Templeton is a great town to visit and the perfect place to add to your Central Coast itinerary. The Templeton Gap is located in this area, which means that you will be able to taste some of California’s best wines. The town itself has a small-town charm with friendly people, great restaurants to grab a bite to eat, and many places to visit. You will enjoy stopping in this wonderful Central Coast town. Keep reading to learn about the top things to do on a weekend getaway to Templeton.
Where is Templeton
Templeton is located in San Luis Obispo County about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and approximately 15 miles from the California coast. It is very close to Paso Robles, in the heart of wine country, and a great town to visit if you are already in the area. Templeton is only about 6 miles south of Paso Robles and 5 miles north of Atascadero. In fact, if you are coming from the south on Highway 101, you will pass by the town of Templeton in order to get to Paso Robles, so adding Templeton to your Central Coast weekend getaway would be ideal. In comparison to other towns in this area, Templeton is on the smaller end. However, this does not mean that you won’t find some incredible things to do in Templeton. Templeton is an incredible town to visit and worth adding to your Central Coast itinerary.
When is the Best Time to Visit Templeton
Templeton has great weather year-round so anytime is a good time to visit Templeton. However, each season brings changes to the vineyards in the areas. So, you should keep a few things in mind when planning your visit to Templeton.
During the spring, wildflowers begin to bloom, and buds begin to break on the vineyards. The weather is also milder than during the summer months. It is a beautiful time of the year on the Central Coast, and the weather is perfect.
Templeton is inland and can get hot during the summertime. The California coast is not too far away, about 30 minutes west of Templeton. Summertime is the perfect time of the year to visit the coastal towns that are near Templeton. Visiting Templeton during the summer means that you can include a visit to any of the coastal towns near Templeton and take a break from the summer heat. A visit to the coast would be a nice addition to your weekend getaway to Templeton.
During the fall, between late August and November, wine grapes are harvested in this region. This is a great time to visit, as many wineries have special events to celebrate the harvest season.
During the winter, the weather hovers in the low 60s, but it can dip way below 60. You should have a jacket on hand, just in case. The vineyards are bare after the fall harvest and not as green as other months. Although the vineyards are bare, you can still visit tasting rooms and all the other great places in Templeton. The bottom line is that any time is a good time to visit Templeton.
How Many Days Should You Stay in Templeton
The number of days you should stay depends on what you would like to do on your weekend getaway to Templeton. Templeton is a small town, and you could see everything in one day. However, it would be best if you did not rush through your stay. Templeton is a great town. It has a slower pace than bigger cities, and it is the perfect town to unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful visit. Stay at least two days in Templeton; you can add a day or two if you would like to drive around the region and explore other nearby towns.
The Best Way to Get to Templeton
The easiest and best way to get to Templeton is by driving. You will have more flexibility in your schedule, can make your way to other nearby towns, and you can visit the many wineries in the region more easily. Since the wine region is spread out, having a car available is the best way to get around Templeton and the surrounding area.
Are Uber and Lyft Available in Templeton
Uber and Lyft are both available in Templeton. Using a rideshare program can be convenient to get to locations in and around town. The only problem would be the costs related to using a rideshare program. Since Templeton is a smaller town, you might want to explore other nearby towns, and your cost will go up depending on the distance you need to travel.
Can You Get to Templeton by Bus or Train
If you want to take the bus or train when you visit Templeton, you can technically do that. The only issue is that the nearest station for both the train and the bus is in Paso Robles. Paso Robles is about 8 miles from Templeton. You will need to take a taxi or order a rideshare to get to Templeton. It would be more convenient to have a car so that you can easily explore Templeton and the surrounding area.
Visit Main Street Templeton
Templeton has a small-town charm, and it is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The perfect way to start your weekend getaway to Templeton is by driving down Main Street. On Main Street, you will find charming historic buildings, several stores, and restaurants.
Main Street in Templeton is an idyllic setting for a stroll or to simply sit back and relax in one of the many cafes or restaurants. The people in Templeton are welcoming and friendly, making it easy to feel at home in this lovely town.
Places to Eat on Your Weekend Getaway to Templeton
If you are wondering where to stop and get a bite to eat, a few places worth trying are Kitchenette Coffee and Brunch, McPhee’s Grill, Joe’s, and Jack’s Bar and Grill.
Kitchenette Coffee and Brunch
Kitchenette Coffee and Brunch is a great place to stop. It is a very picturesque restaurant with outdoor seating located on Main Street. Breakfast is served from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, and lunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. There is a wide variety of dishes available, including vegetarian dishes, and the coffee is great here. After breakfast or lunch, make sure you leave room for dessert. The variety of pastries available at Kitchenette was amazing!
