Paso Robles Community Profile

Paso Robles

Paso Robles (full name: El Paso de Robles “The Pass of the Oaks”), is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California. Located on the Salinas River north of San Luis Obispo, California, the city is known for its hot springs, its abundance of wineries, production of olive oil, almond orchards, and for playing host to the California Mid-State Fair.

Paso Robles is located approximately halfway between the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. Paso Robles is where the region of Southern California ends. The elevation of Paso Robles ranges from 675 to 1,100 feet, but the majority of the main downtown area of the city sits at about 740 feet above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Paso Robles city limits contain a total land area of 19.4 square miles, 98.43% of it land and 1.57% of it water.

In October, 2015, Paso Robles’ downtown area was listed as the number two small town main street in Top Value Reviews’ survey of the “50 Best Small Main Streets in America!” They wrote, “Paso Robles, California is beautiful countryside located between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Though the town was originally founded around natural hot springs, today it is best known for the 200 wineries that grace the nearby hills. Downtown, Paso Robles boasts a main square lined with gorgeous buildings ranging from high Victorian to Mexican adobe style. The square offers visitors everything from a movie theater, to restaurants of all kinds, to rotating exhibits, to chic boutiques, to wine tastings, and much more. Visitors to Paso Robles can also catch a wine tour from the main square, on which they can learn all about the Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels that hail from the region.” See the entire article at: http://www.topvaluereviews.net/features/best-small-town-main-streets-america/

Geography

The topography of the area consists of gentle rolling hills on the eastern half of the city, and foothill peaks which rise in elevation to the Santa Lucia Coastal Range on the west, which are all blanketed in the Californian chaparral environment, which is mainly dry grassland and oak woodland. Simply "Paso," as it is referred to by locals, sits on the eastern foothills of the Santa Lucia Coastal Mountain Range, which lies directly to the West of the city, and runs in a North-South direction, starting at Monterey, then runs down South to its terminus, in the San Luis Obispo area. The city is located at the southern end of the fertile Salinas River Valley, which is centered in between the Temblor Range (including the San Andreas Fault), which lie about 28 miles to the East, and the Santa Lucia Coastal Range, which lie directly west, rising up from the city's western border. Paso Robles sits at the border where northern San Luis Obispo County and

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Paso Robles Community Profile

southern Monterey County meet, and is situated roughly 24 miles, or 35 minutes, inland from the Pacific Ocean.

Climate

The Paso Robles area actually consists of two different climate types and classifications, as based on the Köppen climate classification (KCC) system, which are KCC type BSk, a semi-arid, dry, steppe-type climate, and KCC type Csb, which is the typical, coastal Californian & “Mediterranean” type. The area receives a mixture of these two types of climates, but the primary climate is defined by long, hot, dry summers and brief, cool, sometimes rainy winters. Paso Robles enjoys long-lasting, mild autumns and occasional early springs, giving the region a unique climate suitable for growing a variety of crops (ranging from primarily grapes, to olives, to almonds and other tree nuts). The city receives an average annual rainfall of about 14.71 inches per year, and most of this precipitation falls during winter and early spring. Paso Robles often receives less than 10 inches of rain per year and typically, no rain falls from May through September. Summers in Paso Robles tend to be very hot, with daily temperatures frequently exceeding 100° F from late June to as late as mid-September, and occasionally exceeding 110° F. Paso Robles' summers feature an unusually large daytime-nighttime temperature swing, where there may be a profound temperature difference, as much as 50° F, between the daytime highs and the overnight lows. Winters are often very cool and moist, with daytime temperatures reaching into the low 50s° F. Mornings and nights differ from the daytime average, as they tend to very frigid (especially in December and January), where lows reach as low as 22° F. Due to the somewhat close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the marine layer occasionally makes it over the coast range and into Paso Robles, creating occasional fog. However, unlike typical California coastal marine fog in areas such as San Francisco, this fog is never long lasting, and typically burns off before 10 a.m. The all-time record high temperature at the National Weather Service cooperative city office was 117° F on August 13, 1933. The record low temperature was 0° F on January 6, 1913, making Paso Robles the lowest elevation in California to reach that low temperature. There are an average of 81.0 days with high temperatures of 90° F or higher and an average of 64.0 days with low temperatures of 32° F or lower. The 30-year average (1971–2000) annual precipitation is 15.17 inches, falling on an average of 47 days. The wettest year was 1941 with 29.19 inches of precipitation and the driest year was 1947 with 4.24 inches. The most precipitation in one month was 14.76 inches in January 1916. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.25 inches on December 6, 1966. Although snow is rare in Paso Robles, 4.0 inches fell on April 5, 1929, and on December 15, 1988.

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At the Paso Robles FAA Airport, the record high temperature was 115° F on June 15, 1961, and July 20, 1960. The record low temperature was 8° F on December 22, 1990. There are an average of 86.7 days with highs of 90° F or higher and an average of 53.6 days with lows of 32° F or lower. The 30-year average (1971–2000) annual precipitation is 12.57 inches, falling on an average of 42 days. The wettest year was 1995 with 25.56 inches and the driest year was 2007 with 4.20 inches. The most precipitation in one month was 12.19 inches in January 1969. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 5.47 inches on March 10, 1995. The record snowfall was 4.0 inches on December 15, 1988.

Demographics The 2010 United States Census reported that Paso Robles had a population of 29,793. The population density was 1,533.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup of Paso Robles was 23,158 (77.7%) White, 622 (2.1%) African American, 297 (1.0%) Native American, 593 (2.0%) Asian, 56 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 3,916 (13.1%) from other races, and 1,151 (3.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10,275 persons (34.5%). The Census reported that 29,624 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 164 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 5 (0%) were institutionalized. There were 10,833 households, out of which 4,104 (37.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,721 (52.8%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,345 (12.4%) had a female householder with no husband present, 603 (5.6%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 767 (7.1%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 66 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 2,486 households (22.9%) were made up of individuals and 1,192 (11.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73. There were 7,669 families (70.8% of all households); the average family size was 3.19. The population was spread out with 7,829 people (26.3%) under the age of 18, 2,827 people (9.5%) aged 18 to 24, 7,870 people (26.4%) aged 25 to 44, 7,271 people (24.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,996 people (13.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males. There were 11,426 housing units at an average density of 588.2 per square mile, of which 6,412 (59.2%) were owner-occupied, and 4,421 (40.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.8%. 16,666 people (55.9% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 12,958 people (43.5%) lived in rental housing units.

Government Paso Robles is a general law city; it does not have a city charter. It uses a council-manager form of government, directed by a five-member city council. The

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council consists of a mayor (elected at-large for a two-year term) plus four councilmembers (elected at-large for staggered four-year terms). The council appoints the city manager and city attorney, but the city clerk and city treasurer are elected officials.

Education Paso Robles Joint Unified School District

“Paso Robles Joint Unified School District has a rich history and a strong track record of putting student excellence first. We believe that we are one team working towards the one dream of ensuring our students' success.” http://www.pasoschools.org/ Each school has its own individual site that can be accessed at the top right of the district page by clicking the button "select a school". Georgia Brown Dual Immersion Elementary Magnet Program

Georgia Brown's Two-Way Language Immersion Program is a unique opportunity that brings together Spanish and English speaking students in an effort to develop full bilingualism and bi-literacy in both groups. It is an additive bilingual program meaning that all students learn a second language without compromising their first language. Dual language programs foster bilingualism, bi-literacy, enhance awareness of linguistics and cultural diversity, and high levels of academic achievement through instruction of the language (Cobb2006).

