Photos of Central Downtown Paso Robles at Dusk

I Love Downtown Paso Robles at Dusk

The sun is no longer bright and the signs of the businesses around the park are beginning to light up. People walk in the park because in summer and early autumn it's cooler than in the daytime. On this October 1 walk, even the moon was making an appearance. Below is a popular attraction, the Park Cinemas Theater.

Park Cinemas Theater, Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

Here's a slightly different view available as both poster and postcard from Zazzle.

Poster: Park Cinemas Downtown Paso Robles, CA PosterPostcard, Park-Cinemas, Paso Robles, CA Postcard

Parking in Downtown Paso Robles Around the Park

Good luck with that. The more popular Paso Robles becomes, the harder it is to find a parking place with a block or two of the park. At night on weekends it's almost impossible. Very few businesses supply parking, so most parking is on the street. I circled the park twice and even contemplated parking at the library and walking three blocks to get to Studios on the Park Saturday night. I finally found a place two blocks away on Park and 11th Street in a handicapped space (Yes, I have a placard) beside the park. As I walked toward my destination, I saw others still looking for a parking place.

Parking is scarce in Paso Robles on Saturday night, © B. Radisavljevic

An Old-Fashioned Sweet Shop

Got a sweet tooth you want to indulge while strolling around downtown? Try Powell's. Last time I looked it had all the candy bars and sweet treats the stores used to carry but are hard to find in stores now. I thought they'd stopped making them until I visited the Powell's SLO Sweets Candy Store.  Evidently the name is in transition. You'll find the store on the corner of 11th Street and Pine. It's in an historic building that used to house the Municipal Bathhouse around 1905.  Do you see the moon lurking behind the palm tree?

The Candy Store, © B. Radisavljevic

Pine Street at Dusk

There isn't room in this post to show you all the buildings on Pine Street between 11th and 12th across from the city park. I will show you these. As you cross Pine Street on 11th, you will be in front of the Park Cinemas. (Top photo) Walk west toward Studios on the Park and these are some businesses you will pass.

Red Scooter and Good Times (hidden behind tree) © B. Radisavljevic 

The Red Scooter is a deli open for breakfast and lunch. I've never tried it. After checking out their menu, I just may try it soon.  I've had lunch several times at the Good Times Cafe and been satisfied. It resembles a fifties burger hang-out. Or you could eat at the Paso Robles Inn across from the park on Spring Street for a more formal atmosphere. The food there is delicious. If you walk around the streets surrounding the park you'll find almost any kind of food you desire being served at one of the many restaurants on 11th Street, Pine Street, and 12th Street.

Walk a bit further on Pine Street past Good Times Cafe and you'll be in front of Pappy McGregor's Irish Pub. If you eat there you can choose sidewalk dining or eat inside. I've haven't eaten there since it was the Crooked Kilt years ago. It's only a few yards more from there to Studios on the Park -- my destination for the evening. I was not looking for food, but for a feast of art for my eyes.

Pappy McGregor's and Studios on the Park on Pine Street, © B. Radisavljevic

Souvenirs from Downtown Paso Robles

Clock Tower Downtown Paso Robles Postage




These are some other scenes you will find downtown very near the park. At Zazzle you will find even more Paso Robles designs. There are also more  product options for these designs. 

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Poster: Sidewalk Dining in Paso Robles, California PosterClock Tower Downtown Paso Robles PostcardPostcard: Superior Court, Paso Robles, California Postcard

The Paso Robles City Park at Dusk

Since the park covers two city blocks in the center of downtown, I will not even attempt to get all of it in this post. Its most famous landmark is the historic Carnegie Library, now the home of the Paso Robles Historical Society. Did you see the statue of Paderewski in front of it? Paderewski loved Paso Robles. We outgrew the original library and build a new one. Tour the new library here. It's across the street from the park and shares a building with the City of Paso Robles City Hall.

Historic Carnegie Library in City Park, © B. Radisavljevic 

The other structure most Paso Robles locals think of in connection with City Park is the bandstand. It's used for special events and for the summer concerts in the park. It's also where some teens hang out in the afternoon. I'll devote an entire post to it soon. But to close this post I'll just give you one shot of it. See how tall the trees are in comparison? To the left is a glimpse of our brand new playground. We will also devote a future post to that.

If you don't live in Paso Robles, what first impression do you get of it from these photos of our downtown?


