Flash Trip: 3 Enchanting Days in San Luis Obispo, California
- Trevor Lawrence
- Apr 17
- 24 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Can an entire city feel like a second home? Spend a little time in San Luis Obispo, California—and the county that shares its name—and you might just find that it does.
San Luis Obispo sits halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, tucked into one of California’s most scenic coastal corridors. Nearly one-third of the country’s vegetables are grown on California’s Central Coast, including a climate that supports the cultivation of over 60 grape varietals.
It’s a gem of a place, with something to satisfy every kind of traveler. How do I know? See, I'm not just the Hair Club president. I'm also a client. Wait, no. (Trev doesn't just love SLO County, he lived there for 15 years!) That's why this is a perfect choice for a Flash Trip: 3 Days San Luis Obispo-style.
FLASH TRIP INDEX:
Jump To:
A Sampler of San Luis Obispo's Many Attractions
California’s Largest* Farmers Market (Year-Round)
Whale Watching (Seasonal)
Driving the Pismo/Oceano Dunes
North County Wildflower Super Bloom & Soda Lake
Montaña de Oro State Park
San Simeon Elephant Seal Rookery
Hiking & Cycling Green Hills
Santa Maria: Home to America’s Best Strawberry and a U.S. BBQ heritage city
Beaches, Beaches, Beaches
Wine Tasting California’s Largest Geographic Appellation
Hearst Castle
Tin City (Wine, Cider, Distiller & Food) Tasting
When to Go San Luis Obispo
Next Thursday. No, but seriously. I’ll explain later in the article.
From late January through May, the horizon stretches wide with grazing lands and a dramatic chain of dormant volcanoes known as the Seven Sisters (there are actually nine). These hills are blanketed in lush oat, foxtail, and barley—so vividly green, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d landed in the Irish countryside.
On a clear day, the view from Bishop’s Peak reveals a landscape almost too picturesque to be real: the very edge of the city on one side, historic path to the North Coast on the other, and a sea of vibrant green in between.
And just when it seems it couldn’t get any more beautiful, the hillsides burst into bloom. Entire oceans of poppies and lupines paint the slopes in bright orange and otherworldly deep purple. Biking and hiking trails—of which there are hundreds of miles—transform into yellow brick roads, straddled at the shoulders by wild mustard. When someone mentions a super bloom visible from space, this is often where that eye in the sky is pointing. Eventually, as the last rains of the season pass, green gives way to burnt gold. The coastal hills take on a sunlit shimmer, rolling in waves of dark straw and honey.
Occupying a decidedly Mediterranean zone, there is no bad time to visit (February & March are wettest. Late October, early November are the hottest).
Only because my feet were held to the fire could I choose a favorite month to visit: April. It’s in April that new growth really takes off. Even the locals seem to walk a little lighter this time of year. Possibly because school is still in session, and the Central Valley tourist influx hasn’t yet begun. If you can, go in April (or May) but seriously, there's no bad time to visit this magical place.
Arriving in San Luis Obispo
SLO, as it’s shortened by locals and seasonal visitors, is the Cali coastal road-tripper’s favorite stopover and midpoint between Los Angeles and San Francisco, accessed via US Route 101/Pacific Coast Hwy 1. This makes it an ideal 3-day add-on to any journey through the state.
The regional airport sits just at the edge of town (under 10 minutes), is easy to navigate, and is serviced by a number of major airlines and their local carriers. Renting a car is low-stress with a host of agencies located near the eastern exits within the modestly-sized terminal.
Getting to Your Hotel:
Car Rental: San Luis Obispo regional airport hosts numerous agencies. Plus, you’ll be able to pick up your car less than a minute walk from the main terminal.
Shuttle: Wine Country shuttling through North County for wine tasting enthusiasts has gotten pretty competitive recently. If you don’t have a designated driver, this is an excellent way to ensure a safe adventure.
Public Transportation: San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority runs a highly reliable and sparkling clean bus system. While ideal for San Luis Obispo proper, regional buses serve North and South County tourist sites and cities multiple times a day.
Cycling: I can personally testify to the splendor of cycling SLO County’s innumerable scenic roads. New bike lanes are always in the works, including the impending completion of the Bob Jones City to the Sea multi-purpose trail, connecting San Luis Obispo to Avila/Shell/Pismo Beaches—a breathtakingly beautiful sub-10-mile journey.
