If you are looking for the best self-storage facilities in Paso Robles, you’ve got several good places to choose from. Having a little extra space to keep your boat, RV, furniture or old family treasures is a good thing. Before you entrust your precious possessions to just anyone, check through this list, give them a call, and see if they are a good fit for your needs. When you find the self-storage facility you think is best, look through our checklist of questions to ask below.

Recommended local self-storage facilities

• Mars Mega Storage, 101 Wellsona Rd, Paso Robles CA, 93446 – (805) 467-3200
• River Road Mini Storage, 1631 N River Rd, Paso Robles CA, 93446 – (805) 239-4333
• El Paso Self Storage, 2935 Union Rd, Paso Robles CA, 93446 – (805) 237-1758
• Super Storage, 820 28th St, Paso Robles CA, 93446 – (805) 239-0130
• Templeton Mini Storage, 86 Gibson Rd, Templeton, CA 93465 – (805) 434-1562

How to choose the best self-storage facility

How much space? First, figure out how much space you are going to need. A mini-storage unit can tightly packed to save you money. Consider using boxes and shelving for a good fit.

Is it in a good location? Picking a storage center in Paso Robles makes it convenient if you live here. But also consider the location of the available unit in the facility. Make sure you can easily get your car, van, pick-up, or even semi-truck to the front of the roll-top door, if necessary.

Cost of the storage unit? – Prices for self-storage units in Paso Robles vary. The best way to compare pricing is to do the math and figure out how much it will cost you per square foot. Example: If a 5’x10′ foot unit rents for $50 per month, then you are renting 50-square-feet for $1 per-square-foot. Now compare that price to other storage centers that meet your needs. Remember to ask about discounts or a free first month’s rent.

How long will you need it? Plan ahead for how long you will need to store your stuff. You may be able to get discounts for agreeing to stay a year. It’s usually cheaper than renting the space on a month-to-month basis.

What are the access hours? – Ask about the facilities’ business hours and whether you’ll have access to your storage space after hours.

Is security good? – Look for self-storage centers that have some security features like working cameras and onsite management. If they don’t then expect to pay a little less. Mars Mega Storage in Paso Robles has one of the most secure facilities in North San Luis Obispo County.

Are you covered by insurance? – Many mini storage companies sell extra insurance for your goods. Check first with your homeowners or renters insurance to see if it covers household goods outside of your home.

If you have tips to share or a favorite self-storage facility in Paso Robles to recommend, please add it to the comment section below.

Editor’s note: The Best of North County is a special section of the Paso Robles Daily News. The series recommends local businesses that the writers and editors have personally met and find reliable and trustworthy. The Paso Robles self-storage facilities listed here have proved themselves good service providers. If you would like to suggest a local business for consideration on the Best of North County series, click here to contact the Paso Robles Daily News.  Posted by Scott Brennan, Google+

Read other articles in this series:

• Best plumbers in Paso Robles
• Best house painters in Paso Robles
• Best insurance agents in Paso Robles

InsuranceThousand Oaks options:

Cary Runnells – State Farm Insurance Agent can help take care of your Auto Insurance, Thousand Oaks Home Insurance, and Life Insurance needs.

Play poker tournament at Heritage Ranch

The Heritage Ranch Senior Center.

The 7th Annual Texas Hold’EM No Limit Fundraising Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Heritage Ranch Senior Center from Noon to 7:00 p.m.

The cost to enter is $25.The entry fee buys each player $20,000 in chip value. There will be Hot & Cold Appetizers, soft drinks, iced tea and coffee. All 9 final table winners will receive a prize.

There will be over $1,000 in prizes awarded. Reservations are required. For more information call (805) 226-8274.

The Senior Center regularly holds Texas Hold’em poker games on the third Friday of each month. Texas Hold Em is played in the main room of the Senior Center at 7 p.m.

What is Texas Hold ’em?

Texas hold’em, also known as hold ’em or holdem, is a variation of the standard card game of poker. Texas hold ’em consists of two cards (hole cards) being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer — a series of three (“the flop”) then an additional single card (“the turn” or “fourth”) and another additional card (“the river” or “fifth street”) – with players having the option to check, bet, raise or fold after each deal; i.e., betting may occur prior to the flop, “on the flop”, “on the turn”, and “on the river”.

