Paso Robles
With its red-brick Carnegie Library anchoring a grassy town square, Paso Robles lies just off US Highway 101 at the southernmost tip of the Salinas Valley. This San Luis Obispo County town first became a tourist magnet in the 19th century, thanks to its mineral-rich hot springs—which you can still experience at the Paso Robles Inn—but Paso Robles (pronounced 'ROH-buhlz', or 'ROH-blays' to some locals) really found its magical elixir as the local vineyards multiplied.
Here in the heart of Central California’s wine country, more than 250 wineries spread across seven different growing regions, each with its own microclimate and terroir. More than 14 wineries have tasting rooms in Paso Robles’ picturesque city centre, but sippers with a taste to explore can roam vineyard-dotted Highway 46, winding west to the Cambria coast.
Expect to find a lot more than Pinot Noir. Take a walk around the beautiful gardens and massive sculptures at Sculpterra Winery or catch a concert at Vina Robles’ outdoor amphitheatre. At Tin City, check out more than 20 emerging boutique wineries—among them Aaron Wines, ONX and Field Recordings—packed together in an industrial-chic warehouse district. Savour the Old West ambience at Tobin James Cellars, where a restored stagecoach stop now serves as a guest house, or tour the wine cave at Eberle Winery. If you want to stay overnight among the vines you can do that too—in a vintage Tinker Tin trailer on Alta Colina Wine's property.
Leftover grape juice from the region’s wine production isn’t wasted. It provides the base alcohol for distilled spirits, which you can sample at various stops along the Paso Robles Distillery Trail. Sip Wine Shine’s mango mule, Krobar’s gin and rye whiskey, Manucci Spirits’s grappa and limoncello, and Re:Find Distillery’s vodka. Most distillery tasting rooms are located within vineyards, 'just around the back' from the wine-tasting rooms.
Beer drinkers aren’t left out of the fun. Firestone Walker Brewery is the biggest and oldest brewery in Paso Robles, but for atmosphere, it’s hard to beat the al fresco beer garden at Barrelhouse Brewing Company (and if you like sour barrel-aged beers, this is your kind of place). Microbrew fans will find their happy place at Toro Creek, Silva Brewing, or Earth and Fire Brewing Co.
With so many drinks options, don’t forget to eat. Savour upmarket Italian cuisine—truffle risotto and osso bucco—at central Il Cortile, or enjoy an authentic Mexican meal at Oralé Taqueria or Habaneros. Perennial favourite Hatch serves up craft cocktails and wood-fired rotisserie chicken, while Thomas Hill Organics specialises in local and sustainably grown ingredients.
Nourish your artistic side at Studios on the Park, an open-studio centre where working artists ply their creative trades. Chat with a sculptor, enjoy a drawing class or buy a painting for your living room. Soak until your fingers pucker at River Oaks Hot Springs spa, where 10 private tubs are fed from springs bubbling up at 42 degrees Celsius. Massages, facials and body wraps are available too. And for those who love steel and chrome, the Woodland Auto Display and Estrella Warbirds Museum share one location, and it’s packed with Second World War planes, antique motorcycles, military Jeeps, beautifully restored Indy cars and vintage roadsters.
When you’re ready to call it a day, rest your head in luxury in one of 16 tasteful rooms at the equestrian-themed Hotel Cheval, a short walk from the city centre’s restaurants and shops (don’t miss the nightly s’mores service), or the dog-friendly Allegretto Vineyard Resort, with its rambling courtyards and Tuscan-inspired terrazzo patios and fountains.
