Paso Robles glows after dark at #Sensorio: A first-timer's guide to the otherworldly magic in the Central Coast

I expected bright lights, loud music, and a long queue of cars making that last turn into the parking lot. I was mistaken because my family encountered a wall of black emptiness as we navigated the driveway. 

That darkness slowly gave way to soft flickers of light along the pedestrian paths, gradually turning into an otherworldly experience. Once we reached the exhibit area, we realised the scale of the place (thousands upon thousands of lights... and I am not exaggerating), yet the overall effect was more subtle, like the bioluminescent forest in Avatar. 

This was our first visit to Sensorio, and we were quickly drawn in by its magical atmosphere. Mommy, Daddy, Donan, and I were all drawn in by the magical atmosphere of Sensorio. We didn't just see the lights; we felt like we had stepped into another dimension.

What I wish I knew:

The temperature drop. I was expecting warmer weather because Paso Robles is around 180 miles south of the East Bay. But when we got there, the temperature was around 40 ºF! We certainly arrived more prepared than in previous trips (remember the cold snap in Orlando, FL?) because we had a wagon filled with the fleece blankets we had bought in Epcot; however, we could have been more prepared for the wind chill by bringing an extra layer of outerwear, a beanie, and a scarf each... perhaps, some of those hand warmers would have been beneficial too.

No tripods or selfie sticks allowed. I didn't see the signs about selfie sticks and tripods. I only learned that my self-stick wasn't allowed in the area when the security guard told me to return it to my car. I get it, though: it's easy to break some of the exhibits by errant pokes from a selfie stick, and it's easy to hurt other audience members because it's dark there.

It's a long walk. I didn't realise the sheer size of Sensorio because I was expecting more along the lines of Deacon Dave's light installation. Well, Sensorio is huge! Fifteen football fields can fit in the Field of Light installation. It's a good thing Mommy was wearing appropriate outdoor walking shoes, and we got Donan a wagon just in case he got tired and wanted to be carried.

My top 3 must-see highlights:

The Field of Light took my breath away when we rounded a wall that had blocked our view of the installation. And just like that, we were in the midst of a sprawling field with 100,000 glowing orbs gently swaying in the breeze.

What I found fascinating about this exhibit is that it lives in the intersection of technology, nature, and art. Conceived by Bruce Munro, who has created versions of this exhibit in cities around the world, the Field of Light orbs are powered by solar energy transmitted through wires beneath them. The overall effect was a rainbow of colours set against the pitch-black sky.

As we followed the meandering path, it reminded me of Alice following the glowing path in the Tulgey Wood, only to find that it disappeared behind her. For us, the Field of Light definitely drew us in deeper into the wonders of Sensorio.

A view of the otherworldly Field of Light, where each orb of light rises from the hills of Paso Robles.

The wow factor hadn't quite disappeared yet when we entered the next exhibit, the Light Towers by Bruce Munro. When we arrived, the exhibit was filled with pale blues and pinks, arising from the cylindrical towers made of wine bottles. 

This exhibit pays tribute to the Paso Robles AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). Each tower was taller than a person, giving the illusion of walking through a glowing forest. 

The atmosphere became otherworldly as the music softly wafted through the installations, again gently nudging us to the next exhibit, like the Pied Piper luring children away from Hamelin.

A view of the Light Towers, where each tower is made up of wine bottles

Then we entered what must be the most welcoming exhibit of all, Dimensions by HYBYCOZO. HYBYCOZO is an artist collective (Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk). The artists encourage the audience to touch the metallic structures and manipulate them such that the shadows they make dance amid the pink and orange glow on the ground. The end result is an out-of-this-world collaboration among the artists, the audience, and the musician (Alen Hulsey).

The installation was such a fun stop for families with children. This was their playground, set against the darkness of that early winter night.

Dimensions is a play on light, shadow, and music.

Is it worth the long drive?

A resounding yes! The art installations are stunning, relaxing, and truly immersive. I think it helped that we arrived after dusk (though most websites I've read advised arriving at the golden hour) because the contrast between the black sky and the colourful lights was beautiful. The contrast made the place look expansive and yet intimate. Despite the dark, kids thoroughly enjoyed the installations.

The tickets were pretty expensive, but it's easy to see why: Sensorio maintains cleanliness on the grounds and in the restrooms. 

The first-timer's survival checklist

Some tips to make the Sensorio experience seamless, like the exhibits.

Before going:

• Buy tickets in advance. I bought our tickets through the Sensorio website. I wasn't sure if the internet coverage would be good out there, so I had downloaded the tickets into my phone before going.
• Wear warm clothing. The temperature drop in Paso Robles surprised us, but fleece blankets, beanies, and warm outerwear made the experience feel cozy.
• If with young kids, bring a stroller or a wagon. The art installation is huge and can easily exhaust kids (or make them sleepy because of the darkness). To make the experience less tiring on the parents, have a stroller or a wagon ready for the exhausted littles.
• Pack some water. I don't remember whether outside food or drink is allowed, but they let us bring closed bottles of water. This was a good move because the walk, despite the cold temperature, could make one's throat parched. Keeping hydrated out there was a great idea.
• Leave the tripod or selfie stick behind (or in the car). An inspection is done on all bags and strollers/wagons that enter Sensorio. Anyone with tripods or selfie sticks is told to store them in their cars. Sharp objects, such as Swiss knives, are also not allowed in the venue.

Once there:

• Flashlights down. If you need a light to walk down the paths, keep it pointed to the ground. That way, everyone enjoys the glow.
• Flash off. Your photos will look much better with Night Mode!
• Find the benches. If you get tired, find your way to Dimensions. There are benches and fire pits there to keep you warm while soaking in the view.