Travel Like — @JOINJULES

Consider us influenced! Meet the CEO of Happy Hour and author of Pretty Simple Cocktails, Julianna McIntosh. Whether it’s mastering the art of cocktailing, finding your new favorite cocktail destination, or enjoying the best hour at home, Jules has got you covered. From author to podcast to social media.. Jules knows good spirits and loves to share them with her 648,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 1 million on TikTok.

Want to explore Paso Robles like a pro? We’re spilling the details on this CEO of Spritz Season and Margarita Queen’s favorite spots in Paso Robles.

Day 1

Check-in to River Lodge 

Located at the crossroads of Highway 101 & Highway 46 in Paso Robles wine country, River Lodge is a mid-century motel turned retro-chic resort by the creators of Skyview Los Alamos.

The three-acre property features 28 guest rooms, an Italian-inspired restaurant & bar called ‘Ciao Papi’, and a lively landscaped central courtyard with rose gardens, lush lawns, fire pits, and a large 21-and-over-only pool + hot tub.

Recommended Time: After 4:00PM

Dinner at In Bloom

Founded in 2022 by restaurateurs Chris & Nicole Haisma, In Bloom offers sophisticated dining with a laid-back atmosphere. Vinyl records spinning on the house turntable sets the nostalgic backdrop and our dedication to sourcing only the finest ingredients from local farms and purveyors ensures that each dish, cocktail, and wine reflects spirit of California’s Central Coast.

Recommended Time: 5:00PM 

Sensorio Field of Light

When the sun goes down in the hills of Paso Robles, the lights come up at Sensorio, one of California’s largest immersive art exhibitions.

Walk easy paths through more than 100,000 glowing bulbs, like bioluminescent flowers from a jewel-toned fantasy land. Explore several solar-powered exhibits that merge light and music technology with dreamy color in a sensory experience you have to see to understand. From magical family moments to unforgettable date nights to unique corporate events, let Sensorio illuminate your evening.

Recommended Time: 7:00PM

Day 2

Coffee and Breakfast at AMSTRDM Coffee House

Located amidst quaint retailers and artisan restaurants in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, there’s a quiet coffee shop the feels and smells a lot like home. Whether you’re a long-term local or a first time visitor, the baristas at AMSTRDM Coffee House will welcome you with smiles, a wide array of drinks and treats, and an invitation to lounge in their spacious seating area.

Recommended Time: 9:30AM

Tasting at Bethel Road Distillery

The path to Bethel Rd. has been one of passion, experimentation and homage to the tradition of spirit making from around the world. Since Niels Udsen’s time living in Italy, making Italian-style Grappa has been something he dreamed of. After acquiring one of the first distilling licenses in the county and an Arnold Holstein Bavarian still, the dream has finally become a reality.

In its first phase of production, Bethel Rd. has created two outstanding Grappas, a Gin and a two-year barrel aged Brandy that is both rich and complex. You will also find top notch small batch wines made from Estate Grown Organically farmed grapes. This is only the beginning of the journey and many more spirited experiments are in the works.

The distillery and winery is run by the Udsen family of Castoro Cellars, who are pioneers of Paso Robles wine country. Creativity and community are at the center of the Bethel Rd. mission with the goal being to manifest a space that is both inviting and inspirational.

Recommended Time: 11:00AM

Lunch at Barton Family Wines

In 1994, the Barton Family established Grey Wolf Cellars with sights of running a boutique, craft winery focusing on small lot, high quality wines. Winemaker, Joe Barton has been doing just that ever since. Keeping with tradition, the GREY WOLF wines still entail small lot, creatively blended wines made from high quality grapes grown locally. In 2011 Joe released two new and exciting brands. One being the BARTON label which entails our line of white wines and reserve reds. Joe's philosophy with the Barton brand is clean, dry, acidic and floral whites and best of the best red wines.

Recommended Time: 12:30PM

Tasting at Grain + Vine

Grain+Vine Distillery was founded in 2022 by Jenny and Joe Barton a husband and wife team that are committed to making high quality craft spirits. Come experience our grain to bottle approach and learn how the grain farmer’s daughter and the grape grower’s son brought two families together as one.

Recommended Time: 2:15PM

Dinner at The Alchemists’ Garden

The Alchemists’ Garden is a restaurant and bar with a focus on creativity. The vision for The Alchemists’ Garden stems from the study of Alchemy, which is an original science, and much like mixology, is based on the transformation of matter. Driven by a desire to provide a new and exceptional experience to downtown Paso Robles, the owners conceptualized The Alchemists’ Garden as a space for people to come together as a community and feel both inspired and at ease through exceptional cuisine and cocktails.

Recommended Time: 6:00PM

Cocktails at The Remedy

The Remedy is a 21 and over, intimate 12 seat lounge tucked within The Alchemists’ Garden. This is a space to inspire and transport through molecular gastronomy and the pleasure of sharing fine spirits.

Recommended Time: 8:00PM

Day 3

Brunch at Ciao Papi

Drenched in sunshine and style, Ciao Papi is a poolside restaurant + cocktail bar at the swankified River Lodge hotel in Paso Robles wine country. The California-Italian kitchen serves up craft eats + drinks designed by the culinary team behind the beloved Bistro + Nightcap at Granada Hotel in San Luis Obispo. 

Recommended Time: 10:00AM

Wine Tasting at Hubba Wines

Hubba Wines are a reflection of international influences, inspiration from friends and family, and a never-ending wanderlust. Share these wines with friends, family, food, and whatever the day brings.

Recommended Time: 12:00PM

Wine Shine & Tin City Distillery

Wine Shine and Tin City Distillery is more than vodka or whiskey; it's an idea, distilled down to its most passionate form. The idea that the Central Coast represents California in its purest sense, and our spirits are crafted to embody just that. Forged with intention and local wisdom, our brandy, vodka, gin, whiskey, and canned cocktails are created for you.

Recommended Time: 2:00PM

Explore Tin City

An evolving industrial makers market nestled amongst the oaks where friends, adventurers, and aficionados come together to partake in craft wine, beer and spirits served up by Paso Robles' most passionate artisans. Home to over 40 businesses, including award-winning wineries, innovative craft breweries, and artisanal distilleries, Tin City is a vibrant and unique industrial hub full of passionate, hardworking artisans who have come together to create a unique and vibrant community.

Recommended Time: 3:30PM

Dinner at Della’s

Della’s is a modern wine country pizzeria and gin joint in downtown Paso Robles serves up ingredient-driven rustic dishes and California cocktails in a swanky-casual atmosphere that encourages the sharing of blistered wood-fired pizzas, savory sides and entrées, as well as lively conversation. Always eager to chat up their menu faves, locals mix with newcomers at the welcoming bar and at cozy tables.

Recommended Time: 6:00PM

Cocktails at Eleven Twenty Two

Join us inside 1122 for a truly unique cocktail experience where all your senses will be engaged. From the moment you walk inside your eyes will dart left, right, up and down taking in the candlelit 1930's inspired atmosphere.  You'll hear bartenders shaking up drinks, hushed chatter from the patrons enjoying their libations and in the background, music from the Great Gatsby era.  You'll smell torched rosemary, lemon and cinnamon being garnished on craft cocktails.  Then after all that, you settle in and taste your cocktails, and you’re hooked on an experience unlike any other.

Recommended Time: 8:00PM