For delicious, locally sourced, authentic Sichuan cuisine, check out Sichuan Kitchen in SLO! Stop by their Monday night takeout buffet for a selection of seasonal dishes. Bring your own tupperware and fill it up with anything that catches your eye. I went recently and they had a huge variety, including rice, dumplings, noodles, mapo tofu,…
It’s spooky season again, and SLO county has events ranging from the truly terrifying to the not-so-scary family friendly! Here are just a few of the Halloween events you’ll find around town: 1. Cambria Scarecrow Festival 📅 October 1 – October 31, 2026 👻 Wander through Cambria to discover over 200 quirky, creative scarecrows that…
If you’re a bagel sandwich lover, you already know JonnyBoy’s Bagelry and Jewish Delicatessen. Located right in Atascadero’s newly upgraded downtown, JonnyBoy’s is the go to spot for delicious bagels and sandwiches. Start off with a mouthwatering potato knish or latkes before the star of the show: the bagels! Handmade, boiled, and baked fresh daily,…
Join the SLO Botanical Garden on October 3rd for a celebration of cake! Join in the fun started by San Francisco’s iconic annual Cake Picnic right here on the Central Coast. There will be live music, drinks, activities, and, of course, lots of cake! Each ticketholder must bring a cake, either homemade or purchased from…
I just got married in May, and it was the most perfect day! Here are all of the vendors that helped to make my wedding day beautiful, and why I would recommend each of them: Zippi Photography All of the photos in this post are by Zippi Photography! Amanda was wonderful to work with from…
For the best sushi in Shell Beach–and, perhaps, the Five Cities–look no further than Kanpai. Located on Shell Beach Road near Spyglass Inn and Dolphin Bay Resort, Kanpai is the go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. While I definitely recommend making a reservation or calling ahead as they can get busy on weekends, sometimes…
Join Downtown SLO on September 19th for the inaugural Paint the Plaza! Local artists, schools, families, and businesses are invited to transform Mission Plaza into an open air art gallery with chalk artworks! Everyone is welcome, no matter if you’re an aspiring artist or a professional. Local businesses and organizations will be sponsoring the larger…
If you haven’t been to Sensorio in Paso Robles yet, you’re definitely missing out. One of California’s largest immersive art exhibitions, Sensorio is an unforgettable experience. Set in the rolling hills just outside Paso Robles, Sensorio transports you to another world. When you arrive, you’re greeted by live music and a selection of food and…
Head over to Ramona Garden Park on August 29th & 30th for Stone Soup!! Stone Soup is a multicultural music festival and street fair, and has been a Grover Beach tradition for over 30 years! All of the concerts are free to attend, and there will be lots of local food and merch vendors to…
Looking for an easy and yummy lunch to take to the beach or on your hike this summer? Here are a few of my favorite sandwich places in the Five Cities: House of the Rising Buns 🥪Located just a couple blocks from the Pismo Pier, House of the Rising Buns is the place to go…
End your summer with a weekend of fun at Atascadero’s Cruisin’ Weekend! The weekend kicks off with the 33rd annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite on Friday, with over 150 beautiful vintage cars cruising up and down El Camino Real. There’s a whole new route this year, covering more than a mile! Choose your favorite…
Tucked right in the middle of San Luis Obispo is City Farm SLO! City Farm SLO is a 501(c)(3) organization that has stewarded nineteen acres of the Calle Joaquin Agricultural Reserve since 2013. Thirteen acres are sublet to small-scale, independent farmers and the other six acres are farmed by the nonprofit through volunteer work and…
It’s that time of year again: the Mid-State Fair is back! Head over to the Paso Robles Fairgrounds July 15-26, 2026 for a day of fun! If you haven’t been to the Mid-State Fair, you should definitely go this summer. Tickets are $15 at the gate for adults, and $10 for kids. If you love…
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with events all over SLO county! Here are just a few of the celebrations this year: 4th of July Celebration in Cambria Head over to Shamel Park for a full day of family friendly events, music, and a BBQ! 📍Cambria Vistor Center – 5455 Windsor Blvd, Cambria, CA 93428 ⏰11:00 am…
Looking for the coziest Italian home cooking in the Five Cities? Check out Jimmy D’s Spaghetti Joint! Located on the corner of Grand and 13th, Jimmy D’s is the definition of cozy. The restaurant itself has a very casual atmosphere, and the staff is friendly and welcoming so you feel right at home. Every pasta…
For an afternoon full of delicious food and some of the best wine Paso Robles has to offer, check out the Pinot and Paella Festival! On June 7, 2026, Templeton Community Park will be taken over by booths offering wine and paella tastings and live music! Over twenty-three wineries will be pouring Pinot Noir, which…
The Arroyo Grande Summer Concert Series kicks off on the Fourth of July with a special double concert! Head over to Heritage Square Park every Sunday for a free and family-friendly concert. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the sunshine! 2026 Lineup: July 4th – The Village Band & The Mother Corn Shuckers…
