Sensorio – A Luminous and Artsy Escape

Fancy a little getaway for a weekend?  We invite you to explore the light installation at Sensorio located in Paso Robles. It is actually not one, but two light installations by artist Bruce Munro, and many things to see around the area.

LIGHT at SENSORIO

Fea­tured in The New York Times as #6 out of “50 Places to Vis­it in 2020,” Light at Sen­so­rio fea­tures two instal­la­tions by inter­na­tion­al­ artist Bruce Munro.

Field of Light is a 15-acre walk-through expe­ri­ence, Munro’s largest art­work to date, com­prised of more than 58,800 stemmed spheres lit by fiber optics, gen­tly illu­mi­nat­ing the land­scape in sub­tle blooms of mor­ph­ing col­or.

The lat­est instal­la­tion, Light Tow­ers cel­e­brates Paso Rob­les’ exten­sive wine coun­try envi­rons, fea­tur­ing 69 tow­ers com­posed of more than 17,000 wine bot­tles, illu­mi­nat­ed with glow­ing optic fibers whose col­ors morph to an inspir­ing musi­cal score. Pow­ered by solar, these  exhi­bi­ts cap­ti­vate vis­i­tors, invit­ing them to engage with the land­scape and envi­ron­ment through an ethe­re­al light-based and sculp­tur­al expe­ri­ence.

Address: Sensorio – 4380 Highway 46 East – Paso Robles, CA 93446

WHERE TO STAY, WHERE TO DINE

• In Paso Robles, a charming little town with a pleasant city center, note the French restaurant Les Petites Canailles but you absolutely have to book in advance.
• On the coast: as the exhibition is only active after sunset, we recommend finding accommodation on the coast, 45 minutes from Paso Robles in the small town of Cambria. Road 46 which leads there is of unexpected beauty and crosses a valley of green hills with the ocean for the horizon.
• In Cambria, the choice of motels by the sea is manifold.
  Cambria Ocean Point Inn: a charming hotel, on the theme “ranch-chic”, it is decorated with a swimming pool for the happiness of young and old. A family room with games is available. It is not directly on the sea but a private road leads to the famous local Moonstone Beach.
  Address: 7200 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA 93428

Cambria Beach Lodge: a hotel with a very Californian vibe, surf atmosphere. Bicycles available to explore the small town of Cambria and the coastal road. Address: 6180 Moonstone Beach Drive Cambria, CA 93428

Cambria: The Coastal Path is a scenic 2-mile walk along the cliffs of Moonstone Beach.

RETURNING TO SF BAY AREA BY HIGHWAY 1

• San Simeon: 9 km north of San Simeon on Highway 1 is the settlement of Piedras Blancas. It is the only colony of elephant seals in the world that is easily accessible, free and open to the public every day of the year. No reservation is necessary. Watch the live webcam https://elephantseal.org/live-view/ All info here: https://visitsansimeonca.com/what-to-do/elephant-seals-san-simeon
• Highway 1: once on this road, you can go up along the coast, and this portion alone is worth the detour. In short, if you want to go straight back without stopping too much, you can take a photo break at Bixby Bridge, stop at the Nepenthe restaurant / café for a lunch with a view, take a break on the immense and wonderful Carmel beach.
• In Carmel, you can stop for lunch at  La Bicyclette, for example … A successful bistro atmosphere, and take the opportunity to visit the mission.