Enjoy a unique wine country experience in Paso Robles after the sun goes down: Sensorio offers a vibrant year-round light display with five exhibits spanning over 35 acres of undulating hills in San Luis Obispo County. Immerse yourself in the lights at this family-friendly outing and combine your evening stroll with an on-site picnic-style dinner that channels more Paso Robles personality through local cuisine, wine, and craft beer.
The solar-powered, walk-through installation was created with renowned British artist Bruce Munro in 2019, located right off an open stretch of U.S. Highway 46. Originally inspired by Munro’s Field of Light installation at Uluru in Australia, Sensorio was billed as a fusion of art, technology, and nature; the Paso Robles installation is now double the size of its Australian cousin.
“We want visitors to be completely immersed in the environment, inclusive of the stars above,” Munro told Travel + Leisure after the attraction opened. He said the design of the installation was meant to inspire meditation through a balance between the lights on the ground and the stars in the sky.
“I hope that, in a small way, my installation helps guide you toward the clear sky literally and otherwise,” he told T+L.
Come to Sensorio for Happy Hour or Dinner
Arrive at the grounds before sundown to make the most of the offerings just outside the installation. Grab a seat at one of the picnic tables or fire pits, or just spread out on the grassy lawn and listen to the live music as the sun sets in Paso Robles.
Recently added is the Mercado, where you can get a casual bite or drinks, with both outdoor and indoor seating areas.
Don’t miss the Airstream-based bars serving cocktails, local wines, non-alcoholic drinks, and craft beer, featuring familiar Paso Robles wine country names including Daou Vineyards and Firestone Walker Brewery.
What to Expect at the Sensorio Exhibits
Stroll the paths around the illuminated Field of Light, then take a detour into the Light Towers section, lined with 69 colorful pillars comprised of 17,000 glowing wine bottles. Next, explore the three newest exhibits that add more magic to this walkthrough dreamscape: Gone Fishing features 30 semispheres, each comprised of 25 glowing fishing poles in a playful interpretation of that introspective pastime, while the hills are dotted with Fireflies, a whimsical work made up of nearly 10,000 flickering points of light that dance in the hillside breeze.
Finish up with the Dimensions exhibit, which features large-scale geometric metal sculptures that guests can walk through as immersive lights and music shift around them in a 33-minute continuous show.
How to Plan a Trip to Sensorio
Book your tickets ahead of time; on-site parking is included in your price. Days and hours vary by season, so check the schedule, which gets updated every few months. Upgrade to one of the Terrace Experience packages for priority entry, seating by the fire pits on the private terrace offering the best views of the exhibition, and options that bundle in wine or charcuterie platters.
Sensorio makes a great addition to any trip to Paso Robles. Start the day by exploring Paso Robles’ Downtown City Park, lined with historic buildings such as the Carnegie Library, a Classical Revival building that opened in 1908. Then go wine tasting at some of the town’s most famous wineries, including Tablas Creek Vineyard, AmByth Estate (notable as the first biodynamic vineyard), and Tobin James Cellars. You can experience up-and-coming wineries at Tin City, a collection of makers in one complex along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail; a few members include ONX Wines, Tin City Cider, BarrelHouse Brewing Co., and the ice creams of Negranti Creamery.