Guidebook for Arroyo Grande
Essentials
Great market with deli service, all the essentials for a picnic, great wine and beer selections and of course, the best produce in the area. *** Remember to bring your own bags - SLO ordinance -
10 locals recommend
J J's Market-Services Deli
2792 S Halcyon RdGreat market with deli service, all the essentials for a picnic, great wine and beer selections and of course, the best produce in the area. *** Remember to bring your own bags - SLO ordinance -
Edit - It is now called "Halcyon Farms" Our favorite farm stand - Just down the road from the Mesa. Only the best produce, local cheeses, bakery items and sometimes fresh fish and beef.
6 locals recommend
Rutiz Family Farms
1075 The PikeEdit - It is now called "Halcyon Farms" Our favorite farm stand - Just down the road from the Mesa. Only the best produce, local cheeses, bakery items and sometimes fresh fish and beef.
Farmer's market every Saturday in our beautiful village; Saturdays 12 - 2:30
12 locals recommend
SLO County Farmers' Market
193 Olohan AlleyFarmer's market every Saturday in our beautiful village; Saturdays 12 - 2:30
Closest premium coffee roasters/cafe- lovely young family in the small community of Oceano.
Quintessa Coffee Roasters
1945 Front StClosest premium coffee roasters/cafe- lovely young family in the small community of Oceano.
Food Scene
Highly recommended! The hot new restaurant in AG - wood fired fresh, seasonal selections. Fun bar area.
134 locals recommend
Ember Restaurant
1200 E Grand AveHighly recommended! The hot new restaurant in AG - wood fired fresh, seasonal selections. Fun bar area.
Local coffee hang out with free wifi in cute downtown AG. Great stop while browsing the shops or visiting the farmer's market.
31 locals recommend
Cafe Andreini
131 E Branch StLocal coffee hang out with free wifi in cute downtown AG. Great stop while browsing the shops or visiting the farmer's market.
excellent farm to table restaurant, bar area, wood fired pizza oven, seafood, steaks, salads. Perfect for a special evening - across from Avila Pier. Great view!
(805)595-4050
14 locals recommend
Ocean Grill
268 Front Stexcellent farm to table restaurant, bar area, wood fired pizza oven, seafood, steaks, salads. Perfect for a special evening - across from Avila Pier. Great view!
(805)595-4050
Fun and beautiful place to enjoy an alfresco dinner, appetizers, drinks. Delicious and interesting menu.
33 locals recommend
Granada Hotel & Bistro
1126 Morro StFun and beautiful place to enjoy an alfresco dinner, appetizers, drinks. Delicious and interesting menu.
Delicious brunch, lunch, dinner. Whole foods, nutritious menu. Lots of vegetarian choices.
53 locals recommend
Big Sky Cafe
1121 Broad StDelicious brunch, lunch, dinner. Whole foods, nutritious menu. Lots of vegetarian choices.
Walk up service, known to locals as THE place for clam chowder. You can get it to go and walk along the pier.
83 locals recommend
Splash Café Pismo Beach
197 Pomeroy AveWalk up service, known to locals as THE place for clam chowder. You can get it to go and walk along the pier.
Breakfast, lunch, drinks ---Views!
Casual dining or drinks - with great outdoor patio/deck - ocean views, breezes - awesome place to see the sunset.
14 locals recommend
Spyglass Inn Restaurant
2703 Spyglass DrBreakfast, lunch, drinks ---Views!
Casual dining or drinks - with great outdoor patio/deck - ocean views, breezes - awesome place to see the sunset.
Don't let how casual it is fool you -- this is great bistro food -- freshly made sourdough bread, local wines and beers -- soooo good!
78 locals recommend
The Spoon Trade
295 W Grand AveDon't let how casual it is fool you -- this is great bistro food -- freshly made sourdough bread, local wines and beers -- soooo good!
Yummy authentic mexican food -- fruit smoothies, juices, blue corn tacos - fresh, fresh fresh! It looks like a shack but oh so good.
