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Wine Tours / FAQs
Wine Tours
For a wine tour, how long will we spend at a winery?
A regular wine tasting will take 45 minutes to an hour. If you choose to participate in extra excursions, such as vineyard tasting, winemaker meet-and-greet, or lunch, we will allot more time at that winery for you. Overall, it is totally up to you! Our prices are based hourly, so you can choose as many wineries as you want to visit and allot any time for them. Generally, for a 5-hour wine tour, you will visit 3 or 4 wineries and accounts for travel time between the wineries.
Do you provide wine tours for Santa Ynez / Foxen Canyon / Los Olivos area?
Yes, we do! We work hand-in-hand with wineries in the Santa Ynez wine region to provide the most enjoyable experience for you and the wineries. We provide tours to all trails in the area: Santa Maria, Buellton Wine Trail, Foxen Canyon Wine Trail, Lompoc Wine Trail, Los Olivos, Downtown / Urban Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Solvang, and St. Rita Hills. We can take you wherever you would like to go, or can give you recommendations based on your preferences.
How many wineries are in Paso Robles?
There are over 200 wineries in the Paso Robles wine region. A majority of these are family-owned and operated establishments, presenting unique red varietals and refreshing whites for the hot summer days. Find the tasting fees on our Resources pages listed below:West Paso Robles wineries | East Paso Robles wineries | Templeton & other Paso Robles wineries
How many wineries can you visit in a day?
We provide the following averages based on thousands of itineraries we have built depending on several factors, including driving time from pick up & drop off location, driving time in between wineries (some Paso Robles have a much longer drive time), group size, etc. Groups of 10 or less:
If you’re staying in San Luis Obispo or south of SLO, and tasting in Paso Robles, groups average 3 wineries, 4 is doable as well. If you’re staying in Paso Robles and tasting at Paso Robles wineries, groups average 4 wineries. If you’re staying in Paso Robles and tasting in Edna Valley (San Luis Obispo wine region), groups average 3 – 4 wineries.
Groups of 17+ people: We recommend 3 wineries for a group this large, which will be about an 8-hour day. We allocate more time for the second winery for your group to have time to eat lunch – whether it’s a gourmet catered lunch that we provide for you, or the winery’s kitchen (dependent on winery and availability.)
Which areas do you service?
Anywhere and everywhere – we are licensed for interstate travel and can take your group anywhere in the Country! From the wine country of Paso Robles to Santa Ynez to Nappa and Sonoma Valley and beyond.
General
General Transportation
What are the different vehicles I can choose from?
SLO Safe Ride has the biggest and best fleet on the Central Coast. View our fleet here! Our vehicles range from a luxury Sedan for intimate or individual travel, to mid-size buses for your company outings, up to our ultimate 56-passenger coach buses for large groups and long-distance traveling.”
Does it have to be a day trip?
Not at all! We can accommodate any length of time, and in fact, have long-term contracts with local businesses and Universities. We love hanging out with you for more than just a day.
Are food and drinks allowed on the buses?
Yes, food and drinks are allowed! We recommend that you do not bring glassware, as they can break easily and become a safety hazard. Drinking alcohol is also allowed; however, all laws must be followed in the bus, including no one under the age of 21 is permitted to drink. If there is anyone under the age of 21 and alcohol is involved, we will send over designation forms. We know you won’t get too crazy, but just in case – thoroughly read through our Terms & Conditions regarding the Security Deposit and Damage Policy.
Are there restrooms on board?
There are restrooms on select vehicles – any vehicle used to accommodate over 40 passengers will have a lavatory.
Which areas do you service?
Anywhere and everywhere – we are licensed for interstate travel and can take your group anywhere in the Country!
Are you closed on Holidays?
SLO Safe Ride operates 24/7 and 365 days of the year! For busy days like Holidays, we recommend scheduling 3 to 6 months in advance.
I forgot something on a charter…where can I get it?