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Let's Eat: A Review of Touch of Paso Restaurant In Paso Robles

We Love to Eat

We enjoy eating out, but our budget doesn't allow it very often. When we do eat out, we are most likely to choose Touch of Paso Restaurant in our hometown of Paso Robles. We enjoy the food, we can afford to eat there, and it's where the locals hang out. I chose this photo for this month's City Daily Photo Bloggers theme: Let's Eat. 

Hubby Enjoying His Dinner at Touch of Paso Restaurant in Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

The Food at Touch of Paso

My husband, pictured above, loves Touch of Paso because he can eat the liver I won't cook. He likes the way they cook it. He also is glad he can still get sweet potato fries there, since so many other restaurants no longer have them. 

My Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich at Touch of Paso, © B. Radisavljevic

I normally order the Philly Cheese Steak on a French Roll. I get to choose two of these three options to go with it: soup, salad, or fries. See the complete lunch menu here.  We normally go for lunch, but we have to get in before the restaurant closes at 2 PM. Those who want breakfast can get in as early as 6 AM. 

Hubby's Salad with Italian Dressing, © B. Radisavljevic

Touch of Paso also makes great cinnamon rolls and pies. Unfortunately our diet no longer permits us to eat them, but after a hearty lunch we really don't have room for anything sweet anyway. I usually take half my sandwich home for lunch the next day. 

Why Do We Choose Touch of Paso?

Touch of Paso offers a variety of choices for breakfast and lunch.  Lunch options include early dinners for those who like to have their main meal at midday, as we do. Those main meal selections include "down-home"  beef, steaks, chicken, and fish choices. For a lighter meal one can order soup, one of the delicious main dish salads, chili, or one of several choices on the hot and cold sandwich menu. For lighter appetites, one can order a half sandwich with a cup of soup. Many people order this so that they have room left over for a delicious slice of pie. 

Boards Announcing Daily Specials and Pie Offerings, © B. Radisavljevic

While you wait to be seated, you can browse the daily specials and the current pie selection from the boards near the entrance. Local artist works decorate the walls both in the waiting area and in the dining rooms. This is a popular restaurant in Paso Robles and you might have to wait for a seat -- especially on Sunday afternoons. 

Seating Options

Outdoor Seating and Exit from Sun Room Dining Area, © B. Radisavljevic

At Touch of Paso you have three choices. You can eat outside if there's room. You can eat in the sun room that looks out on the parking lot and the surrounding oaks. You can see its door above the steps that lead to the outdoor area pictured above. Outdoor eating space is very limited. The sun room is the next best thing. 

Of course, you can also choose to eat indoors, as we normally do. Indoors you can sit at a booth or a table -- whichever suits you or is available when you come. 

Wherever you choose to enjoy your meal, it will be a great value for what you pay for it. It's easy to take home anything you can't eat in one sitting, and we usually do that. Touch of Paso used to be a home, and the friendly staff will make you feel at home while you are there. There's a reason the locals keep coming back. 

To see how bloggers around the world have treated this theme, see the theme gallery. 

All text and photos are © B. Radisavljevic, all rights reserved. Please do not use without written permission. 

Eating Barbecue at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ: A Review

Meeting Friends for Dinner at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ

Entrance of Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, © B. Radisavljevic

Monday Night at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ (try saying that fast a few times) was a filling experience. I'd never been there before, since we usually go to Touch of Paso to eat when we venture out. We were meeting a friend from another state who used to be one of our neighbors in Southern California. We have not met him in person for years, and communication has been by photo and Facebook. He married in January and we'd never met his wife.

Since he was visiting this area on vacation to see family and show his wife lovely spots like Moonstone Beach, we arranged to have dinner together at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ because it was already after two and because they loved barbecue. We were anxious to meet his bride and we were all hungry. I'd love to show you what we ate, but because of the lively conversation and the joy of actually eating the food, I forgot to photograph it. After taking the photo above, I didn't think again about my camera until we were home. I didn't include people in the photo for privacy reasons.

I went back today to get more photos. This one shows the exterior. It demonstrates the Western theme. There are stairs that lead to walkways to the lookout towers and the roof. I can imagine one could walk off dinner on those stairs. At the back of the photo you can see the automobile entrance from 24th Street to the Parking area.

Exterior of Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, © B. Radisavljevic

The Food at Big Bubba's

My readers would probably rather read about the food than our conversation, so I'll discuss that. My husband ordered a half Bubba's Caesar Salad with chicken because he doesn't like to eat a lot in the evening. Portions are large, so half a salad was sufficient. It looked tasty. It came with a delicious looking slice of Texas Toast, which Hubby gave to our friends because he's trying to be gluten-free. They said it was very good. It disappeared fast.