Spotlight: San Luis Obispo County
This fertile stretch of the California coast, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, has undeniable appeal, with buzz-worthy farm-to-table restaurants, celebrated wine country, historic sites, and welcoming, low-key communities, each with distinctive charms—not to mention drop-dead gorgeous settings. Here, coastal mountains roll into a frothy sea, with whales spouting offshore. Nook-and-cranny valleys cradle farms and ranches, and relaxed tasting rooms invite you to come in and relax. Bright sun mixes with cool fog and sea breezes—great for agricultural, and people too. Shorts are almost year-round attire in the region, especially on students at the campus of California Polytechnic State University (aka Cal Poly), in the hills above the city of San Luis Obispo, also home to a handsome Spanish mission. Beyond the city, adventures and discoveries abound. Look for otters on a guided kayak tour of Morro Bay. Shop for treasures in art galleries in funky-fun Cambria. Tour legendary Hearst Castle, dig for clams in Pismo Beach, or soak in mineral springs in the town of Avila Beach.
Morro Bay
It’s impossible to mistake Morro Bay for any other California seaside town. Just off its shore, a massive, ancient volcanic plug known as Morro Rock rises 175 metres from the ocean, adding a dramatic exclamation point to this haven of natural beauty. Fishermen plied their trade in the shadow of Morro Rock for decades; today, the town in San Luis Obispo County maintains its seafaring charm with a full range of additional activities.
You can’t climb Morro Rock, but you can look for the peregrine falcons that nest there. And it’s not just there you’ll see birds: so many of them love the Morro Bay area that the Audubon Society has dubbed it one of the country’s best places for bird watchers. There’s even a birding festival every Martin Luther King Jr Day weekend. Nature lives in the water, too, of course—check it out by taking a whale-watching cruise or popping into the free Estuary Nature Center, a popular spot with otters and other sea creatures.
The town is an ambulatory paradise as well: beaches stretch north and south of town, perfect for strolling with a view of Morro Rock. Landlubbers can walk the area’s many trails or simply explore the Embarcadero, a waterfront street with shops and restaurants. Or learn more about wheeled transportation by visiting the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum, where you can get a pic of yourself on the 'world’s second biggest skateboard'.
Restaurants in Morro Bay are similarly Instagram-worthy, thanks to a combination of water views and fresh cuisine. Start your day with the crème brûlée French toast at local haunt Frankie & Lola’s. Later, watch as the sun begins its slow descent behind Morro Rock while tucking into 'naked fish' (simple, with sauces on the side) at The Galley, where dishes incorporate ingredients direct from the head chef’s family farm. Or visit the family-owned Dutchman’s Seafood House, which has its own dock—so you can count on just-caught seafood.
Hotels in Morro Bay also take full advantage of the town’s unique geography and geology. Stay in a suite at Estero Inn, where porthole windows create a fitting nautical theme and fireplace rooms have waterfront views. The boutique Anderson Inn offers coastal allure as well; opt for a view of Morro Rock with a room that offers a fireplace and bathtub. And the good-value Sundown Inn is a Main Street institution; located just a couple streets back from the water, it’s been run by the same family for 35 years.
Cambria
Charming Cambria is a village by the sea—not a beach town. Most people know it as the gateway to Hearst Castle, just 11 miles up the San Luis Obispo County coast. But even without its famous neighbour, Cambria’s creative vibe and its setting—beautiful pine forests and open space along a craggy stretch of the California coast—make it an irresistible destination in its own right.
For such a small community (just 6,000 residents), Cambria has many moods. On the inland side of Highway 1, Cambria’s commercial area is divided into two distinct sections along Main Street. With some buildings dating to the 19th century, its East Village is the oldest part of town.
In the former Bank of Cambria building, The Vault Gallery showcases the art of leading plein air painters, as well as contemporary works by the likes of Billy Zane, co-star of Titanic. Plenty of people stop in Cambria just for a slice of the famous olallieberry pie at Linn’s Restaurant, while the eclectic global cuisine and historic adobe setting have made Robin’s restaurant a Central Coast dining landmark for more than 30 years. A few blocks away, the seasonal menu at the Black Cat Bistro and its intimate warren of dining areas set it apart as a favourite of couples looking for a romantic night out.