Uber/Lyft: As a region situated three hours south of the two ride-hailing giants’ headquarters, it suffices to say using the app is no sweat in this neck of the woods, though you can expect higher prices and longer wait times in some of the smaller towns (Morro Bay + Cayucos for example).
Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo County
If you don’t choose a hotel right in San Luis Obispo, you can’t go wrong with any of the surrounding communities. Some are sleepier than others, all are connected by US Route 101 and/or Pacific Coast Highway 1, and each claims proximity to one or more of my favorite things to see and do. Armed with this information, you can shop hotels for a better deal.
While selecting accommodations for San Luis Obispo (and County), consider which activities you’d most like to do. North County (Paso Robles, Cambria) hotels offer travelers quick access to wine country, which is especially handy if you spend a long day tasting. South County (San Luis Obispo, Avila, Pismo) offer quick access to SLO’s beautiful downtown, farmers markets, and the region’s numerous beaches.
Prices tend to be fairly similar from San Luis Obispo to Paso Robles. If you’re looking for bargains, check out Morro Bay, Arroyo Grande, Cayucos, and Atascadero.
Our San Luis Obispo Hotel Picks:
I want to emphasize that the following picks represent where places I’ve personally stayed. They’re not the only ones, but they hold special significance for their charm and/or amenities. That said, there are plenty of lovely hotels in San Luis Obispo and the surrounding region. Rather than relying on my picks, I encourage you to see this as a supplement to your own search for accommodations. (When we discuss Places to Eat, feel free to seek no opinion but mine, ha!).
North County (Morro Bay, Cambria, Paso Robles, Atascadero)
Inn at Morro Bay: Tucked—and I mean, tucked—in the sleepy back bay and sandwiched between anchored boats and golf course. April is just before high season when decent rates can still be had. Spectacular views of towering Morro Bay. There’s only one caveat: sea lion calls and occasional seagull gatherings. I adore this hotel, but I always pack my wax ear plugs and/or portable sound machine. Just in case.
Cambria Pines Lodge: Cambria is just the coolest. It’s like a little slice of pine-laden Pacific Northwest became fed up with the rain and retired to California’s Central Coast. Lying just west of my favorite sneaky backroad to Paso wine country, there’s hardly a more unexpectedly alluring spot to stay.
The Carlton Hotel: Just off Hwy 101 in Atascadero for a quick drive into wine country, these accommodations are housed in a nearly 100-year-old, charmingly restored masonry building with interior Arcadian stylings.
Allegretto Vineyard Resort: If you’re craving a full-fledge Tuscan dream getaway to go with the Mediterranean climes of Paso Robles, and smack-dab in the middle of wine country, you’ll be plenty pleased with Allegretto.
South County (San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach)
Garden Street Inn: A 13-room Victorian home built in 1887. If you can score a room in this B&B-style hotel, you’re in for a treat. Recently renovated, the place has gotten even more charming since last I stayed. Set at a tidy remove from the bustle on super-quiet Garden Street, the Inn is just steps from downtown dining and nightlife. My fave.
Madonna Inn: One of the more famous accommodations in the United States, one peek at the website will make it crystal clear why “the Madonna” is a must-stay at least once in your life. The food is meh. The bar and staff are a joy. The hotel rooms are all different. The best way I can describe the place is, gloriously tacky.
Apple Farm Inn: Next door to the first mo-tel in the world (and worth a peek) sits another quirky stay. Let’s say a fruit pie wished itself reincarnated as a hotel, this would be the place. Pure Americana with an adorable general store, restaurant, creek and model water mill, and endless flowering gardens. Definitely worth a stay for the full SLO life experience.
Avila La Fonda Hotel: While not on the water, La Fonda is just steps away and one of my favorite hotels in the area. The service is spectacular, the price is competitive, and the rooms are lavish. I have consistently had a great experience at this unassuming, yet attractive accommodation.
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa: Sycamore will always hold a special place in the heart of a former SLO-area college student. Wooden stairways snake up the side of the oak-covered hill, leading to private mineral pools concealed beneath breathtaking foliage canopies. Quaint rooms in the hotel below. Pure relaxation.