Frutiland La Casa del Sabor
803 E Grand AveYummy authentic mexican food -- fruit smoothies, juices, blue corn tacos - fresh, fresh fresh! It looks like a shack but oh so good.
Delicious, fresh seafood and --- no corkage fee! We highly recommend - plus they take reservations.
15 locals recommend
Ciopinot Seafood Grille
1049 Nipomo StDelicious, fresh seafood and --- no corkage fee! We highly recommend - plus they take reservations.
Authentic, friendly, incredibly fresh and delicious Japanese food. Sushi bar, Japanese beers, casual and so good!
49 locals recommend
Goshi | Japanese Restaurant
570 Higuera StAuthentic, friendly, incredibly fresh and delicious Japanese food. Sushi bar, Japanese beers, casual and so good!
Highly recommend - one of our faves! Shared plates, organic, all local from sources we can't say enough about. Friendly atmosphere and delicious wines. Some evenings there's local music - perfect for foodies!
9 locals recommend
La Bodega Tapas
790 Price StHighly recommend - one of our faves! Shared plates, organic, all local from sources we can't say enough about. Friendly atmosphere and delicious wines. Some evenings there's local music - perfect for foodies!
Across the street from one of our favorite restaurants - The Spoon Trade -- they are owned by same chef. Sourdough breads, desserts, pretzels - soups, sandwiches. You'll love the flavors - fresh baked daily.
10 locals recommend
Grover Beach Sourdough
236 W Grand AveAcross the street from one of our favorite restaurants - The Spoon Trade -- they are owned by same chef. Sourdough breads, desserts, pretzels - soups, sandwiches. You'll love the flavors - fresh baked daily.
Local wines, inventive drinks and creative bar food. There's also a restaurant on the other side of the bar. Fun atmosphere - try the lobster corn dogs or the roasted brussel sprouts. Yummy
87 locals recommend
Mason Bar and Kitchen
307 E Branch StLocal wines, inventive drinks and creative bar food. There's also a restaurant on the other side of the bar. Fun atmosphere - try the lobster corn dogs or the roasted brussel sprouts. Yummy
Best value on Pismo boardwalk....excellent happy hour prices, good wines, beers and mixed drinks. 3 for price of 2 appetizers, no corkage on Thursdays. Good food - try their warm shrimp salad, fresh seafood and the best chocolate cake!
13 locals recommend
SeaVenture Restaurant
100 Ocean View AveBest value on Pismo boardwalk....excellent happy hour prices, good wines, beers and mixed drinks. 3 for price of 2 appetizers, no corkage on Thursdays. Good food - try their warm shrimp salad, fresh seafood and the best chocolate cake!
Nothing better than lunch by the sea! Great atmosphere - eating on the pier in Avila watching otters and sea lions play! Try their fish tacos or the crab louie salad. Full bar - excellent margaritas, beer.
39 locals recommend
Mersea's Seafood Restaurant
3985 Avila Beach DrNothing better than lunch by the sea! Great atmosphere - eating on the pier in Avila watching otters and sea lions play! Try their fish tacos or the crab louie salad. Full bar - excellent margaritas, beer.
One of my favorites - fresh, delicious, local foods - try their salmon bisque or lettuce wraps. Lovely patio next to San Luis Creek.
131 locals recommend
Novo Restaurant & Lounge
726 Higuera StOne of my favorites - fresh, delicious, local foods - try their salmon bisque or lettuce wraps. Lovely patio next to San Luis Creek.
Ice cream!!!! The best ever and the pride of our community. Fun flavors along with all the classics in a cute old fashioned ice cream parlor. You can also schedule a tour of their creamery.
34 locals recommend
Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab
114 W Branch StIce cream!!!! The best ever and the pride of our community. Fun flavors along with all the classics in a cute old fashioned ice cream parlor. You can also schedule a tour of their creamery.
