California's Heart and Soul

Winter Adventures and Wine in SLO County

The perfect weekend trip: a little outdoors, a little wine, and a little relaxation. If you haven't experienced the heart of California, right now is the best time to visit San Luis Obispo County. All the best of the state comes together here, without the crowds! Not only can you adventure throughout the county—hiking, biking, rock climbing, and kayaking—the wineries here (and there are more than 250) easily go toe-to-toe with any other wine region in the state. In the far-out region of Paso Robles top wineries pour among a calligraphy of bright green hills, and at the inland classics of the county, you can add extra adventure to your wine tasting by 4-wheeling up and down the vineyards in an open-top 1953 Willys Jeep. From the galloping green hills to the completely accessible coastline, hiking and kayaking are fun and easy ways to explore the area. Find solitude, secluded sands, wild waves, tranquil tide pools, and a picnic spot worthy of a proposal while hiking at Montaña de Oro State Park. (Check out the best hiking trails in the county.) See the county's famed icons by paddling the gentle waters of Morro Bay, or go kayaking through sea caves at Avila Beach.

Unique Lodging Bonus: With a luxe spa, Allegretto Vineyard Resort is a fantastic option for unwinding. The Canyon Villa is an intimate bed & breakfast experience located on 11 acres and perfect for outdoor adventurists. To really get away from it all, stay the night in a century-old farmhouse at HammerSky Vineyards.

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    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

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  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

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  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

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  4. Roaring Good Time

    There’s nothing quite like the majestic beauty of California’s redwood forests. Now, imagine experiencing those towering giants aboard a historic 19th-century steam train. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton is home to some of the oldest and most authentically preserved narrow-gauge steam engines in America.

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  1. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

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  2. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

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  3. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

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  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

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