McPhees Grill
McPhee’s Grill is a great place to stop for dinner in Templeton. They offer fresh seafood and wood-grilled steaks, such as filet mignon and rib eye. They also have some incredible pork ribs. The salads and their starters are delicious. They have an extensive wine list and great desserts to top off your dinner. McPhee’s is the perfect place to have dinner in Templeton.
Joe’s Place
Joe’s Place is another great place to stop for breakfast or lunch. It is a casual diner that serves homestyle food. There are Mexican and American options as well. Joe’s has been around for many years and is a staple in Templeton. Their food is fresh, and the staff is friendly. Joe’s Place is also located on Main Street. You will not be disappointed if you stop at Joe’s Place.
Jack’s Bar and Grill
If you are looking for great comfort food and a place to have a beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail, then look no further than Jack’s Bar and Grill. Jack’s Bar and Grill has an extensive menu offering many favorites such as nachos, salads, tacos, classic and specialty burgers, sandwiches, and rib-eye steaks. The choice might be hard to make. However, you will enjoy your selection. Jack’s is a great place to have dinner with friends. Jack’s Bar and Grill is also located on Main Street.
Visit the Templeton Historical Society Museum
The Templeton Historical Society Museum features the rich history of Templeton. The museum is located in a home built in 1920 at 309 Main Street in Templeton. At the museum you will learn about the early development of the city of Templeton. You will learn about Templeton’s roots as the last stop on the railroad line from San Francisco. And its growth, as the railroad expanded and the population of Templeton flourished. The museum is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4 pm, and admission is free.
Visit Templeton Park
You will also find that Templeton has a great community park. Templeton Park is a great place to stop and rest for a bit after a few hours of driving. There is a large gazebo in the park, many picnic areas, a play area for children, a swimming pool, and many trees to provide shade as you sit and relax. Templeton Park is the perfect place to have a picnic during your weekend getaway to Templeton.
Visit the Templeton Farmers Market
If you are visiting Templeton on a Saturday, then you should stop by the Templeton Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is held at Templeton Park on Crocker and 6th Street every Saturday from 9:00 to 12:30. Many local farmers sell their products at the Templeton Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is a great place to find locally grown fruit and vegetables and other products such as locally grown olives.
Stop By the Vineyard Dog Park in Templeton
If you are traveling with your dog and you are looking for a park for your fur baby, there is a dog park in Templeton, just a short distance from Highway 101. Vineyard Dog Park is a great place to let your fur baby run around, stretch their legs, and take a break from riding in the car. The dog park is located about 4 minutes off Highway 101 on Semillon Lane.
Visit Jack Creek Farms
Jack Creek Farms is located seven miles west of Templeton on Highway 46 West. There are many activities to participate in throughout the year. Jack Creek Farms is a great place to spend time with the family on your weekend getaway to Templeton.
U Pick Gardens at Jack Creek Farms
Jack Creek Farms has U Pick Gardens that change throughout the year based on the current crop of the season. The U Pick crops range from sweet onions and garlic in early June to Lavendar in July and Peach and Plums in August. During the fall, they have a pumpkin patch where you can select your pumpkin to take home. This sample is not all-inclusive. There are more crops you can pick the rest of the year, such as tomatoes, blackberries, cucumbers, and squash. You can check their website to see what is available during your visit.
Picnic at Jack Creek Farms
If you have packed a lunch and are looking for a place to stop and eat, Jack Creek Farms can be the perfect place. There is a picnic area with picnic tables where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. There is also a wooden train that kids can also enjoy playing on.
Visit Happy Acres at Jack Creek Farms
Happy Acres is a paid portion of Jack Creek Farms that includes a hay maze, a tractor tire garden, a storybook trail, and their farm Animals.
Visit Farm Animals at Jack Creek Farms
Jack Creek Farms also has several animals that you can visit with the kids. Kids love visiting small farm animals, and Jack Creek Farms does not disappoint. Their farm animals include rabbits, goats, chickens, and ducks.
Whether you are there to have a picnic, select seasonal produce or flowers in the U Pick Garden, or spend a day visiting Happy Acres, you will have a wonderful day at Jack Creek Farms.
Visit the Wineries in the Templeton Gap
The Templeton Gap makes up part of the larger Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) in San Luis Obispo County. This area is known for its unique climate and terroir and plays an important role in the quality and character of the wines produced in this area. Thus, you will find many wonderful wineries to visit in this area. A few of my favorite varietals are Red Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Pinot Noir. It is always a challenge to decide which wine I will go home with when it comes to visiting the wineries in this area. They are just that good.
