Touring * Fitness * Historic *

Four miles north of Paso Robles and just south of San Miguel, turn off U.S. 101 at Wellsonia Road (at the Doll House Museum), heading east. Follow Wellsonia to North River Road, which runs parallel to the highway. Park on the shoulder here.

Pastured cows, working farms, no traffic, and good pavement make for a pleasant rural cruise along the banks of the Salinas River, in spite of the audible freeway traffic to the west. This is a skate best done on a sunny midwinter day when all is green and cool. The 13-mile round trip is long enough for a great workout if that's your pleasure. Start by skating south and continue for about 3.5 miles, enjoying the countryside and a few short hills. Then the good pavement ends abruptly. If you're still fresh after returning to your car, skate the three miles north to Estrella Road. You'll know it's time to turn back when the good pavement suddenly becomes severely pitted. After skating, California history buffs will want to drive up to Estrella Road, take it across the river to the sleepy town of San Miguel, and explore the old Mission San Miguel Archangel. Wine tasting can be found off San Marcos Road just across U.S. 101 from here (described in the next listing) or to the south off 101 (exit onto State Highway 46 and look for the Eberly and Estrella Brothers wineries along the first 10-mile stretch).