1. Introduction to Light at Sensorio
2. Exploring the Field of Light
3. Discovering the Light Towers
4. Operating Schedule and Ticketing Options
5. Dining and Live Music Experience
Located just three hours north of Los Angeles, travelers will find one of the coolest outdoor art exhibits in the nation. Artist Bruce Munro fully transformed a hillside farm in Paso Robles into an outdoor walk-through art experience known as “Light at Sensorio.” The site includes two main exhibits: the 15-acre sprawling Field of Light exhibit, which opened in 2019, and the adjacent Light Towers exhibit that opened in 2021. Both displays are entirely powered by solar energy, contributing to a completely green experience that complements their captivating inspiration.
Exploring the Field of Light
Munro used over 58,800 thinly-stemmed spheres illuminated by fiber-optics to “gently illuminate the landscape in subtle blooms of morphing color that describe the undulating terrain,” as stated on the exhibit’s website. The spheres begin to light up at sunset, becoming more vibrant as twilight deepens, ultimately transforming the entire hillside into a spectacular fusion of nature, technology, and art. Since its launch in May 2019, this attraction has become one of Paso’s most popular destinations, drawing visitors from all around to walk among oak trees on paths adorned with ambient light.
Discovering the Light Towers
Munro’s second installation, Light Towers, opened in April 2021. This eco-friendly exhibit comprises 17,388 recycled wine bottles, celebrating Paso Robles’ renowned wine country, and it promises to be on display for several years before the materials are appropriately recycled. Light Towers includes 69 towers, each standing seven feet tall and constructed from 252 wine bottles that come alive to music via optic fiber technology. The song “Rise and Shine” has been composed by Orlando Gough specifically for this immersive art experience, describing it as “art you feel, rather than art you view” by The Guardian.
Operating Schedule and Ticketing Options
Light at Sensorio welcomes guests Thursday to Sunday until December 31, with a few notable exceptions: it will also be open on Monday, September 5, for Labor Day; Wednesday, November 23, instead of Thursday, November 24, for Thanksgiving; closed on December 24 and 25 for Christmas; and open all week from December 26 to 31. Operating hours generally vary, but the attraction is open between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. through September. Specific hours will be in place for special dates.
General admission tickets are available at $47, while children ages three to twelve pay $26 (children aged two and under can enter for free). General admission allows visitors to arrive anytime during operating hours. Once inside, guests can remain as long as desired until closing, although 60 to 90 minutes is typically recommended to fully experience all that the exhibits offer.
For a more exclusive experience, the VIP Experience provides access to a private viewing terrace and additional amenities, priced at $85.00 plus an associated fee. Guests can choose the VIP Experience & VIP Platter option, which includes either a charcuterie or crudité platter for $110, also with a nominal fee (all prices listed are per person).
Dining and Live Music Experience
General admission guests won’t go hungry as the Sensorio Kitchen offers an array of appetizers, entrées, and desserts featuring local ingredients. The menu includes options like beignets, filled churros, hot dogs, burgers, and chicken or salmon sandwiches. Additionally, visitors can find Ricky’s Tacos food truck on-site, offering tacos, burritos, nachos, house-made guacamole, and salsa.
While the flickering light display steals the show, live local musicians entertain guests every night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Music genres range from folk and funk to rock and blues, promising a delightful atmosphere alongside food and drink on the main lawn.
Sensorio stands out as an interactive art experience unlike any other. Visitors are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes to enjoy the half-mile stroll around this captivating property. Although it may take some time, the journey is undoubtedly rewarding.
