Paso Robles Town

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!
A real winner of an activity is Estrella Warbird and Auto Museum, a military museum with jet fighters, World War I and II exhibits, historic and racing cars, bombs and missiles, communications equipment, and jeeps.
Summer concerts in the park take place at the lovely gazebo in City Park on Thursdays 6-8pm from mid-June to the end of August.
City Park has some of the loveliest Christmas lights I've ever seen! Very romantic, with long strands of lights hanging elegantly from the old, regal trees. Vine Street, one block away, has decorated Victorian homes, and one day in mid-December, a Vine Street Christmas Victorian Showcase event, where the street is closed and everyone walks along it. 
South of Paso Robles town is a public market with mostly wine shops, called Tin City. On Thurs 10am, you can buy Bread Bike Bakery items at Etto Pastificio pasta shop in the Tin City Public Market (450 Marquita Ave)- these are delicious breads and chocolate croissants made with real sourdough!
Four Lanterns Winery, on  Highway 46, also has a summer concert series, Sundays 5-7:30pm, end of May to early Sept, with prepaid online reservation, $10 per person. 
Derby Wine Estates, in downtown near the freeway, has summer concerts in August, Fri 6-9pm.
Riverstar Vineyards, in San Miguel, a fourteen minute drive north, has family-friendly live summer music, one Saturday a month, 5-8pm. 
For another incredible playground, go to Barney Schwartz Park.
If you are in Paso Robles at night, don't miss the amazing, outdoor Sensorio Lights exhibit. It is open Thurs-Sun 5:30-9:30pm. It is expensive but worth it.

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.

Click on map for interactive view