Salinas River Walk

This urban trail is great for downtown wine tasters, locals alike

Indigenous Chumash and Salinan Indians fished, hunted, and lived on the Salinas River for hundreds of years. Now hundreds of years later, hikers can walk the same pathway as these pioneering peoples. Rated very easy, the Salinas River Walk in Paso Robles is part of a larger vision for the Northern San Luis Obispo County Salinas River Corridor Anza Trail.


Here on the Salinas River Trail in Paso Robles, you can find things like:


• View wildlife in the Salinas River

• Get exercise in city of Paso Robles limits

• Experience top quality of life in Paso Robles municipal trail system


Locals use the Salinas River Trails often as an after work exercise, sometimes even to take the bikes out. In the spring and winter when the rains arrive, it’s amazing to watch the Salinas River fill in with water. Wildlife corridor like, the Salinas River attracts a wide variety of predators and game like red-tailed hawks, California quail, black-tailed deer, and more. Rumor has it there was even a capybara spotted at the flanks of the river at the Paso Robles Wastewater Treatment Center years ago!


Either way you cut it, finding a nice city trail in Paso Robles is a great option with the Salinas River Walk. The regional trail system is in sync with the City of Paso Robles Follow the River, Follow the Dream Project. This project envisions a trail system that creates a DESTINATION trail system, which also connects neighboring San Miguel and Santa Margarita. 


Here are some of the top things to do when hiking the Salinas River Trail:


• Bicycle commute

• Hiking

• Bird watching

• Possible future use for horse riding


According to the city:


“The future Salinas River Trail will provide North County with access and views to the river valley natural open space. The trail will be designed for both transportation and recreation, will be safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians alike, and will be respectful to the environment and private property. The trail’s connectivity and accessibility, along with its well-maintained amenities, will be a draw for both residents and tourists that will provide economic benefits and an educational link to the Salinas River’s habitat, history, and culture.”

The Salinas River Walk is a great option for locals looking to get some walking in, or for visitors wanting to get some exercise in town.

Oak duff strings along Paso’s quintessential “Pass of the Oaks” thematic through forested lands along the Salinas River.

Wintertime hues saturate through the trail system otherwise known as the Salinas River Walk in Paso Robles, CA.

San Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is sure to take you back in history along the Salinas River Walk in Paso Robles.

Water flowing in the Salinas River during a wet December 2022 shows the vegetative diversity on display in the river bed.

Red fencing marks the beginning of the Salinas River Walk. You can pick it up behind Wendy’s and take it for a quick jaunt.

Ground along the Salinas River Walk is mostly a mix of dirt-and-gravel and concrete – easy on the feet.

Concrete trail ways take over the dirt-and-gravel floor after picking up a little elevation above the Salinas River bed.

Oak trees canopy in artistic fashion along the Paso Robles skyline.

Oak trees provide ample moody lighting along the Salinas River Walk Trail in Paso Robles, CA.

Grash bushels are planted alongside the Salinas River Walkway in Paso Robles.

A bench greets visitors at the Salinas River Trail in Paso Robles.

Close to town

Salinas River Walk is just a few minutes from downtown Paso Robles, wine tasting and other tourism amenities.

Just steps away from wine country

Exploring the “upside-down” river in Paso Robles is just a few minutes from El Paso de Robles, or “Pass of the Oaks”

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