Georgia Brown is a research based 90/10 two-way bilingual immersion program. In this model, students in TK, Kindergarten, and first grade will spend 80-90% of their day learning in Spanish. Their primary teacher will communicate only in Spanish. Their English Language Arts teacher will be responsible for the English portion of the day. In 2nd grade, 80% of the day is taught in Spanish, 70% in 3rd grade, and 4th and 5th grades transition into 50% of the day taught in Spanish/English.

All students are taught according to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in both English and Spanish. Students learn to read and write in Spanish first. English reading and writing foundational skills are acquired during the child's 1st grade year. The result is superior academic performances in two languages. Bilingualism not only enhances cognitive development, it increases multicultural understanding and expands educational and professional prospects.

History of the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District

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“The first one-room school house was built in Paso Robles in 1877. The school district itself was not founded until 1887 with a tax election that funded Paso Robles' first main school house on 17th Street, built in 1888. The first school was too small and so a second school soon followed, also built on 17th street.” “Because of the growing population of children in the Paso Robles area, these school sites quickly became outgrown so a new "Paso Robles School" was built. This three-story masonry building was the first high school in San Luis Obispo County and served Paso Robles students until damaged in the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.”

“Plans were then made to build two new schools. The grammar school, (which burned in 1953 and was replaced by the "Primary School" now called Marie Bauer Elementary) and a new Paso Robles High School, which was built in 1924 on the corner of 24th and Spring Street. A middle school (now Glen Speck Elementary) and two other elementary schools (Georgia Brown and Winifred Pifer) were built in the 1940s.”

“The community continued to grow and soon outgrew these older facilities. Thus, in 1981, a new high school campus was built at the current site, 801 Niblick Road, and the old high school became a middle school (George Flamson Middle School). As the district continued to grow, Bauer and Speck were combined into a single elementary site and Winifred Pifer was moved into a more modern campus in 1995. Other new schools were built: Virginia Peterson Elementary, Pat Butler Elementary, and in 2000, Kermit King Elementary. Flamson Middle School was joined by Daniel Lewis Middle School in 1996 which was built on the old Winifred Pifer Elementary site. On December 22, 2003, the San Simeon Earthquake damaged Flamson Middle school to the point that is was unusable and was replaced by the current new main building.” “The middle school students, upon promotion, are joined by students from the San Miguel and Pleasant Valley School Districts in attending Paso Robles High School.” “The high school has produced numerous higher academic scholars, military academy appointees, college graduates, business owners, politicians, and teachers. Paso Robles High School has a proud tradition and is strongly supported by the community, many of them Paso grads. The school's mascot is, and always will be, the Bearcat.”

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Templeton Unified School District The city of Templeton and the Templeton Unified School District borders Paso Robles and the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District to the immediate South. Some Paso Robles students attend Templeton schools on a “permit” basis. “TUSD is an educational system where stakeholders are empowered, respected and adequately resourced to deliver broad-based and effective pathways from which student and employee outcomes are self-determined as a result of individual talents, interests and choices. The fundamental values of integrity, perseverance, excellence and local control are apparent in all interactions between staff members and during interactions with the public.” A message from Joe Koski, Ed.D, Superintendent TUSD: “Evidence demonstrates that Templeton Unified has made a successful transition to California’s new content standards and that our organization is as effective as ever.” Templeton led all school districts in the county in Language Arts performance as measured by data from the inaugural Smarter Balanced Assessment. 61% of students met or exceeded the standards. This is an impressive result considering that new standards and the assessment are significantly more rigorous than the previous versions. Despite these outstanding results, our teachers are committed to continuous improvement. We have selected the Listening Claim as an area of focus for this year. The skills covered by these standards have never been formally assessed in a standardized manner. I look forward to studying the effect of the instructional changes made to reflect this new area of emphasis.” “Results in math were positive as well. 43% percent of students met or exceeded standards which placed us as the second highest performing district in the county. This was an overall improvement as we typically place third or fourth in the county in mathematics performance. However, our goal is to become the county leader in math performance by 2020. We adopted new math textbooks and are providing additional training for teachers in order to provide the best instruction possible.” “Students in Templeton enjoy numerous enrichment opportunities in addition to outstanding instruction in English, math, science and social science. We provide formal art and music instruction at both elementary schools. Vineyard Elementary provides instrumental music and drama after school in order to further enhance our fine arts program. Older students may pursue their passion in the arts through elective courses that are offered at the middle and high school.” “A recent staff survey demonstrates that morale is high and that 94% of staff are pleased or very pleased with our organizational progress. Our bargaining units have enjoyed a three year contract allowing our Human Resources Department to focus on employee development and training. Nearly 75% of teachers attended up to 14 optional staff development days over the course of the last

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three years, which is one of the primary reasons that we were able to make such a successful transition to the new standards.”

Colleges Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo California Polytechnic State University or California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, also known as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Founded in 1901 as a vocational high school, it is currently one of only two polytechnic universities in the 23-member California State University system. Comprising six distinct colleges, the university offers 64 bachelor’s degrees, 32 master’s degrees, and 7 teaching credentials. The university does not currently grant doctoral degrees. Cal Poly is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Cal Poly is known for its "learn by doing" educational philosophy that encourages students to solve real-world problems by combining classroom theory with experiential laboratory exercise. The most prevalent major at Cal Poly is Business Administration, followed by Mechanical Engineering and Biological Sciences. Cal Poly is one of four California State Universities that participate in the Big West Conference in athletics. Cuesta College Cuesta College is a public community college in San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast region of California. The college offers 76 Associate’s degree programs and 96 certificate programs. A number of Cuesta students transfer to the public California State University and University of California systems, including the nearby Cal Poly SLO campus, as well as private colleges and universities.

Political Demographics and Community Issues Demographics

The area of Paso Robles and the area immediately surrounding the city to the north, east and west falls into San Luis Obispo County Supervisory District 1. This includes the cities of Paso Robles, and the unincorporated areas of Heritage Ranch, San Miguel, Shandon and Whitley Gardens. The political demographics of District 1 as of the June 2016 primary election are as follows: Republican – 13,756, Democratic – 8,069, American Independent – 873, Green – 111, Libertarian – 217, Peace and Freedom – 54, Misc. – 280, Declined – 5,571.

Community Issues Homelessness The city of Paso Robles is located in northern San Luis Obispo County near the Monterey County border. It is the last major city for approximately 100 miles. It is

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also the last city within San Luis Obispo County where major homeless programs can be found. In a 2015 “Point in Time” census conducted by SLO County, homelessness had increased in both the ‘”unsheltered” and “sheltered” categories. Within a two-year period in North County, unsheltered homeless increased from 393 to 452, up over 15%. Sheltered homeless increased from 73 to 177, an increase of over 142%. The total homeless number in the area increased from 466 to 629, an increase of 35% in the two-year period. Many of the Paso Robles homeless live within the confines of the Salinas River riverbed which runs through the center of town. Most of the year there is not a weather problem, but in the winter and spring months, when the river can fill with swift-flowing rain water, the homeless are displaced by city officials wanting to keep them safe. Unfortunately, this puts an additional burden on the overstrained shelters that are filled to capacity. Easing some of this burden, many churches and institutions have instituted a warming shelter program where halls and sanctuaries are opened overnight on a limited basis to help in rainy and freezing nights. There are numerous homeless assistance entities in Paso Robles and the immediate area. They vary from organizations which provide shelter, to those who supply food and/or financial assistance. Some examples are: El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO), an Atascadero-based organization that provides shelter referrals; Loaves and Fishes, which provides food and motel vouchers; The Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County, which operates an overnight homeless shelter and a day center in the city of San Luis Obispo. They also have a North County outreach worker to provide assistance in the immediate Paso Robles area; For homeless who are sick, injured or disabled, Transitional Food and Shelter, Inc. operates a temporary, emergency shelter for those too ill to be in a regular overnight shelter; North County Women’s Resource Center, which operates shelters for abused women and children in Paso Robles and Atascadero; And, the Second Baptist Church in Paso Robles, which provides meals, showers and donated clothing to the homeless. Additional information can be found at: http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/PL/Housing/PUB-2015-Point-In-Time-Count-Report.pdf School Bond Issue The plan consists of a new universal preschool and additional before/after school programs. The Adult Learning Transitional Center will be relocated to a facility to better model independent living skills and increase articulation with community agencies. Other curricular investments include library upgrades, intervention

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support, and instructional materials. Funding will also increase support of dual immersion, educational technology, and visual and performing arts. If the bond is approved, funding will come from an increase in property taxes.

