Day trips from the bungalow
The Pacific is about 35 minutes west over the hills. Drive times are from downtown Paso Robles.
Templeton
A western main street with Joebella Coffee, great barbecue and some of the best tasting rooms on the westside's southern edge (Peachy Canyon and Castoro are just up Bethel Road).
Atascadero
The striking 1918 City Hall, the Charles Paddock Zoo, Atascadero Lake Park, Colony Mash Brewing and Wild Fields Brewhouse. Chalk Mountain Golf Course is here too.
Lake Nacimiento
A long dragon-shaped reservoir in the oak hills for boating, waterskiing, kayaking and white bass fishing. Rent a boat at the resort marina and make a summer day of it.
San Miguel
Mission San Miguel Arcángel (1797), whose original painted interior survives, plus a small main street and wineries to the east.
San Luis Obispo
A lively college town with Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the Thursday-night Farmers' Market downtown, Bubblegum Alley, Madonna Inn and the Edna Valley wineries.
Cambria
A pine-forest village by the sea. Walk Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, browse the art galleries, and visit at dusk for Paso Wine Blendfest each winter.
San Simeon & Hearst Castle
Tour William Randolph Hearst's estate on the Enchanted Hill (book up to 60 days ahead at hearstcastle.org), then see the elephant seal colony at Piedras Blancas just up Highway 1.
Morro Bay
A working harbor at the foot of 576-foot Morro Rock. Kayak the bay with sea otters, eat fish and chips on the Embarcadero, and walk the sand spit.
Avila Beach
A sunny, sheltered cove with a pier, Avila Valley Barn, the Bob Jones bike trail and private hot-springs tubs at Sycamore Mineral Springs.
Pismo Beach
A classic California beach town with a pier, clam chowder, the monarch butterfly grove (winter) and dune rides at Oceano.