The Cliffs Hotel & Spa: One of the finer South County hotels, The Cliffs features your best combo of dining/cocktails, pool, and people-watching on the Central Coast.
How to Eat SLO County? One Bite at a Time!
*Cracks knuckles* For years, and with only a few shining exceptions, San Luis Obispo managed—despite offering a tantalizing escape for wealthy Hollywood moguls and Silicon Valley Cashouts—to feel like a vast food desert. This shouldn't imply a complete absence of good, even great, eateries toiling away in relative obscurity for the last thirty years. But once upon a time, these places were the scattered few.
Happily, I can report on a great many efforts to erase this reputation. Now, because I’ve always wanted to write this article, my wife insists that I save my full California Central Coast food guide for a separate article. After all, this is a Flash Trip. We’re planning your trip, she says, not listening to me wax gastronomical. But for now, a sampling…
North County
Home of the Central Coast’s New American culinary resurgence. Paso Robles is finally putting its money where our mouth is. Smack dab in the middle of its 40,000 vineyards, the downtown food scene is popping. Huddled within a wee six-block grid surrounding Paso’s city park—creatively named City Park—a host of chefs are leaving the rest of the region in the dust.
We can temporarily look past the token wine list. Afterall, fantastic is merely the baseline for bottle menus in this region. In addition to several wonderful establishments making excellent cross-cultural cuisine, I’m peppering in a few of the finest old guard eateries that paved the way on the Central Coast.
Goshi: Fabulous doesn’t begin to cover it. Even after stints living and working in New York and Los Angeles, this establishment—in business since 2002—enjoys a rightful place among sushi royalty.
Fish Gaucho: Elevated Latin fare in a wonderful scene. Excellent tacos.
Thomas Hill Organics: Creative menu offerings sourced from local vegetable bounty and married seamlessly to the region’s sought-after grape varietals.
The Hatch: Elevated New American wood-fired comfort cuisine with inspired spices.
The Range: One of just a handful of certified Central Coast institutions (est. 2004) that has gracefully transitioned from competent steakhouse to French fusion with a side of hillbilly. Outstanding meal from a creative chef and excellent career hospitality team.
South County (and city of San Luis Obispo)
Giuseppe’s Cucina Italiana: Visit either of this icon’s two locations—Pismo or San Luis Obispo—for hands-down, some of the finest Southern Italian cuisine you can find in this country. The DiFronzo family has been going strong for 30+ years: incomparably fresh, year-round produce from their own 13-acre farm, five varietals of their own excellent wine, and seafood, aged steaks, and chops sourced from top purveyors. Their desserts will leave you spellbound. It’s incredible to think they’ve been in business since 1988 and the crown has yet to slip.
Ember: What was once the first hot new thing in a good many years suddenly feels like an OG. Outstandingly cozy confines supported by a pair of wood-fired ovens serving up a relentlessly creative menu expressly on its own terms. Wonderful meal from a stellar team.
Granada Bistro: Beautiful, happening nightspot nestled on San Luis Obispo’s sexiest street, this see-and-be-seen gastro-bar occupies the bottom floor of a gorgeous boutique hotel in one of SLO’s most iconic buildings. Be sure to visit the speakeasy next door for the best craft cocktails in the city.
P.S. Check out our handy hack to make finding the perfect place a breeze as you travel!
SLO Farmers Market
Every Thursday at 6:00 PM (weather permitting), something magical happens in downtown San Luis Obispo. The quaint, always-bustling city draws hundreds—sometimes thousands—of people from all corners of the county. (Is it the biggest weekly Farmers Market in California? A good case can be made.) The central thoroughfare along Higuera Street shuts down for six blocks to welcome an invasion of produce vendors, cheese mongers, beekeepers, oil and wine merchants, jugglers and musical acts, bakers and sweets peddlers. And BBQ. God, the BBQ. The air is abruptly filled with smoky goodness as Santa Maria-style bbq pits burn their oak coals, and kettle corn competes with smells born from a signature cut of California Central Coast’s culinary heritage: Tri-Tip beef.
This is no mere Farmers Market. Even a Portlander would be impressed. The atmosphere always makes me feel like I’m caught somewhere between a carnival and a parade. Truly the very best of the country’s produce finds its way to the SLO Farmers Market, alongside ethnic street food and an abundance of excellent barbequed beef, linguica, chicken, and sweet corn.
