Paso Robles: Light at Sensorio; things to do

101 South

Light at Sensorio  

4380 Hwy. 46 East.  Thur-Sun evenings; times vary with season.  Tickets ($75, $87, $112).  No pets. 

overview of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, California

The colorful solar-powered installation of 100,000 lights that is Light at Sensorio reminds me of Holland’s colorful tulip fields in full bloom.  

This art work, known as Field of Light, is by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro.  He  works in the style of Christo, who long ago set up “The Gates” in NYC’s Central Park and “Fences” in the fields of Marin County.  Field of Light is an immersive 15-acre walk-through experience lit by fiber optics.  Fist-sized bulbs atop 2-foot-long “stems” are “planted” in the fields for almost as far as you can see.  These solar energy-powered bulbs are tightly packed together over acres of undulating, hilly landscape, where they morph through a rainbow of colors.  A recorded musical score accompanies the unfolding, and light human sounds mix with melodic crickets to enhance the experience. 

dusk at Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, California

dusk at Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, California

night begins at Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, California

colorful bulbs seen up close at Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, California

This art experience seems to be a work in progress.  It has grown since it opened in 2019, and now includes several newer sections:

●Light Towers consists of 69 glowing 6-foot towers made with more than 17,000 recycled wine bottles.  This section celebrates Paso Robles’ wine country.  Visitors become black shadows while moving between the colorful towers, and a soundtrack of African music adds to the pleasure. 

●Fireflies consists of “10,000 flickering points of light” that I personally thought looked more like moving jelly-fish orbs.  Either way, it is lovely sight to behold. 

●Gone Fishing is described as “a playful representation of the contemplative act of standing by a stream.”  This one is a little more obscure, but also beautiful.

 

Gone Fishing at Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles, California

Arriving before sunset allows time to watch the sun set and then to enjoy the afterglow as dusk fades to dark.  The mood is quiet as the audience relaxes into the sunset and anticipates the glowing colors to come.  The bulbs begin as a sea of white, but eventually start emitting colors.  

Purchase tickets in advance to ensure admission, and do allow time to park, walk the equivalent of a few blocks into the event space, and find seating.  Do not bring water as security is strict.  Do bring a jacket as it can get cold.  Food and drink are for sale, and plenty of restrooms are provided.  Musicians perform live acoustic music in an area before the event space. 

More things to do in Paso Robles. 

More things to do along Highway 101.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2023 Carole Terwilliger Meyers