Need a little break but don’t want to spend a fortune? Come spend a day in Paso Robles and explore all that the city has to offer for next to nothing! Here, we check out our favorite ways to experience Paso for $10 or less.
Downtown Paso Robles is the perfect place to start. Downtown City Park is both the physical and cultural center of the city making it a natural starting point. With loads of shops and boutiques lining the Park and beyond, it’s easy to spend the better part of the day simply window shopping! For a totally free way to experience local creativity, stop by Studios on the Park, a non-profit art center with working studios. Daily demonstrations and exhibits can help you immerse yourself in the artistic spirit of Paso Robles! It's also worth venturing a little farther along Spring Street for some fabulous vintage and antique shops filled with the interesting and unique.
During your downtown explorations, pop into Pasolivo to sample the finest olive oils around. These award-winning oils are crafted from Pasolivo’s nearby Westside farm and their free tours make it a fun way to learn more. And although we’re sticking to free as much as we can, pick up a bottle of your favorite to enjoy as part of a picnic in City Park. If it happens to be a Thursday during the summer, take your time with your picnic because there are free concerts starting around 6pm at City Park! Hangout with residents and visitors alike as they revel in the strummings of local musicians in the cooler evening air.
If you’d like budget-friendly ways to sample some of Paso’s wares, there are plenty of options! Right near City Park is Spearhead Coffee, which has both whole beans for sale and delicious coffee based drinks including the divine Aztec Mocha. Pick up a favorite drink to caffeinate your explorations around Paso. Or head to AMSTRDM Coffee House and Piano Lounge for fantastic coffees and people watching.
What’s coffee without something sweet? Just Baked Cake Studio & Bakery at Paso Market Walk has a range of delicious options to soothe that sugar hankering, including apple turnovers, chocolate croissants, and more. And yes, there are gluten-free options as well! Brown Butter Cookie Company, right off the main square, is another local legend in the dessert domain. Sink your sweet tooth into a classic chocolate chunk or lemon sugar cookie to experience sweet bliss.
If you’re leaning more towards a cold treat, pick up a cone at Leo Leo Gelato and Sorbetto. With no processed sugars or other ingredients, Leo Leo produces heavenly gelatos and sorbets with a range of delectable flavors. Negranti Creamery Scoop Shop is another local favorite that churns incredible ice creams from sheeps’ milk, cows’ milk, and non-dairy milks as well. Negranti is a delicious way to support local dairy farms while embracing the entrepreneurial spirit of Paso.
Time for a beer? Don’t mind if we do! The Backyard on Thirteenth has plenty of options for cold brews that won’t break the bank. Grab your favorite and hangout in the beer garden with games, music, and usually at least a few friendly dogs.
Paso Robles offers up tasty entertainment regardless of budget! We’re all trying to watch our wallets these days and Paso makes it easy to do just that.