Nearby in the West Village, Madeline’s Restaurant & Wine Tasting Room pours top Central Coast wines by day and, in the evening, serves such favourites as lamb shank and a pan-seared duck breast. You can also browse through several galleries in this area—including Ephraim Pottery, where you’ll find pieces by owner Kevin Hicks, as well as handcrafted furniture and lamps.
Across Highway 1, Moonstone Beach is lined with hotels, many offering ocean-view rooms. Walk across the road and you can stroll above the surf on a bluff-top boardwalk that runs for about 1.5 miles—with beautiful views the entire way. For dinner along Moonstone Beach, go to the Sea Chest, which draws long lines (there are no reservations), thanks to an outstanding oyster bar and the popular calamari steak. And nearby, at the 437-acre Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, an extensive trail network follows the coastline and climbs into serene pine forests 400 feet above the ocean.
Pismo Beach
Whether you’re driving from the north or south on U.S. Highway 101, there’s an unforgettable moment as you reach Pismo Beach. The coastal hills open up to reveal shimmering turquoise waters and long stretches of the San Luis Obispo County coastline, with glimpses of this vintage beach town hugging the shore. Work your way toward the sands, through streets of beach cottages, surf shops, and clam chowder joints.
Don’t miss the historic 1,200-foot-long Pismo Beach Pier. Built in 1928, the pier is the closest thing to a town square for Pismo Beach. Take a walk out over the waves to watch the surfers, or maybe try your hand at fishing (no licence required) for red snapper, ling cod, or even the occasional thresher shark. From the pier, stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk, or just hike along the hard-packed sands; the broad, flat expanses make this one of the most walkable beaches in all of California.
The broad, flat expanses at Pismo Beach make this one of the most walkable beaches in all of California.
Pismo Beach’s gorgeous setting means that there are all sorts of ways to connect to nature. Saddle up for horseback through the dunes just south of town and all the way to the surf on guided outings with Pacific Dunes Riding Ranch. Tours with Central Coast Kayaks take paddlers into dramatic sea caves tucked into the craggy coastline north of downtown. Or, rent a “dune buggy” or an ATV to ride the dunes at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. And while you might spot 35-ton gray whales from the shores, tiny creatures that weigh less than a gram put on unforgettable displays when the thousands of monarch butterflies arrive at the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grovefrom late October to February.
An iconic beach town deserves some traditional beach food and in Pismo you’ll find all sorts of timeless favourites. Spoon up some of the silky, award-winning chowder at Splash Café. Or bite into the black Angus burgers at Wooly’s Beach Bar & Grill, where the deck overlooks the sand.
As the gateway to the nearby Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley wine regions, the culinary scene in Pismo Beach also has a sophisticated side. Discover an outstanding selection of local wines without leaving town at Tastes of the Valleys, which earned honors as one of the top 20 wine bars in America from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Pair gorgeous ocean views with fresh seafood at Oyster Loft (above Wooly’s) or Latin-inspired entrees at the Ventana Grill, two of the best sunset spots in town.
Speaking of sunsets, stay at one of Pismo Beach’s oceanfront resorts or hotels and you won’t even have to leave your room to watch the sky come aglow over the Pacific. At the pet-friendly SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel, open up the balcony door of your airy, contemporary room and fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Or spoil yourself at Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, where the indulgences include hot-stone massages and the five-course chef’s tasting menu at its Lido restaurant.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Downtown San Luis Obispo's most stately structure rises up from Mission Plaza. Founded in 1772 by Father Junipero Serra, it’s an impressive structure, fronted by an equally impressive beast—a sculpture of grizzly bear. These giant bears, now extinct in California, were once prevalent here, and spurred the name given to the region by the Portola expedition in 1769: La Cañada de los Osos (Valley of the Bears). (Grizzlies also made it onto the state flag.)
