San Luis Obispo (VisitSLO.com)—SLO to the locals—is on California’s scenic Central Coast in a valley at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. While SLO is a playful acronym, I discovered it also embodies this charming city’s laid-back vibe, which allowed me to slow down and relax. SLO offers year-round sunshine and a warm Mediterranean marine climate. Best of all, you can be in the heart of Central Coast wine country via a nonstop 90-minute flight from Phoenix.
Exploring Downtown SLO
My husband and I wandered through the heart of downtown, soaking up the cultural and artistic pulse of the city. We discovered delightful treasures at Ah Louis General Store, picked up ethically sourced finds at HumanKind Fair Trade, and even lost track of time browsing through the eclectic selection at Boo Boo Records.
Wander down alleyways, where you'll find more treasures. One of our favorites was Secret Garden Tea & Herbs Shop, which added a touch of whimsy to our afternoon. While it sounds silly, you must find Bubblegum Alley. This 70-foot-long wall is off Higuera Street, between Garden and Broad. It is a quirky, unforgettable snapshot of local life.
Stop by Mission Plaza, home to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Dating back to 1772, the working parish church offers daily tours that showcase the area’s history.
SLO Food
You won’t go hungry in SLO. We enjoyed brunch at Seeds, a vibrant eatery that transformed from a simple juice bar into a creative brunch and lunch haven known for its creative toast options and coffee. I recommend Scout Coffee Co. at 1130 Garden Street downtown for an afternoon pick-me-up. The lovely brick walls and fun atmosphere draw you in, but the scratch pastries and craft coffee keep you there.
You really must sample authentic Santa Maria-style BBQ at Old SLO BBQ. And, if you’re in town on a Thursday evening, save time to explore the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market along six blocks of Higuera Street. You’ll find local produce, crafts, and cuisine.
Plan to make the 6-minute drive to Madonna Inn Copper Cafe (open all day) or Alex Madonna’s Gold Rush Steak House at The Madonna Inn (MadonnaInn.com). It’s an unforgettable experience. Save room for the legendary pink champagne cake.
Wines of SLO
No trip to the Central Coast would be complete without sampling San Luis Obispo County wines. Home to 16 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), SLO County boasts wines from Paso Robles, Santa Margarita Ranch, Edna Valley, and more. We headed to Region (DrinkRegion.com), where we explored the local wine culture.
Region offers more than 50 local San Luis Obispo County wines, all available through an innovative self-serve push-button system that dispenses a taste or a glass of wine. We sampled wines at one location we couldn’t have tasted without visiting multiple wineries.
I love bubbles and was thrilled to discover Club Bubbly (ClubBubbly.com) in SLO. This lovely little bubble bar is a treasure. What started in 2016 as a wine club is now open to the public from its tasting room in the Creamery Marketplace downtown. Along with tasting flights, you can find bottles of sparkling wine and champagne you don’t see on the grocery store shelves. And they ship!
A SLO Stay
Granada Hotel & Bistro (GranadaHotelAndBistro.com) offers an industrial chic vibe. Even if you don’t stay here, I recommend stopping for dinner or a nightcap. The Bistro opens at 4 p.m. during the week and offers an Apéro menu from 4 to 5 p.m., featuring small bites, cocktails, beer, and wine. Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and features fresh Central Coast flavors.
However, my favorite thing about the Granada Hotel & Bistro was the nightcap menu. I sipped an Ultraviolet Rosé Brut from Napa while my husband ordered the Midnight Velvet, which features bourbon and sherry. We snacked on tuna tataki and house frites.
We stayed at Garden Street Inn (GardenStreetInn.com), a comfortable and welcoming Victorian boutique hotel built in 1887. The Goldtree family, German Jewish immigrants who helped establish successful businesses in the area, built the Italianate/Queen Anne home. The house then became home to the McCaffrey family, who founded one of the city’s first breweries. After several ownership changes, it became a bed and breakfast in 1989.
Garden Street Inn, now part of the Kirkwood Collection, is in the heart of downtown. Before exploring, you’ll want to get up early to savor the homemade breakfast.
Every step in SLO reaffirmed that travel here isn’t just about sightseeing—it’s a transformative experience that nurtures the soul.
About the Author:
In addition to being the Managing Editor for North Peoria Lifestyle, Susan Lanier-Graham is the publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning digital travel publication. She has been traveling and writing for the past three decades. Read more travel adventures at WanderWithWonder.com.
Captions, opposite page, left to right from top left: Library at Garden Street Inn | Garden State Inn Accommodations | Wine at Region | Secret Garden Tea & Herbs | Pink Champagne cake | Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa | Bubblegum Alley | Bubble Club
This page, top: Region wine dispensers. Bottom: Madonna Inn