The Highlands District is to the far east of the greater Paso Robles AVA. The topography is typified as old Pliocene–Pleistocene erosional surface across the Simmler, Monterey and Paso Robles formations below the La Panza Range. The elevations range 1,160 - 2,086 feet and represent some of the highest points in the greater AVA.

Soils are comprised of deep, sometimes cemented alluvial soils; old leached alkaline soils common, with younger sandy soils along active streams.