SLO Studio Guidebook
Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee
There are two locations for this local favorite coffee shop: one by Cal Poly located on Foothill Blvd and another downtown on Garden St. These are both great places to relax, work from your computer, or meet with others.
Scout has a beautiful atmosphere with indoor/outdoor seating. They locally roast their own coffee and bake fresh pastries in-house.
We recommend the Wilderness latte and the famous Scout cookies.
66 locals recommend
Scout Coffee
1130 Garden StThere are two locations for this local favorite coffee shop: one by Cal Poly located on Foothill Blvd and another downtown on Garden St. These are both great places to relax, work from your computer, or meet with others.
Scout has a beautiful atmosphere with indoor/outdoor seating. They locally roast their own coffee and bake fresh pastries in-house.
We recommend the Wilderness latte and the famous Scout cookies.
A fun bohemian cafe located in downtown SLO. They have great outdoor seating in a garden on their back patio. Linnea's also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options for food and drinks. They are also known for hosting small jazz concerts and poetry readings from time to time.
18 locals recommend
Linnaea's Cafe
1110 Garden StreetA fun bohemian cafe located in downtown SLO. They have great outdoor seating in a garden on their back patio. Linnea's also offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options for food and drinks. They are also known for hosting small jazz concerts and poetry readings from time to time.
This place has great food that is handcrafted with local farm-fresh ingredients. They also serve great coffee. The menu is seasonal and the selection is always changing. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
They close at 3 PM and they are located close to downtown and across the street from a small park.
35 locals recommend
Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe
1804 Osos StThis place has great food that is handcrafted with local farm-fresh ingredients. They also serve great coffee. The menu is seasonal and the selection is always changing. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
They close at 3 PM and they are located close to downtown and across the street from a small park.
Located in downtown SLO, this is a real “diner" experience. Expect the service and food to be authentic. Highly recommended, though often times they are 100% full. You may have to wait for a seat, but in the meantime you can stroll downtown. This is a wonderful place for a classic pancake breakfast. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
14 locals recommend
Louisa's Place Restaurant
964 Higuera StLocated in downtown SLO, this is a real “diner" experience. Expect the service and food to be authentic. Highly recommended, though often times they are 100% full. You may have to wait for a seat, but in the meantime you can stroll downtown. This is a wonderful place for a classic pancake breakfast. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Sightseeing
Every Thursday night from 6-9 PM Higuera St in downtown SLO is transformed into an open-air market. Here you can hear live music as you browse local produce stands and offerings from favorite restaurants.
While downtown, you might also see the San Luis Obispo mission and walk along the creek.
150 locals recommend
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
Higuera StreetEvery Thursday night from 6-9 PM Higuera St in downtown SLO is transformed into an open-air market. Here you can hear live music as you browse local produce stands and offerings from favorite restaurants.
While downtown, you might also see the San Luis Obispo mission and walk along the creek.
The small fishing town of Morro Bay is located just 12 miles from our airbnb. This is a great place to have fish and chips, kayak, and enjoy the sea life. Sea otters, seals, and coastal birds make this their home. Morro Bay is also known to have great surfing!
The Hofbrau is a great restaurant located along the "Strand" or main street.
It can be much colder and windier than SLO. Remember to bring a jacket.
142 locals recommend
Morro Rock
Coleman DriveThe small fishing town of Morro Bay is located just 12 miles from our airbnb. This is a great place to have fish and chips, kayak, and enjoy the sea life. Sea otters, seals, and coastal birds make this their home. Morro Bay is also known to have great surfing!
The Hofbrau is a great restaurant located along the "Strand" or main street.
It can be much colder and windier than SLO. Remember to bring a jacket.
Pismo Beach is located less than 6 miles from the airbnb. This is a lovely coastal town where you can eat clam chowder, enjoy ice cream from Kraken, lounge on the beach, and even rent a bike to cruise around town.
You can also hike at the newly opened-up Pismo Preserve.
The pier has recently been updated. This is one of our favorite beaches to visit, though it can be quite busy.
186 locals recommend
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is located less than 6 miles from the airbnb. This is a lovely coastal town where you can eat clam chowder, enjoy ice cream from Kraken, lounge on the beach, and even rent a bike to cruise around town.
You can also hike at the newly opened-up Pismo Preserve.
The pier has recently been updated. This is one of our favorite beaches to visit, though it can be quite busy.
