Your Vacation Guidebook
Our favorite restaurants
Favorite Restaurants in Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Pismo area. For our favorite restaurants in San Luis Obispo, check the section below.
Only a 6-minute drive from your Airbnb, this is one of the best restaurants on the coast where you can enjoy the sunset. Prices are reasonable and the food is always incredible. Reservations found online: VentanaGrill.com, as sometimes the wait can be lengthy.
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Ventana Grill
2575 Price StOnly a 6-minute drive from your Airbnb, this is one of the best restaurants on the coast where you can enjoy the sunset. Prices are reasonable and the food is always incredible. Reservations found online: VentanaGrill.com, as sometimes the wait can be lengthy.
Family-run spot presenting creative, modern Japanese eats plus beer & wine in a bright, snug space. Can be pricey but the sushi is always fresh!
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Pacific Umi Sushi
1319 W Grand AveFamily-run spot presenting creative, modern Japanese eats plus beer & wine in a bright, snug space. Can be pricey but the sushi is always fresh!
Our favorite restaurant in Grover Beach! This is the best Thai food around. We recommend the pumpkin curry, pad see ew, and the spicy eggplant. Be warned— this food is spicy! Make sure to ask for mild if you don’t love *very spicy* food.
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Divine Thai
501 W Grand AveOur favorite restaurant in Grover Beach! This is the best Thai food around. We recommend the pumpkin curry, pad see ew, and the spicy eggplant. Be warned— this food is spicy! Make sure to ask for mild if you don’t love *very spicy* food.
Delicious GIGANTIC burgers. A great place for dinner after a big beach day with the family. We especially love the Hana and California burgers.
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Sylvester's Burgers
1099 Santa Ynez AveDelicious GIGANTIC burgers. A great place for dinner after a big beach day with the family. We especially love the Hana and California burgers.
An impressive restaurant that is popular with the locals! Mason Bar is located in downtown Arroyo Grande, which is a beautiful place to visit and shop. Great farm-to-table food and excellent service. There is usually seating available in the restaurant (for a nice dinner out) and in the bar room (for a more casual experience.)
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Mason Bar and Kitchen
307 E Branch StAn impressive restaurant that is popular with the locals! Mason Bar is located in downtown Arroyo Grande, which is a beautiful place to visit and shop. Great farm-to-table food and excellent service. There is usually seating available in the restaurant (for a nice dinner out) and in the bar room (for a more casual experience.)
Locals enjoy this restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They serve classic American fare and fresh-baked pies. Known for being a great family-friendly restaurant.
Coco's Bakery Restaurant
411 5 Cities DrLocals enjoy this restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They serve classic American fare and fresh-baked pies. Known for being a great family-friendly restaurant.
Breakfast, Brunch, and Coffee
If you stop in Shell beach, this is a great place for açaí bowls, smoothies, and vegan ice cream. A wonderful treat for a day at the beach or after kayaking!
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JOY Shell Beach
1801 Shell Beach RdIf you stop in Shell beach, this is a great place for açaí bowls, smoothies, and vegan ice cream. A wonderful treat for a day at the beach or after kayaking!
Wonderful small coffee co. with quality drinks and delicious house made paninis. Only a 2 minute drive or 10 minute walk from the Airbnb.
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Red Bee Coffee
278 W Grand AveWonderful small coffee co. with quality drinks and delicious house made paninis. Only a 2 minute drive or 10 minute walk from the Airbnb.
Great coffee spot located just off the Pismo Beach boardwalk. We love the affogato (espresso over ice cream) on a hot day!
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Kraken Coffee Company
310 Front StGreat coffee spot located just off the Pismo Beach boardwalk. We love the affogato (espresso over ice cream) on a hot day!
This coffeehouse has cozy bohemian workspaces and delicious seasonal drinks. Their offerings are always changing and always good! The matcha is wonderful!
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Tribe Coffeehouse
1355 E Grand AveThis coffeehouse has cozy bohemian workspaces and delicious seasonal drinks. Their offerings are always changing and always good! The matcha is wonderful!
