Itineraries for Your Trip to San Luis Obispo
3 Days in San Luis Obispo for Foodies
There’s no shortage of delicacies in San Luis Obispo. This charming Central California city, affectionately known as SLO (pronounced “slow”), is home to a wide variety of excellent restaurants with tasty dishes representing many different cultures. Whether it's Mexican tacos, Italian pasta, or local farm-to-table cuisine, there’s something for every kind of palate in San Luis Obispo. Plus, there’s tons of fresh produce at the farmer’s market and world-class wine at nearby vineyards. I’ve scoured the city’s wealth of delicious eateries for years, and I’ve picked some standout gems to recommend to my fellow foodies. Here’s what to do on a 3-day trip to San Luis Obispo.
SLO is sunny in the summer but cooler in winter; light layers are a must year-round.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the San Luis Obispo Public Market.
After a delicious breakfast downtown at Big Sky Cafe, take a self-guided audio tour of the area to learn about San Luis Obispo's history and landmark buildings at your own pace.
After a morning spent exploring, you'll have worked up an appetite. Get ready to sample the culinary delights offered on a food tour of the downtown area: all food and drinks are included.
In the evening, enjoy locally produced wine at sleek Saints Barrel before heading to your hotel; the town’s classic trolley runs from downtown to the hotels at the north end of Monterey Street.
Start day two at one of the city's favorite cafes; Scout Coffee Co. and Linnaea's Cafe are great options. Then head to the coast, and the nearby town of Cayucos, to forage seaweed. (You’ll use it to prepare avocado toast with a twist and learn some new recipes to take home.)
Continue down the coast to Morro Bay, where you can take in sweeping views on an e-bike tour.
When you return to SLO, take a foodie tour of some of the city’s best restaurants in the trendy MoJo District and sample a smorgasbord of foods and specialty cocktails.
You won’t want to leave the area without doing some wine tasting in nearby Paso Robles. On your last day, start with a treat from House of Bread or SloDoCo and a walk in the Irish Hills Natural Reserve, then head out on a winery tour.
Alternatively, head to the San Luis Obispo Public Market for a progressive lunch at ten different eateries, then enjoy some shopping at local boutiques and vintage shops.
If your last day happens to fall on a Thursday, enjoy the evening farmers’ market’s fresh produce and live music before you leave town.
