About the City

El Paso de Robles, or "Pass of the Oaks," is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, in San Luis Obispo County. Surrounded by scenic rolling hills and California’s premier wine regions, Paso Robles is only 27 miles from beautiful beaches. This thriving community of over 30,000 possesses the benefits of a suburban-rural community while retaining a small-town feel, and is one of California’s best kept secrets. With over 200 wineries nearby and a bustling downtown with a variety of excellent restaurants and quality retail, Paso Robles is fast becoming one of the most desirable and yet relatively affordable places to live, work, and play.

Wine

The City of Paso Robles has a long history with both wine and healing waters. Travel and Leisure magazine rated Paso Robles as one of the “25 Top Places to Visit for the Holidays” in 2015 and in 2016. Other accolades for Paso Robles include “America's Healthiest Small Towns,” “Best Small Main Street Towns in America,” “America’s Happiest Cities,” “Best Food and Wine Festivals,” “Winery of the Year” (Tablas Creek, Justin), and “Brewery of the Year” (Firestone Walker Brewing, multiple times) among others. As these honors attest, Paso Robles and the Central Coast offer an unparalleled quality of life.

Economic Outlook

The City understands the importance of business and works hard to attract commerce in a diverse array of industries. The economic outlook for Paso Robles continues to be strong. The housing market is robust, and offers a wide array of housing choices, including new neighborhoods, houses with acreage, infill, and charming Victorian homes, with a median home price less than $500,000. Paso Robles also has excellent schools, both public and private. Approximately half an hour away is the nationally-ranked Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, and within the city of Paso Robles is accredited Cuesta College (North County Campus).

Tourism

Tourism continues to be a major source of income for the City. The increase in grape and wine production has made Paso Robles a tourist destination for in-state, national, and international visitors. Transient occupancy tax collections, viewed as an indicator of tourism success, increased last year by approximately 11.4% over the prior fiscal year.

Public Artwork

Take a map tour of publicly accessible artwork throughout the City of Paso Robles. The artwork includes murals, tile mosaics, sculpture and art galleries, and will be updated as new pieces are added or discovered!

Quasquicentennial

In 2014, the City celebrated its 125th Birthday! See pictures of the celebration posted on Facebook (@Paso125).