10 reasons to take advantage of the busy off-season, relish the cool air in wine country
The “Green Up” as it’s called – happens in spring every year around February and although cool this time of year, it’s a great chance to get out amongst the native grasses at the Los Padres National Forest near Indian Rocks, pictured.
1 – Cooler Paso Robles climes
Branching stillness with leaves transitioning from fall vibrant yellow, oranges and reds, the winter in Paso Robles is a stunning time of year. Naked vines of cabernet sauvignon and exotic varietals like piqpul blanc have lullabied into discreet dormancy. But what awakens in the stillness of cool, crisp and clean winter air is a shroud of stillness, quietness and tranquility that is Paso Robles in the “cooler months” of February, March, and April. Long gone are the 100-plus degree weather days of summer, and as fall slips away, it’s a magical environment to take a deep breath and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and outdoor trails of the Paso Robles.
2 – Burn calories after those Rhone varietals
Heartwarming red wine varietals hit a top mark in winter Paso Robles wine consumption. Great for cooler weather and cheerful occasions these big-bodied beauty wines come with a caloric price tag. According to www.wine.com, a typical bottle of wine (750ml / 25oz) boasts approximately 600 calories, while a typical glass (5 oz) has about 120 calories. What that means is when you’re in Paso Robles sipping wine, that’s reason enough to go for a hike in one of the area’s top hiking destinations. Don’t let the dormancy of winter get you out of high spirits – burn those calories with a cool weather hike in Paso Robles.
3 – Immerse in Paso history
Perhaps no better time of year exists to stop, look around, and learn about local history – both natural and pioneering. Paso Robles has long been known as a pioneering frontier town, and now with winter in full swing it’s a great time to consider an urban walk with and friendly historical student like we are at pasorobleshiking.com. Paso Robles Pioneer Day is long gone with its October tractors and stunning horse displays, yet winter and early spring give hikers a great time to pause, learn, and soak in the history that makes Paso Robles the Central Coast’s top wine country location.
4 – Discover Paso Robles’ top winter trails
Temperatures plummet substantially in winter, and what you’ll find is that the Paso Robles region tends to get a bit cooler than other regions of the county. Microclimates abound, and like the Napa Valley a simple jaunt ¼ mile away can yield obvious temperature changes. In the cool winter air of Paso Robles, those morning frosts offer afternoons that are more moderate in temperature and great for layering up and finding peace as the summer and fall tourism seasons come to a close.
5 – A perfect match to your winter wine tasting
You’ve tasted Paso Robles wines, dined and fine restaurants – now what? Immerse yourself in the landscapes by getting outside and taking a hike, trek, or stroll through landscapes – and even downtown cityscapes of Downtown City Park. In Downtown Paso Robles, you’ll find tons of shopping ideas for the holidays, in addition to an incredible family-friendly area that warmly welcomes you during the off-season. Be sure to stop by the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association in Norma’s Alley (be sure to say high to the friendly Main Street staff) for some tips and advice on what to do and see in Paso’s lovely downtown. Venture over to the historic Carnegie Library located in the center of Paso Robles Downtown City Park as well, where volunteers at the El Paso de Robles Historical Society may provide valuable historic information for tourists.
6 – Refresh your outlook on Paso Robles
Refreshing your outlook on Paso Robles means expanding your perspective of what makes this place so peaceful to many people. Sure, you’ve visited during the hustle-and-bustle of summer, stayed for an extra glass during the wine harvest crush time of the beautiful fall, but have you taken time to unwind when nature is still, and the landscapes beautiful and untrodden? By getting outside in the winter, you’re expanding horizons as to truly understanding the many personalities of Paso Robles’ environments.
7 – Learn about terroir
You can learn about terroir from a wine tasting professional, sommelier, and even a restaurant server. But have you immersed yourself in these environments? Diurnal temperatures shifts are the name of the game in Paso Robles, and by visiting the various climates during winter, you can get a better idea of temperatures changes, as well as which areas receive frost, wintertime weather patterns, and more.
8 – Enjoy the off-season
Paso Robles’ busy tourism season can stack up to elevated hotel prices, booked-out restaurants and packed wine tasting rooms. In the winter, things slow down in Paso, so you will not only save money by traveling during winter in Paso Robles, you’ll also find peacefulness in the extra space and isolation, as well as being warmly welcomed at wine tasting rooms who might otherwise by packed during the height of summer or fall.
9 – Museums, holiday events
After your hike, there’s tons of ways to immerse yourself in Paso Robles. In Paso Robles, we love winter because it affords time to visit areas that might otherwise be cranking in heat. That means museums too, like Mission San Miguel, the Paso Robles Historical Society, as well as the Fields of Light at Sensorio.
10 – Spare yourself the sweat
Paso Robles can get quite hot – that’s what we love about it for a variety of reasons, from backyard barbecues to swimming holes. But in winter, things cool down, which means it’s also a great time to exercise and take a hike without worrying about triple-digit temperatures
By immersing in the environment, you learn more about the terroir and what produces Paso Robles’ award-winning and acclaimed wines. Whatever time of year you choose to hike in Paso Robles area, it’s going to be a fun time. But don’t discount the winter – there’s plenty to do and see in these enchanting dreamscapes!