Wineries to Visit in Templeton
You will find many wineries in the Templeton Gap and the surrounding area. You will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of wines available in Central California. A few of my favorite wineries to visit include Bella Luna Winery, Peachy Canyon Winery, and Hansen Vineyard. However, if you are driving in the area you will easily notice that there are many wineries in this region. You would actually need several days to see all of the wineries available to you. Whichever winery you decide to visit, you will not be disappointed, as this region produces some of the best wines in California. These are a few of my favorite wineries.
Bella Luna Estate Winery
Bella Luna Estate Winery is a small family-run winery. They make wonderful red wines, which include Sangiovese, my personal favorite at this winery. The vineyards are dry-farmed, which really enhances the flavor of their wines. The Sangiovese available at Bella Luna is one of the best that I have tried in this region. It does not disappoint. If you would like to visit their tasting room, you should make a reservation. Luckily, making a reservation is easy to do on the Bella Luna Estate Winery website. Or you can give them a call. Bella Luna Estate Winery is located at 1850 Templeton Road in Templeton.
Peachy Canyon Winery
Peachy Canyon Winery is a popular winery in Templeton. They were awarded the 2023 Winery of the Year award from the Central Coast Wine Competition. Their tasting room is in an old schoolhouse that was built in the late 1800s. It is a popular tasting room to visit. You will also see a rather large chair on their grounds which is visible from the highway. The large chair makes for the perfect Instagramable moment. Peachy Canyon has several highly rated-wines. They have several Zinfandels that are worth tasting. Peachy Canyon Winery is located at 1480 N. Bethel Road off Highway 46 West. Their tasting room is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Making reservations is suggested, although they do take walk-ins.
at Peachy Canyon Winery
Hansen Vineyard
Hansen Vineyard specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon and also produces Cabernet Franc, which is another one of my favorite wines. They have about 30 acres of vineyards and have been producing wine for over 25 years. If you love Cabernet as much as I do, you should try this winery. They are located at 5575 El Pomar Drive in Templeton. Their tasting room, known as the Cab House, is back to regular hours and is open Friday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. You should make reservations if you would like to visit the Cab House for wine tasting.
ZinAlley
ZinAlley is one of several small California Central Coast wineries located in the Templeton Gap. They specialize in Zinfandel wine and they produces some of the best-tasting Zinfandel in the area. ZinAlley dry-farm their vineyards, intensifying the flavor of the fruit which leads to a robust and fantastic-tasting wine. Their wine offerings include Zinfandel and Zinfandel Port. ZinAlley is located at 3730 West Hwy 46 in Templeton.
Venteux Winery
Venteux Winery is a family-owned winery with 22 acres of vineyards. They also dry-farm their vineyards, which brings out the flavor of the wine. They specialize in Rhone-style wines such as Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache. Venteux Winery is a great winery to visit as they have special events for their customers. During summer, around July, and into Fall, through October, Venteux has a Friday concert series. There is a small charge for attending the Friday concert series. However, it is a fun event and a great way to enhance your visit to Venteux Winery. Venteux Winery also has a Sunday Funday concert series, which is free of charge. You can check the dates and the artist that will be performing on the Venteux Winery website.
Venteux Winery also offers accommodations if you would like to extend your stay at the winery. They offer three types of accommodations on-site: the Guest House, the Wiemaker’s Loft, and the Cellar studio. The accommodations require a minimum of a two-night stay. All three accommodations are available for wine club members. However, their Guest House is the only accommodation available for non-wine club members.
If you would like to visit Venteux to taste their wines, their tasting room is open daily from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. They do take walk-ins, but it is a good idea to make a reservation as it can get busy. Also, the winery sometimes hosts private events, so it is a good idea to call and verify that the tasting room is available if you do decide to walk in. Venteux Winery is located at 1795 Las Tablas Road in Templeton.
Why You Should Make Templeton a Stop on your Central Coast Weekend Getaway
Templeton is a must-visit destination with a small-town charm. There are many sites to visit and things to do around Templeton, making this a great stop on a Central Coast weekend getaway. You will not regret adding Templeton to your Central Coast weekend itinerary. The wine region in the Templeton Gap is amazing. The land and climate in the gap make for a perfect place to grow vineyards and produce wine. This is why the Central Coast is known for producing some of California’s excellent wines. Templeton’s location just south of Paso Robles and its close proximity to Paso Robles makes Templeton an easy stop to make when visiting Paso Robles. You will not be disappointed if you decide to stop in Templeton.
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