Paso Robles Tours, Transportation & Festivals

Skip the designated-driver dilemma and tour in comfort. See the wineries guide for where to head once you're out.

Full disclosure: as a local, I’ve never needed a formal tour — but these are the locally owned companies I’d point a visiting friend to.

• Uncorked Wine ToursWine tour and transportation/limo service — a relaxed, safe way to explore the region's wineries.
• Toast ToursA boutique Paso Robles wine tour company with custom private itineraries, plus specialty options like a Private Hearst Castle & Wine Tour and the Taste of Tin City Walking Tour.
• Grand Cru LimousineLocal black car and luxury SUV service for wine, distillery, and brewery tours around Paso Robles.
• Crown LimousinePaso Robles-based limo and SUV service for wine tours and special occasions across the Central Coast.
• Central Coast Jeep TourOpen-air guided jeep tours — a fun, adventurous way to see the vineyards, backroads, and scenery.
• Paso Air ToursHelicopter wine tasting and sightseeing tours from Sinton Helicopters, a family-owned Paso Robles operator flying since 1980 — a bird's-eye way to see the vineyards and coastline.
• Balloons Over PasoSunrise hot air balloon flights over the vineyards and countryside, capped at 2–5 passengers for an intimate ride, followed by champagne and light fare. A local, Paso Robles-based small business.
• Destination DriversA professional driver takes you out in your own car — so you get a designated driver without giving up your itinerary.
• Breakaway Tours Wine & EventsPaso's longest-running tour company — founded in 1995 by sommelier Jill Tweedie, female-owned and locally operated, with deep connections across Central Coast wine country.
• The Wine WranglerEstablished in 2004 and billed as Paso Robles' original wine tour company, with guides who know the region's back roads and wineries.
• Private Wine DriverLocally owned and operated since 2015 — private, personalized tours with a dedicated driver.
• Vanagon Wine ToursA veteran-owned, husband-and-wife team based in Templeton, running fully private all-day tours in “Old Blue,” a restored classic VW Vanagon that seats up to six.
• Third Wheel ToursRide through the vineyards in a motorcycle sidecar — from a one-hour scenic ride or a sunset tour to a four-hour, three-winery outing. Sidecars seat two; groups of up to six can ride in their Tuk-Tuk.
• VineCycle e-Bike ToursGuided e-bike rides through estate vineyards, plus e-bike rentals delivered to your Paso lodging for a self-guided ride.
• Central Coast Bike RentalSelf-checkout e-bikes and cruisers right downtown inside Paso Market Walk, with delivery to Paso Robles, Templeton, and Atascadero. Every rental includes a helmet, lock, and cargo bag, and child seats and passenger bikes are available for families.
• Paso Robles Wine ToursPrivate, custom wine tours led by owner Jed McClure, who has guided more than 1,800 of them. Tours can mix in an olive oil tasting or a brewery stop — or skip the wine for a beer-only day.
• Elite Wine Tours PasoCustom private tours planned and driven by owner John Ziegler, who has led more than 2,000 Central Coast wine tours since 2005 — groups of two to eight ride in a Mercedes limo Sprinter, with a focus on small, boutique wineries.
• Central Coast Food & Wine ToursWalking food and wine tours through historic downtown Paso, run by longtime Central Coast residents Laura and Yule Gurreau — a delicious way to learn the town's history between bites.
• Harris Stage LinesHorseback adventures on a fifth-generation family farm, from sunset BBQ rides to Sunday trail rides with brunch.

Paso has a festival for nearly every month of the year — here's the annual lineup.

• Spring Release MonthMarch. A monthlong celebration of new wine releases, with more than 100 winemaker dinners, seminars, tours, and events across wine country.
• Rhone Rangers ExperienceMarch. Tastings, dinners, and workshops celebrating Rhône varietals like Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre.
• Paso Robles Olive & Lavender FestivalMay. Free tastings of olive oils, lavender products, and even olive oil ice cream, plus wine tastings and olive press demos.
• Paso Wine FestMay. The marquee weekend for Paso wine — 100+ wineries, winemaker dinners, and the Grand Tasting.
  
• Atascadero Lakeside Wine FestivalJune. My favorite festival — I try to go every year! Held at Atascadero Lake Park just south of Paso, it has the perfect venue and is so laid back, with wines from 50+ Central Coast wineries plus craft breweries, cideries, food vendors, and live music by the lake. I love that the Central Coast Zoo is included as part of the festival — you can have some wine poured as you visit the animals.
  
• Distillery Trail WeekendAugust. A weekend of tours, mixology demos, and food pairings across a dozen craft distilleries.
  
• Harvest Wine MonthOctober. A monthlong celebration of harvest with winery tours, grape stomps, and winemaker dinners across the region.
  
• Pioneer DayOctober. Paso's oldest community festival, running since 1931, with a parade, bean feed, and free family activities.
  
• Día de los Muertos FestivalOctober. A vibrant celebration of Mexican, Aztec, and Catholic traditions with music, dance, and ofrendas.
  
• Paderewski FestivalNovember. Three days of concerts, lectures, and wine dinners honoring pianist and statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski, who once owned ranches here.
• Garagiste FestivalNovember. Small-lot winemakers who craft under 1,500 cases a year and rarely have tasting rooms of their own.
• Annual Christmas Light ParadeDecember. Floats, classic cars, and Santa himself, looping around Downtown City Park.
• Vine Street Victorian ShowcaseDecember. Over 30 years running — all the homes on Vine Street are decked out in their finest lights. The street is closed so everyone can walk down and enjoy. The houses offer different things, such as hot chocolate, caroling, music, and snacks, all for free. One of my son's favorite Christmas memories is the Scrooge on the front balcony yelling at the crowd.