Sightseeing
If you are here from November - February - hundreds of thousands of monarch butterflies roost here on their way down the coast. Docents on weekends have spotting scopes you can use.
141 locals recommend
Monarch Butterfly Grove
400 South Dolliver StreetIf you are here from November - February - hundreds of thousands of monarch butterflies roost here on their way down the coast. Docents on weekends have spotting scopes you can use.
Dunes - you can rent ATV's or ride horses on the beach. It is also one of California's only beaches you can drive on. Go at sunset or sunrise. Beautiful.
Oceano Campground
555 Pier AveDunes - you can rent ATV's or ride horses on the beach. It is also one of California's only beaches you can drive on. Go at sunset or sunrise. Beautiful.
Cutest beach town - a little touristy but who cares? It's clean, beaches are wide. There's a dog beach down the way; rent kayaks or paddle boards, excellent restaurants and bars. Some fire rings.
329 locals recommend
Avila Beach
Cutest beach town - a little touristy but who cares? It's clean, beaches are wide. There's a dog beach down the way; rent kayaks or paddle boards, excellent restaurants and bars. Some fire rings.
Go for dinner, or rent a private natural hot spring spa by the hour. Massages and spa treatments, gym with classes. Beautiful location. Good for couples - romantic!
Spa (805)706-0498
105 locals recommend
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort
1215 Avila Beach DrGo for dinner, or rent a private natural hot spring spa by the hour. Massages and spa treatments, gym with classes. Beautiful location. Good for couples - romantic!
Spa (805)706-0498
Bike, walk, roller blade or run - start right off the 101 at the Avila Beach exit, goes through shady areas along golf course to the beach. Beautiful! * See Avila Hot Springs listing to rent bikes.
21 locals recommend
Bob Jones City to the Sea Bike Trail Park & Ride
7009 Ontario RdBike, walk, roller blade or run - start right off the 101 at the Avila Beach exit, goes through shady areas along golf course to the beach. Beautiful! * See Avila Hot Springs listing to rent bikes.
Camping, picnic areas, and regional park. Botanical garden - lovely.
9 locals recommend
San Luis Obispo botanical garden
3450 Dairy Creek RdCamping, picnic areas, and regional park. Botanical garden - lovely.
Tours every Saturday - need reservations ahead of time - either via docent led hike or take the trolley tour from Avila Beach. Pack a picnic.
(805)541-8735 for hike
(855)533-7843 for trolley tour
35 locals recommend
Point San Luis Lighthouse
1 Lighthouse RdTours every Saturday - need reservations ahead of time - either via docent led hike or take the trolley tour from Avila Beach. Pack a picnic.
(805)541-8735 for hike
(855)533-7843 for trolley tour
So many famous festivals here - famous for clam chowder, check out Splash Cafe near the pier. And take a stroll along the pier - so much to do here.
186 locals recommend
Pismo Beach
So many famous festivals here - famous for clam chowder, check out Splash Cafe near the pier. And take a stroll along the pier - so much to do here.
kid friendly hike - rated most beautiful trail by Sunset Magazine. follow the coastline at South end of Montano del Oro. Need reservations - register on-line - seasonal dates.
www.pge.modwest.com
Point Buchon
kid friendly hike - rated most beautiful trail by Sunset Magazine. follow the coastline at South end of Montano del Oro. Need reservations - register on-line - seasonal dates.
www.pge.modwest.com
Nice park for biking, dog park area, and lots of hiking/walking trails.
9 locals recommend
Laguna Lake Park
504 Madonna RdNice park for biking, dog park area, and lots of hiking/walking trails.
Beautiful town by the sea. Famous Morro Rock - lots of cute shops and restaurants, fresh fish, kayaking, guided tours and fishing boats. Lovely way to spend the day - about 35 mins from our home.
183 locals recommend
Morro Bay
Beautiful town by the sea. Famous Morro Rock - lots of cute shops and restaurants, fresh fish, kayaking, guided tours and fishing boats. Lovely way to spend the day - about 35 mins from our home.