Now you get it. If you can start your stay on a Thursday, you're in for an experience.
To really do me proud, wrap up your stroll through the market by taking a stool at the sidewalk window of Frog & Peach Irish pub. It’ll be mostly empty at that hour, so you’ll have the place to yourself to people watch and fully embrace the SLO life. Have a pint for me.
But wait. Even if you miss out on the Thursday night farmers market in San Luis Obispo, farmers and vendors keep the action going all week throughout the county. Here's a complete list of markets and their times, typically weather dependent.
Flash Trip: San Luis Obispo 3-Day Itinerary
Now, let's dive into my very vetted itinerary for three wonderful days in San Luis Obispo. You'll have the best time, and you'll leave wanting more.
Day 1: Exploring SLO & The Coast
Welcome to San Luis Obispo!
Owing to an infatuation with the region, I’ve probably included too many activities for three days. Pick and choose as you please. When in doubt, hit the beach, drink some wine, and stroll. For the sake of anchoring our itinerary, we’ll assume all these wanderings begin in San Luis Obispo.
Our First Stops:
Care to see the dawn break on one of California’s most beautiful stretches of shoreline? Set your GPS and get ready for a trip to another planet. From San Luis Obispo, you’re about 8-10 miles (12-16km) as the crow flies from the Pacific coastline. By journeying through tiny, frequently fog-socked Los Osos you emerge on the backside of town looking out over Morro Bay. Continuing along a winding blacktop, you leave the coast to drop momentarily into dense Eucalyptus. Eagle-eyed visitors might even notice a strange symmetry to the way the trees grow—or rather, were planted.
A few moments later, you’ll emerge on one of our country’s most unique coastlines, featuring exposed layers of buckled tectonic plate. This is the confluence of the Pacific Plate and the Northern Plate, and the result is an absolute feast for the eyes. You can continue on the road all the way to the end (another 3-4 miles), or park near the Visitor Center and stroll the incredible shoreline.
San Simeon Elephant Seal Vista Point:
Set your GPS. Heading back through Los Osos, stop for breakfast at my favorite, Celia’s Garden Café. If you haven’t quite built up an appetite, we’re headed up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) for approximately 30 minutes, so I’ll make another breakfast rec once you’ve reached Cambria.
The back bay route toward Morro Bay, which will return you to Hwy 1, takes you through Morro Bay’s tidal marsh, an outstanding place to kayak during the period of near-high tide. If you time it right, the paddling is a joy. Rentals can be found in Morro Bay. And here.
Once you get to Cambria, you can stop at Linn’s Easy as Pie Café (est. 1980) for a hearty breakfast. And yes, her pie is still wonderful. Then, hit the road. You’re almost to San Simeon, a blink-and-you’ll miss it stretch of pristine coastline with a beautiful pier. Sunsets here are tops in the county. About 5 miles past the entrance to Hearst Castle (don’t worry, we’re coming back), pull off the side of the road to join the sudden appearance of parked cars on a seemingly unsuspecting stretch of coast. The Elephant Seal Vista has you looking out over sometimes thousands of seals basking in the sand. It’s quite a sight.
Hearst Castle Tour ($35):
Advanced reservations are recommended to see a legitimately surreal Mediterranean-style castle. It’s a veritable palace of beauty and yes, excess—ancient Roman pools, imported Spanish cathedral ceilings, and art from all over the world.
Once upon a time, you could drive the coastline near Hearst and—if lucky—spot the occasional zebra and even a giraffe grazing the horizon. The estate was mythical then and Hearst Castle remains a surprisingly fascinating attraction, where the average person has a chance to tour a true fever dream of 20th century American wealth and extravagance.
Lunch w/ an Appetizer:
After your tour wraps up, head back down the coast. Twenty minutes directly south, you’ll have an opportunity to stop at a little dot on the map known as Harmony, California. The Harmony Creamery and glassworks shop are a treat. Harmony ice cream is beloved on the Central Coast. Hours are limited for the creamery, but don’t sweat it if you can’t score a rich, silky treat. Harmony is stocked by a number of local grocers.
