About the Central Coast

Downtown San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo’s downtown is famous for its beautiful small-town atmosphere, unique boutique shopping, and diverse restaurant and bar selection. There is truly something for everyone in downtown SLO; wine tasting, fine dining, ice cream, casual restaurants, coffee and tea shops, clothing stores, bakeries, and too much more to mention! Big name stores such as Gap and Abercrombie and Fitch are surrounded by small local shops such as Moondoggies Surf Co and the Hempshak. With so much variety, one could easily spend a whole day in downtown alone!

Downtown San Luis also hosts many special events and after-hours entertainment. Thursday night is the downtown Farmer’s Market, which has been a San Luis Obispo tradition since 1983. Vendors come from across California to sell produce, food, clothes, and other items at the biggest Farmer’s Market on the Central Coast! Special events and concerts are frequently held at the Mission Plaza, and the famous bubble gum alley is nestled on Higuera Street. At night, college students and young professionals crowd the bars for late night drink specials and dancing. Check the Coastalvisitor Calendar of Events for the times and dates of all the downtown revelry.

Avila Bay

Avila Beach, facing south, is buffered from wind and lingering summer fog along the North Coast. Locals agree that Avila has best climate anywhere in San Luis Obispo County. It is the favorite beach for sunbathing, picnics, and romantic walks along the shore. The Avila Bay pier also offers some of the freshest fish in the county, whether you prefer to catch your own or have a professional do it for you! If you’re lucky, you can find sea lions and seals lounging on the bottom of the pier – just be careful not to get too close! Every Friday, Avila is also home to one of the best Fish and Farmers markets in California. One can enjoy outdoor entertainment along the promenade and eat mouthwatering fish tacos and crepes by the sea.

Village of Arroyo Grande

One of the most charming hot spots in South County, the Village of Arroyo Grande captures the old town feel of the Wild West. A beautiful and surprising blend of old and new (some of the buildings date from as far back as the 1830s), the Arroyo Grande village offers fun for the whole family. Where else in California can you cross a swinging bridge, chase a free-roaming rooster along the river, enjoy a farmers market on Saturday or go shopping for food, drinks, clothes, and antiques? Annual events such as the Strawberry festival in May and the Harvest Festival in September are favorites for locals and tourists.

Oceano Dunes

Oceano Dunes State Recreational Area is a Mecca for All Terrain Vehicle and Off Road Vehicle enthusiasts. Veteran ORV’ers can bring their own dune buggy or motorcycle and shred some of the most challenging coastal dune formations in all of California. Adventurous novices can also get in on the action by renting an ATV and honing their skills on some of the more forgiving inclines.

For campers, Oceano is the only California state park which allows vehicles to drive right up on the beach! You can pitch a tent and camp out on the sand if the conditions are right -- take care to check the weather and make sure that your vehicle can make it onto the beach without getting stuck. There are also several RV parks in the Oceano and Grover Beach area.