This beach is less than 6 miles from the airbnb. Here, you can walk along the Bob Jones trail, lounge in the sunshine, hammock from the pier, or dance to live music. There are also various restaurants facing the sea so that you can enjoy an ocean view as you eat.
Another fun place to visit nearby is Avila Valley barn which has seasonal produce and a free petting zoo. This is a great place to visit in Fall as it turns into a pumpkin patch and they serve hot cider!
329 locals recommend
Avila Beach
This beach is less than 6 miles from the airbnb. Here, you can walk along the Bob Jones trail, lounge in the sunshine, hammock from the pier, or dance to live music. There are also various restaurants facing the sea so that you can enjoy an ocean view as you eat.
Another fun place to visit nearby is Avila Valley barn which has seasonal produce and a free petting zoo. This is a great place to visit in Fall as it turns into a pumpkin patch and they serve hot cider!
The creek walk downtown is a beautiful place to escape the shops and enjoy the waterways in SLO. Home to Steel-head trout and red-legged frogs-- this is a peaceful and enjoyable place to walk. It is also located along the Mission if you chose to visit the plaza.
Creekwalk, Mission end
999 Chorro StThe creek walk downtown is a beautiful place to escape the shops and enjoy the waterways in SLO. Home to Steel-head trout and red-legged frogs-- this is a peaceful and enjoyable place to walk. It is also located along the Mission if you chose to visit the plaza.
The Sunset Drive-In is one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in California. They display double features for most of the year. This is a unique experience that SLO has to offer.
49 locals recommend
Sunset Drive-In Theatre
255 Elks LnThe Sunset Drive-In is one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in California. They display double features for most of the year. This is a unique experience that SLO has to offer.
Dinner and Drinks
One of the best places on the coast to go to see the sunset. Prices are reasonable and the food is always good. Reservations found online: VentanaGrill.com, as sometimes wait-times can be long.
96 locals recommend
Ventana Grill
2575 Price StOne of the best places on the coast to go to see the sunset. Prices are reasonable and the food is always good. Reservations found online: VentanaGrill.com, as sometimes wait-times can be long.
A wonderful restaurant with a wide selection. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. This spot is great for groups and celebrations. They serve sliders, salads, incredible fries, mac&cheeses-- all with a gourmet twist.
75 locals recommend
TASTE! craft eatery
2550 Broad StA wonderful restaurant with a wide selection. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. This spot is great for groups and celebrations. They serve sliders, salads, incredible fries, mac&cheeses-- all with a gourmet twist.
A romantic Italian restaurant located in downtown SLO. This is easily one of our favorite restaurants in town.
If you go there, you may be surprised at how small it looks, do not be fooled. When they ask where to sit, ask to be seated on the patio. That is where all the locals sit and it is beautiful.
A great place for a romantic dinner. Visit BTslo.com for reservations.
100 locals recommend
Buona Tavola
1037 Monterey StA romantic Italian restaurant located in downtown SLO. This is easily one of our favorite restaurants in town.
If you go there, you may be surprised at how small it looks, do not be fooled. When they ask where to sit, ask to be seated on the patio. That is where all the locals sit and it is beautiful.
A great place for a romantic dinner. Visit BTslo.com for reservations.
FOR DRINKS + COCKTAILS.
A beautiful bar located alongside the creek and the San Luis Obispo Mission. It is quite pricey but very nice for a date or celebration.
56 locals recommend
Sidecar
1040 Broad StFOR DRINKS + COCKTAILS.
A beautiful bar located alongside the creek and the San Luis Obispo Mission. It is quite pricey but very nice for a date or celebration.
A wonderful family-owned Indian restaurant. We recommend going during a time they serve buffet style: lunchtime, Monday evenings, and all-day Sunday. This is a great deal for some wonderful foods and exceptional service. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
14 locals recommend
Shalimar Restaurant
3820 Broad StA wonderful family-owned Indian restaurant. We recommend going during a time they serve buffet style: lunchtime, Monday evenings, and all-day Sunday. This is a great deal for some wonderful foods and exceptional service. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
The most exceptional sushi in town. It can be pricey for dinner but the bento-boxes at lunch are affordable and delicious. You may have to call ahead to make a reservation. Located downtown.
49 locals recommend
Goshi | Japanese Restaurant
570 Higuera StThe most exceptional sushi in town. It can be pricey for dinner but the bento-boxes at lunch are affordable and delicious. You may have to call ahead to make a reservation. Located downtown.