Continuing south, a few options open up. Stop off in Morro Bay and navigate to Morro Rock. Plenty of locals skirt the beach on the north side in favor of the slightly less-known but (in my opinion) more spectacular south-side walk around the enormous free-standing volcanic plug. The bay’s breakwater extends from the rock to the south. A tiny trail hugs the rock and leads down to the churning Pacific. From here, you can put that hulking mass of sheer rock face at your back and be humbled by the crashing waves.
Feeling a little peckish? I’ve got the perfect starter for that growling stomach until you get back to San Luis Obispo. Pick up some of the best oysters on the West Coast at Grassy Bar in Morro Bay. Small size (2-3” shell) and medium (3-4”). Ideal brininess and eminently bingeable. Oysters so good, I’d meet the end of the world with these as a first course.
Novo Restaurant:
Lunchtime! Back in SLO Town, the back patio at Novo is gorgeous under a leafy canopy, overlooking the picturesque creek and in view of juvenile Redwoods. Mission San Luis looms in the background. The plaza across the creek makes for a lovely post-lunch stroll.
Some Afternoon Activities:
After lunch, digest with a stroll through downtown San Luis Obispo. Pop over to see if your favorite ice cream compares to mine. McConnell’s (est. in Santa Barbara) has a location on Monterey Street near Mission SLO. The Santa Barbara Strawberry is heavenly at peak of season.
When you’re ready for more, take a trip down to the pristine little beach town and Port San Luis are tucked in a quaint bay, protected from the onshore sheer that whips up waters on the rest of the Central Coast. There’s not a lot of strolling to do here, but a walk along the pier and quaint beach are lovely. What will really knock your socks off, though, is renting a bicycle and taking a lazy pedal along Bob Jones Trail. Check out Avila Beach Bike Rentals or BoltAbout for e-bike options or rentals starting at $18/hr. for foot-powered.
The folks at either shop will show you how to find the access point to the trailhead. Then you’re all set to cruise the mostly flat 4-mile there-and-back shady trail that mostly follows San Luis Creek through sycamore trees. A little over halfway through your ride, you’ll encounter the most charming snack and libation spot tucked in the trees. Park your bikes at Secret Garden (at Sycamore Mineral Springs & Spa) and catch a quick refresher.
Once you’ve got your cycling fill, you should absolutely check out a lesser-known locals’ spot. The overlook’s recently been paved. Take a short walk down the path to a fork. If you take a left, you can navigate down to the secluded sometimes-nude beach. (Honestly, in all the years I’ve been going to Pirate’s Cove, I’ve seen exactly one person in his natural state—what if all this time it’s been one very lonely dude single-handedly committed to keeping the nude beach dream alive?)
Take a right at the fork and enter the mouth of an expansive open-backed cave. This natural geological formation and backless cavern offers a spectacular view over the Pacific Ocean, with a thirty-foot drop straight to the rocks. SO BE CAREFUL.
From Avila Beach, you have a few worthy options for the afternoon. If you fancy a nice, moderately easy grassy hillside hike, check out Johnson Ranch Trailhead (4 miles to the north). If you can’t get enough of peeking over piers into the ocean, pop down to Pismo Beach Pier. If beach strolls are your thing, you can feasibly walk an uninterrupted ten miles from the north end of Pismo beyond Oceano, toward the Oceano Dunes—a 4,800-acre freestanding natural dune structure where you can see people driving buggies, riding horseback, or hiking the sand like legitimate Fremen.
Or! If you’ve been waiting for me to get to the wine tasting, you’re in luck. Also, don’t worry: Day 02 is devoted to tasting the 40,000-vineyard strong Paso Robles appellation. But to wet your whistle, I’ve got a couple of personal favorites where you can score a delicious tasting in anticipation of tomorrow’s main event. Seriously, check out this winery map!
Kynsi Vineyards: I have been holding onto a bottle of Kynsi’s Bien Nacido Pinot Noir for better than a decade, saving it for God-knows-what occasion. But fortunately for you, this is a Flash Trip, so you don’t have to wait to try an outstanding and lesser-known winemaker. Just a short drive from Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo in beautiful Edna Valley, Kynsi are highly selective winemakers with moderately-priced wines that never fail to impress.
Biddle Ranch Vineyard: For a livelier experience, cruise just up the road to Biddle and lounge amid juvenile olive trees while sipping any one of BRV’s offerings that pair exquisitely with warming days and breezy afternoons.