Street Maintenance / Potholes Many streets in Paso Robles are in poor condition and are in need of repair. Pot holes are a concern to many. In 2012, the citizens of Paso Robles voted in a ½ cent sales tax to improve roadways and many projects have been instituted since that time. A “Public Works Capital Projects” committee oversees the maintenance to ensure that it is completed in a timely manner and that major construction is done correctly. Water Management The Paso Robles area, just as most areas in California, is experiencing an issue with water during this season of drought. Water has always been an issue for California and it will continue to be, well into the future. There are two sides to the current water debate – those who say our underground water basin (the largest in California) is in overdraft, and those who say it is not. Studies from both sides, as always, support their individual views. One group wants local control by a Water District board, and the other wants things left alone to the way the situation has always been handled, by the County Board of Supervisors and the County Flood Control District. Those preferring a Water District have the backing of large land owners and corporate farms, including a group that advocates “water banking” as the solution to the problem. The group preferring county control fears losing control to big land owners and corporations looking to make millions of dollars on a “scheme” to buy and sell water (banking) for their own benefit. Another side of the issue involves the use of groundwater by grape growers and the ever-increasing number of farmed acreage in the area. The more farming there is, the more water used, hence the lowering of the water table. Many older residential wells (dug to the standards of the 1960s and 1970s) are shallow and have gone dry. Digging a new well is an expensive proposition, as it averages in cost between $20,000.00 to $30,000.00. To allay some of the water problem and meet State regulation of water during this time, the city of Paso Robles has initiated a two-day per week watering schedule for residential lawns and gardens between certain hours, a prohibition of excessive water runoff, and car washing allowed only with a bucket and hose shutoff nozzle. There is also a prohibition of washing down paved surfaces except to address health and safety issues. Meanwhile, in outlying (unincorporated) areas of northern San Luis Obispo County, lines have been drawn and the two sides are diametrically opposed to the other’s beliefs and ideas. The water debate will go on and seems to be an

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issue that will never go away or be settled. Until California and the North County area is out of the current drought situation, water restrictions will continue.

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Churches and Religious Organizations There are thirty-two churches and/or religious organizations listed on the internet within the city of Paso Robles. Represented are protestant (denominational and non-denominational), Roman Catholic, and the Church of Latter Day Saints. Some churches are conducted in the Spanish or Korean languages and cater to those who primarily speak those languages, and some English speaking churches have separate Spanish speaking congregations and/or services.

Housing Besides the city of Paso Robles itself, the greater Paso Robles real estate market includes housing at Lake Nacimiento (Heritage Ranch) - 25 minutes to the west, the rural areas within 15 to 20 minutes to the east, the city of Templeton (10 minutes south), and the city of Atascadero (15 minutes south). The average single family residence within this area sells for $369,800.00 while the national average is $181,400.00. That cost is 103% above the national average. The average mortgage in Paso Robles is $1207.72, while the national average is $1,081.03, a figure 11.7% above the national average. The average apartment rent is $1,085.00 - the national average $889.00, 22% above the national average. There are currently (06/2016) 40 single family residences listed on Zillow in the Paso Robles real estate market between the prices of $200,000.00 and $400,000.00.

Shopping and Specialty Retail Paso Robles has an abundance of supermarkets and retail stores available throughout the city. Historic Downtown offers a variety of specialty retail stores, clothing stores, restaurants and wine tasting rooms. Many are adjacent to the 5 acre City Park which offers a gazebo, a children’s playground, the Carnegie Library (now occupied by the P.R. Historical Society), numerous old growth oak trees and many park benches and tables. Spring Street is home to many retail stores, a supermarket, drug stores and convenience stores. Golden Hills Plaza, to the north at Golden Hill Road and E. Hwy 46, houses a Lowes hardware store, Bed, Bath and Beyond, TJ Max, and many small retail businesses. Three major auto dealerships are also located in this immediate area. Williams Plaza, at Creston Road and Golden Hills Road, houses a Smart and Final, a Rite Aid Drug Store, Planet Fitness, and numerous small retail stores and restaurants. On Niblick Road, just east of Spring Street, are two large retail shopping centers. The center to the north houses an Albertson’s supermarket, CVS and many smaller retail stores and restaurants. On the south side, Walmart is the major anchor business, amid a Staples office supply store, Big 5 sporting goods, a JC Penney’s and Kohl’s.

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Further east on Niblick is a retail center housing a Food 4 Less supermarket, a pet supply store, and many other small retail stores and restaurants. On Theater Drive, just off Hwy 101 near the city of Templeton, another shopping center houses an Orchard Supply Hardware store, Michaels, Beverages and More, and a Target store. Other business include Petco, Dollar Store, a Chili’s and Applebee’s restaurants. A little further south is Idler’s home store, a full service appliance, bedding and more business. Other large retail stores are located in the city of San Luis Obispo, 30 minutes to the south. They include Costco, Best Buy, Sears, Barnes and Noble, etc.

Crime According to the City-Data.com website, which collects data from cities throughout the U.S., for the year 2014 (latest available), Paso Robles reported the following crimes: Homicides – 0, Rapes – 6, Robberies – 7, Assaults – 112, Burglaries – 157, Thefts – 584, Auto Thefts – 47, Arson – 6. City-Data’s crime index rates Paso Robles at the level 225.5. The U.S. national average crime index is 287.5. Paso Robles rates at 62 below the national average for 2014. (City-data.com crime rate counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities.)According to the City-Data.com website’s research of California and other state lists, there are 58 registered sex offenders living in the Paso Robles, CA area as of June 9, 2016. The ratio of number of residents in Paso Robles to the number of sex offenders is 737 to 1. (It is unlawful for any person who is subject to the registration requirements under Section 290 of the California Penal Code for a crime in which the victim was less than eighteen years of age, to establish a permanent residence or temporary residence within six hundred and sixty feet (one eighth of a mile) of any public or private school serving pre-kindergarten through grade twelve; or day care center). See the CA Megan’s Law website for further information.

Sports and Recreation Paso Robles offers its residents and visitors cycling, golf, tennis and swimming. In 2009 and 2011, Paso Robles was the finish line for Stage 5 of the AMGEN Tour of California. Since 2008, Paso Robles hosts the annual Wine Vine Run a half-marathon and 5K foot race to benefit Paso Robles High School youth sports programs. Lake Nacimiento is an 18-mile-long lake located about 13 miles north-west of the city up in the Santa Lucia Range. Although Lake Nacimiento is not actually located within the city of Paso Robles itself, it is however located in what is considered the “Greater Paso Robles Area.” In fact, "The Lake," as it is known to

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locals, actually shares the 93446 zip code with Paso Robles, due to its proximity to the city. The lake provides ample room for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and other water-related activities, in addition to fishing and swimming.