Our friends split an order of Beef Ribs that looked like more than four, but that was probably because they were huge. They seemed to enjoy them, along with their sides of corn on the cob and veggies. We actually didn't talk about the food much except to say it was good. Our actions in gobbling it down spoke louder than words, and no one voiced any complaints.

 I had the Tri Tip Sandwich and told them to hold the mayo and substitute regular jack cheese for the pepper jack cheese. They had no problem with doing that. I only had a taste of the BBQ Sauce that came on the side, but it was a bit strong for my taste. I don't normally eat sauces. They cover up the taste of the meat itself.  The sandwich was delicious without sauce. Lettuce and tomato were enough to enhance it. The meat was cooked to perfection. I had been planning to take half home, but somehow I ate the whole thing there.

You Can Eat Inside or Outside

Outdoor Patio Tables at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, © B. Radisavljevic

We could have chosen to eat on the patio (above) facing 24th Street, or at any of the tables along the walkway of the building. They are more private and, except for street noise, quieter than the tables inside. I still usually prefer to eat inside because I'm sun sensitive. 

Private Party Tables at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ, © B. Radisavljevic

The music inside is not exactly background, but it won't completely drown out conversation, either. I didn't want to make diners inside feel their privacy was being violated, so I took this picture of what I assume is a room for private parties. That was empty today. The chairs and table style are the same in the main dining room, but the main restaurant is darker. 

 Recommendation 

If you eat here, you won't leave hungry. I thought my tri tip sandwich was reasonably priced for what I got, and, as I said above, it was delicious.  Hubby rated his salad a four on a scale of ten. He said the lettuce was fresh, but the salad's overall taste was just passable. Perhaps he's not used to Caesar dressing, since he usually orders Italian. He said he likes the salad at Touch of Paso (Yelp Reviews), where he always has Italian dressing, better.  To see what others thought, as well as photos of the food and interior, check out Yelp.

Over all, I enjoyed the experience, but seeing our friends was the best part of it. I would not hesitate to eat there again, but I still think Touch of Paso (my review) is a better value if you enjoy American food, don't care if it's barbecued, and can get there before it closes at two. 

Have you eaten at Big Bubba's Bad BBQ in Paso Robles? If so, what did you think of your experience there? You can comment below. The sharing buttons are just above the comment box if you'd like to share this review. The image below is just the right size to pin. 

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J's Burgers in Paso Robles - A Review

My Cheeseburger at J's Burgers in Paso Robles,
 © B. Radisavljevic

I wasn't planning to write a review of J's Burgers today. I had planned to write about Jack Creek Road in Templeton for the "J" letter in the AtoZchallenge. I was planning to start when my gardener to arrived with his power machinery and I wanted to escape the noise he makes. I had packed my Kindle to have something to read, and I was hungry. I decided I'd go to J's Burgers to get my usual cheeseburger. (See photo on left.) On the way over to their location near Seventh and Spring next to Takken's, it dawned on me what the first letter of J's was. So I decided to write a review about my experience at J's Burgers. 

Counter and Drink Dispenser at J's Burgers,in Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

I first heard about J's from a friend who posted on Facebook that he'd just been there. Then several of his other friends commented about it. Why, I thought, have I never heard of this place that supposedly has great food and prices I can afford? One day a couple of months ago I decided to check it out. As you see above, it's not fancy, but it's clean with comfortable tables and chairs. One can eat inside or out, or take the burgers home.

You order at the counter, pay, and get a number. You dispense your drink yourself at the machine. Then you take your number to your table. They cook your burgers and fries, garlic fries, or onion rings to order. They also offer veggie burgers or chicken sandwiches with avocado for those who want to eat healthier meals. Healthy eaters can also order salads. I ordered my usual cheeseburger and brought a couple of tangerines to substitute for a drink, since I'm not supposed to drink soda. I sat and read until my order arrived at my table.

Drink Dispenser at J's Burgers,in Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

My cheeseburger was just the right size to fill me up without stuffing me. You can see it in the top photo. It has a bite out of it because I forgot to take the picture before I took the bite. The lettuce wasn't wilted as it is in some fast food places. I would have preferred real cheese to processed, but that's hard to find when you get fast food. I believe I got good value for my money. They probably hate people like me that don't order the drinks and side dishes they make more money on.

Wall Menu at J's Burgers,in Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

I was fortunate that I came at a time that was not too busy. It's my third visit, and I try to pick the least crowded times because I like quiet. I didn't get  quiet today because the family next to me had a child with a big voice, but it got quieter when their food came. Had I not been escaping gardener noise, I would have gotten my food to go.

