Paso Robles Real Estate

Paso Robles is the northern anchor of California 's central coast. The name, Paso Robles, is Spanish for oak pass, reflecting the town's Mexican and Spanish history. The town is close to two Missions, San Miguel Arcángel was founded in 1797 about 8 miles from Paso Robles and the San Antonio de Padua, which was founded first in 1771, and moved three years later to be closer to water.

Paso Robles is part of the Rancho Paso Robles land grant which was issued in 1844; nearly a decade later, the nearly 26,000-acre site was purchased for $8,000 by Daniel and James Blackburn and another partner. It was Daniel Blackburn and a new partner, Drury James (uncle to the famed outlaw Jesse James) who, shortly after the Civil War, envisioned a first class city on the site. They understood the draw of the hot springs and knew the stage coach made it possible for people to come and invest. In 1864, they built a bath house, hotel and several cottages for visitors.

The Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1886, opening up Paso Robles to the world. The town celebrated with a real estate auction, selling some 228 lots.

In 1889, construction on the famed El Paso de Robles Hotel began, to be completed in 1891. Three stories tall and built of solid masonry, the hotel was set off by sandstone arches. The hotel also featured a seven acre garden and nine hole golf course. The new hotel also offered an improved hot springs plunge bath as well as 32 individual bath rooms. The 20 by 40 foot plunge bath was considered one of the finest and most complete of its time in the United States.

The town was incorporated in 1898 and the next three decades saw famous visitors like Boxing champion Jack Dempsey, President Theodore Roosevelt, Adela Rogers - St. John, Phoebe Apperson Hearst (the mother of William Randolph Hearst), actors Douglas Fairbanks, Boris Karloff, Bob Hope, and Clark Gable.

Until fairly recently, the Paso Robles area was known for its farms and orchards. In fact, Paso Robles was called Almond City because of its almond groves. The 1960s and 1970s saw the introduction of wine grapes and their accompanying wineries and the area quickly gained a reputation for excellent vintners which continue today.

The residents of Paso Robles value their history, and preserving it shows up in delightful ways around town. Preservation is also part of the general plan.

Real estate values have not only held in Paso Robles, they've appreciated well, right along with most of California. Schools are excellent and the living is good, making the city and it's neighbors ideal for families.

You'll find a nice selection of single and multi-story condominiums. Single family homes range from restored cottages in town to magnificent custom homes on multi-acre properties ideal for horses and small farming. In between you'll find beautiful homes on large parcels, many with room for a horse or two, and modern homes in delightful well planned communities.

You can also buy land in Paso Robles. If you want an extra large lot for your dream home, you'll find them there. There are also acre and multi-acre parcels ideal for building. There are larger parcels ripe for development or for your own winery or other use.

There are also both residential units and commercial properties available.