Dinner w/ a Nightcap:
After you’ve begun to wine down for the afternoon, take it easy in SLO Town. Window shop or browse boutique stores on Higuera & Marsh Streets. Parents, check out our friends at Summerland Co. on Morro Street. There are plenty of creek side establishments where you can enjoy pre-dinner libations. Since SLO is part-University town, there’s a happy hour vibe for any type of traveler.
Enjoy dinner in the passion fruit-cloaked garden at Giuseppe’s. Located around the corner from Mission San Luis Obispo on Monterey Street, near the corner of Chorro Street, they put the ins in Indelible Institution with 30+ years of farm-to-fork, inexpressibly delicious family recipes. Much of the produce and even several varietals of wine come straight off the owner’s own DiFronzo Farms.
WS&T Foodie Tip: Arrive to Giuseppe’s early (no later than 6:00pm) or be prepared to wait. This place is lively 365 days a year.
You can stick around to have your nightcap at Giuseppe’s by trying their oft-imitated never-quite-replicated Espresso Flatliner Martini. Or take a quick stroll over to Hotel Granada and slip into their swanky speakeasy, Nightcap. Space is limited at this dimly lit gem, but there are plenty of great places to get a drink in downtown. Want a more collegial vibe? Hit up my favorite haunts from the early-aughts: Black Sheep or Frog & Peach.
And that's it! Just a casual, laid back day! If you're thinking, my god, that was enough to cover all three of the days in my trip, feel free to stop here. If you're like MORE MORE MORE!, continue on!
Day 2: Tasting Wine Country in Paso Robles
We’re shipping you off to Paso Robles today. Tasting this sprawling region requires a bit of strategy. East and west of US Route 101 lie numerous fantastic wineries, cult favorites, big-money operations, and hidden gems. Our goal is to give you just a sampling for a range of scale. But (!) unbiased picks these are not. Each wine experience below is a We Save & Travel favorite through and through.
While my wife and I certainly overlap, there is some decided variance in our tastes. Where I gravitate toward Old World (Rhone and S. Italian) grapes and have a palate for stain-your-clothes dark fruit and noses as big as Groucho’s, she’s got a special affinity for jammy Zins and all-Natch. To that end, we’ve cobbled together our absolute favorites from California’s Central Coast, a region that’s reddened our tongues for more than 20 years.
Make Day 2’s Main Event a Non-Alcohol Family Adventure? Click to Expand.
Avila Valley Barn: Bring the kids to hand-feed and pet farm animals, mosey about as chickens peck at your feet, check out the seasonal hay maze, and enjoy dozens of varieties of fresh homemade pies, including the best olallieberry I’ve tasted.
Charles Paddock Zoo: Atascadero is a fairly small town, but the zoo and park w/ pond are quite nice. On a cool day, the animals are lively and easily accessible. Not just cages, you can see some larger habitats for all kinds of neat critters. The numerous flamingos near the front gate are beautiful creatures. You can even watch some rehabilitation and interaction between animals and keepers live. It never occurred to me to visit Charles Paddock until shortly before I moved away, and I deeply regret it. I could have spent so much more time there.
Jack Creek Farms: It’s like Avila Valley Barn for the North County. If you’re in Paso Robles and want to divide your time between wine tasting and giving the kids a break, this is a great stop for fresh heirloom produce, fruit pies, and animals galore.
WINE TASTING
If you’re traveling with a designated driver, you’re all set for a day of wine tasting. But if you’re in need of a safe ride for your wine tasting adventure, here are a few recommendations to see you soberly through.
Designated Wine Driver: They drive your vehicle. What's not to love?
Destination Drivers: Another service that drives your vehicle.
Toast Tours: Professional, experienced wine guides. Accommodate parties of any size.
We've divided our winery recommendations into three categories, depending on the kind of experience you're looking for.
Convenience Tasting (Least Driving)
Tin City: I figured we’d start with some convenient groupings. This is a great way to experience a handful of wineries without trekking all over the countryside. Tin City represents a happily arranged marriage of cuisine and drink. About 5-10 minutes south of Paso Robles, it’s a quirky installation that hosts over 40 businesses from award-winning wineries and distilleries to craft beer, and gastro delights. Special shout-out to Italian Natural Winemakers Giornata.