If you want a fancy place, J's Burgers isn't it. You will get a comfortable place to sit with real chairs -- not plastic booths with  backs that jiggle if an active child is on the other side.

If you want good value for your money, I think you will get it at J's. It has better quality than I've gotten at the corporate burger chains,  though the service is slower because there are not as many employees to serve you. If you don't want to hang around, I would suggest you could phone your order in and pick it up when ready.

Have you been to J's Burgers? What do you have to say about your experience?

If you learned anything and would like to share this post, there are sharing buttons just above the comment box at the end of the post. The photo  below was designed for pinning should you want to pin this post. The photo also shows you the outdoor eating area.

This is my tenth post for the 2016 AtoZchallenge, a Blogging Challenge for the month of April, 2016. My theme is Things You Can See or Experience in North San Luis Obispo County. Here are links to the other posts if you missed them.

A is for Acorn
B is for Barney Schwartz Park
C is for Cattle in Wine Country
D is for Dark Star Cellars
E is for Electric Wires
F is for Family Farms
G is for Graveyard Vineyards

H is for Horses

Insects in My Neighborhood in April

A Peaceful Easter Sunday

It seems to be strange not to be with family in someone's home on Easter Sunday, but our extended family extends between Riverside, Fresno, and Tustin, all of which are a long drive from the Central Coast. Still, it just didn't feel right to just go home after church. That would be kind of a letdown. So we drove by Touch of Paso to see how busy the parking lot was and we were lucky. It appears an earlier after church crowd had left and we got in before the second wave got there. The food was tasty and the restaurant was decorated for Easter. I always enjoy it more quiet than crowded. 

 Touch of Paso Restaurant on Easter Sunday, © B. Radisavljevic

In spite of staying near home, it was still a day of communicating with family. My husband and I talked for a couple of hours, and my brother called and we must have talked to each other for close to an hour. This has been the first conversation we've had in a long time where we didn't talk politics, but about family. It is a refreshing change. There will always be some sort of politics, but one never knows how long one's family members will still be around. 

How did you spend Easter Sunday?

Getting Out of the House and to the Coast on Valentine's Day

After Lunch at Touch of Paso Restaurant, © B. Radisavljevic

I think I've had cabin fever. Yesterday was the first time in over a year that I did not write any blog posts or spend time online. It was almost as though my brain just wanted to rest. So I let it. I read three books on my Kindle which weren't worth my time, watched a bit of TV, and stayed in bed a lot. I think I may have been half sick. For sure I was depressed.

Today we decided to get away for a few hours and break the routines I felt trapped in. First we went for lunch at Touch of Paso. We were the last to leave, so I  took this picture just before we paid our bill. Hubby is still double-checking it.

After we had eaten, we headed down Highway 46 West to Highway 1 to Leffingwell Landing. I wish I could have stopped along the way to take photos of the cattle on the green hills which stretched all the way to the sea. It was clear enough today to actually get a glimpse of the ocean from the highway, but all the viewpoints were on the other side of the road. I was hoping to catch some of those views on the way home, but it didn't happen.

It was a beautiful day to be on the coast. It was warm enough to enjoy without sweater. The sky was very blue and clear. The waves were large enough to make some high sprays as they splashed on the rocks. I made a video I may share later in the week. I didn't see the way to the boardwalk so I mainly took my photos from the parking lot and the stairway to the beach. Since it ended on a huge rock, I didn't  think it wise for me to go down to the beach via the rock. My knees weren't up to the rough surface. I did, however, get this photo from the parking lot.

A View of Leffingwell Landing in Cambria, © B. Radisavljevic

People were friendly today and open to conversations with strangers. We met some people who lived in Fresno and they offered to take our picture together. We talked for a bit afterwards.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, another man pointed out some otters swimming some distance away. I would have missed them -- especially since my camera battery had just died and ended my being able to see through my zoom lens. I seem to have misplaced my spare camera and I couldn't find it before we left home, so I didn't get all the photos I'd hoped to get, including those I wanted to take of the hills on the way home.

It's amazing what a large dose of nature can do to combat depression. It sure beats talking to a therapist, is more fun, and a lot cheaper. I highly recommend it.

Related articles

• Take a Walk Outdoors Day
• This is a Great Day to Take Your Family to Leffingwell Landing

An After Dinner Rose at Sizzler

Last year we had to make many trips to Ventura on business. On one of these trips we ate at a Sizzler Restaurant, one of the few remaining ones I know of in Ventura County. We enjoyed our meal and our waiter was very attentive. We got talking to him, and it turned out he was from the Middle East. I can't remember which country at the moment. His wife was visiting her parents there. Before we left, he took a piece of foil and made me this rose. I had never had that happen before. Have you? Perhaps it was something new that Sizzler waiters had been trained to do, but it had never happened to me at any other  Sizzler.