Back for its 30th year, Concerts in the Plaza returns to Mission Plaza on June 19th! Concerts in the Plaza is the largest free concert series on the Central Coast. Every Friday evening, enjoy live music, dancing, and a variety of food and drinks available for purchase. It’s the perfect way to kick off the…
The Pacific Breeze Concert Series is back for their 17th year! This year’s series kicks off with a special Mother’s Day Concert celebrating moms and families in our community! Each concert is free and family friendly, making them the perfect excuse to get the whole family outside on a Sunday afternoon. The concerts will be…
Central Coast Outdoors and Grassy Bar Oyster Company are partnering to offer tours that combine kayaking and oyster tasting! The tours visit Grassy Bar Oyster Company’s farm in the middle of Morro Bay National Estuary by kayak. Central Coast Outdoors guides help you paddle out and explain how the oyster farm works and answer questions,…
The World Dog Surfing Championships Exhibition Tour is coming to Pismo Beach! Six of the world’s best dog surfing teams will be catching waves just off the Pismo Pier. This is something you won’t want to miss, so make sure to go by the pier on May 2nd to see these talented pups. Surfing starts…
Want to support local students and have some delicious BBQ at the same time? Head over to the Arroyo Grande Community Center for the Arroyo Grande High School Interact Club fundraiser BBQ! On May 2, 2026, the Pismo Beach Rotary Club will be cooking up tri-tip dinners to raise money for the AGHS Interact Club’s…
Fans of Corazon Cafe in SLO will be happy to hear about Chef Chencho’s newest restaurant, La Pizca! Right on the edge of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach, La Pizca is not to be missed. Featuring cuisine from Southern Mexico, La Pizca brings a few of your favorite Corazon Cafe dishes along with several new…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year here on the Central Coast, when it’s warming up (or cooling down, this year) and the farm stands are bursting with fresh fruits and veggies. There are many, many farm stands where you can find the freshest produce around throughout the county, and I’m sure all of…
Shabang Music Festival is back May 2nd and 3rd, 2026 for their eleventh year! Started in 2014 as a concert in the mountains of SLO, Shabang has grown to a multi-day festival with four stages and a wide variety of music. Headliners this year include Chris Lake, The Backseat Lovers, Polo & Pan, and Magdalena…
As we go through yet another week of this heatwave, I’m sure many of us are looking for somewhere to go and cool off. Here are a few local hotels that offer daily pool passes, allowing you to beat the heat in style: Vespera Resort 🏖️ Set right on the beach, Vespera offers access to…
The 2026 Morro Bay Kite Festival is April 24-26! Head over to Morro Rock for a free and family friendly weekend, watching the kites fly or flying your own! Take advantage of the famously windy beach, which some professional kite flyers have said is the best kite-flying wind in the world, and enjoy the simple…
Pismo Beach has been named one of the best places to live on the coast by Coastal Living Magazine! Maybe we’re biased, but we definitely think Pismo was a great choice for the number one spot! Our picture-perfect pier headlines the article, setting a high bar for the rest of the selections. The article calls…
Calling all cat lovers! Can you imagine anything better than curling up with a coffee and a cat? At the Caffeinated Cat Cafe, you can enjoy a delicious hot drink and pastry while surrounded by adoptable cats! Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are allowed if there are spots available! Space is limited to not overwhelm…
Happy Lunar New Year! This year is the Year of the Horse, representing energy, optimism, and moving forward. We’re moving out of the Year of the Snake, which represents transformation and letting go of the past. While Lunar New Year is officially recognized on February 17th, Downtown SLO is hosting a celebration on the 19th…
The 7th annual Central Coast Craft Beer Fest is March 21st, 2026! Head over to the beautiful Sunken Gardens in Atascadero for tastings from local breweries, wineries, and much more. When you arrive at the festival–VIP ticketholders get in an hour early!–you’ll receive a souvenir glass and access to samples from more than 55 craft…
The newest restaurant from the owners of Mistura and Mama’s Meatball, Nicola is the place to go for a wonderful dinner. Nicola is the namesake restaurant of head chef Nicola Allegretta and features Bachiche cuisine that is absolutely delicious. “Bachiche” refers to the fusion of Peruvian and Italian traditions that originated in the 1800s as…
Located on the corner of Tank Farm Road and South Higuera Street, SLO Public Market truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for delicious food, boutique shopping, or even dance lessons, SLO Public Market has it! Here are just a few of the wonderful businesses you can find there: Baht 🍴Street-style Thai food inspired…
