Paso Robles, Anchored by The Ava Hotel
Published: Dec. 27, 2025 / Updated Feb. 02, 2026
There’s a stretch of road Kern locals know so well it practically drives itself. Highway 46 has always been the familiar connector; our no-fuss route to the coast, our pit-stop lane through Paso Robles. We top off the tank, grab a snack, stretch our legs, and keep moving.
But Paso has changed, and so has the way we should move through it. What was once a predictable pause has become one of California’s most charming, creative, and easy-to-love destinations. And with the arrival of The Ava Hotel, Paso doesn’t just invite you to slow down, it convinces you.
This season, Highway 46 isn’t about getting somewhere fast. It’s about finally stopping long enough to enjoy where you are.
The Highway 46 Mindset
Credit: StuartDuncanSmith
For Kern County travelers, Highway 46 is muscle memory. For decades, Paso Robles sat in our minds as the classic halfway point on the way to the Pacific. A restroom break. A quick driver swap. A coffee if you were lucky.
But that mindset belongs to another era. Paso Robles has grown into a destination full of personality, passion, and some of the best food and wine in the state. And The Ava Hotel marks a shift; it’s the moment Paso stops being the midpoint and becomes the main event.
Paso Robles Has Outgrown “Pit Stop” Status
Paso’s charm is slow, warm, and wonderfully layered. Cowboy grit meets vineyard elegance. Backroads roll into hills that look hand-painted. The dining scene ranges from Michelin ambition to laid-back countryside cooking. Locals welcome you the way small towns do, without fuss, but with sincerity.
This is a place that rewards anyone willing to slow down. The wine tastes better when you’re not rushing. The conversations last longer. And the sunsets…well, you’ll see.
The Ava Hotel—The New Signal to Stay
Standing just off Paso’s downtown square, The Ava Hotel feels like Paso’s grown-up moment. Its warm stone, clean lines, and sunlit spaces bring a modern, California-cool edge to wine country without losing the region’s relaxed rhythm.
The Ava Hotel is the perfect stay for Kern locals. General Manager Matt Kleefisch says, “Paso Robles has been steadily evolving into a true destination over the past several years, driven by world-class wineries, a growing culinary scene, and a hospitality culture rooted in warmth and authenticity. Travelers have increasingly come for the wine, food, and sense of community, but until recently, the hotel experience hadn’t fully caught up to that level of sophistication. The Ava Hotel complements that momentum by offering accommodations and amenities that align with what Paso already does so well. Located in the heart of downtown, the hotel makes it easy for guests to stay longer and engage more deeply with the destination: walking to tasting rooms, lingering over meals, and experiencing Paso beyond a single afternoon. With elevated design, destination dining, and social gathering spaces like the rooftop, The Ava Hotel supports Paso Robles’ growth by rounding out the experience, giving travelers a place to stay that feels as thoughtful and compelling as the wineries, restaurants, and people that have made Paso worth the stop in the first place.”
Inside, 151 rooms and suites mirror the landscape with earthy tones, rich textures, and an effortless sense of calm. Juliet balconies, fireplaces in select suites, and thoughtful design details make the rooms feel personal instead of predictable. Whether it’s a romantic weekend, a friends’ getaway, or a spontaneous 24-hour reset, The Ava Hotel sets the tone.
With a blend of ranchland roots, winemaking innovation, and small-town hospitality, Kleefisch says, “Those contrasts were central to the design. Architecturally and aesthetically, The Ava Hotel balances refinement with authenticity, think mid-century lines and modern finishes paired with warm woods, stone, plaster, and handcrafted details that nod to Paso’s agricultural roots. The materials and palette are inspired by the surrounding hills, oak trees, vineyards, and golden light that define the region. At the same time, the atmosphere is intentionally welcoming and unpretentious. Open-air courtyards, breezy passageways, and indoor-outdoor spaces encourage connection; all mirroring Paso’s small-town hospitality. The result is a hotel that feels elevated yet relaxed, innovative yet grounded, very much in tune with Paso’s evolution.“
A Place Meant to Be Lived In
Speaking to what sets Ava Hotel apart from other Paso stays, Kleefisch says, “Traditional wine-country lodging often leans rustic or purely resort-driven. The Ava Hotel was designed to feel more like a thoughtfully curated retreat: modern, warm, and deeply rooted in its surroundings. The guest rooms feel residential rather than transactional, with tactile materials, local touches, and layouts that encourage guests to settle in rather than just sleep and leave. Beyond the rooms, the experience is intentionally social and community-driven. The Ava Hotel isn’t just a place to stay; it’s a place to gather, whether that’s over live-fire cooking at EMRE, coffee and conversation at Pine Street Bistro, or sunset cocktails on the rooftop. That sense of energy and connection sets it apart from more traditional wine-country hotels.“
Credit: The Ava Hotel
Upstairs, Paso’s largest rooftop opens into a breezy gathering place for sunseekers and sunset gazers. Hotel guests can slip into the saltwater pool, find a lounge chair, or let an afternoon drift by without a plan. The Courtyard space doubles as a chic event venue, making the rooftop feel like its own little district in the sky.
Weddings, retreats, milestone moments. The Ava Hotel has more than 6,500 square feet of event space, plus a rooftop venue that feels tailor-made for toasts under glowing skies. It’s already becoming a favorite for couples who want wine-country style without the clichés.