Parks and Recreation Located just off of Highway 46 East at Union Road is the 42-acre Barney Schwartz Park. The park offers baseball, softball and soccer facilities, as well as lake access, picnicking, event pavilions, and playgrounds. Centennial Park is located in the eastern section of Paso Robles. Besides being the home of all indoor community sports (basketball, volleyball and gymnastics) and many different classes and activities, the 17-acre Centennial Park contains a 200,000-gallon swimming pool and wading pool with waterslides, group barbecue areas, grassy picnic and pavilion areas, an amphitheater, walking paths, two outdoor half-court basketball courts, five pickleball courts, four tennis courts, a 1.2-mile long paved trail, four lighted tennis courts and two playgrounds. The land upon which City Park sits was donated by the town’s founders, James and Daniel Blackburn, for the specific use of a public park. Located in the heart of downtown, the 5-acre park provides easy access to the downtown area's amenities. Holiday and festival events are often held at this park, including holidays such as Independence Day. City Park hosts “Concerts in the Park,” Trading Day, bi-weekly farmers markets, the Wine Festival, the Olive Festival, the Lavender Festival, the Festival of the Arts, and several car shows. Sherwood Park is located on the upper south-east side of town and is used mostly for youth sports. The Little League field was completely redone in April 2002. In addition to the renovated Little League Field, Sherwood Park has one basketball court, horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court, barbecue areas, three soccer fields, a softball field, and tennis courts. The park also features a playground area with a medieval theme called Sherwood Forest.

Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce “If you haven’t heard, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is celebrating 95 years in business in 2016. With that we are excited to continue to be the cornerstone for our businesses, dignitaries, local community and visitors to come together and do great things! Paso Robles truly is a magnificent place and full of ‘Pasobilities’ whether you live or just play here we are honored to connect you!” Their website really is a one-stop shop to get a real overview of the Paso Robles area. Dropdown menus include: Live and Work; Visit Paso; Downtown; Wine Country; Events; Economic Vitality; a business directory, and members’ interactive section.

North County Newcomers Club The North County Newcomers Club is an association of men and women, couples or singles, who have lived in North San Luis Obispo County for less than

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three years. They meet for lunch on the first Wednesday of every month and participate in a variety of activities which enable members to get better acquainted with each other. The monthly luncheons and business meetings are the main event for the Newcomers Club and all members are strongly encouraged to attend. A variety of venues and speakers are arranged to better acquaint the membership with their community. They also welcome alumni, guests of members, and visitors who want to explore club membership. The price of admission, including lunch, will vary depending on the venue. The Newcomers Club is the place to get a firsthand look at what the club is doing, to participate if you choose, to encounter old friends and make new ones. It's really the essence of what the Newcomers Club is all about. There is some official business presented, a good lunch, and an interesting speaker on a topic of broad local interest.

Venues • Paso Robles Event Center is home to the California Mid-State Fair:

The Paso Robles Event Center is a convention center complex located on forty acres in Paso Robles and is the site of the annual California Mid-State Fair. Equestrian facilities include a 200-by-300-foot indoor equestrian arena seating 7,587, a large warm-up arena and ample stalls. Convention facilities include an 18,000-square-foot community building plus two other large multi-purpose buildings. In addition to the fair there are concerts, trade shows, conventions and other special events that take place at the Event Center.

• Vina Robles Amphitheatre, a 3000-seat outdoor theatre opened in 2013:

The Vina Robles Amphitheatre is where European Inspiration meets California Character and the stars always shine. Here, two of California's great compositions meet, as exceptional wine and intimate live music are paired to create an unforgettable wine country experience. The boutique amphitheater is nestled on a picturesque, oak-dotted hillside in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast. With its opening in the summer of 2013, the Vina Robles Amphitheatre became one of the largest outdoor venues for arts and entertainment in San Luis Obispo County. Featuring a style reminiscent of the California missions, guests are able to immerse themselves in a unique and intimate concert adventure as they enjoy modern amenities and first class hospitality. The concert season runs from April through October and features top tier acts from around the world in all genres. Various seating options, all within 150 feet from the stage, including regular, VIP and general admission lawn seating, make events accessible to anyone in the community.

• River Oaks Hot Springs Spa:

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Paso Robles Community Profile

River Oaks Hot Springs Spa has been a gathering place and a source of rejuvenation and relaxation for many years. Whether it’s soaking in their artesian thermal mineral springs under the starlit sky, or relaxing in the shade of a private open-air spa, you will be regenerated in the opulence of nature in a tasteful, uncluttered environment. The dramatic views of Paso Robles rolling hills and vineyards, the reflective lake, and of course, our magnificent artesian thermal mineral waters are the true luxuries of River Oaks Hot Springs Spa.Their hot springs are being heated by the earth, not by technology, and the water contains minerals with natural restorative properties. The central ingredient is a bubbly hot spring—the earth’s own champagne. Mineral springs have naturally occurring sulfur compounds and trace minerals which can provide relief in a variety of ways. The exact makeup of the water varies from spring to spring. Mineral spring waters have been valued for thousands of years for their power to ease joint pain, arthritis, and other physical ailments. Guests can lounge in private outdoor or indoor mineral spring spas, fully charged with the restorative properties of the mineral spring water.

• Park Ballroom, Paso Robles The Park Ballroom is located in the heart of historic Downtown Paso Robles. You are invited to step back in time to the early 1900′s while enjoying the most modern of amenities. Almost 100 years later, fully renovated to current expectations, the Park Ballroom stands ready to transform your wedding, private party or business gathering into a truly memorable event. With over 100 years of history, the Park Ballroom has an ambiance that is hard to find anywhere else. With its extensive facilities and amenities, the Park Ballroom offers everything needed to make any event a success. To reach the Ballroom, you must climb to the second floor, either by the grand staircase or by elevator. The ceiling is 18 feet above you, and the walls feature a warm Alder wainscoting. The stage, which can be closed off with enormous wooden pocket doors, still has its original maple floor, while the ballroom itself is carpeted. Wall sconces, festive lights, ceiling lights, and spots all allow you to set the ambiance you desire. Theatre style, the room can seat 300, and for dining, it can accommodate more than 200.

• Paso Robles Children’s Museum: The Children's Museum at the former Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse is a non-profit organization and was established as a public charity in 2003.

Their Mission: “The Paso Robles Children's Museum engages children in a joyful learn-through-play environment to inspire educational curiosity while honoring the heritage of our volunteer firefighters.”

Their Story: Tom Martin had a dream to create a place where children could learn through play in a safe and interactive environment. With the help of the many

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civic leaders, the community, and countless volunteers, Tom’s vision came to life in 2003 when The Children’s Museum at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse was established as a public charity. The Museum opened its doors to the community at the restored and repurposed firehouse in November of 2007. Nearly 8 years later we have welcomed over 140,000 visitors, including 12,000 elementary students who participated in educational programs provided by the Museum and its generous sponsors. We also provide free access to hundreds of children each year through our Community Partner Program. This program supports other nonprofits that serve children in our county.

