For the booklovers and the travelers who want a true local experience, here’s the bookstore crawl you’ll want to add to your SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo) itinerary—complete with bookstore locations and nearby attractions.

Keep reading for the best places to peruse the shelves, pick out your next beach read or rare find and wander to a nearby park, café, coastal lookout or vineyard tasting room. Here, the bookstore keepers are happy to provide recommendations and you’re never far from an awe inspiring, cozy spot for turning pages.
 

What are the best bookstores to visit on the Central Coast?

The bookstores in San Luis Obispo County are not to miss. From Coalesce in Morro Bay (the regions longest continuous running independent bookstore) to Salty Pages in Cambria (the regions newest), be sure to add these bookstores to your Central Coast itinerary.

Independent Bookstore + Paso Robles Wine Tasting

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Group cheersing wine above a fire table outdoors in downtown Paso Robles with brick building and string lights in background

Paso Robles is a wine hub offering pairing such as Michelin Starred dishes, live music and even book shopping. Spare Time Books is a quaint women owned, new and used bookstore one block off the downtown square in the heart of wine country. Spare Time also carries bookish treasures such as playing cards and stationary—for even more trip entertainment and fun.

Itinerary

  • Morning: Coffee and a pastry from H. Cheval on their picturesque outdoor patio and wander through Spare Time Books and pick a blind date with a book
  • Afternoon: Lunch at Odyssey World Café while opening your mystery book on the garden patio, write your own story with blind wine tasting at Hope on Park and explore the art exhibits at Studios on the Park

Address: 945 12th St C, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Known for: Charming décor, large inventory and periodic craft nights!
Things to do nearby: wine tasting, dining and art

Books + Cats + Grover Beach Thrift Shopping

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Grover Beach is an easy-going community known for its unique mix of businesses and activities—including all things thrifted. Before you see the store, you may spot the reader board at Nan’s Books & Crystals for a funny saying or joke. This sets the tone for a relaxed and friendly bookshop where visitors can scan used books and high-quality crystals while visiting with the cuddly store cats.

Itinerary

  • Afternoon: Browse the variety of thrift stores along Grande Avenue, including in the same complex as Nan’s and spend some time visiting with the cats amongst the bookshelves
  • Evening: Take your book to dinner at nearby Umi Sushi Pacifica before heading to the beach for an evening of reading by the light of the campfire

Address: 1328 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433
Known for: friendly bookstore cats, friendly service
Things to do nearby: thrift shopping, sushi and beach bonfire

Garden Bookstore + Sauna in Morro Bay

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Book open next to aperal spritz on a side table next to a green pool lounger

A Morro Bay landmark since 1973, Coalesce Bookstore is more than an independent bookstore, it also is home to a back garden with its own wedding chapel—which doubles as the perfect spot for periodic book signing events.

Itinerary

  • Morning: Book the mobile sauna (keep an eye out for the local sea otters), take a cold plunge into the ocean and grab a warm cup of coffee from Rudie’s Rock Espresso Bar
  • Afternoon: Explore the rows of new and used books at Coalesce Bookstore before catching live music at The Siren

Address: 845 Main Street - Morro Bay, CA. 93442
Known for: full shelves and unique garden chapel
Things to do nearby: mobile sauna session, sea otter viewing and attend a show

Used (and New) Bookstores + Downtown San Luis Obispo Adventures

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Rare finds and used books abound in San Luis Obispo. Phoenix Books, located right in the middle of downtown on Monterey Street is a large store, featuring floor to ceiling shelves packed with used, new and rare books—you’ll never know what you’ll find. A Satellite of Love offers a smaller curated collection of books (and vinyl) at their funky retail shop.

Itinerary

Address: 986 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 /1235 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Known for: used and unusual books
Things to do nearby: shopping, sipping coffee & learning about history

Small Town Bookstores+ Café Hoping in Arroyo Grande

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If you’re looking for an Indie Bookstore in Arroyo Grande, Monarch Books is your spot! Homey, modern and bright, this shop stocks all the classics and new releases with a featured section on local authors. For a used book, head to A to Z Books, a mother-daughter run store with small town charm.

Itinerary

Address: 201 E. Branch St, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 / 909 E Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Known for: small-town hospitality
Things to do nearby: café hoping

Local Used Bookshop + Hiking in Atascadero

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Two people in soft focus looking at each other and smiling with Atascadero City Hall in focus in the background below framed by a tree branch

This classic used bookstore in Atascadero is in downtown, close to all the action. Well organized and offering store credit for any books you want to part with, The Book Odyssey comes highly recommended. Pick out your new read and head outside to a local park or trial for a quiet spot perfect for spending the afternoon engrossed in a story.

Itinerary

Address: 5975 Traffic Way Atascadero, CA 93422
Known for: Great selection and affordable prices
Things to do nearby: Stadium Park trail network, Atascadero Lake Park or Sunken Garden

New Coastal Bookstore + Blue Corn Waffles

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For a cozy, coastal inspired bookstores, Salty Pages in Cambria is tough to beat. Browse the curated selections of books and book-themed merchandise. They even have rustic outdoor seating to encourage you to stay and read a while. Dogs are welcome too!

Itinerary

Address: 2024 Main St, Cambria, CA 93428
Known for: popular fiction and unique setting
Things to do nearby: wander Cambria shops, gardens and enjoy blue corn waffles

Unique Bonus Bookstores

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MYLR Gallery and Books

📍 1238 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

MYLR is a bookstore, gallery and hidden gem filled with art, culture and architecture titles.

Captain Nemo Comics & Games

📍 563 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Captain Nemo’s is a bonus feature for comic books and graphic novels in SLO CAL.

For those whose vacations are synonymous with good reads, a bookstore crawl is the perfect fit. No need to fill your luggage with tomes when there are independent, used and unique book shops and nearby attractions to explore. What are you waiting for? Plan your bookstore crawl in SLO CAL.