From the Plaza, look up to note the three bells suspended in the church façade. Inside, the classic mission design has a twist: a long secondary nave to the right of the altar. For more history and information, visit the mission’s excellent museum and its special focus on local Chumash Indians. Visiting on a Friday evening in summer? Lucky you. Join locals for free, family-friendly concerts featuring quality musicians from San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties in the beautiful Mission Plaza.
Beaches in San Luis Obispo County
When it comes to beaches along this stretch of the Central Coast, variety is the name of the game. There’s the fun-in-the sun spirit of balmy Avila Beach; stop by Pete’s Pierside Café and Fish Market to check out the local catch. And there are the broad, flat sands at Pismo Beach—one of California’s best strips of coastline for long strolls at sunset—plus there’s Pismo Beach’s signature pier, stretching out some 1,600 feet/488 meters above the waves. There are the rocky coves at Piedras Blancas, home to thousands of enormous elephant seals, making the site an outstanding destination for wildlife watching. Surfing is popular in several locations; check out the scene at Pico Creek near San Simeon.
In springtime, take leisurely hike along the flower-filled coastal terrace of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, in low-key Cambria, or stroll along the boardwalk at lovely Moonstone Beach. Just north of Cayucos, Estero Bluffs State Park offers wide-open ocean views from trails skirting the bluffs—a great place for whale watching, especially December through March. For an unforgettable experience, wind through the surreal shifting landscapes of Oso Flaco Lake, where a boardwalk leads through a section of one of the world’s largest coastal dune systems.
Farmers' Markets in San Luis Obispo County
Thursday evenings year-round, (except Thanksgiving or if it’s raining), the place to be in San Luis Obispo is Higuera Street, home to a farmers’ market with the soul of a street party. At this loved-by-locals weekly event, students and families gravitate downtown to pick up containers of Hayashi’s super-sweet strawberries or fresh roasted corn on the cob then catch up with friends. Live music makes a perfect backdrop for perusing all the fresh produce and artisanal foods, and chatting with local farmers.
Other markets abound in this bountiful region. There’s a produce-only farmers' market every Saturday at the San Luis Obispo Promenade shopping center and other gatherings in nearby Los Osos and neighboring communities.
San Luis Obispo County Wine Country
If you love wine, you’ve come to the right place. The San Luis Obispo region ranks as one of the state’s premiere wine growing regions, dating back to the 18th century and the time of the Spanish padres. But even if you don’t know a Cab from a Chardonnay, the wine country still beckons, with relaxed, cowboy-meets-winemaker towns, and vineyards blanketing coastal hills.
"If you love wine, you’ve come to the right place."
South of town, Edna Valley is home to many top wineries, such as Tolosa, Chamisal, and Balleyana. The average distance of Edna Valley vineyards to the ocean is just five miles, bringing mild days and cool evenings that help Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reach their maximum potential. A complex soil profile adds character and complexity too.
To extend your wine-country travels, continue about 30 miles northeast to the Paso Robles region. Here, more than 200 wineries ranging from family-owned boutiques to well-known labels such as J. Lohr and Estrella River welcome visitors to sip and swirl award-winning vintages. Paso Robles’ warmer inland climate lends itself to Bordeaux, Rhone and Zinfandel grapes, which vintners use in innovative blends, as well as traditional vintages. To achieve your own blend of variety, delight, and safety, consider joining a guided tour (group and private options abound, including Breakaway Tours, Alexis Limousines, and SLO Safe Ride).
Arts & culture
This community nourishes and promotes its artists in many ways, including a vibrant public arts program and joint events with Cal Poly; check local papers or the San Luis Obispo Arts Council website for details.
But if you only partake of one art-related foray on your visit, aim to be in town on the first Friday night of the month so you can check out the downtown Art After Dark program. Though many shops open earlier, Art After Dark officially starts at 6 p.m., with galleries inviting you to visit, have a glass of wine and a few nibbles, browse, and buy until 9 p.m. On a typical Art After Dark, over 20 galleries and non-traditional art venues (think restaurants, boutiques, and salons) spotlight established and emerging local artists. Many studios are also open, so you can chat with artists themselves.
