2 star Atascadero Independent hotels in Paso Robles, California

Once a colony founded as the utopian vision of Golden Age magnate E.G. Lewis, the mid-sized city of Atascadero celebrates its heritage each July during the Colony Days Festival. Visitors can see rare species up close at Charles Paddock Zoo, or travel 17 miles west to the spacious sand beaches at Morro Bay. The city is also 1 hour from Hearst Castle, the dream of another Golden Age media magnate.