Wine Country Near Morro Bay

Morro Bay sits between Edna Valley to the south and Paso Robles to the north — cool-climate whites and Pinot on one side, big reds on the other.

Edna Valley, just south of San Luis Obispo and roughly half an hour from the coast, is a cool-climate region shaped by the same marine air that fogs Morro Bay. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are what it does best, and the scale is small and unhurried.

Paso Robles, about forty-five minutes north, is a far larger and warmer region with several hundred wineries. Rhône varieties and Cabernet dominate, and the west side of the appellation has the more dramatic terrain and the more interesting small producers.

Both are comfortable day trips from the coast. If you only have one day, pick by preference: Edna Valley for cool-climate whites and Pinot, Paso Robles for reds and range.

The short version

• Edna Valley is about 30 minutes south — cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
• Paso Robles is about 45 minutes north — Rhône varieties and Cabernet, far larger.
• Paso's west side has the better terrain and the smaller producers.
• Both are day trips; arrange a driver if you intend to taste seriously.
• Harvest runs roughly August to October and is the busiest, best-looking time.