Paso Robles Town

San Luis Obispo, CA Print   Leave a comment

Description

Paso Robles is an attractive town laid out around a gorgeous huge park with old pine trees. Three streets (12th, Pine, and 11th) border Downtown City Park and are packed with cute cafes and stores. Park Street branches from the north of the park and has some charming architecture. After the 2003 earthquake, Paso Robles was rebuilt with its original architecture, making it historic yet spiffed up. The brilliant planners made sure that only attractive shops would open, so that there would be a real downtown.
We had a blast walking around. There is a little wooden house in the park where kids can play. Carnegie's elaborate library, which sits in the center of the park, has been restored but is not in use.
The Downtown City Park playground is amazing, with an accessible merry go round, and a huge play structure with tons to do.
The most delightful discovery is Powell's Sweet Shoppe, a sort of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory experience, where you can find any candy you could ever want- it is truly magic in there. Its location in the "old red bath house" on 11th Street adds to the glory. Another great find is Paso's Pizza Kitchen, on 12th Street across Spring St from the park, which has great atmosphere. Huge windows look out on the street. Little lamps hang from wooden booths. Little colored lights are strung about. A wall mural that reflects perfectly the powdery blues and greens of the Paso Robles countryside tops it off. Kids like it here because there's so much to see. There is also a movie theater at 1100 Pine St. For a fun store, check out Earthtones, where you can buy crystals, rocks, scarves, and other cool things. The garden decorations outside the store are just gorgeous.
Check out the Paso Robles Children's Museum, just a short walk from Downtown City Park (see info below)- kids love it with its pizza kitchen, Newton's playhouse where they can shoot balls, market with carts and more!
Summer concerts in the park take place at the lovely gazebo on Thursdays 5:30-7:30 from the end of June to the end of August.
For another incredible playground, go to Barney Schwartz Park.

Photo Gallery

The little wooden house in City Park.	The gazebo in City Park, where summer concerts are held.	View of 12th Street, from City Park.
Historical architecture on Park St.	View of City Park from Park St- huge trees and the little wooden house.	City Park walkway and lamppost.
Picnic table in City Park.	City Park lawn and Carnegie Library in the distance.	The clocktower, that was damaged in the 2003 earthquake and rebuilt.
The old red bathhouse, where Powell's Sweet Shoppe is located.	Powell's Sweet Shoppe will transport you back to childhood!	Lily's Yogurt, across the street from City Park.
Brown Butter Cookie Company sells yummy cookies!	Cute Park Street.	Thomas Hill Organics on Park Street.
Cute Christmas decorations over door at Thomas Hill Organics.	Earthtones Gift Shop- we loved it!	Chimes outside Earthtones Gift Shop.
Little frogs on taps with crystal drops of water, at Earthtones Gift Shop.	Olive oil tasting at Thomas Hill Organics.	Christmas tree outside Thomas Hill Organics.
Cute building on Park Street.

Directions

Exit Highway 101 northbound at Spring St. Drive about 8 blocks and then turn right on 12th Street and park along the road.
Exit Highway 101 southbound at 16th Street. Turn left immediately on Riverside Ave. Turn right on 12th Street and park along the road.
Earthtones Gift Shop, 1319 Park St, Paso Robles, CA 93446, call (805) 238-4413.
Paso's Pizza Kitchen, 625 12th St, call (805) 227-0777.
Powell's Sweet Shoppe, 840 11th Street, call (805) 239-1544.
Paso Robles Children's Museum, 623 13th St, Paso Robles CA 93446, call (805) 238-7432. Open Wed and Sat 10-4, Thurs, Fri, and Sun 11-4. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for children aged 1-13, and $5 for grandparents.

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Overall Visitor Rating:

Jodhi 01/29/2010 14:33	oo.. very cool ;-)))))
Diane 10/22/2009 19:32	love driving through cali...winetasting...........no better way to travel!!!