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By Cindy Steinbeck
If rustic Paso Robles could speak for itself it would say: Step inside for a look at an authentic  community. The businesses and the buildings of this community were built by people, each with a story, passion and a dream. They came here with a dream for a better life and those dreams took shape in what they created and built – that is the way of pioneers.
Homes, barns, schools, churches, and business were built as the dream took shape. The country side and downtown still features some of these historic buildings. On the north side of Hwy 46 East just 2 miles East of the city limits a majestic old barn is visible. The Iversen family built this structure in 1883 to house their teams of horses and mules.
The three story Granary stands tall on Riverside Avenue housing a modern restaurant and businesses. This magnificent structure was built to store bulk grain and load the grain on to trains for delivery to processing plants. Word has it that one corner of the building served as the city jail.
The Carnegie Library sits proudly on the Paso Robles city square. Today it is home to the Paso Robles Historical Society, a wonderful museum to visit to learn about our rich history. It opened 1908 and served as our public library until 1998. It is a beautiful brick building that survived the 2003  earthquake and was retrofitted and modernized.
The Paso Robles Inn anchors the downtown on Spring Street. Paso Robles has been known for its hot springs since the middle 1800’s. Visitors have been drawn to the hot baths from around the world. Here are a few excerpts on its rich history from their website (www.pasoroblesinn.com):
“In 1889, the same year that Paso Robles incorporated as a city, construction began on a magnificent new hotel. The hotel required over one million bricks and cost a princely $160,000. The new El Paso de Robles Hotel opened for business in 1891. The new hotel was three stories tall and built of solid masonry, set off by sandstone arches. This ensured the hotel was completely fireproof.”
In December of 1940, tragedy struck. A spectacular fire completely destroyed the "fire-proof" El Paso de Robles Hotel. Guests staying the night escaped unharmed, although the night clerk who discovered the fire suffered a fatal heart attack immediately after sounding the alarm.”
Historic Vine Street is laced with beautiful Victorian homes, built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Walking the street is the best way to breathe in the history and see the sights of the beautifully renovated homes, many of which are used as business offices. The street is closed one day in December for the Vine Street Showcase, a community event to kick off the Christmas season.
Homes, barns, schools, churches, and business are still being built as dreams of modern day pioneers continue to shape our community. We are richer when we pause to reflect on the magnificent history of Paso Robles and realize that whether visitor or resident, we become part of that history with each breath we take.
Cindy Steinbeck is the owner of Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery and serves as director of marketing and public relations. Cindy serves on the Board of Regents for Concordia University Irvine and travels extensively as an inspirational public speaker. Please visit www.steinbeckwines.com to see more of the Steinbeck story.
 by Meagan Callahan
Crazy for Paso Robles Zin? Us too, we are all looking forward to the 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival, March 16 – 18, 2012. Tickets to the Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction on Saturday, March 17 are now available on www.pasowine.com. Experience Zinfandel and Zinfandel blends from more than 40 Paso Robles wineries, complemented by Zin-friendly bites from local restaurants.
Feeling lucky? “Like” Paso Robles Wine on Facebook by February 29 to be entered to win the “Ultimate Zinfandel Festival Getaway.” The getaway includes: Two (2) ZIP tickets to the Zin Tasting & Wine Country Auction; hotel accommodations at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Paso Robles, sponsored by the Travel Paso Robles Alliance; 2 – 4 VIP winery tours and tastings; and a winemaker dinner. This excursion is the perfect way to experience Paso Robles’ world-class wine during one of the most exciting weekends of the year.
For more information on how to win the “Ultimate Getaway,” check out Paso Robles Wine on Facebook. Visit www.pasowine.com for details on the Zinfandel Festival. See you in March!
Meagan Cross (Callahan), Communications Manager for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance www.pasowine.com
by Shonna Howenstine
 While the exact origins of Valentine’s Day are hazy, the current manner of celebrating the holiday in Paso Robles is clear – it’s all about love, romance, and…food.
That’s right, food. Valentine’s Day is the second busiest day of the year for most restaurants (right
behind New Year’s Eve) and this is great news for lovebirds AND foodies. If the way to a lover’s heart is through the stomach, then Paso Robles is the place to be for Valentine's Day. Our restaurants and wineries pull out all the stops with their Valentine’s Day menus.
Here are a few examples:
Continue reading "Valentine’s Day in Paso Robles" »
by Tina Swithin
Come to Downtown Paso Robles on Saturday, February 4th from 5 PM - 8 PM for First Saturdays Wine & the Arts.
This First Saturday, bring your sweetheart to Studios on the Park for the opening reception & awards announcement for Love Songs: Musically Inspired Art. Presented in collaboration with ARTS Obispo/SLO County Arts Council, this multimedia exhibition features original works by artists from throughout the Central Coast.
Enjoy fine wine tasting with Anglim Winery and jazz standards (and not-so-standards) performed by Jessamyn Lynn's jazz trio, Blame It On The Bass,
while you find a unique Valentine's gift for that special someone in your life!
First Saturdays Wine & the Arts promotes artists, galleries, wine tasting rooms, and other venues that showcase the arts and we hope you'll join us!
Download the current list of participating First Saturdays: Wine & the Arts venues here!
PS: It's not too late to participate in Paso Robles Hotel Month - Buy two nights and get one FREE! Wine, arts and a mini-vacation to Paso Robles. Could it get any better?
Tina Swithin is the PR Coordinator and 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 Coy Barnes, The Wine Wrangler
Want to get away? I recommend taking an extended Valentine’s Tour in Paso Robles.