Read more about the rules to Texas Hold ’em here

70-year-old arrested for Halloween-masked bank robbery in Cambria

Bruce Franklin Valentine

A former Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy living in Heritage Ranch was arraigned recently in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court for the robbery of a Cambria bank. 70-year-old Bruce Franklin Valentine’s bail was set at $250,000.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended the bank robbery suspect at his Paso Robles home on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Bruce Franklin Valentine, 70, was arrested for the Halloween-masked armed bank robbery of the Rabobank in Cambria that occurred Nov. 7. Valentine is a former Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy who served from 1968 to 1977 before leaving on a non-service related disability reasons, according to media reports.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office and investigators with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office served a search warrant at a home in the 4700 block of Egret Lane in Heritage Ranch outside of Paso Robles where they arrested him.

Valentine was taken into custody at 8:50 a.m. without incident and transported to the County Jail. Valentine became a suspect as detectives followed up on leads gained during the initial investigation of the robbery. The investigation is continuing.

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted with this investigation by the FBI, State Parks, CHP, Fish & Wildlife, and District Attorney Investigators. The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the employees of the Cambria Rabobank and Cambria community members for their assistance with this case.

Access Publishing is getting ready to print two niche business directories serving the exclusive, gated communities of Heritage Ranch and Oak Shores at Lake Nacimiento, CA.

The Heritage Ranch Directory and Oak Shores Directory both include a business directory, white page listings of residents, maps and important community information. The annual books connect residents to businesses who offer services in this North San Luis Obispo and Monterey County areas. The local directories provide a convenient list of those businesses willing to travel there, because these two resort communities are 30-to-60-minutes away from Paso Robles.

“This directory is our residents’ lifeline. They use it daily to contact neighbors and find local contractors and service workers,” says Stephanie Dayton from the Oak Shores Community Association.

“We are proud to be the only directory for these communities for more than five years now,” says Scott Brennan, owner of Access Publishing. “This year we are upgrading the books to be full-color throughout, along with perfect binding.”

The local guides feature beautiful photographs of scenes from Lake Nacimiento on their attractive glossy covers. At 5-inches wide and 8-inches tall, they are a small and convenient size. Advertising rates are very affordable to encourage Paso Robles businesses to promote themselves to the lakeside communities. “It’s an excellent part of any Paso Robles business marketing plan,” says Brennan.

Advertising information: Full page – $459, Half page – $299, Quarter page – $199. A 20% discount is available for advertising in both directories. Free design, full color, and a free online business listing are included in the advertising package. A convenient 3-month payment plan is available with a credit or debit auto-pay agreement.

Deadline for advertising is Dec. 12, 2013. Publication date for the directories is January, 2014. Distribution of more than 3,500 printed directories is by US mail to every resident in the area. Additionally, the books are available at the community association offices.

About Access Publishing:

Access Publishing provides local business marketing solutions. It is a local leader in Paso Robles marketing, Internet advertising, local search engine optimization, SEO, SEM, web design, writing and graphic design.  The Paso Robles-based business, owned by Scott and Beth Brennan, has 12 creative and hardworking employees. Call for more information at (805) 226-9890.

Pumpkin Farm Opens in Paso Robles

Bring the kids out and stroll through the giant Paso Robles pumpkin patch at the new Granny’s Garden at San Marcos Ranch, just north of Paso Robles.

Owner Carolyn Davis hosted a grand opening celebration at the beginning of October.

The family fun includes a corn maze, a straw maze for young kids, the haunted lost Dutchman’s mine, and lots of crazy critters, including an emu, Jacob sheep, draft horses and long horned cattle.

The lost Dutchman, a crusty old miner, will be giving rides on his burro for the little ones.

“Granny’s Gardens” at the ranch has a large assortment of exotic pumpkins, squashes and gourds. Many of them are delicious to eat and they all make great decorations for the holidays.

With agricultural tourism flourishing in San Luis Obispo County, Davis thought this would be the perfect time to open a new attraction in the county.

“We are very excited about the grand opening,” Davis said. “I think kids are really going to enjoy all the activities we have planned for the weekends. Be sure to come see us!”

The ranch will be open from 10 a.m. to dusk everyday through Thanksgiving.

The pumpkin farm is located just a few miles north of downtown Paso Robles. Take Highway 101 north to the San Marcos Road exit. Drive one mile west to 775 San Marcos Road. For more information, call (805) 467-3315.