Downtown Paso Robles is Unique and Dog Friendly

traceytlc

22 Sep, 2023

Downtown Paso Robles is Unique and Dog Friendly

Cooper and I stayed in Downtown Paso Robles on the second stop of our Central California road trip. I had never been to Paso Robles before and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. We both loved it. Read on to find out what makes the area fun and unique.

The gazebo in the center of the park in downtown Paso Robles
Photo courtesy of John Blancette and the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association.
A glowing orange sky over the Paso Robles General Store in downtown Paso Robles
The sky glows orange above the Paso Robles General Store.
Photo by me.

A Beautiful Park is the Centerpiece of Downtown Paso Robles

The first thing you notice as you drive by Downtown Paso Robles is a beautiful public park smack in the middle of a variety of tasting rooms, shops and restaurants. The park includes a children’s playground, gazebo, walking paths and public restrooms. When traveling alone with a dog, public restrooms are always a plus! There are many shady areas for relaxing and reading. Make sure to check out Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association for a list of upcoming events. Coop and I enjoyed live music on a Thursday night while we were there. I must say that rolling in the grass at the park was the best part of Cooper’s vacation.

Oysters on ice with lemon wedges, a Mountain Valley bottle of still water and a craft cocktail from Fish Gaucho
Oysters at Fish Gaucho.
Mahi Mahi topped with grill shrimp accompanied by sliced potatoes and mixed vegetables from The Catch
Fresh fish from Catch Seafood Bar & Grill.
A banana foster split from The Alchemists' Garden
The Bruleed Banana Split at The Alchemists’ Garden.
An peach cocktail and salmon tartare from The Alchemists' Garden
A Venus Harvest cocktail and Salmon Tartare at the Alchemists’ Garden.

Enjoy Many Dog-Friendly Restaurants

As with most towns that Cooper and I visit, if it has a patio, it is most likely dog friendly. We savored amazing food in Downtown Paso Robles. Below are just a few of the many restaurants to try.

  • Fish Gaucho takes Mexican cuisine and gives it a modern twist. As you might guess from their name, many dishes are seafood centric, but they also offer options for steak lovers. I, of course, ordered oysters accompanied by a spicy apple-cucumber mignonette. Next, was the Flat Iron Carne Asada served with jalapeno mashed potatoes. Delicious! If you love tequila, they have a wide selection to choose from or if it’s not your thing, pick a bottle from their impressive wine list. I went with a craft cocktail called By Any Other Name, consisting of rose-infused vodka.
  • Catch Seafood Bar and Grill lists their fresh fish of the day selections on a blackboard. Trust me, you will not be disappointed! My sea bass was topped with grilled shrimp and was scrumptious. Starters include steamers, oysters and mussels. Several steaks are offered for non-fish eaters. For those without dogs, sit inside and watch the chef work in the open kitchen.
  • The Alchemist’s Garden has a patio overlooking the park. It was the perfect place to watch the concert in the park on our visit. Known for fabulous cocktails, the food is tasty too. The Salmon Tartare was full of flavor. I paired it with the Venus Harvest, a spritzer with passionfruit. For dessert, I ordered the Bruleed Banana Split. It was worth every calorie!

Cooper and I can’t wait to go back and try even more of the fantastic food in Downtown Paso Robles.

The interior of Cloak & Dagger's Tasting Lounge in Downtown Paso Robles. Dark leather seats, brick walls and cherry wood give it a distinguished feel.
Photo courtesy of Cloak & Dagger Wines.
The tasting room for Indigene Cellars is located in an alley. The exterior features red brick with indoor and outdoor seating.
Photo courtesy of Indigene Cellars.

Downtown Paso Robles is Home to Over 20 Tasting Rooms

If you don’t want to drive to the many vineyards in Paso Robles, you don’t have to miss out on the wine. Downtown is home to over 20 tasting rooms including Justin and Cloak & Dagger, two of my favorites. Cooper and I walked to several of the tasting rooms and discovered some flavorsome new wines from these boutique wineries. Many are family run and award winning including Indigene Cellars, where Cooper and I spent a lovely evening. Double-check beforehand on each tasting room’s dog policy, but we found most allowed Cooper to accompany me inside. Click here for a list of downtown wineries and events.

Cooper sitting under a black table with a glass of red wine on top at Stables Inn
Coop hanging out on “The Island” at Stables Inn. Photo by me.
A king room with a red nightstand, faux fur rug and farmhouse bed at the Stables Inn
Stables Inn provided this photo.
A fire ring in the middle of the parking lot at Stables Inn. Lighted trees frame the shot.
Photo courtesy of Stables Inn.
The exterior of Stables Inn with large block letters spelling Stables across the front and a farmhouse decor.
Photo courtesy of Stables Inn.

Walk to Downtown from Stables Inn

My advice is to pick a place to stay walkable to downtown. There are many hotels and Airbnb’s to choose from. Cooper and I landed at Stables Inn. The property is adorable, and the inn is an easy three-block walk to Downtown Paso Robles. Super dog friendly, amenities include fresh pastries, tea, coffee and yogurt each morning in the Tack Room, an electric vehicle charger and an island with fire pits and twinkling lights, perfect for sipping that new bottle of wine and making new friends with fellow guests.

Rooms are western-themed and cozy with accommodations available for up to six guests. Beds are a bit on the soft side, but I slept well. Overall, Cooper and I were charmed by the Stables Inn.

Tell us about your favorite dog-friendly road trip in the comment section below.

Are you ready to head out to the wineries in Paso Robles? Read about the dog-friendly vineyards we visited here.