Hikes + Outdoor Experiences
Beautiful network of hikes and biking trails just behind our airbnb. (Seriously, you need only walk 5 minutes to arrive at the main trailhead.) From the top of Mariposa you can see the range of "sisters" --the iconic hills that trail across our town.
There are short and long hikes available. We recommend Froom Canyon, Mariposa, or Old Prospector.
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/irish-hills-open-space
7 locals recommend
Irish Hills Natural Reserve
Isabella WayBeautiful network of hikes and biking trails just behind our airbnb. (Seriously, you need only walk 5 minutes to arrive at the main trailhead.) From the top of Mariposa you can see the range of "sisters" --the iconic hills that trail across our town.
There are short and long hikes available. We recommend Froom Canyon, Mariposa, or Old Prospector.
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/irish-hills-open-space
A fun, iconic, and challenging trail located just a few minutes driving distance from our airbnb. There are also bouldering routes available off of the Patricia trailhead. Gorgeous view of Cal Poly and the rest of SLO from the top.
90 locals recommend
Bishop Peak
A fun, iconic, and challenging trail located just a few minutes driving distance from our airbnb. There are also bouldering routes available off of the Patricia trailhead. Gorgeous view of Cal Poly and the rest of SLO from the top.
An easy and quick hike that is great for picnics! The view of the hills and downtown SLO is gorgeous at sunset.
21 locals recommend
Terrace Hill
An easy and quick hike that is great for picnics! The view of the hills and downtown SLO is gorgeous at sunset.
Our favorite place for hiking, biking, walking and even sliding down sand dunes. This range of hills and sand dunes aptly named "mountain of gold" is located in Los Osos. It is further from SLO but well worth the trip out.
We recommend Valencia Peak for a semi-challenging hike and "the bluffs" for a relaxing ocean-cliffs walk.
It can be quite foggy and cold. Make sure to bring a jacket.
341 locals recommend
Montaña de Oro State Park
3550 Pecho Valley RdOur favorite place for hiking, biking, walking and even sliding down sand dunes. This range of hills and sand dunes aptly named "mountain of gold" is located in Los Osos. It is further from SLO but well worth the trip out.
We recommend Valencia Peak for a semi-challenging hike and "the bluffs" for a relaxing ocean-cliffs walk.
It can be quite foggy and cold. Make sure to bring a jacket.
Walking distance from the airbnb, this is a great spot for hiking or walking along the lake. There is a playground, dog park, and local events are often hosted here as well.
6 locals recommend
Laguna Lake
Walking distance from the airbnb, this is a great spot for hiking or walking along the lake. There is a playground, dog park, and local events are often hosted here as well.
Groceries & Laundry
This grocery store is walking distance from the airbnb.
12 locals recommend
Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
2100 El Camino RealThis grocery store is walking distance from the airbnb.
Whole Foods Market
1531 Froom Ranch WayThis grocery store is walking distance from the airbnb.
This is the closest laundromat to the airbnb if you should need to do laundry during your stay. They have self-serve and drop-off.
Launderosa Laundromats
552 California BlvdThis is the closest laundromat to the airbnb if you should need to do laundry during your stay. They have self-serve and drop-off.
Wineries
This small apple farm and winery is one of the closest located to the airbnb. Just a short drive away, you can enjoy their wines, hard ciders, and cider wines. This is a more casual winery where you can find peacocks strutting around and visit the beach.
32 locals recommend
Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards
1947 See Canyon RdThis small apple farm and winery is one of the closest located to the airbnb. Just a short drive away, you can enjoy their wines, hard ciders, and cider wines. This is a more casual winery where you can find peacocks strutting around and visit the beach.
Known for their unique white wines, this winery is located near our airbnb. Worth a try even if you don't think you like white wine!
27 locals recommend
Claiborne & Churchill Winery
2649 Carpenter Canyon RdKnown for their unique white wines, this winery is located near our airbnb. Worth a try even if you don't think you like white wine!
This winery is located in northern San Luis Obispo county, but well worth the drive if you have the time.
We have never had a wine here that we did not like! They serve a great pizzas and appetizers as well.
46 locals recommend
Opolo Vineyards
7110 Vineyard DrThis winery is located in northern San Luis Obispo county, but well worth the drive if you have the time.
We have never had a wine here that we did not like! They serve a great pizzas and appetizers as well.