Downtown City Park
Downtown City Park might just be the most famous park in Paso Robles. Since it anchors the community’s central corridor, it’s also the first stop for many travelers. Guests gather around a stately gazebo here for annual festivals and special celebrations. Groups and families can reserve a large concrete barbecue with two serving tables and a spacious lawn area, or relax on picnic tables and benches throughout the park. There are restrooms and horseshoe pits, plus a popular children’s playground that was recently renovated.
Park Cinemas overlooks the Downtown City Park’s southeast corner, and the Paso Robles History Museum sits in the heart of the square. Located in a former Carnegie library building, its exhibits introduce the Salinan communities who once lived here, the city's hot springs heritage, area military history, and the wine and ag industries that today drive the local economy.
Barney Schwartz Park
Barney Schwartz Park tops the list of family-friendly parks in Paso Robles. The 40-acre playground has two expansive play structures for swinging, sliding and climbing. Pick-up games and organized tournaments take place across four baseball/softball diamonds and four soccer fields. The park's new pump track is a huge hit among youngsters, too. Children love zooming up and down the small hills of this paved loop on their pedal bikes, Strider bikes and scooters.
Parents appreciate the convenience of two concession stands and four restroom complexes in this Paso Robles city park. Four picnic areas, including several barbecue grills, make group outings a breeze. Visitors of all ages can cast for fish or marvel at ducks on the park’s million-gallon pond. It's a popular place to run remote control boats, and a paved, .88-mile shoreline trail offers a low-key way to explore.
Larry Moore Park
For Paso Robles recreation that makes the whole family happy, head to Larry Moore Park[R.1] . Set on 21 acres east of the Salinas River, this local favorite has a welcoming neighborhood feel. Young visitors can burn off some energy on newly updated playground equipment. Friends gather for games on the basketball court and the ball diamond that's got a backstop. There's also a soccer field available by reservation, plus picnic tables and barbecue grills.
Don't miss the Salinas River Walk, which connects to Larry Moore Park. The 1.6-mile paved trail follows the Salinas River. Flowers, trees and native plants line the peaceful riverfront route. It's a great spot for walking with strollers, small children, leashed pups and individuals exploring by wheelchair.
Sherwood Park
In terms of pure fairytale charm, no Paso Robles park beats Sherwood Park. A fantasy-themed play structure anchors this delightful destination – complete with castle towers, a bridge to cross, a sword-in-the stone sculpture, and a fanciful dragon statue. You'll find traditional slides, swings, tunnels and climbing ropes, too. With baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields, sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts and horseshoe pits, there's no shortage of activities for all ages.
Sherwood Park also has patio and picnic areas, a brick barbecue pit and restroom facilities. A one-mile trail circles the park. Paso's only dog park is located here. There's a $1 day-use fee for four-legged guests, or annual memberships for $30.
Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park borders the Pioneer Museum, just south of the California Mid-State Fair grounds at the Paso Robles Event Center. A concrete skate park is one of the park's big attractions. Skateboards, scooters, roller skates and rollerblades are allowed on the bowls, banks, rails, ledges and quarter pipes here. Helmets are required, and bikes are not allowed. The skate park opens daily from dawn until dusk.
The ball diamond in Pioneer Park has a scoreboard, bleachers and an announcing booth. There's also a basketball court in the park, along with playground equipment, picnic tables, a barbecue grill and restrooms. A picnic area tucked between the museum and the skate park offers oak-shaded lawn seating and picnic tables. Reservations are required for some park amenities.
Uptown Family Park
Tucked just off Highway 101 on the north end of Paso Robles, Uptown Family Park is a neighborhood pocket park that's one of the city's newer additions. Though it covers a little less than an acre, it's packed with amenities. Native plants dot the park, and there's a community garden along with an outdoor amphitheater that seats up to 140 people.
The park has a family picnic area with convenient tables, benches and restrooms. Shade structures cover some of the colorful play equipment here. Children’s adventures unfold across seesaws, swings, slides, monkey bars and other climbing obstacles.
Centennial Park & Recreation Center
Expect 16 acres of fun at Centennial Park & Recreation Center, where indoor and outdoor facilities hold year-round activities. This Paso Robles park has five open-air pickleball courts, four tennis courts, and two half-court basketball courts. An exercise course offers fresh challenges for athletes at various levels. A community garden grows near the picnic area, which has a pergola-shaded patio, a small barbecue grill, and eight picnic tables that seat up to 60 people. Nearby, there are restrooms and children’s playground equipment.
The Centennial Trail stretches for about a mile along the park, and it links to the Salinas River Trail. Leashed dogs are welcome on the Centennial Trail. Centennial Pool opens between June and August, providing a sunny spot for swimming lessons, aquatic workouts and pool parties. Classes and sports leagues meet at indoor Centennial Park venues, which include meeting and event spaces, a gymnastics room, a full-court gym and locker rooms.
Other Magical Parks
Two other Paso Robles attractions aren't parks in the traditional sense, but the exciting, family-friendly gems are worth a visit. The Ravine Waterpark promises classic summer fun, with a lazy river, a wave pool, splash pads for tots, and, of course, towering, lightning-fast waterslides. Rent a cabana, grab snacks from on-site ice cream stands and cafes, and make it a day-long adventure. For a mesmerizing evening experience, visit artist Bruce Munro’s Sensorio. Here, breathtaking installations crafted from illuminated spheres, bulbs and wine-bottle towers blanket the Paso hills in dreamy light and color. Reserve the terrace experience for elevated views and amenities, or swing by the food trucks and sample local wine and beer at the Airstream bars.
Biking
Paso Robles is a veritable paradise for cycling. The guide below offers information on guided rides and tours, trails, routes, rentals, cycling events and weekly rides. With incredible scenery and rolling terrain, you can enjoy rides from 1 to 100 miles, easy or hard, your choice. Enjoy the cycling time of your life!