If you’re in town when Cal Poly is in session, head up to campus to visit the University Art Gallery, in the Dexter Building, to see the latest student creations.
Wildlife Watching in San Luis Obispo County
From flittering monarch butterflies as light as a feather to elephant seals that tip the scales at more than 5,000 pounds/2,268 kilograms, San Luis Obispo County has an incredible variety of wildlife—and ways to see it. For starters, head to the rugged strip of coastline known as Piedras Blancas (Spanish for “white rocks”), alongside Highway One roughly 7 miles north of San Simeon. Here, some 17,000 elephant seals, once hunted to near extinction, haul up on the rocky sands to breed, have their young, molt, and rest. From observation areas above the sands, watch bellowing bull elephant seals as large as mini-vans battle for territory, while quieter, smaller females nurture their plump, cigar-shape pups. Knowledgeable docents are usually on site.
From late October into February, visit the remarkable monarch butterfly groves at Pismo State Beach to see these orange-and-black beauties as they congregate in great numbers during the winter. Recently, the population has averaged around 25,000 butterflies but more than 100,000 monarchs have gathered during peak seasons.
At Morro Bay, listen for the banging sound of sea otters using little rocks as tools to open shellfish. Scan the skies and waters for herons and egrets (there’s a lively rookery along the shoreline, near the natural history museum at Morro Bay State Park), as well as a huge number of migratory waterfowl and peregrine falcons (a pair often nests on Morro Rock). Join a guided kayak trip to paddle across the bay with a knowledgeable guide to see diving cormorants and basking harbour seals as well as sea otters, and to learn about local oyster farming. Paddle across the bay to climb tall sand dunes, a great place to look for migrating blue, gray, and humpback whales.
Outdoor Recreation
Get ready for a spectacular selection of outdoor experiences. Start with an invigorating leg stretch at Montaña de Oro State Park, 30 miles/48 kilometers west of San Luis Obispo (aka SLO). The name means “Mountain of Gold,” alluding not to the precious metal but to the dazzling springtime displays of golden wildflowers. This 8,000-acre/3,327-hectare coastal preserve has plenty of places to explore—head for trails climbing to the top of 1,347-foot/411-meter Valencia Peak, or peer into tide pools accessed via the Bluff Trail.
Bagging 1,546-foot/471-meter Bishop Peak—one of the region’s nine signature, elegantly rounded coastal mountains—is another popular hike. The 3½-mile/5½-km round trip walk is a workout, but you’ll be rewarded with whopping ocean and land views from the top.
Want to try beach camping? Reserve a spot for your tent at appealing (and popular) Spooner Cove. Or consider North Beach State Campground, about 14 miles/23 kilometers south of SLO in Pismo Beach; romp on more than 20 miles/32 kilometers of unspoiled sandy beaches, and find your perfect spot for digging legendary Pismo clams (permit required; see link below for details). Pismo State Beach is also known for its remarkable Monarch Butterfly Grove, where tens of thousands of the elegant, black-and-orange butterflies stop to rest during their annual migration. Spotting scopes are set up for easy viewing of the butterflies, which hang from trees in tight clusters in the evening to help stay warm through the night. In the morning, watch them flutter and fly as the sun coaxes them awake.
Biking has come on very strong in the region, and local bike shops and the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club can recommend a to match your ability and interests. Morro Bay, about 13 miles/21 kilometers northwest of SLO, has even more diversions for outdoor lovers. Local concessionaires offer fishing trips, as well as kayaking and sailing excursions.
Cal Poly
One of the best ways to experience a college campus is through its sports teams, and Cal Poly’s Mustangs don’t disappoint. Throughout the year, the university’s top-level sports teams offer high caliber play in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, water polo, tennis, cross country, swimming, diving, and more. Club sports offer even more ways to cheer on the home team—root for your favorite polo pony, or see who can best navigate the wickets during a croquet match.
