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There are playdays… and then there are play weekends.
Over the next two weeks, we’re heading to Paso Robles—where vineyards stretch out to the horizon and olive oil flows just as freely as wine. Only four hours from the Bay Area, Paso is an easy escape that feels worlds away. Enjoy gorgeous stays, wineries at every turn, unique hot springs, and a food scene deeply rooted in the land.
Day 1: Settle In + Soak It Up
Allegretto Vineyard Resort
Set among rolling vineyards, Allegretto Vineyard Resort feels less like a hotel and more like a living gallery. It’s the vision of Douglas Ayres, whose family legacy in hospitality spans more than a century. Trained in music theory and shaped by travels through sacred spaces around the world, Ayres returned with a singular idea—to create a place where art, architecture, and spirit could live together.
I found myself hoping to run into him in the hallway. Interesting person—Ram Dass meets William Randolph Hearst kind of guy. The resort feels deeply personal, shaped by both joy and hardship, with a quiet thread of healing running throughout. Here, grandeur and struggle don’t compete—they seem to coexist, even nourish each other somehow, a reminder that spirit is what carries us forward in the end.
Grand entryways open into Moroccan-inspired corridors. Gardens unfold into hidden corners. Everywhere you turn, there’s something unexpected.
Jump on a complimentary bike and explore the 20-acres—lovely at sunrise or sunset when art comes to life by the light. Hike or bike the Star Garden Trail, a contemplative walk through the constellations of the Zodiac. You’ll pass olive trees, grazing animals, quiet gardens, even a small chapel. Pause at the labyrinth and walk slowly inward—toward stillness and the steady heartbeat of nature.
Rooms open onto private patios or balconies facing the Piazza Magica—bubbling with fountains and fires calling you to linger—and maybe strike up a conversation with fellow travelers. We shared beers and cheers with a group of traveling salesmen, and then did it again the next night. Saluti!
Dinner: Cello Ristorante & Bar
An easy stroll from your room brings you to Cello Ristorante & Bar, where Mediterranean style meets Northern Italian soul. The menu is seasonal and locally driven, pulling directly from farmers markets, nearby cheese makers and estate varietals including Viognier and Cabernet.
Cello hosts rotating specialty menus—we landed on a Culinary Tour of Italy inspired by Venice—but the core menu is just as compelling.
If you love vegetables like we do at The Food Party!, order the Crispy Brussels Sprouts—deliciously crunchy and yummy. We also enjoyed Cauliflower with za’atar, citrus, anchovy breadcrumbs, and Calabrian chili. Calabrian chili is a favorite Food Party! spice—and the dish a perfect balance of zing, umami, and roasted-pickled chili pepper.
From there, the menu opens up—steaks, fish, and a number of pastas. I choose Radiatori ai Funghi (kale, local mushrooms, ricotta, 24-month parmesan) crowned with house-made focaccia that’s hard to stop eating. Plenty here for the plant-forward crowd without feeling like an afterthought.
Evening: Music at Libretto
Ease into evening at Libretto, a cozy, high-end jazz lounge in downtown Paso Robles.
Libretto is less bar, more listening room. Feels secret and ethereal—like you scored an exclusive invite into a under-the-radar hot spot. During the week it operates as a membership club, but on weekends the pubic is invited for ticketed events. The vibe is relaxed but intentional: wine in hand, low conversation, with music that takes center stage.
Happy hour gives way to the evening set, and the energy in the room changes—quieter, more focused, almost transportive. Corey Jordan takes over, pulling us in with an easy, magnetic rhythm. The man in front of me touches his partner’s arm, a simple moment that says everything. This is a special place. The kind of jewel you can sink into, grateful to have carved out a weekend get away.
Next week, we head beyond town—exploring standout wineries, olive oil producers, and a tucked-away speakeasy with seriously good drinks.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort
Cello Ristorante & Bar
2700 Buena Vista Dr, Paso Robles
Libretto
1242 Park St, Paso Robles, CA