What is the most unusual thing a waiter or waitress or server has done for you?

Have you ever made a foil rose?

A Short Trip to Solvang

Sunday we took a short trip to have lunch with longtime friends who live in Westlake. We try to see each other every  year in June, and we meet right in the middle between our cities. So we go to Solvang. We were to meet at the Greenhouse Cafe at 1:30. It got its name because it used to be a greenhouse.

Things don't always happen the way one plans  them, and so it was on Sunday. We

made a pit stop at Smart and Final in San Luis Obispo and our gear shift got stuck. That meant we were also stuck -- until The Auto Club came to the rescue. Our friends waited in Santa Barbara until we knew whether we could continue on. We were very thankful one of the AAA men who answered our call figured out what was wrong, got it working, and told us it was probably safe to proceed, so we called our friends back and we all continued on our way.

As it turned out, we got to the cafe first and saved a table inside. It was warm out and I'm sun sensitive, so I preferred to eat inside instead of at an outside table. We had a grand time catching up with each other's lives and stayed at the table until the restaurant closed at 5 PM. Then we talked for another hour outside. I took these photos from the corner as we talked. I feel like I've gone back in time when I am here. Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Restaurants Come and Restaurants Go

I'm always sad when I walk by abandoned businesses. I can only hope they will be sold to someone who will bring them to life again. That is especially true of restaurants. I had always wanted to try Wilson's, but it closed at three in the afternoon, and I rarely was free to go out that early. It's too late now.

In 2013, at some point after I heard Wilson's had closed, I decided to go take a photo of the closed restaurant at the corner of 28th and Spring. I have a thing about wanting to document the history of downtown as it happens. For many people, Wilson's is part of that history.

I took these photos in March, 2013. I went by again today after finding a listing at this address for Wilson's in the current Yellow Pages and I wanted to double check before publishing this. It is still closed and there is now a for sale sign on this sign.

Have you ever eaten at Wilson's? Have any of your favorite restaurants gone out of business?

One of the Most Painted Buildings in Paso Robles

I have seen a lot of businesses come and go in downtown Paso Robles, but Bistro Laurent has been here almost as long as I have. It is on the corner of 12th Street and Pine across from the park.

It is a great favorite of the Plein Air Quick Draw event artists in the morning in the park during the Paso ArtsFest. Each of them has a couple of hours to paint something they can see from the park or the streets bordering it. Someone paints Bistro Laurent almost every year. I imagine it is chosen because of its style and its contrasting colors, as well as its location.

At noon all the paintings in previous years have been are auctioned off to support the arts and other local causes. I think new events have been added this year and another auction may replace this. More information on the 2015 event is available on the Paso ArtsFest website. Take my visual tour of the 2012 Festival of the Arts to experience the scope and variety of this event.

Where Do the Locals Eat?

Touch of Paso

This is probably the first question I ask when I'm visiting a new town and want to eat. We are budget travelers, but still want a good meal when we eat out. If you find yourself in the same boat while visiting Paso Robles, let me suggest two places where you can get a good meal in Paso Robles without spending a fortune.

Touch of Paso Restaurant in Paso Robles

The first, pictured above, is Touch of Paso. It's on 14th Street and Pine, right across 14th Street from the antique stores I wrote about yesterday. It took a few years here before I discovered it because I had not yet met many of my fellow Paso Roblans. It was only after I moved my mother to this area in 1995 and she began to meet people that she took me to Touch of Paso. I've been going back ever since.

Touch of Paso is only open for breakfast and lunch, and it closes at 2 PM, so you have to plan accordingly. It's best to get in by 1 because some foods can become less available close to closing time. If you go there for lunch after church, it's likely to be crowded and you may have to wait.

You can get a great breakfast there, and they make wonderful cinnamon rolls. The lunch menu has a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches to suit every taste. All is reasonably priced. You can read about the history of the building and see the menu on the Touch of Paso website.

China Gourmet

If it's after two and you're hungry or if you just prefer Chinese food, you will want to try the China Gourmet Restaurant in the Albertson's shopping center on Niblick Road, on the east side of the bridge. It's only a ten-minute drive from downtown, and there is plenty of parking. We won't eat Chinese food anywhere else.

China Gourmet, February, 2015, © Barbara Radisavljevic