Paso Robles Train Station: National Train Day

by Coy Barnes

Have you ever travelled by train? It’s a fascinating and inexpensive way to travel, offering a relaxed pace along with spectacular views of the countryside not accessible by any other means.  Amtrak ridership is up as more and more people “ride the rails” in search of a slower pace, scenic beauty and new experiences.

We think Paso Robles has one of the quaintest and friendliest train stations this side of the Rockies on the Amtrak network.  Where else can you pick-up some local merchandise, visit three tasting rooms, have sushi, or enjoy a glass of Paso Robles wine or beer?   

There are daily trains that come to Paso Robles from Southern California and the Bay Area and two upcoming events offer great opportunities to get to know wine country via train:

• The Paso Robles Wine Festival May 19, 2012 is the perfect introduction for people from the Bay  area interested in visiting us for an afternoon of wine tasting.  You can take the Coast Starlight with a scheduled arrival in Paso Robles at 1:38pm and depart back at 4:45pm the same day!  Our station is literally just three short blocks from the Festival and our downtown. 

• National Train Day is the perfect time to inform travelers from both the Bay Area and Southern California area about travel to Paso Robles.  Every day customers and tourists to Paso Robles walk through the door of our shop and tasting room at the Paso Robles Train Station.  They all seem to say the same thing.  “This is sooo cute.  Does the train stop here?”  The answer is yes!  Not many people know that the train stops here twice per day; once going south and once going north. 

Arriving in Paso Robles and depending on where you stay, you won’t need a car while visiting our area, making the Amtrak the green way to go and it’s cheaper than a tank of gas!  Some of the local lodgings will even offer free transfers to their hotel, just ask.  Downtown Paso Robles has everything you need: 20+ great restaurants and at least 13 different wineries all within walking distance of the train station. 

So, if you are looking for stress-free travel without paying the high price of gas, Amtrak is the way to go and Paso Robles makes the ideal destination for a train trip. 
Call us for hotel and tour packages:  866-238-6400

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.

Introducing Paso Robles’ “Friday Giveaways”

by Shonna Howenstine

It was recently brought to our attention that everybody loves Fridays. And free stuff. And Paso Robles.

So, with us being the progressive tourism office that we are, we’ve decided to combine these three things and conquer the world. Well, maybe “conquer” is the wrong word. Perhaps “enliven” or “enhance” or “improve” would be better in this instance.  We have SUCH a cool program that we’re calling Friday Giveaways. And it’s legit - we officially launched it last week and gave away two tickets to the 20th Annual Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival!

And the Winner of 2 Zinfest Tickets Is...

We input everyone's names into a random number generator program (twice for those who shared the post on Facebook or Twitter) and the winner is....... J. PARKHURST!

Congratulations! J. Parkhurst, please send an email to tourism @ prcity.com for details on how to claim your prize. If we don't hear from you by 2 pm we will choose another winner. Thanks for playing everyone and stay tuned for our weekly Friday Giveaways!

What in the world is a Cutting Horse Derby?

by Shonna Howenstine, Tourism Coordinator

Paso Robles plays host to two large cutting horse events each year. The annual Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Derby/Challenge happens at the Paso Robles Event Center March 13-18, 2012. I recently had the opportunity to interview the Director of the PCCHA, Phil Benadum about the show. Along with throwing down some horse lingo, he also provided some helpful information about their next event.

SH: Hey Phil, long time no see. What have you been up to since the Futurity? 

PB: We just finished our 2011 PCCHA Convention and Year End Awards Banquet at the Harris Ranch Hotel in Coalinga, Ca.  This is where we highlight the grass roots "Weekend Cutter"(aka the beginning cutting horse competitor).  We had a nice turnout and a lot of great ideas came out of our Convention. We will be putting some of them to good use during the Derby in March.

 

Give the Gift of Rest, Relaxation and Pampering in Paso Robles

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. 

Pet Friendly Travel 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.  

Getting Around Paso Wine Country with The Wine Line

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”.

 

Paso Robles Hotel Month: Stay Two Nights, Third Night Complimentary!

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.

Be a Part of the 2011 Vintage in Paso Robles

Be a Part of the 2011 Vintage – Make Wine in Paso Robles!

We locals know how fortunate we are to live in wine country, surrounded by great wines, delicious food  and natural beauty. In Paso Robles we’ve got all kinds of fun things to feed your mind and soul including First Crush Winemaking.

First Crush is the only company in California that offers you the opportunity to spend an entire weekend making wine.

Don't Miss Savor Central Coast - Tix still available today!

By Maryann Stansfield

Thinking they couldn't improve on the event from last year, I was blown away by Saturday's Savor the Central Coast Event. It was just spectacular. More educational food, wine and gardening exhibits, more cooking demonstractions, fantastic travel exhibits, and food, food, food, and wine, wine, wine!! Fresh seafood right out of the shell, local made sausages hot off the grill, artisan cheeses to pair perfectly with wine from SLO County and WA state, and local organic produce as far as the eye can see.

Celebrity Iron Chef Cat Cora was on hand doing cooking seminars and interviews, while  Sunset Editor-in-Chief Katie Tamony, as well as Wine Editor Sara Schnieder, Travel Editor Peter Fish, and Food Editor Margo True were there engaging with their Savor guests in the Sunset Kitchen Gardens, in the Market Place and at Chef Central. 

Today celebrity chef Aarti Sequeira from Food Network Channel's Aarti's Paarti will be on site conducting cooking seminars and tickets are still available.

Don't miss the Santa Margarita train ride throughout the beautiful ranch, the beer garden with live music, and the Infinity team of professional drivers that will take you for the ride of your lives.

Find that all today at Savor the Central Coast! For more information visit savorcentralcoast.com.

Maryann Stansfield is the Marketing Manager for the Travel Paso Robles Alliance, and Marketing Director for Mental Marketing.