Update Dec 22, 2021: Unfortunately a couple of the initial recommendations below have closed (I’ve noted them below), so this list has been updated with the latest favorite places and spaces.

The central coast of California is nothing less than a gem along the gorgeous coastline, situated halfway between LA and San Francisco.

From the thriving (and increasingly popular) Central Coast wine countries to the beaches, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Having lived in San Luis Obispo for a few years, and purposely making a visit to the area at least once a year, I have a lot of love for the central coast. So with that, here are the absolute favorite places and spaces along the Central Coast that you have to visit if you’re in the area. Enjoy!

1. Ember Restaurant, Arroyo Grande

Enjoying a meal at Ember Restaurant is a must while in the Central Coast. Featuring a seasonal menu that changes monthly, Ember offers authentic food and an impressive wine list where local wines reign.

Each dish is fresh, honest and served beautifully. Ember also features an open kitchen setup and a wood-fired brick oven where amazing pizzas (and other dishes like Wood Fired Octopus served with padron peppers, baby frisee, pancetta vinaigrette and lemon aioli) are cooked.

Make a reservation and go for dinner. You will not be disappointed.

2. Scout Coffee, San Luis Obispo 

My all time favorite coffee shop, probably in the world (and no, I’m not exaggerating). Scout Coffee is a mom and pop shop that roasts their own beans (named HoneyCo Coffee) and serves up a really great cappuccino, as well as a honey tea bowl (pictured below), and housemade seasonal syrups. They also make some mean pastries – their sunshine buns are delightful and sell out quickly in the AM so get there early!

They’ve opened up a couple locations in the past couple years, but the Garden St. location is the OG and is located on a pretty street in downtown San Luis Obispo. At the Foothill St. location, you’ll find loads of parking and a slightly bigger set up in store. And if you go to Cal Poly, consider yourself lucky because they’re on campus now! (Although it’s probably for the best that they weren’t on campus when I was, because I would have been an even broker college student).

3. Sycamore Springs and Resort, Avila Beach 

Nestled in the hills right before you hit Avila Beach, you’ll find Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort and Spa where you can escape and relax.

You can choose to stay at the resort if you’re spending a couple days in Avila, but for those who are just looking for an hour of relaxation, visit their hot springs.

Sycamore has 23 naturally heated hillside mineral spring tubs that you can reserve by the hour. You can unwind with a drink in the hot springs and enjoy the hills surrounding your secluded mineral spring tubs. Sycamore’s hot springs are open year round until midnight with the last reservation at 10:45 pm.

Friendly tip: Make a reservation beforehand.

4. Thursday Night Farmer’s Market, San Luis Obispo 

Thursday night’s in San Luis Obispo are known for a farmer’s market that brings life to downtown SLO from 6-9 PM. Higuera Street (the main street downtown) is taken over with the smell of BBQ, fresh produce and the sounds of people dancing, cheering and enjoying the night.

With over 120 vendors at the Farmer’s Market, you don’t want to pass it up. Of course you’ll find the many booths of flowers and fresh produce from local farms as you walk along Higuera, but you’ll also find an incredible amount of food. From the tri tip and mini donuts to kettle and roasted corn, surely you will find something for dinner or to snack on as you walk through downtown.

Don’t miss a chance to experience a lively and fun stroll through San Luis Obispo’s popular Higuera Street on Thursday nights for Farmer’s.

5. Daou Vineyards, Paso Robles

Paso Robles is located about 30 min north of San Luis Obispo, and is home to a beautiful wine country that has over 200 tasting rooms. The wines are delightful (to say the least), and the drive to get to a majority of the wineries is stunning.

One winery in particular that has it all is Daou Family Estates. The winery is located located at the top of a hill, making for a beautiful wine tasting experience. You’ll find exceptional wines (step aside Napa Valley), stunning views and amazing service. What more could you want out of an experience? There’s also the food – they offer shared plates and pairing experiences as well. Make a reservation ahead of time and enjoy a beautiful afternoon sipping on delicious wine and enjoy the view.

6. Black Hill, Morro Bay

Enjoy the outdoors and hike Black Hill in Morro Bay. The hill is a 661-foot volcanic peak and is part of the Nine Sisters of San Luis. The Nine Sisters are a group of nine ancient volcanic mountains that extend in a line from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay.

Black Hill is a fairly easy and short hike at 0.6 miles round trip but you get a stunning view of Morro Bay and the surrounding coastline.

7. Goshi Sushi, San Luis Obispo

I’m very confident in saying this is the best sushi in San Luis Obispo, and along the greater central coast. And I almost didn’t want to share this because I wanted to keep it a little secret, but here we go.

Goshi Sushi is the place for sushi. Hands down. The fish is fresh, the sushi bar is fun and everything else is lovely. It’s located in downtown San Luis Obispo but hidden in a little area that’s been redone recently (and is charming) called The Creamery Marketplace. So get some sushi, and head over to Nite Creamery after for some ice cream made more exciting by liquid nitrogen.

8. Montaña de Oro State Park, Los Osos

For a beautiful hike or walk, visit Montaña de Oro in Los Osos. You’ll find the gorgeous Pacific Ocean as you walk through the trails, as well as beaches, canyons and cliffs. It’s a beautiful place to talk a walk and take in some fresh coastal air.

Any other favorite places along the central coast in California? Let me know in the comments!

Unfortunately the below two places closed over the past couple of years but keeping these in as a note!

1. The Station, San Luis Obispo

An old gas station transformed into a wine shop, market and event space. That’s what The Station is.

You’ll find carefully curated wines from across the globe that aren’t readily available anywhere else. Peruse the shelves, buy a bottle or have a glass of wine they’re pouring and take it into their open space to enjoy.

The Station also has a variety of great gifts from Stumptown Coffee and small-batch bitters and shrubs, to other specialty goods.

This spot also hosts its own events (such as an art bar, blind tastings and seminars) and has local food trucks swing by during the week (currently The Grilled Cheese Incident and Granada’s Raw Bar that has a rotating menu of oysters on the half shell).

So visit The Station and grab a glass or a bottle (because wine not) of wine you won’t find anywhere else in SLO.

2. Centrally Grown, Cambria

Secluded along Highway 1 right across the Pacific Ocean is a place where you can enjoy lunch and dinner, take a free yoga class, have some drinks, and shop around the market. Centrally Grown is a unique happy place where you can take in all the Central Coast has to offer.

The restaurant is upstairs and overlooks the ocean, giving you a beautiful view as you enjoy a meal that features fresh and contrasting flavors that blend beautifully together. The vibe is comfortable and cozy yet fun and vibrant.

The Centrally Grown grounds also feature edible gardens and ocean view patios for you to relax in. There’s plenty of seating throughout the grounds so you can grab a couple glasses of wine from the market and enjoy lunch or a snack outdoors.