

After hearing a visitor say last year that they planned to purchase items made in or near Paso Robles during the holiday season, we agreed that the idea was genius and set to work compiling THE LIST. That's right, we would put into one place every item we know of that is made or can only be found in Paso Robles. Our shopping adventure took us through websites that in turn inspired our imaginations AND made checking off our shopping lists remarkably easy and fun. 

by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

Once in a while, I like to break tradition.  It's that wild streak in me that makes me want to skip out on cooking the big, traditional Thanksgiving dinner and let someone else worry about the prep, cooking and clean up.  Luckily, there are places open tomorrow who will cater to my every whim and guess what?  They have fab wines selections to boot!  

 

We sent the undercover team from Inside Paso Robles out to find out which restaurants are serving up their finest fares on Thanksgiving Day. 

Here is the list: 

Artisan will be open from 3-8pm

Paso Robles Inn will be open from 12-8pm
(Groups of five or more will be in the Grand Ballroom between 2-6pm)

Panolivo will be open from 7:30am-8:15pm

Enoteca will be open from 12-8pm

Please call the restaurant in advance as most require reservations. 

Tina Swithin is the Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes Pairings in Paso and other blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country. 

by Maryann Stansfield, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

Because everyone needs a holiday after the holidays, “Paso Robles Hotel Month” throughout the month of February 2012 makes getting away to wine country after the holidays even more affordable. Visitors who stay two nights during the month of February will receive their third night complimentary at a range of participating resorts, flagship hotels and inns in Paso Robles wine country. In addition, guests will enjoy a complimentary bottle of Paso Robles wine donated by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, plus special amenities unique to each property.  For those who are feeling more wiped out than refreshed after the holidays, Paso Robles has the answer for you. This offer begins December 1, so watch for links on how to book your February wine country getaway at travelpaso.com. 

Sweetheart Sweepstakes

As part of the Hotel Month Promotion, be sure to watch for our Sweetheart Sweepstakes Facebook giveaway also being launched Dec 1. You and your sweetheart could win a Valentine's weekend getaway to Paso Robles wine country by just liking us on facebook.com/travelpaso and entering our sweepstakes. It's that simple!

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the Santa Lucia Mountains of Central Coast California just 3 hours from Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area, Paso Robles is an ideal place for a relaxing winter getaway. With current average daytime temperatures hovering around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round activities include wine tasting at more than 200 Paso Robles wineries, farm fresh dining, hiking, biking, premier golfing, hot springs spas, and Hearst Castle, and nearby beaches are only 30 minutes away.

Maryann Stansfield loves wine and the holidays. She is the Marketing Manager for the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, and Marketing Director for Mental Marketing. Photo Credit TPRA.

by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

By now you know that I'm always on the hunt for recipes.  Luckily, I live in an area that keeps me incredibly inspired to cook and experiment with new dishes year-round.  Fresh, local produce through the North County Farmer's Markets are a cook's dream come true.  Our local businesses such as Jack Creek Farms, Pasolivo, Fat Cat Farm, We Olive and Limerock Orchards help to keep my gourmet interest alive, well and thriving.  

I was visiting my friend's at Pasolivo yesterday and walked away with a fabulous new recipe for cauliflower.  Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that I don't use nearly enough.  After finding this easy and de-li-cious dish, you can rest assured that it will be on my dinner table much more often!  Easy, healthy and scrumptious is my favorite combination.  

Oven-Roasted Cauliflower

• One head of cauliflower
• One head of garlic
• Pasolivo lemon olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.  Cut cauliflower into bite-size pieces.  Peel and chop garlic.  Combine  cauliflower and garlic in a 9 x 13 pan.  Drizzle with lemon oil and season with salt and pepper.  Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring to caramelize.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. 

Enjoy! 

Tina Swithin is the Blog Manager for TravelPaso.com where she writes Pairings in Paso and other blog-a-licious Paso Robles articles.  Follow the Paso Robles Insider to get the inside scoop on all the haps in Paso Robles Wine Country.  

 

 

by Danika Reed, Vivant Fine Cheese

Hello Cheese Lovers!

When I sit down to collect my thoughts and begin to prepare for the upcoming Holiday season, I get an overwhelming feeling of comfort, which makes me appreciate the rich life we enjoy because we live on the Central Coast of California.  Many of my friends are sharing their daily feelings of thanks online.  I find it uplifting and inspiring to read the simple everyday things people are thankful for and that I most often take for granted.  As we settle into a season of family and friends, my first thoughts focus on food and of course CHEESE!! 

by Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance

Paso Robles comes to life in October during wine harvest and olive harvest follows closely behind in November.  This is truly a magical season to be in Paso Robles!  I recently had the pleasure of speaking to Frank Mercurio, founder of We Olive.  Frank filled me in on a time-honored tradition in the olive world which is known as Olio Nuovo—it goes back hundreds of years.  Olio Nuovo means “new oil” in Italian—it is fresh extra virgin olive oil made from the first press of the season.  This fresh oil is a delight for the senses and typically has a pungent and peppery flavor.  It’s truly delicious. 

 

by Ron Sanders, Alta Cresta Olive Orchard

As we all know, October is grape harvest time in Paso Robles. Now its harvest time in the olive world.  Since the 1990’s growing olives for oil has seen a resurgence in California, nowhere more so than here in the Paso Robles area. 

Paso is known for its Mediterranean type climate, similar to the region where olives originated.  While you won’t see vast olive orchards spreading out for miles, you will find smaller orchards that are family owned and operated.  The olive trees and olives are personally cared for and extra virgin olive oils of many different styles and characteristics are produced.

 

By Sasha Irving, Studios on the Park

Planning a visit to Paso later this month? Make plans to get into the holiday spirit at Studios on the Park! Opening December 1st, the charming Gingerbread Wonderland show will feature unique gingerbread houses created by local children, teens, and adults. Entries will reflect this year’s theme of “Winter White,” which is also the title of an accompanying fine art exhibition.

Guests young and old are invited to marvel at the creativity, skills, and seasonal spirit on display and vote for their favorite work. Three People’s Choice winners will be announced at the First Saturday: Wine & The Arts Opening Reception on Saturday, December 3. From 5 pm to 7 pm, enjoy appetizers, wine, and live music while you meet the talented artists.

Gingerbread model of the famous downtown Paso Robles Acorn Building