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I had wanted to go to SLO on a whim last year, but I was pleasantly shocked by how much I would love it when I got there. There are the most fabulous food options in town – huge portions of pasta, pillowy pizza, or tri tip sandwiches. But there’s also blue coastal and green hill views straight out from a postcard. Oh, and did I mention wine?
Why Go?
SLO has a pretty well-known college, but it’s also a lovely coastal town that’s close to wine countries and hilly hiking trails. However, since it is a college town, you’ll also get lots of affordable food options that’s deliciously fresh (thanks to the local agriculture) and fun night activities to keep you entertained.
Where to Stay?
On my last trip, my family and I really enjoyed our stay at Avenue Inn Downtown. It’s not a fancy resort, but it has all the amenities you need, free parking, and is walkable to downtown restaurants and wine bars.
How to Get Around?
It looks like downtown has a public transit line, but I highly recommend a car for this area as you’ll need it to access hiking trails and explore the other areas (i.e. Morro Rock, Paso Robles). The only tricky thing will be having to pay for downtown parking unless you choose to stay there and walk to places.
Top 3 Things to Do
- Bluffs Trail – This is an easy flat trail in the Montaña de Oro State Park that follows the bluffs along the coast. I’ve read that you can see whales or seals from time to time, but I haven’t been lucky to spot any wildlife besides birds. However, what is amazing are the ocean waves. In both cloudy and sunny conditions, the views are spectacular.
- Morro Rock – Just north above the Bluffs Trail is Morro Rock. It’s a well known landmark when one is driving up the Central Coast and while you can’t climb it, you can walk around it and see wild sea otters! Definitely worth a stop.
- Madonna Inn – This historical motel is known for its 110 individually themed rooms (all different!) that’s over-the top with their decorations, a little kitchy, and very whimsical. You don’t need to stay here to enjoy a visit. It’s definitely fun to see, walk the grounds, visit the gift shops, and maybe even get a slice of their Pink Champagne cake.
Top 3 Things to Eat
- Flour House – This is my favorite place in SLO! The pizza here is unrivaled – the crust is pillowy yet has a lovely chew. In addition to classics, they also have fresh takes on the combination of toppings. BUT, if you’re not in the mood for pizza, the pasta is also fantastic. In fact, I had the best gnocchi of my life during my last visit. It was in a saffron cream sauce with an osso buco. Oh, and the drinks are delightful as well. There’s creative Italian twists on classics as well as a nice selection of wines. TIP: They don’t take reservations and are only open for dinner so be prepared to wait.
- Mama’s Meatball – This is my number 2 recommendation in SLO. We had this last time when we wanted a night in the hotel. We ordered pastas to go and the portions were generous and the flavors were impeccable! It was perfect for a night in especially when the goal was to binge on carbs with TV.
- High St. Deli – This sandwich shop is well known in SLO, particularly the college kids as sandwiches used to be $4.20 after 4:20PM back in the day. Nowadays, the sandwiches are a bit pricier. While the sandwiches are good, I don’t find them particularly super unique although it is located in an ideal middle spot between the Bluffs Trail and Morro Rock.
Final Thoughts
I think the great thing about SLO is that it can be a one night stop on your way up to San Francisco or down to San Diego OR you can spend a long weekend enjoying the small coastal town vibes.
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