Due to the new incarnation of Paso Robles’ Hotel Month (book a two nights stay and get the third night free PLUS a bottle of Paso Robles wine), exploring our wine region just got easier. In additon to wine, there are lots of things to do in the area to fill your days and evenings… here is a sample itinerary for you:
Day 1 (Saturday February 11)
There are many leisurely events that you can take part in during the day starting on Saturday.
 For those romantics at heart, Edward Sellers Vineyards & Wines has a special music event “Sax in the Vineyard”. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Le Vigne Winery, and Twilight Cellars are offering chocolate and wine pairings to please your palate. Or, Sextant Wines is offering a Harbor Cruise with wine and food pairing from 1-4pm in Morro Bay.
On into the evening there are many wineries offering Valentine dinners such as: Croad Vineyards, Calcareous, Mitchella, Graveyard, Christian Lazo, and Eberle who is currently planning their annual Black Tie Valentine Dinner in the Caves.
If a Valentines Dinner is not what you are looking for, Saturday evening, D’Anbino Vinyards and Winery has a jazz band playing from 8-10pm.
Day 2 (Sunday, February 12)
Make reservations in advance for a Brunch at the Grill at Hunter Ranch – brunch is served from 9 to 2pm. Kelly, the restaurants’ chef, serves up her special bacon, sausage, prime rib, cheese blintzes, cheesecakes and more. There is something for everyone in the family. Don’t forget the bottomless Mimosas! Unbelievable!
After that, continue to Twilight Cellars where they are still offering chocolate infused appetizers and wine or any other winery you didn’t get to the day before.
To top off the day – return to downtown Paso Robles for Movie Night at the Theatre where they will show a 1938 movie “Bringing up Baby” starring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant.
Day 3 (Monday, February 13)
Take a break from the wine and visit the coast or Hearst Castle. We're only 30 minutes away form Morro Bay and Cambria, and 40 minutes from the Hearst Castle Visitor Center.
Day 4 (Tuesday – Valentine’s Day)
If you decide to extend your stay, celebrate Valentine's Day at Robert Hall Winery or Pear Valley Vineyards for their special dinners.
Anytime during your stay from February 11-14th, complete your oenophilic journey with a special chocolate and port tasting at the Paso Robles Wine Club featuring a variety of wineries ports or make reservations for the Wine Wrangler’s Valentine Tour that visits between 4-6 wineries.
Isn't it lucky that Valentine's Day falls during Paso Robles Hotel Month? See you next month!
For more information on Paso robles lodging, dining, wineries and attractions, go to www.TravelPaso.com
Coy Barnes is the owner of the Paso Robles Wine Club, a wine club that sends an assortment of Paso Robles wines; and The Wine Wrangler, Paso Robles’ longest running wine tour service. Both businesses are located at the Paso Robles Train Station.
by Tina Swithin
 If you anything like me, you either have New Year's Eve planned months in advance or you are trying to invite yourself to a party at the very last minute. In this case, you would be known as a "New Year's Eve Crasher". This year is a great example-- I herby admit to being a New Year's Eve Crasher. I had the very best intentions for advanced planning but once again I find myself sitting here pondering...what to do? What to do?
Luckily for me (and for you), I have an inside connection which is known as the "Paso Robles Insider". I made some phone calls and discovered a few places to ring in the New Year- Paso Robles style! If you are staring at an empty calendar entry for December 31, 2011, please don't fret. Grab your phone, pen and calendar and let's start planning!
One event that I discovered was the Twilight Masquerade at Robert Hall Winery. Attendees are asked  to arrive in formal attire and you will be given a mask at the door. If you really want to get into the festivities, grab your favorite masquerade costume and plan to have a New Year's Eve for the memory books.
This event takes place in the cavern at Robert Hall Winery and there are actually two options for the evening. You can enjoy dinner, music and dancing or if you choose to forgoe the dinner and just hit the dance floor while partaking in appetizers, wine and good music. Click here for additional information on the Twighlight Mascarade at Robert Hall Winery.
Another fabulous event that I came across is the New Year's Eve Celebration at the luxurius La Bellasera Hotel. The evening kicks off from 7-8pm with a welcome reception where you will enjoy Hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary signature cocktail. Then, enjoy their opulent five course dinner including a  premium cheese tasting, stacked caprese salad, lemon sorbet intermezzo, an entree of Filet Mignon & Prosciutto wrapped Scallops with Grilled Scallion Mashed Potatoes and Balsamic Glazed Asparagus, and finally a dessert trio including a champagne cupcake, chocolate covered strawberry and chocolate mousse! Enjoy party favors, a special midnight toast and more.
PS: A little birdie told me that there are lodging packages available so you can really ring in the New Year in style!
You can also head out for the Fabulous Forties Wine Maker Dinner at Poalillo Vineyards which starts at 8pm. Partake in a gourmet, five course winemaker's dinner while enjoying Poalillo Wines and a champagne toast at midnight. Please come dressed elegant, dressy or in your finest 40's attire. Click here to view the menu and additional details.
Happy New Year!!!
Tina Swithin is the PR Coordinator and 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 Tina Swithin, Travel Paso Robles Alliance
 Are you still seeking that special gift for the one you love? Luckily, I’ve done the work so you can rest assured that you’ll have the best gift under the tree. I happily continue on my quest to bring you the very best gift ideas in Paso Robles. The theme for this series is quite simple: Rest, Relation and Pampering in Paso Robles.
Continue reading "Give the Gift of Rest, Relaxation and Pampering in Paso Robles" »
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.
Continue reading "Pet Friendly Travel in Paso Robles" »
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.
Continue reading "Give the Gift of Paso Robles" »
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.
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