Experiences
Shell Beach is a hidden treasure. Small and tucked away from the tourist bustle of Pismo Beach, this is a beautiful place to picnic, watch the sunset, and even surf when the tide is too much at Pismo Beach.
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Shell Beach
Shell Beach is a hidden treasure. Small and tucked away from the tourist bustle of Pismo Beach, this is a beautiful place to picnic, watch the sunset, and even surf when the tide is too much at Pismo Beach.
A gorgeous spot for hiking and mountain biking. Vamanos is an easy trail to do with kids or if you just want to see the view!
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Pismo Preserve
80 Mattie RdA gorgeous spot for hiking and mountain biking. Vamanos is an easy trail to do with kids or if you just want to see the view!
Pismo Beach is known for its walkable beaches and surfable waves. It is likely the most famous beach on the Central Coast. A great place to swim, surf, eat and shop. The newly refurbished boardwalk is fun for kids and great for ocean fishing too.
Local tip: you don't need to pay for parking if you are willing to walk just a few blocks past Old West Cinnamon Rolls.
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Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is known for its walkable beaches and surfable waves. It is likely the most famous beach on the Central Coast. A great place to swim, surf, eat and shop. The newly refurbished boardwalk is fun for kids and great for ocean fishing too.
Local tip: you don't need to pay for parking if you are willing to walk just a few blocks past Old West Cinnamon Rolls.
For the best Kayaking experience, head to Shell beach where you can explore the coast oceanside! Central Coast Kayaks offers rentals with or without tours. If you choose to Kayak on a weekend they often extend your rental/tour time. Ask to see the "dinosaur caves" and remember to bring a plastic bag for your phone or other electronic devices!
(You will need to leave an ID with them as well!)
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Central Coast Kayaks
1879 Shell Beach RdFor the best Kayaking experience, head to Shell beach where you can explore the coast oceanside! Central Coast Kayaks offers rentals with or without tours. If you choose to Kayak on a weekend they often extend your rental/tour time. Ask to see the "dinosaur caves" and remember to bring a plastic bag for your phone or other electronic devices!
(You will need to leave an ID with them as well!)
Great for kids! Eucalyptus tree-filled grove with thousands of monarch butteries in late October through February. This site provides an educational experience with docent experts (and a virtual tour when docents are not available). In the off-season, this is a beautiful park for picnics.
Tip: bring binoculars for an enhanced viewing experience!
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Monarch Butterfly Grove
400 South Dolliver StreetGreat for kids! Eucalyptus tree-filled grove with thousands of monarch butteries in late October through February. This site provides an educational experience with docent experts (and a virtual tour when docents are not available). In the off-season, this is a beautiful park for picnics.
Tip: bring binoculars for an enhanced viewing experience!
We recommend this rental shop if you would like to try surfing. They have phenomenal deals and service. They also have student discounts.
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Pismo Beach Surf Shop
160 Hinds AveWe recommend this rental shop if you would like to try surfing. They have phenomenal deals and service. They also have student discounts.
Groceries
Every Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 11 am. A 6-minute drive from the Airbnb.
SLO county Farmers' Market- Arroyo Grande
1402 E Grand AveEvery Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 11 am. A 6-minute drive from the Airbnb.
Each Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on the Pier Promenade there is a weekly Farmers' Market. Meet local vendors and farmers while enjoying the scenic views of Pismo Beach.
There are local vegetables, berries, crafts, treats, etc.
The market runs from March to October every year.
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Pismo Beach Pier
100 Pomeroy AveEach Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on the Pier Promenade there is a weekly Farmers' Market. Meet local vendors and farmers while enjoying the scenic views of Pismo Beach.
There are local vegetables, berries, crafts, treats, etc.
The market runs from March to October every year.
Venture Out
These recommendations for experiences in our county beyond the 5 cities area. Stop at these places along the way or make it a day trip!
The small fishing town of Morro Bay is just a 30 minute drive from the Airbnb. This is a great place to have fish and chips at The Hofbrau, kayak, and enjoy the sea life. Sea otters, seals, and coastal birds call Morro Bay home. Morro Bay is also known for its great waves for surfing and wakeboarding. The “strand” or Main Street has great shopping and a beautiful view of THE ROCK. It is typically colder and windier here than in Grover Beach. Remember to bring a jacket!
