DAY 1
Back to Top of ListDay 1
Breakfast: Quick Coffee Shop Breakfasts
Sleep in before hitting one of these quaint coffee shops for a flavorful breakfast.
North Coast
Located in Cambria’s charming East Village, Lily’s is known for its expertly-made coffee, espresso drinks and breakfast specials. Try the avocado toast or the banana cake to taste fan favorites.
North
At Amstrdm Coffee House grab an Americano or chai tea latte, plus a croque monsieur, pastry or molasses oatmeal from this Paso Robles staple. (Return in the evening and you just might get to hear a piano concert, too.)
San Luis Obispo
Named after the famous cafe district in Berlin, Kreuzberg California serves Verve coffee and a full menu of breakfast dishes, including regular and vegan breakfast burritos, Belgian waffles, and pastries.
Morning: A Long Walk
Enjoy traveling over rolling hills and through sleepy forests on these trails for relaxed hikes.
North Coast
The Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, a 430-acre open space in Cambria, features a total of 17 hiking trails, from the mile-long bluff trail along rugged coastline to paths through a strand of Monterey Pine trees.
San Luis Obispo
At the Johnson Ranch Open Space, hikers have the option to walk 2.5 miles or add an extension for a total of 3.7 miles of rolling hillside trail overlooking historic San Luis Obispo ranch lands.
Lunch: A Perfect Picnic
Take your lunch to go and dine al fresco at one of SLO CAL’s hundreds of wineries.
Photo courtesy: @dagnythevan
North
At Red Scooter Deli pick up a box lunch to take wine tasting from this pint-sized delicatessen on Paso Robles’ City Park. Choose from the sandwich or salad box, both of which include chips, a cookie, cutlery and napkins.
North Coast
Beautiful soups, sandwiches and salads await at Sandy’s Deli in Cambria. Dine in at the deli’s small and cozy dining room or pick up a few items to go and enjoy at a picnic table at Cambria's Shamel Park.
San Luis Obispo
Walk into this cheery cafe and let the aromas of Southern-style cuisine hit your senses at SLO Provisions. Rotisserie chicken sandwiches, housemade salt and vinegar potato chips and delectable desserts are perfect fuel before a wine-tasting excursion.
Afternoon: Wine Tasting
SLO CAL tasting rooms run the gamut, from relaxed to refined, laid back to legendary.
North
Hit Highway 46 West and experience Paso Robles’ pretty West Side to taste wines from established producers like Tablas Creek Vineyard, HammerSky Vineyards, Linne Calodo, Turley, and Opolo Vineyards. Expect wines made from cabernet sauvignon, grenache, syrah, zinfandel and other varietals.
San Luis Obispo
Tucked back behind San Luis Obispo, Edna Valley and the SLO Coast Wine Region make some of the finest chardonnay and pinot noir in California. Travel picturesque Orcutt Road to hit Chamisal Vineyards, Wolff Vineyards and Baileyana Winery.
South
The hills around Arroyo Grande provide ideal growing conditions for chardonnay and pinot noir. Visit Talley Vineyards for benchmark chardonnay, and Laetitia Vineyard & Winery for brilliant sparkling wine.
Dinner: Intimate Eats
A snug table for two is just the thing for a romantic getaway in SLO CAL
North
New to the Michelin Star list, The Restaurant at JUSTIN provides an intimate experience for any date night. This venerated winery now has a downtown tasting room that becomes a formal dining room in the evenings. Look for a wide range of JUSTIN wines by the glass or bottle and traditional steakhouse fare on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
San Luis Obispo
Ox & Anchor located at Hotel San Luis Obispo offers a modern spin on classic steakhouse fare. Known for its decadent steak selection, this restaurant also boasts an exhaustive Central Coast wine library. Don’t skimp on dessert here: the Baked Alaska is to-die-for.
South
Blue Moon Over Avila adds flare and ambiance to classic steak and seafood dishes. This little bistro by the sea puts a California spin on French cuisine, and offers a wine list of French and Californian treasures.
Evening: Cozy Up By The Fire
Mild weather translates to evenings spent outdoors together, warming by the fire pit.
North Coast
Make the awe-inspiring drive to Ragged Point and head to the patio at the Restaurant at Ragged Point. Nab the chairs by the fire pit and listen to the waves crash against the cliffs below.
North
Stop by the classy Paso Robles favorite, Cello Ristorante & Bar, located at Allegretto. Order a glass of wine at this Paso Robles restaurant and soak up the warmth from the massive fire bowls, imported from Rajasthan, India.
DAY 2
Back to Top of ListDay 2
Breakfast: Brunch
Take it slow with a sumptuous brunch to start the day.
North
You can’t go wrong with a brunch place called Brunch! After opening in downtown Paso Robles, Brunch has been winning hearts with its creative takes on breakfast and lunch classics. Indulge in s’mores French toast, chilaquiles, or classic eggs benedict.
North Coast
The brunch menu at Dorn’s Breakers Cafe—including omelets, pancakes, scrambles and more—is just as appealing as the wide views of Morro Bay from the dining room.
South
At SeaVenture Restaurant find a variety of foods to fuel up for the day with. Huevos rancheros, strawberry waffles, and country-fried ribeye steak are just a few of the offerings at this seaside Pismo Beach restaurant. (Don’t forget the mimosas.)
Morning: Historic lighthouses
Steep in the history of these remarkable seaside SLO CAL landmarks
Photo courtesy: @dotdotdotphotography
North Coast
Built in 1875, the Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon welcomes visitors to take a wildflower-lined walk to tour the bottom level of the fog signal building with docent guides.
South
Port San Luis Lighthouse in Avila Beach, established in 1890, looks out over San Luis Bay and is an excellent example of the prairie gothic architectural style.
Lunch: Farm-to-table fare
Photo credit: @novorestaurant
North
Thomas Hill Organics is known for its in-season ingredients and premium quality. Creative and colorful, the cuisine at this stalwart Paso Robles eatery has been winning hearts (and palates) since 2009.
San Luis Obispo
For decades, the chefs at Novo Restaurant and Lounge have sourced their ingredients from local farms and farmers' markets. Try the famous Chow Novo or the equally famous spring rolls.
Afternoon: Secret beaches
Warning: you may never want to leave these spellbinding, off-the-beaten-path beaches.
North Coast
San Carpoforo Creek Beach is the perfect private oasis to relax and explore. This wide beach sits just south of the entrance to Big Sur (near Ragged Point) at the end of a grassy trail. Find a secluded nook and settle in for a peaceful afternoon.
South
Located in Avila Beach, Pirate’s Cove offers tucked-away beach access and a cliff overlook. As one of the most stunning bits of beach in SLO CAL, Pirate’s Cove features clear water, towering cliffs and a clothing-optional beach.