The university’s Cal Poly Arts organization also presents a varied mix of performances—including well-known names like jazz trumpeter Branford Marsalis and the quirky Blue Man Group—throughout the year; most take place at the campus’s Performing Arts Center.
For a (literal) taste of the Cal Poly experience, stop by one of the in-season farm stands for the university’s onsite organic farm, a place for hands-on learning of sustainable farming practices.
San Luis Obispo County Beach Towns
Although they share a spectacular 50-mile/80-km stretch of California’s Central Coast, each of San Luis Obispo County’s five main beach towns boasts its own unique identity. Here’s a roundup of insider tips and local favorites in each of these unique, edge-of-the-sea communities, listed south to north.
Pismo Beach
With long, broad sands steps from its vintage downtown and the outstanding Edna Valley appellation just minutes away, Pismo Beach is where wine meets the surf. Pick up a salt-water fishing license, clam rake, and callipers at such local businesses as Gotta Go Fish’n, then hit the beach in search of the legendary Pismo lam, the largest clam along the California coast. Dig for these delicacies (you must use your callipers to make sure clams are the legal limit of 4.5 inches/11.43 centimeters; smaller ones get returned to the sand). Or leave the clamming to the pros and spoon up some acclaimed clam chowder at Splash Café, a favorite in Pismo’s funky downtown since 1989. For a taste of the local wine country, sample Pinot Noirs made with grapes sourced from Edna Valley and Avila Valley vineyards at Pismo Beach Winery.
Avila Beach
Hidden a few miles west of U.S. Highway 101, Avila Beach offers some of the county’s balmiest coastal weather and a rebuilt downtown and waterfront. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, join a guided hike following the Pecho Coast Trail to the 1890 Port San Luis Lighthouse (phone reservations required; 805/528-8758). Join a Seaweed Express (offered by Avila Beach Boat Charters) to explore sea caves and look for dolphins. Take in views of San Luis Bay while dining on jumbo coconut prawns and succulent wild California king salmon at the Old Custom House restaurant.
Morro Bay
Famous for Morro Rock, the “Gibraltar of the Pacific,” Morro Bay is a classic fishing town with harbor-front restaurants, and outstanding wildlife watching. Paddle the bay and keep your eyes open for sea otters and harbor seals on guided tours from Central Coast Outfitters, or rent your own equipment (consider Kayak Horizons) to paddle the calm waters. Along The Embarcadero, choose from a huge collection of rare seashells and decorative corals at The Shell Shop, then let the kids check out more than 200 skateboards from all eras at the Morro Bay Skateboard Museum. At The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar, gaze out on fishing boats and Morro Rock as you dine on entrees prepared with produce grown in nearby Los Osos Valley paired with wild-caught seafood and of course—local wines.
Cayucos
Budget Travel magazine once named Cayucos one of “America’s coolest small towns” and it definitely has a little bit of everything: great food, beaches, and hints of the Old West, thanks to a long ranching history. Ruddell’s Smokehouse is nothing fancy but bite into tacos made with smoked fish, including salmon and albacore, and you’ll know why visitors and locals line up to dine at this Cayucos favorite. For dessert, pick up the shortbread-like sweet-and-salty originals or irresistible espresso cookies at the Brown Butter Cookie Company. Now you have to work it all off, so take a hike with expansive ocean views at Estero Bluffs State Park, featuring 4 miles/6.4 kilometers of dramatic coastline just north of town.
Cambria
This artsy town, a gateway to Hearst Castle, is known for galleries, sophisticated dining, and a craggy coastline. Discover the creative side of this village as you shop for contemporary works by Cambria and Central Coast artists at The Vault Gallery (it’s in a historic bank building). Find hand-blown pieces by leading glass artists from around the world at Cambria Glassworks, then head across the street for patio and garden dining (don’t miss the classic salmon bisque) at Robin’s Restaurant.