• Paso Robles Inn Grand Ballroom: Restored to its turn-of-the-century grandeur, the Paso Robles Inn’s Grand Ballroom provides a desirable setting for elegant Paso Robles events. This exquisite room features original hardwood floors, wainscoting, and high beamed ceilings. Nestled adjacent to the grand lobby and bar, this room offers an opportunity for guests to explore, making it an ideal setting for large scale events.

• Paso Robles Horse Park The Paso Robles Horse Park is a state of the art Hunter/Jumper Event Park, located in picturesque Paso Robles, on the Central Coast of California. Paso Robles Horse Park is the ideal setting for events of all types, as the park is nestled between beautiful rolling hills and vineyards. Not only is Paso Robles famous for wines, but its rapidly becoming an emerging world-class equestrian destination hosting some of the top equestrian shows in California. The Paso Robles Horse Park held it grand opening in May 2015 and is now read to add its name to the list of top equestrian venues. The Paso Robles Horse Park is also proud to be a premier event facility on the Central Coast, playing host to local wine and food events, festivals, weddings, sporting events, private parties and more.

• Conservation Ambassadors / Zoo to You

Conservation Ambassadors / Zoo to You is giving a worldwide voice to wildlife by providing a permanent, loving home for displaced, abused, abandoned or permanently injured wild and exotic animals. They share these animal ambassadors through their Zoo to You outreach program to help educate school children and learners of all ages about conservation, connecting them to the wild world and inspiring them to protect the planet.

• Estrella Warbirds Museum

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Estrella Warbirds Museum is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, vehicles and memorabilia of those who flew and worked in the military aviation field. Their approach, however, is not to glorify conflict but rather to make a future generation aware of the fact our way of life does not come without sacrifice. Founded over 25 years ago by two men with two airplanes and a strong desire to see an aviation museum in Paso Robles, California, little did they realize how far and how rapidly their initial dream would carry them. Today, located on over 13 acres of land situated on the Paso Robles Municipal Airport grounds, the Estrella Warbirds Museum is one of the fastest growing non-profit museum on the west coast. The museum has become an integral part of the Paso Robles community attracting visitors from around the world.

• Woodland Auto Display The Woodland Automobile Display was opened to the public on July 19th, 2009. Originally just under 5,000 square feet of display area featured a rotating series of automobiles. The initial display concentrated on NASCAR Sprint, Modified, Super Modified and Midget race cars. The initial response for the automotive museum was tremendous! Initially, race cars were displayed. Later, exotic, classic, and muscle cars were added due to ever increasing traffic and acquisition of new materials.Most of the vehicles on display have been restored to the original condition as they were when first built. Some of the cars came off the track and required little to no restoration. This is a unique collection in that you can see, up close and personal, cars which were well known on the various racing circuits. In mid-2014, it became obvious that continual growth causes one to be prepared for the next addition! Another 5,000 square feet of covered display area made room for even more vehicles and additional automotive themed events. It is amazing whom you can possibly see while visiting the Woodland Auto Display. Numerous well known racing legends have viewed the vehicles and left their mark on this Paso Robles-grown establishment.

Wine and Vineyards The Paso Robles Wine Country has a number of wineries and vineyards in the area. It is the location of the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area). More than 25 different varieties of grapes are grown in the Paso Robles Wine Country and there are over 250 bonded wineries. In 1993, Paso Robles grape growers, wineries and wine tasting rooms united to form the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. This non-profit trade organization is

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dedicated to the promotion and education of the Paso Robles premium wine country. The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is a cooperative marketing alliance made up of Paso Robles Wine Country wineries, vineyards and related businesses. They host many of the festivals in the Paso Robles Area, and strengthen brand awareness locally, regionally and nationally. The wine alliance focuses on trade and consumer outreach, media relations, buyer tours, educational and research programs and giving back to education and health organizations in the Paso Robles community.

Festivals and Events Zinfandel Festival Every year in March, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance hosts the Zinfandel Festival, during which Central Coast Zinfandel producers and the public visit the area to enjoy the wine of the area. This event is held by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, a non-profit cooperative marketing alliance looking to not only educate the community and surrounding communities of the excellence and heritage of Paso Robles wine, but to also give back to the community. In 2011, the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance donated a large sum of money to a variety of Paso Robles health and education organizations. Wine Festival The Paso Robles Wine Festival takes place in May. In October is the Harvest Wine Weekend, celebrating the wine harvest in the region. The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance is also hosting a Grand Tasting Tour, which is taking the wines of the Paso Robles area to other areas in California, and other states such as Washington DC. To see more about the Grand Tasting Tour and other wine events visit the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. Festival of Arts On Memorial Day Weekend, Paso Robles hosts the Festival of the Arts in the downtown park. With over 100 artists over three art-filled days, the festival of the arts is the premiere multiday arts festival in Central California honoring and preserving the natural beauty and character of the region through the arts. Olive Festival The first weekend in June is the Paso Robles Olive Festival. This three-day event includes an olive oil competition, a social mixer, “The Palate & The Plate” educational event, and the olive festival on Saturday, which includes olive oil tasting, a cooking event, a chef competition, and wine & beer tasting.

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California Mid-State Fair What began nearly 50 years ago (in 1969 when country star Buck Owens performed at what was then the San Luis Obispo County Fair), has become one of the biggest and most successful entertainment venues in the country. After playing host to a who's who in the entertainment industry, the California Mid-State Fair is now one of the premiere concert locations in the nation. The Chumash Grandstand Arena seats 14,500 people and has recently seen the likes of Meghan Trainor, Pitbull, Jason Aldean, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Brantley Gilbert, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Robert Cray and Stephen Stills and Boston. 2016 entertainment includes: Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Fall Out Boy, Fergie, the Hollywood Vampires, Don Henley, Duran Duran with CHIC, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Jonny Lang. Free-Stage entertainment includes: B.J. Thomas (there’s always a Christian artist or band), a tribute to Bruce (Springsteen) in the USA, A Thousand Horses, and Asleep at the Wheel.

While the Mid-State Fair has hosted an impressive array of major recording artists, that’s not all the fair is about! The fair is home to equestrian and livestock shows, talent performances, carnival rides, and agricultural exhibits. Competitions include the areas of Arts & Crafts, Fine Arts, Flower Arrangement, Home Arts, Industrial Arts, Landscapes, Photography, Produce, and Tractor Restoration. There are food prep demonstrations, a pancake breakfast, winemaker nights, and competition in the areas of baking, home brewing, home winemaking, olive oil production, and the Central Coast Wine Competition.

Other events include the County Rodeo Finals, the Fiesta del Charro, and the Extreme Team Rodeo.

No matter your interest, there’s something for everyone when you visit the California Mid-State Fair!

Paso Pops, a Paderewski Festival Event The Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles is excited to announce “Paso Pops,” a new annual patriotic themed concert and Independence Day celebration on the Saturday closest to the 4th of July (July 2, 2016). To be held at the new Paso Robles Horse Park, the San Luis Obispo Symphony, paired with Youth Symphony members and led by Tulare County Symphony and Pasadena Symphony conductor Bruce Kiesling, will perform a 90 – 120 minute patriotic “Pops” program with a fireworks finale. “Paso Pops was created to provide an annual Independence Day tradition for all members of the community,” said Steve Cass, Paso Pops president and past president of the Paderewski Festival. “We wanted something that would

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complement the county’s existing city celebrations, while providing recurring funding for youth arts.” Pioneer Day The first Pioneer Day was held on October 12, 1931. It was organized by community volunteers working with generous donations of time, materials and money from individuals, businesses, churches and service organizations. Their goal was to provide a day of community friendship and a commemoration of the heritage of the Paso Robles area. It would also become a day set aside to say "Thank You" to all of the people who support the business and professional community of the area throughout the year. Most businesses closed so that their employees could enjoy and participate in the activities and family reunions. There were to be no charges for any of the events, no commercial concessions and lunch would be provided at no cost. It's unique... the whole day is free and entirely funded by the business people and dedicated citizens of our area who say: "Leave Your Pocketbook at Home." Come, celebrate in friendship! Paderewski Festival The Paderewski Festival is a four-day music festival held annually in November celebrating Paso Robles' rich heritage and its most famous resident Ignacy Jan Paderewski - virtuoso pianist, composer, international politician, local landowner, grower and winemaker. Concerts featuring world renowned talent, exhibits, lectures, master classes and film screenings are accompanied by wine tastings and tours of local vineyards. A youth piano competition, recital and student cultural exchange with Poland additionally honor Paderewski's legacy.