Hwy 46W: Just up from Tin City off US Route 101, take Hwy 46 west to an excellent grouping of wineries with standouts like Sextant, Zenaida Cellars, Turley, Austin Hope & Treana, L’Venture. Check out the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance map to strategize.
Downtown Paso Robles: The city center gets more charming by the week. Surrounding City Park are innumerable tasting opportunities, all a short walk from each other. Plus, there are plenty of fun lunch spots to keep your wits about you.
Upscale & Delicious
Linne Calodo: $20 tasting at a prestigious vineyard? Yes, please. Masters of and genuine ambassadors for Paso’s rightful place as an elite region for bold Rhône varietals. Kid-friendly for the well-behaved and outdoor tasting available.
L’Venture: The Optimus Estate Cuvée will stain your shirt and lift your soul. French artisan winemaking that leverages Paso Robles terroir to produce elegantly bold blends. I have only cried twice in my life. Once at the birth of my daughter and once at a L’Venture wine tasting. Granted, I had just shut my finger in the shuttle door. But the wine is quite good. Kid-friendly for the well-behaved and outdoor covered patio.
DAOU: The greatest thing about California’s Central Coast is its micro-climates. The world is your winemaking oyster in a place where 20 minutes in every direction is a swath of terroir that recreates the very best of Old and New Worlds. To that effect, Daou excels at making big Bordeaux wines that wonderfully complex. Kid-friendly for the well-behaved with lovely outdoor seating.
Approachable & High Quality
Turley: Eve here. This is my fave! Turley was founded in 1993 and focuses primarily on Zinfandel and Petite Syrah varietals, with some of their vines dating back to the late 1800s. They're an organically farmed vineyard that takes pride in continuing California's legacy of winemaking... but most importantly they make truly delicious wine. They have tons of different Zins ranging in depth (& price) from the sparky and affordable Juveniles to their plethora of mature Zins, Cabs, and Petite Syrahs. If you dig jammy wines, you'll be in heaven. Okay, back to Trev.
Peachy Canyon: One of the original Paso Robles wine families have a wonderful collection. A visit is well worth it for the incredibly hospitable people and property. Most recently, they were named winery of the year at the 2024 Central Coast Wine Competition. A kid-friendly Pick.
Clesi: Yet again, Clesi is proof that even lesser-known Italian varietals like Dolcetto can sing on the Central Coast. In fact, that Dolcetto was my first taste of Clesi. Every subsequent sip has been magical at this fly-under-the-radar gem. Family and dog-friendly with outdoor tasting available. This winery is more rural, but always worth a trip. If you’re really lucky, you’ll encounter a few chickens stirring up dirt.
Quirky &/or Fun
Herman Story: Ah, what more digital ink can be spilled about these winemakers that hasn’t already been gushed? Some winemakers have soft hands because they play at farming. Some know how the dirt tastes. This represents the latter. God, the wine is good, and the place is just an unpretentious blast to visit. Take a peek at the website and I think you'll get the vibe.
Eberle: Eminently drinkable wines and 8,000 sq. feet of caves beneath the property, through which you can tour! Kids are welcome, but they must be on their best behavior.
The Fableist: This is a go-to for fabulously eclectic wines. As a bonus, if you’re all about ambience, the quaint farmhouse-on-a-hill setting surrounded by an enormous lawn and 360-degree vineyards is a huge selling point. (Kid friendly: toys, kittens, games, oh my!)
Extra Kid-Friendly Wineries
Ancient Peaks: You know what rhymes with wine? Zipline. How about six soaring ziplines high over the vineyards and coastal oaks? You can also ride horses across the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.
Eberle: 8,000 sq feet of underground caves to tour.
Peachy Canyon: The sort of place you’ll wish you’d grown up. Lots of room to run.
Zipline fun: Margarita Adventures
Day 3: The Perfect Way to Round Out Your Central Coast Experience.
Already?! Where did the time go? No problem. Day 3 aims to elevate SLO County from fun stopover on the way to LA or SF to Unforgettable Destination.
You've got a few options based on time of year and personal preferences, but you truly can't go wrong.
Whale Watching:
Skip the big breakfast if you’re a landlubber like me. Grab a cup of coffee and a pastry at local favorite mini-chain Scout Coffee Co. in San Luis Obispo or Morro Bay because we’re going whale watching.
