Paso Robles is a great destination year-round, but there’s just something magical about being in wine country during the holidays.
3 Reasons to Visit Paso Robles This Holiday Season
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1. Avoid the holiday crowds (& the heat!)
September & October are the busiest months in wine country with all the bustle of harvest, wine club parties, winemaker dinners, special events, festivals and so much more.
Normally, once November & December roll around, winemakers & winery staff finally have a chance to step back and wind down from all the craziness – which makes this a great time for you to come to visit!
It’s easier to get reservations at your preferred wineries & restaurants, wineries have more time to provide quality experiences – and everyone is still eager to chat about all the harvest chaos, so you’re likely to get a good inside scoop on the vintage.
It’s also finally starting to cool off in wine country, so you can sip & savor the notorious red wines that Paso Robles is known for, since – let’s be honest – red wine tastes a little bit better when it’s not hot out!
2. Plenty of winter things to do to put you in a festive mood!
Just because it’s not high season doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to do!
In fact, Paso Robles offers numerous holiday things to do to help get you in the spirit:
Elegant Evening in Paso Robles
- November 16, 2024, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
- FREE
- Hosted by the downtown merchants, this free family-friendly event kicks off the holiday shopping season by indulging shoppers with hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and festive entertainment. Guests themselves dress in their holiday finest, enjoying the downtown merriment until late in the evening.
The Annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony
- November 29, 2024, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm.
- FREE
- Another free family-friendly event, Mrs. Claus will arrive and light the downtown, illuminating the holiday festivities and inviting all to enjoy. The event boasts live music, candlelight caroling, free cookies, and hot chocolate – so grab your family & friends and kick off the Christmas season!
Christmas at the Santa Margarita Ranch
- November 29 – December 22, 2024, Fridays & Saturdays only
- 9 times from 03:45 PM to 08:15 PM
- The Pacific Coast Railroad honors the historic role of the railroad industry in the development of Santa Margarita and the Central Coast.
The railroad includes three engines, as well as four passenger coaches from the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad dating back to the 1950s. The charming passenger coaches of the Pacific Coast Railroad once graced the legendary Disneyland theme park in Anaheim!
Like a magical vision from a bygone era, the steam-powered Pacific Coast Railroad never fails to enchant visitors to Santa Margarita Ranch.
Annual Paso Robles Christmas Light Parade
- December 7, 2024, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.
- FREE
- Downtown Paso Robles enjoys the sights and sounds of the holiday spirit with an illuminated parade featuring an array of light spectacles from local businesses. This year’s theme is ‘Deck the Halls’ and it’s sure to be a great time!
Tin City Forklift Parade
- December 12, 2024, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
- FREE
Bundle up and bring the whole family to Paso Robles hippest destination, Tin City, where you can gather those last-minute holiday gifts, purchase food from one of the many food vendors and enjoy some great craft beer, wine, spirits, cider, and more! Bring the kids for photos with Santa in the Parkette across from Etto Pastificio and watch as forklifts decorated in lights and other décor parade through the streets in this one-of-a-kind experience.
Vine Street Christmas Victorian Showcase
- December 14, 2024, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
- FREE
- Vine Street is lined with beautiful & ornate Victorian homes that are festively decorated with Christmas lights and boasts some type of entertainment at nearly every house! Scrooge will be there along with Santa, local choirs, dance groups, bands, and more. Treat yourself to some hot chocolate and popcorn too.
Cambria Christmas Market
- November 29 – December 31, 2024
- $28 – $44 depending on the day
- Gates open at 5pm and close at 8:30pm. Please allow 2-3 hours to view the Market and Lights.
- Just a short drive from Paso Robles and one of our ultimate favorite holiday activities – this German-style Christmas Market features 2+ million twinkling Christmas lights, artisan vendors, visits from Santa, a fun train ride, cozy fire pits, live music, delicious food & drink (did someone say Gluhwein?!) and so much more.
Sensorio
- Year-round
- $45 – $140
- OK, this isn’t a holiday-specific activity – but a beautiful art-exhibit light show surrounded by vineyards has to be at the top of your holiday list of things to do. Get there early and grab a glass of local wine/beer/distilled spirits and watch the landscape transform as the sun sets and the lights shine brighter. Live music and food are available each night.
- Use promo code TOAST for a discount
- Winery Events all Season!
- Don’t forget to check out all the cheerful winemaker dinners, special pairings, and activities at the wineries themselves! Check out Pasowine.com for an up-to-date list of events
3. Pick Up Some Great Gifts
Get your friends and family something they actually want this year.
Obviously, we have plenty of great wines to choose from – in fact, Paso Robles grows and produces over 60 different grape varieties! – so you’re sure to be able to find something for every palate.
Paso Robles also offers everything from award-winning name brands to boutique, off-the-beaten-path gems – and at nearly every price point, so you’re sure to find something that’s a perfect fit for them.
A wine tour gift certificate is always the best present, which is why it is one of the most requested items on wish lists year after year.
Giving a wine tour gift card with Toast Tours will offer the perfect blend of thoughtful, fun, and special. Whether it be for a Birthday, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Anniversary, Employee Incentive, Thank You gift – and so much more! – it is a gift that is guaranteed to excite and will leave them with lasting memories.
But it doesn’t stop there! We also have a great distillery trail with more than a dozen producers of quality craft spirits. Pick up a bottle of their favorite booze, or take advantage of their pre-made gift packs – did someone say old-fashioned kit?
Don’t forget the locally made, all-natural cocktail mixers: artisan olive oil, fresh lavender products, local honey, cheese and SO much more!3.
TIP: When booking your wine tour, let us know that you’re looking to pick up some gifts during your excursion, as well as a little more about what you’re looking for – and we’ll include places that have exactly what you’re looking for!
Or better yet – get them a Private Paso Robles Wine Tour Gift Card with Toast Tours and let them choose where they go!
- Gift cards never expire, and all private tours include full itinerary planning with a local wine professional, so they’re guaranteed to go to places that are the best fit for them.
Whether you’re a couple or a large group, we will put together the perfect itinerary for you!
Look forward to Toasting with you soon.
