The central square at Spring and 12th Streets is where Paso Robles begins. A shaded park with mature trees, a bandstand, and benches, it is surrounded on all four sides by the buildings that define the downtown: the 1892 Carnegie Library (now used for civic functions), tasting rooms, restaurants, and shops that have moved into the brick storefronts.
On weekend evenings the square fills up — farmers' market crowds, winery visitors, and locals eating al fresco. It is an unpretentious gathering point and a useful orientation for first-time visitors. The Tuesday evening summer concerts are a Paso institution.