Visit this page to request your item, or call us at (805) 620-7233. Our office is located near downtown San Luis Obispo, and can be arranged to be picked up at any time.
How far in advance do I need to request transportation?
We do not have a set time in advance that is needed to make a reservation. However, we do get fully booked many days throughout the year, especially on weekends and Holidays. We recommend reserving a vehicle as far in advance as you can. Here are the recommended minimum booking times:
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Wedding: minimum of 6 months beforehand
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Wine/Beer/Distillery Tour: 2 weeks latest
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Large Group (56+ people): 1 month
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Cal Poly related events: 1 month
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Airport Transfers: 1 day before
Our Drivers
Drivers
Can I request a driver?
Absolutely! If you had a wonderful experience with one of our drivers previously, you are more than welcome to request them again! We will do our best to accommodate any and all requests you and your group may have.”
Are your drivers and vehicles SPAB Certified?
Yes, select drivers and vehicles are SPAB Certified by the California Highway Patrol.
Is a tip included for the driver?
Yes, a 15% gratuity is applied to all itineraries, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to provide more gratuity, you may leave cash for the driver during or after your charter, or call our Operations Team to add gratuity to your invoice.
Who are your drivers?
There’s a reason we call them Transportation Specialists! SLO Safe Ride maintains the highest standards of professionalism and excellence in the industry. Each Transportation Specialist is professionally trained and fully licensed to ensure the safety of the passengers. We do not hire anyone who has been convicted of a DUI, reckless driving, crime against a person, or whose DMV records show more than 3 points in penalties. We’re always accepting new drivers!
Quotes
Quotes & Cancellation Policies
How do I request a quote for charter services?
You have the option of requesting a quote via the form here, via phone at (805) 620-7233, or by emailing us at: info@slosaferide.com.
What is your pricing?
Groups of 10 or less: If you’re staying in San Luis Obispo or south of SLO, and tasting in Paso Robles, groups average 3 wineries, 4 is doable as well. If you’re staying in Paso Robles and tasting at Paso Robles wineries, groups average 4 wineries. If you’re staying in Paso Robles and tasting in Edna Valley (San Luis Obispo wine region), groups average 3 – 4 wineries.
Groups of 11 – 16 people: This group size and travel time could range averages a 5-hour to 6-hour day tasting at wineries. Lunch is included upon request. If you’re staying in San Luis Obispo or south of SLO, and tasting in Paso Robles, groups average 3 wineries. If you’re staying in Paso Robles and tasting in Paso Robles, groups average 3 wineries. If you’re staying in Paso Robles and tasting in Edna Valley, groups average 3 wineries. If you’re staying in San Luis Obispo and tasting in Edna Valley, groups average 3 wineries.
Groups of 17+ people: We recommend 3 wineries for a group this large, which will be about an 8-hour day. We allocate more time for the second winery for your group to have time to eat lunch – whether it’s a gourmet catered lunch that we provide for you, or the winery’s kitchen (dependent on winery and availability.)
What is your cancellation policy?
Each transportation contract includes a Terms page that states a clear cancellation policy. However, our general rule is as follows – We require at least 90 days of notice to cancel your reservation for wine tours, weddings, large group charters, or any service we offer for a full refund. Any reservation canceled within 30 days is non-refundable. If you have further questions, please contact an Operations Coordinator via email or call us at (805) 620-7233.
Do I have to pay a down payment when I book my reservation?
Yes, a down payment and a signed contract are required to book your reservation. We do not hold reservations until we have successfully charged the security deposit.
Why is the amount charged different from the amount I was quoted?
Our Logistics team carefully reviews each charter once completed. Your quote is based on the information provided at the time your reservation was made. Additional charges can result from changes to your service during your trip (extra stops, waiting time, or extending the duration of your charter), and damage to the vehicle. If you need to speak with someone about additional charges, please contact our Logistics Manager here.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Cash and Checks. If you have further questions about billing & payment, please call us at (805) 620-7233.
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