Creston, Shandon & Cholame

Find quiet countryside appeal in Creston, where ranches, vineyards and olive trees intermingle. Just a quick 15-minute drive from Paso Robles, Atascadero and Templeton, wine tasting, olive oil tasting and barbecue are always on the menu here. Kick your boots up and enjoy the annual rodeo. Visitors will be enthralled with bull riding, family activities and country music. Venture out on the Creston Wine Trail to find Italian, Bordeaux and Rhone varietals in an elegant yet rustic setting. Delight in food and wine by day and let the stars dazzle you at night. In Creston, the country life is anything but sleepy.

Surrounded by picturesque farmland, Shandon is a small, rural community, located 18 miles east of Paso Robles. This agricultural village is most famous for Chapel Hill, a stunning private sanctuary that was built from remnants of Hearst Castle. Special tours and events are hosted by the chapel throughout the year.

At the corner of the Highway 41 and 46 junction, you’ll find Cholame (SHOW-lam) and the James Dean Memorial stretch of highway. This small, quiet community is known for its rural ranchland, but it’s also home to a hoppin’ 1950s-themed restaurant beloved by travelers from around the world. Be sure to snap a photo at the famous James Dean Memorial, erected near the site of his fatal car crash in 1955. This sacred spot is a popular bucket list item for those who aim to experience the legacy of a true icon of American cinema. Grab a burger at the diner before you head on your way and always save room for dessert. Cholame is all about serving up a heaping slice of bygone Americana heritage.

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