We’ll be participating in the Paso Robles Christmas Light Parade for the fifth straight year on Saturday, December 5th.
A few rules for those participating in the parade.
Your car must be decorated to participate in the parade. In the past, decorations have included lights, lawn ornaments, large inflatables, and many other things. Feel free to reach out to other attendees for inspiration if you would like.
This year’s theme is “Light Up Your Holidays”
No Santas allowed. Santa comes at the end of the parade.
Absolutely no political decorations of any kind.
No throwing candy or anything else from the cars.
Please note that we are limited to 20 cars for entry in the parade, so the first 20 cars to register on MSR (MotorsportReg) will be entered in the parade. Others are invited to view the parade and cheer on our club's MINIs from the parade sidelines.
Lodging
Book your lodging now! There are numerous lodging options in Paso Robles and surrounding cities. If you’re uncertain where to book, ask a member that has done this run in the past.
Run Details
Your Host(s) for the Event
Steve and Tina Sandke
Register via MotorSport Registry
Published in November.
Day 1 Morning: Saturday December 5th
We will drive down 101, likely pick up some folks along the road near Salinas, then stop in Greenfield for a quick bathroom break. We’ll hop back on 101 for a few miles toward King City then switch to backroads, dashing down some nice remote twisties and on to Paso Robles, arriving around lunchtime.
Meet-up Time / Departure Time
9:15 am / 9:30 am
Meet-up Location
Peet’s Coffee, 755 Cochrane Rd, Morgan Hill, CA
Rest Stop / Bathroom Break
Starbucks, 367 Walnut Ave, Greenfield, CA ~10:45 AM arrival
Route
https://maps.app.goo.gl/p3tjc3YEFLBaQiKy7
Lunch
Folks are free to gather for lunch as they please; there is no group lunch, but we’ll call out ideas as we get into town. Coordinating groups for lunch is highly encouraged!
After lunch, you’re on your own until the parade. You can check into your hotel, explore downtown Paso Robles, go wine tasting, or something else.
Day 1 Evening: Saturday December 5th
We’ll be participating in the Paso Robles Christmas Light Parade on Saturday. We’ve won awards multiple years in a row; let’s see if we can keep it going!
Meet-up Time / Departure Time / Parade Start
4 pm / 4:30 pm / 6 pm
Folks participating in the parade MUST meet up with the group at 4 PM to decorate our cars for the parade. We’ll drive over to our staging spot at 4:30 PM, as the organizers want us in place early. We can continue decorating in the staging area.
Meet-up Location
544 Pine Street
Paso Robles, CA
Note: there are no facilities at this location. Please take care of any needs prior to coming. Once we are in position for the parade, bathrooms and snacks are likely available nearby, but that will depend on precisely where we are staged.
Trish and her dad decorating her car at the pre-parade meetup.
The parade itself was about 75 minutes last year, though that timing will depend on our place in the parade. After we finish the route, we’ll head over to the back parking lot at Oxford Suites and undecorate our cars.
We’ll have an optional gathering afterward at Firestone Walker Taproom Restaurant at 1395 Vendels Cir, Paso Robles, CA 93446.
Day 2: Sunday December 6th
Sunday morning breakfast is on your own, and then we’ll gather for a short run before folks head back home. We’ll head out for a short but spirited run through backroads east of Paso Robles, ending a bit north of Paso Robles in Bradley a bit before lunchtime. Folks are free to head back home or enjoy other sights on their own. We will be happy to lead you to our favorite taco joint in King City for lunch.
Meet-up Time / Departure Time
9:30 am / 10 am
Meet-up Location
Starbucks
2429 Golden Hill Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
Off of Highway 46 near Lowes east of downtown
Route
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WVrC4KmpNmyyt6288
Additional Run Details
If you have any other questions about runs in general, check out our FAQ.