Limo rental, bus rentals, driver services, wine tasting tours -- highly rated on Yelp. (805)550-3347
www.slolimorental.com
Xsperience It Limo Rental
815 Phillips RoadLimo rental, bus rentals, driver services, wine tasting tours -- highly rated on Yelp. (805)550-3347
www.slolimorental.com
Cute town just 30 miles south of our home. Old Wells Fargo stop - art galleries, historic saloon (serves Kurt Russell's wines), great delis and - my favorite - Terramonary Pottery - handmade pottery.
25 locals recommend
Los Alamos
Cute town just 30 miles south of our home. Old Wells Fargo stop - art galleries, historic saloon (serves Kurt Russell's wines), great delis and - my favorite - Terramonary Pottery - handmade pottery.
tours/ziplining/kayaking
We've never gone - but want to! Friends rave about the zipline tour that ends with wine tasting.
56 locals recommend
Margarita Adventures
22719 El Camino Realtours/ziplining/kayaking
We've never gone - but want to! Friends rave about the zipline tour that ends with wine tasting.
Everything Else
golf course adjacent to our property. Convenient and highly rated.
(805)474-7979
21 locals recommend
Cypress Ridge Golf Course
780 Cypress Ridge Pkwygolf course adjacent to our property. Convenient and highly rated.
(805)474-7979
Closest winery with a tasting room to our home. Great views, highly rated - best California sparkling wine. Take a picnic, buy a bottle of wine and play bocce ball. Music on Saturday afternoons
49 locals recommend
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
453 Laetitia Vineyard DriveClosest winery with a tasting room to our home. Great views, highly rated - best California sparkling wine. Take a picnic, buy a bottle of wine and play bocce ball. Music on Saturday afternoons
Excellent local wineries - Chamisal, Edna Valley, Tolosa, Baileyana, too many to list. Baileyana was an old schoolhouse - tastings and area for picnic, bocce ball courts. Chamisal is one of our faves
61 locals recommend
Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 Biddle Ranch RdExcellent local wineries - Chamisal, Edna Valley, Tolosa, Baileyana, too many to list. Baileyana was an old schoolhouse - tastings and area for picnic, bocce ball courts. Chamisal is one of our faves
Every Thurs. eve -- Street party every week, even on holidays. 4:30 - 9 p.m., local produce, fish, cheeses, good eats, entertainment, so fun!
150 locals recommend
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
Higuera StreetEvery Thurs. eve -- Street party every week, even on holidays. 4:30 - 9 p.m., local produce, fish, cheeses, good eats, entertainment, so fun!
Activities - They also have paddleboards. We love kayaking in Avila Bay - they have a location there as well as Shell Beach in Pismo. They offer tours as well.
Call (805)773-3500
38 locals recommend
Central Coast Kayaks
1879 Shell Beach RdActivities - They also have paddleboards. We love kayaking in Avila Bay - they have a location there as well as Shell Beach in Pismo. They offer tours as well.
Call (805)773-3500
106 yr old hot springs, fresh water pool, cabins, camping. Bike Rentals.
(805)595-2359 for bike rentals/info.
***great location to rent bikes - close to Bob Jones Bike/Hiking Trail.
48 locals recommend
Avila Hot Springs
250 Avila Beach Dr106 yr old hot springs, fresh water pool, cabins, camping. Bike Rentals.
(805)595-2359 for bike rentals/info.
***great location to rent bikes - close to Bob Jones Bike/Hiking Trail.
Local Landmark - steakhouse, themed rooms, bakery, dancing. Gaudy, so fun! Men's bathroom alone worth a visit. You can also rent horses here, many events held here.
(805)543-3000
118 locals recommend
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna RdLocal Landmark - steakhouse, themed rooms, bakery, dancing. Gaudy, so fun! Men's bathroom alone worth a visit. You can also rent horses here, many events held here.