Throughout the year, the migrations are frequent along this length of coast and the watching is good thanks to the way the coastline juts out. April-May is prime humpback season. The feeding is especially good off SLO County’s Central Coast; we’ve even had luck seeing adult whales and their calves 50 feet off the piers at both Pismo and Avila Beach. Here's the annual schedule for various species of marine tourists who pass the Central Coast.
🐋 Gray Whales
Southbound Migration (to Baja): December – February
Northbound Migration (to Alaska): February – May
Best Time to Spot: January – April
🐳 Blue Whales
Feeding Season off California: May – October
Best Time to Spot: June – September
🐬 Humpback Whales
Feeding Season off California: April – November
Best Time to Spot: May – October
Kayaking/SUPping the Bay & Tidal Marsh:
Morro Bay is an outstanding place to kayak, well-protected from the frothy Pacific in a bay that offers an abundance of aquatic wildlife, an otter nursery, and a fantastic tidal marsh filled with snaked waterways that are a blast to navigate. Be sure to check the tides. Time it right and it will be smooth paddling. Fighting that tide (rushing in or out) is noooo fun.
If you’re ready for that big breakfast, you can head up the coast to Cayucos and stop in at one of my favorites, Hidden Kitchen. Otherwise, if you missed Pismo Beach and wanted to explore more thoroughly (like the Oceano Dunes), you’ll love Honeymoon Café.
Of course… you could always skip to my favorite meal of the day: SANDWICH.
Gauntlet Throwing Alert: High Street Deli is the best sandwich shop in the country. We like to travel, so you should understand that—in this very specific case—I’m not bandying hyperbole all willium-nillium.
Supposing you find yourself in San Luis Obispo at the original location on High Street and you eat/disagree with my best-sando proclamation, send me a pic of yourself with a High St offering. I will take your rec for bestest-ever, travel to its home turf and—cardiologist be damned—I’ll eat it. It’ll be a competition I’m happy to lose.
Afternoon Vistas…
TV Tower Road: To this day, I’m shocked that I have never seen a SLO visitors guide mention one of my favorite hikes. This one is breathtaking. Just at the north end of San Luis Obispo, US Hwy Route 101 begins to climb the Cuesta Canyon along the Cuesta Grade. Just before you reach the top, you’ll notice a left-turn lane. It comes on pretty quickly, so be alert. Watch carefully for traffic coming down the grade and turn into a small parking lot beneath the oaks.
This is known as the West Cuesta Ridge Trailhead. You can choose to walk from here, but I recommend hanging a right and going UP the hill. If you route Google Maps driving directions to Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area, you’ll be guided up a windy switchback blacktop road. As it summits, the pavement ends in washboard two-lane dirt. The road winds its way to the top of the western Cuesta Range. There’s a slightly rough part just before the summit, but when you reach the ridge…
Wow. From this vantage, you can see the entire county, all nine dormant volcanoes stretched out in a straight line to form the Nine Sisters, and Morro Rock rising out of the Pacific Ocean. When the fog starts to roll in for the evening, the sunset-watching is world-class. If you’ve visited between the months of December to May, it’s green and blue as far as the eye can see.
Parking here and enjoying a snack is plenty. But if you continue on the well-maintained dirt road (strangely, it gets better the farther you go), you can cruise the ridgeline for a fun afternoon drive that too few people know about. There's even a free-standing Ponderosa forest lodged in a corner of the ridge. What’s still more, this is BLM government land. If you’re really budget-minded, you can enjoy free dispersed camping 20 minutes from a region that commands a premium for accommodations.
A Relaxed Evening…
Sycamore Mineral Springs: Cap the day with a journey down to a stone’s throw from Avila Beach to enjoy a mineral soak in a secluded hillside tub. Nestled beneath coastal oak trees all along the hillside are 23 open-air, naturally heated mineral hot tubs. The views are majestic, the tubs are private and range in size to accommodate couples, all the way up to families and friends. There’s even a family-friendly rock-carved mineral pool with waterfall.
Ready for more?
If you just can’t get enough of the SLO life, here are some real estate listings… just kidding.
Making Memories? Click below to check out some curated picks for keeping those memories safe when traveling with (and without) small children.
Visit GEAR UP For More Outstanding Travel Essentials
Comments