At the end of Grand Avenue sits Grover Beach Sourdough, the sourdough lover’s dream bakery! It’s your one stop shop for everything from bagels to loaves of bread to delicious sandwiches and even cheesecake! Fans of the dearly (and hopefully temporarily!) departed Spoon Trade will recognize a few of your Spoon Trade favorites, like brown…
Tucked away in the hills outside Paso Robles lies the California Lavender Honey Farm! Established in 2021, the farm offers fresh lavender, hyperlocal honey, and much more. The farm stretches over 10 acres, and offers personalized tours every weekend! Over your hour-and-a-half tour, you’ll learn about the farm, take a tour of their one of…
Calling all SLO county cinephiles! The 9th annual Cambria Film Festival is February 4-8! Founded in 2018, the Cambria Film Festival features independent films from all over the world. This year, they’ll even have their first feature film from Iran! Whatever genre you like, there’s something for you; from horror to romcoms to documentaries to…
Since it’s finally getting cold here on the Central Coast, there’s nothing better than a hot drink, and no one can beat Tribe Coffeehouse! You’ll feel at home as soon as you walk through the door and are greeted by the wonderful staff. My coffee-drinking family will tell you that Tribe has some of the…
Looking for the perfect gift, or finding the right addition to your home decor? Amber Creek Collections in the Arroyo Grande Village is the place to go. Located right at the beginning of the Village, locally-owned Amber Creek Collections has been helping bring unique touches to the Central Coast for three years. Their showroom is…
Calling all aspiring artists! The Gallery in Arroyo Grande is teaching a Sip and Paint class on the last Saturday of every month! These classes are perfect for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned artists. Join instructor Brandon Smith for fine wine, great company, and individualized guidance while you paint a beautiful still life.…
Founded in 2022, Monarch Books is the crown jewel of the Arroyo Grande Village. Featuring everything from best sellers to local authors to children’s books, you’re sure to find your new favorite book here! Walking in, you’re greeted by the owner or her family–all central coast locals!–as you begin to look around. The front section…
As we kick off the holiday season, it’s hard to imagine a better way to get into the holiday spirit than making your own festive wreath. Shell Beach Floral Design is hosting a hands-on wreath making happy hour this December! This December 4th, head over to Shell Beach Floral Design’s new location for a hands-on…
We’re officially less than two months away from the new year, which means it’s time to decide how you want to ring in 2026! Of course, you could always stay home and watch the ball drop with friends and family, or there are lots of events going on across the county! Here are just a…
If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out the Great American Melodrama! Located right on Highway 1 in Oceano, it’s just about the most fun you could have on a night out. The Great American Melodrama opened its doors in 1975 and has been performing top-notch musicals and comedies ever since.…
As we head into the holiday season, cities all around the county will be shimmering with Christmas lights at their annual tree lightings! Here are a few free events you can find around the county: San Luis Obispo 📅 November 28, 2025 ⏰ 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm 📍Mission Plaza – 989 Chorro St, San…
As we get closer to the end of the year, it’s time to start looking forward to the holidays. No matter what you celebrate, it’s always nice to have a festive dinner with family and friends. Here’s a collection of our favorite dishes to share, from the Pismo Beach Homes family to yours! Ashlea’s Sautéed…
Tucked away in the Granada Hotel, Nightcap is the cutest speakeasy cocktail bar you’ll ever see. Walking in, you’re greeted by lush velvet, exposed brick, and a mirrored ceiling. Take a seat at the bar for a front-row view, or bring a few friends and feel like a VIP in the very private-feeling booths. Thus…
Head over to Pismo Beach on November 6th, 7th, and 8th for the first annual Sand Art Festival! The shores of Pismo Beach will be transformed into an open air art gallery, free to enjoy and perfect for a family outing. Watch as artists create ocean-inspired sand art installations, with the beach itself as the…
If you’re looking for the best, freshest sushi in San Luis Obispo, you should really check out Goshi. Tucked back in the Creamery in downtown SLO–with another location coming soon in the SLO Public Market–Goshi is sure to be your new favorite restaurant. Their menu doesn’t feature many of the complicated rolls that we often…
Meet Emily Martin, the newest member of the Pismo Beach Homes Team! A former resident of Ventura County, Emily found her way to the Central Coast to continue her education at Cuesta College. She fell in love with the area and eventually made it her foreverhome. She was enticed by the natural beauty, the…
It’s spooky season again, and SLO county has events ranging from the truly terrifying to the not-so-scary family friendly! Here are just a few of the Halloween events you’ll find around town: 1. Cambria Scarecrow Festival 📅 October 1 – October 31, 2025 👻 Wander through Cambria to discover quirky, creative scarecrows that celebrate the…