Vine Street Victorian Christmas Located on historic Vine Street between 8th and 21st Streets in Paso Robles, the showcase features beautifully decorated homes, music, hot drinks, cookies, snow, Santa Claus, elves and more. For one evening in December, Vine Street, one of the first residential streets in Paso Robles with many vintage Victorian homes, is closed for several blocks to accommodate the pedestrian traffic. Within this 13-block area all of the homes, offices and schools are beautifully decorated and lit. Many of the homes have entertainment such as choirs, The Grinch, bands, Scrooge, and the Snow King & Queen who grant your wishes, Santa’s Elves, etc. on their lawns or porches – and, a mountain of snow for sliding and playing. There is a Santa Claus House with Santa to meet the children and throughout the route there are people giving away hot cider, hot chocolate, cookies, roasted chestnuts and popcorn. In addition there are strolling groups of carolers and people in costumes from times past.

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This is a very special “Christmas Present” from the Vine Street neighbors, friends and businesses, the El Paso de Robles Area Historical Society, the Downtown Main Street Association and the City of Paso Robles. It takes many different people and organizations to make the celebration come together. In addition to the individual neighbors and businesses the following participate: Dancers, choirs, high school marching band, and schools.

Area Entertainment Ravine Water Park

The Ravine Waterpark is an outdoor waterpark located in Paso Robles, California. It was first opened in June of 2007. Each year has been better than the previous one. The waterpark has been a wonderful addition to the Paso Robles community and to the Central Coast in general. Set squarely in the midst of vineyards and wineries, with two golf courses just down the road, the location is ideal for families that want to accommodate a range of activities. Each year, they anticipate implementing more attractions or events to keep things fresh.

The Ravine Waterpark is open mainly during the summer months, from May to September. Typical hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle’s history begins in 1865, when George Hearst purchased 40,000 acres of ranchland. In 1919, William Randolph Hearst inherited what had grown to more than 250,000 acres, and was dreaming of ways to transform it into a retreat he called La Cuesta Encantada—Spanish for “Enchanted Hill.” By 1947, Hearst and architect Julia Morgan had created Hearst Castle: 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walkways—all built to house Hearst’s specifications and to showcase his legendary art collection.

When you tour Hearst Castle, you’re embarking on an unforgettable experience—one that’s truly unlike any other. From experiencing what life was like as a guest of W.R. Hearst to exploring his personal collection of rare and ancient works of art, encounter the majesty and beauty of this historical treasure first-hand with a guided Hearst Castle tour. They also offer two accessibly designed tours for visitors.

Hearst Castle – Cuesta Encantada, is open daily year round. Hearst Castle is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Beaches

Whether it’s the ocean or the lake, San Luis Obispo County is home to many family oriented beaches!

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The SLO coastline is a long one with many small cities spaced out just right. The cities south to north are Oceano, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach, Montana de Oro, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria (Moonstone Beach), and San Simeon. North of San Simeon is a long empty stretch of the Central Coast, including the Big Sur region of Monterey County, and there are no towns until you reach Carmel, although Big Sur Station has services. The area around San Simeon and Cambria has sandy cove beaches, most of which are part of Hearst San Simeon State Park. Morro Bay and Los Osos are sister cities on Morro Bay near the middle of the SLO coast. Nearby, these cities are excellent beaches in state parks including Montana de Oro SP, Morro Bay SP, and Morro Strand State Beach. Pismo Beach and Avila Beach both have large sandy beaches with fishing piers jutting out from the center. Between these cities most of the beaches are in small coves below homes and parks on the bluff tops. The southernmost part of San Luis Obispo County has beaches that area backed by huge sand dunes. Some of the beaches and dunes are open to vehicles and ATV’s while others are protected in natural preserves and wildlife refuges.

If you prefer the gentle lapping waters of a lake, SLO has many to offer, including Lopez Lake, Nacimiento Lake and Santa Margarita Lake.

The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville

The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville (TGAM) is a live family theater whose productions include melodramas, comedies, musicals, thrillers and vaudeville revues. TGAM is a professional non-Equity theatre that has run year ‘round in Oceano, CA since 1975. The shows are high-energy comedies or musicals followed by song, dance and comedy revues.

TGAM also has a small café serving munchies, soda, beer and wine.

Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove

Each year thousands of vibrant orange and black Monarch Butterflies flock to Pismo Beach, seeking shelter from the freezing northern winters. From late October to February, the butterflies cluster in the limbs of a grove of Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach. The grove is easily accessible. It is located on State Highway 1 at the south boundary of the city limits of Pismo Beach.

Spectators come from all over the Central Coast and throughout the state to view the Monarchs. Visitors are greeted by knowledgeable and well-informed volunteer docents offering daily talks and information. During the season the Docent Trailer opens at 10 am and closes at 4 pm daily. Daily talks happen at 11 am and 2 pm, weather permitting.

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The butterflies form dense clusters with each one hanging with its wing down over the one below it to form a shingle effect. This provides shelter from the rain and warmth for the group. The weight of the cluster help keeps it from whipping in the wind and dislodging the butterflies. The colony is one of the largest in the nation, hosting an average of 25,000 butterflies over the last five years. The Monarchs that visit Pismo Beach are a special variety. They have a life span of six months as opposed to that of common Monarchs who live only six weeks. This can be attributed to a unique fat storing system. However, even with an extended life span, those butterflies that leave in March will never return. Scientists do not know why the Monarchs consistently return to some wintering sites. In North America, those sites range from the Central and Southern California Coast to Mexico. Some scientists speculate that the insects are equipped with genetic homing systems that lead them from their summer sites in the Sierras, Florida, Canada and the Great Lakes Region in North America back to their winter locations. Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area

Formerly Pismo Dunes SVRA, this sand dune complex is geologically unique and also provides an impressive playground for off-highway enthusiasts from throughout the United States. One of several OHV areas administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Oceano Dunes also offers visitors other recreational activities such as swimming, surfing, surf fishing, camping, and hiking. The staff at Oceano Dunes wishes you an enjoyable and safe stay.

Elephant Seals

Elephant Seals can be seen at a rookery near the Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon. More than 7,000 elephant seals live at the rookery, which is open daily. Piedras Blancas is roughly 50 miles north of San Luis Obispo and is accessible via Route One, also known as the Cabrillo Highway. Bluffs to the north and south of the parking lot are the recommended vistas for viewing the seals. Keep your distance from the seals, which are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. This act protects the seals from being harassed or hunted by humans and their dogs. If you do bring your dog with you to see the rookery, keep it on a leash.