(805)543-3000
Winery - local favorite - east of downtown AG - music on Sundays with food and wine by the glass. Lovely garden area.
43 locals recommend
Talley Vineyards
3031 Lopez DrWinery - local favorite - east of downtown AG - music on Sundays with food and wine by the glass. Lovely garden area.
Driving service - we have never used this service but have been told it's wonderful for touring wineries. Was told to "ask for Roland" - (805)674-3769
Destination Drivers
1435 Pine StreetDriving service - we have never used this service but have been told it's wonderful for touring wineries. Was told to "ask for Roland" - (805)674-3769
Arroyo Grande Meat Co
120 E Branch Stexcellent quality meats, house made sausages, friendly service.
Entertainment & Activities
Great scenic walk through a nature preserve with estuary area, ponds, boardwalk to the beach. Stunning and easy for kids.
48 locals recommend
Oso Flaco Lake
3098 Oso Flaco Lake RdGreat scenic walk through a nature preserve with estuary area, ponds, boardwalk to the beach. Stunning and easy for kids.
Lopez Lake
Lopez DriveBoating, camping, and a water park. Beautiful location, lovely lake.
paddleboards, surfboards rentals and lessons (805)602-1349
Lessons - Group 2 hr 2 - 3 pp $55/ea - Private $60 pp 1 1/2 hrs.
Rental - $20/2 hrs $10 for wetsuit
Central Coast Surf School
Addie Streetpaddleboards, surfboards rentals and lessons (805)602-1349
Lessons - Group 2 hr 2 - 3 pp $55/ea - Private $60 pp 1 1/2 hrs.
Rental - $20/2 hrs $10 for wetsuit
One of the best things we've discovered here. Captain Ron is incredibly knowledgeable about sea life, migration patterns and his sailing boat is gorgeous. Small craft, 6 people only - make reservations before you arrive -- you won't regret it. We went during humpback whale season - and he was able to track quite a few, and the bay is gorgeous.
17 locals recommend
Avila Beach Whale Watching
Port San Luis PierOne of the best things we've discovered here. Captain Ron is incredibly knowledgeable about sea life, migration patterns and his sailing boat is gorgeous. Small craft, 6 people only - make reservations before you arrive -- you won't regret it. We went during humpback whale season - and he was able to track quite a few, and the bay is gorgeous.
Shopping
This place is one of our favorites. Family owned - you can buy their eggs, fruit, produce and local food products. Great gifts and garden items, plants. The kids can visit pigs, turkeys, and goats.
Windmill Farms
1275 N Thompson AveThis place is one of our favorites. Family owned - you can buy their eggs, fruit, produce and local food products. Great gifts and garden items, plants. The kids can visit pigs, turkeys, and goats.
Local ice cream shop -- you have to go! Made in-house from real cream, interesting flavors, soda fountain. Fun to go and have an ice cream sundae. Fun model train on elevated track.
34 locals recommend
Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab
114 W Branch StLocal ice cream shop -- you have to go! Made in-house from real cream, interesting flavors, soda fountain. Fun to go and have an ice cream sundae. Fun model train on elevated track.
Outlet shopping - Coach, Carter's childrens, Harry & David, Jones NY, so many more.
100 locals recommend
Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
333 5 Cities DrOutlet shopping - Coach, Carter's childrens, Harry & David, Jones NY, so many more.
Arts & Culture
We have never been, but it's definitely on our list of to do's. Fun dinner theatre. Talented artists -- but have also been warned to stay away from the food. Eat first.
box office (805)489-2499
78 locals recommend
The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville
1863 Front StWe have never been, but it's definitely on our list of to do's. Fun dinner theatre. Talented artists -- but have also been warned to stay away from the food. Eat first.
box office (805)489-2499
Check ahead of time -- so many wonderful concerts, plays, and other entertainment on this beautiful campus.
39 locals recommend
California Polytechnic University
1 Grand AvenueCheck ahead of time -- so many wonderful concerts, plays, and other entertainment on this beautiful campus.