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Morro Rock
Coleman DriveThe small fishing town of Morro Bay is just a 30 minute drive from the Airbnb. This is a great place to have fish and chips at The Hofbrau, kayak, and enjoy the sea life. Sea otters, seals, and coastal birds call Morro Bay home. Morro Bay is also known for its great waves for surfing and wakeboarding. The “strand” or Main Street has great shopping and a beautiful view of THE ROCK. It is typically colder and windier here than in Grover Beach. Remember to bring a jacket!
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 Grover Beach 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.
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Parco Statale di Montaña de Oro
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 Grover Beach 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.
This beach is less than 15 minutes from the Airbnb. Here, you can walk along the Bob Jones trail, lounge in the sunshine, hammock under 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!
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Avila Beach
This beach is less than 15 minutes from the Airbnb. Here, you can walk along the Bob Jones trail, lounge in the sunshine, hammock under 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 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 our county has to offer and could be worth the excersion to SLO.
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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 our county has to offer and could be worth the excersion to SLO.
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
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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
Wineries
This small apple farm and winery is 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. Go visit Avila beach just down the road.
This small apple farm and winery is just a short drive away from the Airbnb. Here, 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.
We recommend the hard cider.
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Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards
1947 See Canyon RdThis small apple farm and winery is just a short drive away from the Airbnb. Here, 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.
We recommend the hard cider.
Known for their unique white wines, this winery is located between Grover Beach and San Luis Obispo. Worth a try even if you don't think you like white wine!"
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Claiborne & Churchill Winery
2649 Carpenter Canyon RdKnown for their unique white wines, this winery is located between Grover Beach and San Luis Obispo. Worth a try even if you don't think you like white wine!"
Edna Valley Vineyard is known for its Chardonnay but has a variety of exceptional wines. Incredible views of the valley and a beautiful tasting room make this winery a standout.
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Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 Biddle Ranch RdEdna Valley Vineyard is known for its Chardonnay but has a variety of exceptional wines. Incredible views of the valley and a beautiful tasting room make this winery a standout.
A wonderful winery for a picnic. Enjoy some of the best wine around amid the gorgeous valley views. This is the place if you love reds! We recommend making a reservation a few days in advance.
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Baileyana, Tangent & True Myth Tasting Room
5828 Orcutt RdA wonderful winery for a picnic. Enjoy some of the best wine around amid the gorgeous valley views. This is the place if you love reds! We recommend making a reservation a few days in advance.
Our favorite restaurants - San Luis Obispo
Many guests decide to visit San Luis Obispo and/or Cal Poly. These are some places we love as SLO Locals.
One of our favorite restaurants if you happen to visit SLO. They serve an amazing selection of Mediterranean food, delicious pizza, and drinks on tap. We love the gyro pizza and the chicken shwarma plate!
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Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill
1210 Higuera StOne of our favorite restaurants if you happen to visit SLO. They serve an amazing selection of Mediterranean food, delicious pizza, and drinks on tap. We love the gyro pizza and the chicken shwarma plate!
If you make it out to SLO-- 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
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Scout Coffee
1130 Garden StIf you make it out to SLO-- 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
A great menu that changes every season. They serve unique sliders, salads, mac&cheese, fries, and appetizers. We love the garlic fries and you can never go wrong with their sliders.
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TASTE! craft eatery
2550 Broad StA great menu that changes every season. They serve unique sliders, salads, mac&cheese, fries, and appetizers. We love the garlic fries and you can never go wrong with their sliders.
Huge portions at this family friendly restaurant! The fish is fresh and everything is delicious. Just on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo should you want Mexican food after a day at the beach. We recommend any of the tostadas or fish tacos.
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Taco Temple San Luis Obispo
1575 Calle JoaquinHuge portions at this family friendly restaurant! The fish is fresh and everything is delicious. Just on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo should you want Mexican food after a day at the beach. We recommend any of the tostadas or fish tacos.