You can visit the seals any time of year; however, seals in the rookery are sparse during March, August, September and October. The seals have a fairly reliable schedule of breeding, molting and birthing. Seals leave in March but return between April to August to molt. Autumn brings elephant seal excitement: November means the return of the mature males, who fight other males to

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achieve dominance for the upcoming breeding season. Winter is when females return to give birth, between mid-December and mid-February.

Elephant seals were almost hunted to extinction in the 1880s. Seal and whale hunters harvested the elephant seals for the oil in their blubber. A cluster of approximately 100 seals survived the hunts and found shelter near Baja, California's Guadalupe Island. Over time, the elephant seals moved up the coast, and a colony of more than a dozen seals were found at Piedras Blancas in 1990. The first seal birth at Piedras Blancas happened in January 1992; between 1993 and 1995, more than 600 more births occurred.

Rail Transportation Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, serves Paso Robles, operating its Coast Starlight daily in each direction between Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles. Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner that operates between San Diego and Paso Robles connects by bus transfer from the San Luis Obispo Railroad Station.

Airport Paso Robles has one airport serving the city, Paso Robles Municipal Airport. Paso Robles Municipal is a regional general aviation airport located about 5 miles northeast of downtown Paso Robles. Paso Robles Municipal does not currently offer scheduled passenger service, as the scheduled passenger market is already served by nearby San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, 25 miles to the south in San Luis Obispo. Although Paso Robles Airport does not currently offer scheduled passenger service, they do however have a large amount of daily business aviation operations, in addition to serving as a large general aviation base. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has an air attack base at the airport. Here, aircraft are reloaded with firefighting chemicals, which are dropped on brush and forest fires. Also, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) house a fixed wing aircraft, used for speed enforcement, and a helicopter, used for search and rescue. The area immediately surrounding the Paso Robles Airport, known as Airport Road Industrial Park, is also home to many aviation maintenance providers and facilities, as well as home to many aviation parts manufacturers and other related businesses. LaGuardia's Italian Deli is the only restaurant on the field, and is located in the terminal building. The deli opened in November 2012.

El Paso de Robles History This area of the Central Coast, known as the City of El Paso De Robles, Paso Robles or simply, "Paso,” is known for its thermal springs. The Salinan Indians lived in the area thousands of years even before the mission era. They knew this area as the “Springs” or the “Hot Springs.” Paso Robles is located on the Rancho Paso de Robles Mexican land grant that was purchased by James and Daniel Blackburn in 1857. The land was a rest-

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stop for travelers of the Camino Real trail, and was known for its mineral hot springs. In fact, Franciscan priests from neighboring Mission San Miguel constructed the first mineral baths in the area. During this period, Paso Robles began to attract the pioneer settlers who would become the founding members of the community. They would later establish cattle ranches, apple and almond orchards, dairy farms, and vineyards. In 1864, the first El Paso de Robles Hotel was constructed and featured a hot mineral springs bath house. Today, only three locations (Paso Robles Inn, River Oaks Hot Springs, and Franklin Hot Springs) are left that offer the healing mineral bath hot spring experience which brought famous people like Ignacy Jan Paderewski to Paso Robles. James and Daniel Blackburn donated two blocks to the city for a public park to be used for the pleasure of its citizens and visitors. By original deed, the land was to revert to the donors if used for any other purpose than a public park. The grounds were laid out by a Mr. Redington and a planting day was held when each citizen set out his own donation. Originally, the whole park was hedged in by a fence of cactus, and in 1890 a bandstand was built with money raised by private theatricals. In 1886, after the coming of the Southern Pacific Railroad, work began on laying out a town site, with the resort as the nucleus. Two weeks after the first train arrived on October 31, 1886, a three-day celebration was held including a special train from San Francisco bringing prospective buyers, who toured the area and enjoyed the daily barbecues. On November 17, the “Grand Auction” was held, resulting in the sale of 228 lots. The local agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad when it arrived in Paso Robles was R. M. 'Dick' Shackelford, a Kentucky native who had come to California in 1853 to dig for gold. Shackelford had a varied career, going from gold mining to hauling freight by ox team, to lumbering, which took him to Nevada, where he served one term as a delegate in the state's first legislature for Washoe County. By 1886 Shackelford had returned to California and was living in Paso Robles, where he began buying up extensive property, building warehouses and starting lumber yards along the railroad's route. Shackelford also established the Southern Pacific Milling Company, which had a virtual monopoly on local milling until local farmers, in an effort to break Shackelford's stranglehold, themselves organized their own milling cooperative, the Farmers' Alliance Flour Mill. In 1889, the same year that Paso Robles incorporated as a city, construction began on a magnificent new hotel. The hotel required over one-million bricks and cost a princely $160,000. The new El Paso de Robles Hotel opened for business in 1891. The new hotel was three stories tall and built of solid masonry, set off by sandstone arches. This ensured the hotel was completely fireproof. The hotel also featured a seven-acre garden and nine-hole golf course. Inside there was a library, a beauty salon, a barber shop, and various billiard and lounging rooms.

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The new hotel also offered an improved hot springs plunge bath as well as 32 individual bath rooms. The 20 by 40-foot plunge bath was considered one of the finest and most complete of its time in the United States. On January 17, 1914, the world's most well-known concert pianist and composer came to the hotel: Ignacy Paderewski. After three weeks of treatments at the hotel's mineral hot springs for his arthritis, he resumed his concert tour. He later returned to live at the hotel and bought two beautiful ranches just west of Paso Robles. During the next 30 years, the hotel was visited by other notables: Boxing champion Jack Dempsey, President Theodore Roosevelt, Adela Rogers St. John, Phoebe Apperson Hearst (the mother of William Randolph Hearst), actors Douglas Fairbanks, Boris Karloff, Bob Hope, and Clark Gable all stayed at the El Paso de Robles Hotel. And when Major League baseball teams used Paso Robles as a spring training home, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox stayed at the hotel and soaked in the mineral hot springs to soothe tired muscles. For a time, Paso Robles was known as the “Almond City” because the local almond growers created the largest concentration of almond orchards in the world. The ranchers in the outlying areas were very important to the Paso Robles area. On these ranches were cattle and horses, grain crops (primarily wheat and barley), garden produce and fruit and nut orchards. Many of these ranch lands and orchards have become vineyards for the many wineries which currently draw tourists to the area. To show their appreciation to the ranchers, the business people established Pioneer Day in October 1931, which is still a huge annual celebration. Pioneer Day is celebrated every year on the Saturday prior to October 12. It was originally organized by community volunteers working with generous donations of time, materials and money from individuals, businesses, churches and service organizations. Their goal was to provide a day of community friendship and a commemoration of the heritage of the Paso Robles area. It would also become a day set aside to say “Thank You” to all of the people who support the business and professional community of the area throughout the year. Most businesses closed so that their employees could enjoy and participate in the activities and family reunions. There were to be no charges for any of the events, no commercial concessions and lunch would be provided at no cost. In December 1940, a fire completely destroyed the "fire-proof" El Paso de Robles Hotel. Guests staying the night escaped unharmed. However, the night clerk who discovered the fire suffered a fatal heart attack immediately after sounding the alarm. Within months after the blaze, plans for a new hotel to be built on the site were drawn up. The design was an entirely new concept: A Garden Inn – Hotel, designed to accommodate motor vehicle travelers. By February 1942 construction was complete and the new Paso Robles Inn opened for business.

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Through the 1960s and 1970s, the City of Paso Robles experienced significant growth. The area's wine industry flourished, the California Mid-State Fair expanded into a regional attraction, and local lakes, such as Lake Nacimiento, became family vacation destinations.

