Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It's seldom crowded here, and you may have the vast site all to yourself, except during
Mission Days
in early April and
La Fiesta
on the second Sunday of June. Pick up a visit-
or's pass from a military checkpoint on the way in; bring photo ID and proof of your
vehicle's registration. From the north, take the Jolon Rd exit off Hwy 101 before King City
and follow Jolon Rd (County Rte G14) about 18 miles south to Mission Rd. From the
south, take the Jolon Rd (County Rte G18) exit off Hwy 101 and drive 22 miles northwest
to Mission Rd.
San Miguel
San Miguel is a small farming town off Hwy 101, where life seems to have remained al-
most unchanged for decades. Founded in 1797,
Mission San Miguel Arcángel
(
805-467-3256;
www.missionsanmiguel.org
;
775 Mission St; adult/child 5-17yr $3/2; 10am-4:30pm)
suffered heart-breaking damage during a 2003 earthquake. Although repairs are still un-
derway, the church, cemetery, museum and gardens are open. An enormous cactus out
front was planted during the early days of the mission.
Hungry? Inside a converted retro gas station downtown,
San Miguel Coffee Station
(
www.sanmiguelcoffeestation.com
; 1199 Mission St; dishes $3-8; 6:30am-5pm Mon-Wed, to 8pm
Thu-Sat )
vends live-wire cups o' coffee, sweet baked goods, pulled-pork sandwiches and
stuffed Cal-Mex burritos.
Paso Robles
In northern San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles is the heart of a historic agricultural re-
gion where grapes are now the biggest money-making crop. Scores of wineries along Hwy
46 produce a brave new world of more-than-respectable bottles. The Mediterranean cli-
mate is yielding another bounty too: olive oil. Paso's historic downtown centers on Park
and 12th Sts, where boutique shops and wine-tasting rooms await.
Sights & Activities
You could spend days wandering country back roads off Hwy 46, running east and west of
Hwy 101. Most wineries have tasting rooms and a few offer vineyard tours. For dozens
more wineries and olive-oil farms to visit, browse
www.pasowine.com
.