And when you’re ready to explore, Paso’s best attractions, tasting rooms, restaurants, and galleries sit just a block away.
The Ava Hotel doesn’t just give you a place to stay. It gives you a new way to experience Paso.
Food that encourages you to stay longer
And then you encounter the culinary trio that turns a stay into a full experience.
EMRE brings refined Mediterranean flavors to Paso, blending bold ingredients with timeless cooking techniques. Esperanza on the Rooftop pairs Baja-inspired plates with the best views in town. Pine Street Bistro handles daytime cravings with artisan coffee, pastries, and coastal-Casual California fare. “What connects all three is a shared philosophy: celebrating seasonality, gathering, and a strong sense of place. EMRE anchors the experience with bold, fire-forward Mediterranean cooking that speaks to Paso’s agricultural bounty and communal dining culture. Pine Street Bistro offers an all-day, approachable space that reflects everyday Paso: coffee in the morning, wine and cocktails in the evening, always welcoming locals and guests alike. Esperanza on the Rooftop brings a sense of play and coastal influence, pairing Baja-inspired flavors with panoramic views and social energy. Together, these venues mirror Paso’s evolving food scene, one that’s confident, creative, locally rooted, and increasingly recognized as a destination in its own right, not just a companion to the wine,” Kleefisch says.
Esperanza on the Rooftop
Credit: The Ava Hotel
High above downtown Paso, Esperanza on the Rooftop brings an easy indoor-outdoor vibe that feels instantly relaxing. Soft greenery is woven throughout the space, giving the rooftop a fresh, open-air energy that pairs perfectly with golden-hour views. It’s the kind of setting that makes you slow down before you even take your first sip.
The menu keeps that mood going with bright, shareable plates. The Seasonal Ceviche balances citrus and heat over tender bay scallops, while the Carnitas Fries layer pork shoulder, salsa verde, queso fresco, and pickled Fresnos in a way that feels equal parts playful and indulgent. Classics like the Salsa Trio, Guacamole, and Queso Fundido keep the table lively, and the Ahi Tuna Tostada—crisp tortilla, lime, aji amarillo, and black garlic aioli—lands with both flavor and photo-friendly flair.
With agave-forward cocktails and a rooftop that glows at sunset, Esperanza on the Rooftop becomes less of a dinner reservation and more of a reason to stay the night.
Menu: Esperanza on the Rooftop
Pine Street Bistro
Credit: The Ava Hotel
Morning feels different at Pine Street Bistro. Whether you’re easing in with a latte or diving into brunch, everything here nudges you into a slower rhythm. The Baked Custard French Toast arrives soft and golden with seasonal compote, and the Bananas Foster Pancake is pure breakfast theater. Savory favorites like the Farmers Market Quiche, Omelette Lorraine, and the buttery Croissantwich make staying put an easy choice.
Find bowls, toasts, salads, wraps, burgers, and spritzes that carry you from morning to afternoon without missing a beat. Grab a drink at happy hour or a nightcap during Pine Street Bistro’s evening service, open until 11 p.m.
Menu: Pine Street Bistro
EMRE
Credit: The Ava Hotel
At EMRE, the menu reflects a shared vision shaped by experience, place, and restraint. And the essence is in the name. EMRE means friend, a nod to warmth, belonging, and meals meant to be shared. The restaurant was conceived by chef Julien Asseo, whose Mediterranean influence, Bordeaux upbringing, and family ties to Paso Robles winemaking set the foundation. His approach favors seasonality, live fire, and food meant to be enjoyed together. Chef de Cuisine Casey McMinn brings that vision into focus, drawing on his Central Coast roots and years in respected California kitchens. His wood-fired cooking and thoughtful leadership give EMRE its day-to-day rhythm, grounding the menu in bold flavor and a sense of place without overstatement.
When the day winds down, EMRE brings a refined, Mediterranean glow to Paso nights. The savory dishes shine, but dessert is where the kitchen really plays. The 66% Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta lands silky and rich with mascarpone and a caramel tuile, while the Deconstructed Cheesecake brings pistachio, candied orange, and crispy kadaifi into a playful finale. The Olive Oil Cake, scented with orange blossom and topped with macerated berries, may be the best sweet bite in town.
Menu: EMRE
The Rooftop Pool
Your Official Invitation to Slow Down
Credit: The Ava Hotel
The heated rooftop saltwater pool sits on the second floor, making for a very persuasive reason to stop hustling from place to place. With lounge chairs, soft sun, and an easygoing vibe, it becomes the unofficial start of your weekend. This isn’t drive-through energy—it’s stay-and-soak energy. To add to the experience, the pool is located near the full-service bar and kitchen.
Weddings and Events
Credit: The Ava Hotel
The Ava Hotel was built for moments worth celebrating. With the region’s largest rooftop venue, flexible indoor event spaces, curated menus, and views that make everything feel a little more cinematic, it’s already becoming a go-to for couples, companies, and families hosting milestone weekends.
Making Paso the Plan
- More than 200 wineries and tasting rooms
- Tin City’s walkable warehouse district for wine, beer, spirits, and food
- Sensorio’s immersive nighttime light displays
- Concerts at Vina Robles
- Firestone Walker brewery and distillery tours
- Coastal drives just close enough to tempt you
If you only stop for gas and snacks, you miss the good part.
For more stories like this, visit The Horizon.