The Waters As far back as 1795, Paso Robles has been spoken of and written about as “California’s oldest watering place”—the place to go for springs and mud baths. In 1864, a correspondent to the San Francisco Bulletin wrote that there was every prospect of the Paso Robles hot springs becoming the watering place of the state. By 1868 people were coming from as far away as Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, and even Alabama. Besides the well-known mud baths, there were the Iron Spring and the Sand Spring, which bubbles through the sand and was said to produce delightful sensations. In 1882, Drury James and the Blackburn brothers issued a pamphlet advertising “El Paso de Robles Hot and Cold Sulphur Springs and the Only Natural Mud Baths in the World.” By then there were first class accommodations—a reading room, barber shop, and telegraph office; a general store, a top-of-the-line livery stable, and comfortably furnished cottages for families that preferred privacy to quarters in the hotel. Visitors could stay in touch with the rest of the world, as there were two daily mails, a Western Union telegraph office, and a Wells Fargo agency with special rates for guests. As the springs became more and more a destination of the well-to-do as a place to go to socialize, the original purpose of the springs—to heal—became peripheral. The bathhouse was erected over the Sulphur spring in 1888, with a plunge and thirty-seven bath rooms. In the following year, work began on the large Hot Springs Hotel, (today the Paso Robles Inn), which was completed in 1900 and burned down 40 years later. Since the privileges of using the baths were restricted to guests of the hotel and many sufferers of the ailments the baths cured could not pay the rates of the fashionable hotel, a few businessmen in Paso Robles made arrangements with Felix Liss for the right to bore for Sulphur water on a lot which Liss owned. A Sulphur well was reached, a bath house built and baths offered at an affordable rate of twenty-five cents. The establishment was later offered to the City and is currently the site of the Municipal Pool.

The Wine Paso Robles’ growth industry—wine—has a long history with the area. Wine grapes were introduced to the Paso Robles soil in 1797 by the Spanish conquistadors and Franciscan missionaries. Spanish explorer Francisco Cortez envisioned an abundant wine-producing operation and encouraged settlers from Mexico and other parts of California to cultivate the land. The first viticulturists in the area were the Padres of the Mission San Miguel, and their old fermentation vats and grapevine artwork can still be seen at the Mission, north of the city of Paso Robles.

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Commercial winemaking was introduced to the Paso Robles region in 1882 when Andrew York, a settler from Indiana, began planting vineyards and established the Ascension Winery at what is became York Mountain Winery and is now Epoch Winery. When York purchased the land, it was primarily apple orchards, with a small plot of wine grape vines. York found that the climate and soil were more suitable for vineyards and he expanded the vineyards. Within a few years, he found that the vines were yielding more than he could market, prompting him to build a small, stone winery. Following Andrew York’s early success in the wine business, Gerd and Isabel Klintworth planted a vineyard in the Geneseo/Linne area in approximately 1886. They were licensed to sell jugs of Zinfandel, Port, and Muscatel, as well as some of the area’s first white wine made from Burger grapes. The Casteel Vineyards in the Willow Creek area were planted just prior to 1908. Casteel wines were stored and aged in a cave cellar. Cuttings from the old vines provided the start for other vineyards, still producing in the area today. As the popularity of wines began to grow, so did the Paso Robles wine region. Lorenzo and Rena Nerelli purchased their vineyard at the foot of York Mountain in 1917. Their Templeton Winery was the area’s first to be bonded following the repeal of Prohibition. The early 1920s saw a flurry of winemaking activity when several families immigrated to the area to establish family vineyards and wineries. Sylvester and Caterina Dusi purchased a vineyard in 1924. The old head-pruned Zinfandel vines are now owned and cultivated by their son, Benito. The Martinelli, Busi, Vosti and Bianchi Winery vineyards were also established around this time. The Paso Robles wine region gained more notoriety when Ignacy Paderewski, the famous Polish statesman and concert pianist, visited Paso Robles, became enchanted with the area, and purchased 2,000 acres. In the early 1920s, he planted Petite Sirah and Zinfandel on his Rancho San Ignacio vineyard in the Adelaide area. Following Prohibition, Paderewski's wine was made at York Mountain Winery. The wines produced from grapes grown on Rancho San Ignacio went on to become award-winners. Paso Robles’ reputation as a premier wine region became firmly established as a result of this and later successes, and through to the late 1960s and early 1970s, a new generation of vineyard pioneers came forth and flourished in the Paso Robles area.

San Simeon Earthquake At 11:15 a.m. PST on December 22, 2003, an earthquake, known as the San Simeon earthquake, struck about 25 miles North-West of Paso Robles. The quake registered a magnitude 6.5 on the Richter Magnitude Scale, and caused two deaths when the roof slid off the clock tower building, a popular landmark in downtown Paso Robles. The dormant underground springs that had once been used for the spa were brought back to life by the quake, causing flooding and a large sinkhole in the parking lot of the city hall and library. Due to lengthy

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environmental and engineering considerations, it took until December 2010 for the sinkhole to be filled and the parking lot resurfaced. Paso Robles has dedicated a new clock tower in memory of the two women who died on that day.

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References Area Vibes, Paso Robles, CA. http://www.areavibes.com/el+paso+de+robles+(paso+robles)-ca/cost-of-living/#housing California Megan’s Law Website. http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/ Cal Poly, SLO. http://www.calpoly.edu/ City-Data.com Crime Statistics. http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Paso-Robles-California.html Conservation Ambassadors / Zoo to You. https://www.conservationambassadors.org/ Cuesta College. http://www.cuesta.edu/ Elephant Seals, San Simeon, CA. http://traveltips.usatoday.com/time-visit-elephant-seals-san-simeon-ca-106680.html Estrella Warbirds Museum. http://www.ewarbirds.org/ Georgia Brown Dual Immersion Elementary Magnet Program. http://www.pasoschools.org/Page/11

Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville. http://www.americanmelodrama.com

Hearst Castle, San Simeon. http://hearstcastle.org/

Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area. http://ohv.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1207

Park Ballroom, Paso Robles. http://www.acorneventmanagement.com/#!parkballroom/cds9

Paso Robles (El Paso de Robles) city website. http://www.prcity.com/about/ Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. http://www.pasorobleschamber.com/ Paso Robles Children’s Museum. http://www.pasokids.org/ Paso Robles Churches. https://www.google.com/#q=churches+in+paso+robles Paso Robles Event Center / California Mid-State Fair. http://www.midstatefair.com/events.php Paso Robles Horse Park. http://pasorobleshorsepark.com/ Paso Robles Inn. http://www.pasoroblesinn.com/meetings-events/venue-spaces Paso Robles Joint Unified School District. http://www.pasoschools.org/ Paso Robles Police Department Megan’s Law Restriction Map. http://www.prcity.com/government/departments/police/pdf/RestrictionMap.pdf Paso Robles, Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paso_Robles,_California Pioneer Day, Paso Robles. http://www.pasoroblespioneerday.org/index.html Ravine Waterpark, Paso Robles. http://ravinewaterpark.com

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San Luis Obispo Beaches: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/living/article63987187.html

San Luis Obispo County Registered Voter Demographics. http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Assets/CR/Elections/PDFs/SOS+report+of+registration.pdf

Templeton Unified School District. http://tusd.ca.schoolloop.com/ Vina Robles Amphitheatre. http://www.vinaroblesamphitheatre.com/ Vine Street Victorian Christmas. http://pasoroblesdailynews.com/vine-street-victorian-christmas-showcase-dec-14/8611/

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