The Ultimate Guide to a Week on California's Central Coast
When planning a trip, what types of activities do you gravitate toward? Wine tasting or a beach day? City shopping or a nature hike? What if you didn’t have to choose between them? That’s the beauty of California’s central coast - everything is possible. Visit California recently invited me to spend a week exploring Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara and it was one of the most well-rounded trips I’ve ever experienced. Today I’m sharing all the details because everyone needs a getaway like this in their lives!
Hubba Wines tasting patio
Wine Tasting at Clos Solène
Paso Robles
Paso Robles is a little town nestled in the hills above San Luis Obispo with over 350 wineries. The downtown area is walkable with lots of restaurants, and it’s home to the INCREDIBLE Field of Light Art Installation (more on that below).
Where to Stay: The Piccolo
Situated in the heart of downtown Paso Robles, everything about the Piccolo screams modern luxury: the chandeliers in the rooms, the fireplace in the lobby, and… the champagne vending machine!!
Where to Eat:
Les Petites Canailles - Modern french fare from a Michelin-star winning chef with California-sourced ingredients and seasonal menus.
The Hatch - Gourmet comfort food and killer cocktails.
Negranti Creamery - Grab a scoop or two and stroll through the park.
What to Do:
Wine tasting
Hubba Wines - A great selection of wines and a boho chic tasting patio.
Niner Wine Estates - Looking for wine and lunch? This is the place for both! GET THE CHEESE BOARD.
Clos Solène - A gorgeous family estate with incredible history.
Visit the Field of Light at Sensorio - created by critically acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, 15 acres of fields are illuminated with over 58,000 solar-powered fiber optic spheres. Arrive before sunset and watch the world around you begin to glow as the sun goes down. Make sure to check ahead that the exhibit is open on your dates prior to planning your trip!
Sensorio Field of Light before sunset
Sensorio Field of Light
The Sensorio Field of Light has over 58,000 fiber optic spheres
San Luis Obispo
Where to Stay: Granada Hotel & Bistro
Built in the 1920s, the Granada Hotel is a perfect blend of modern luxury and historical charm. The hotel has maintained its 1920s vibe with fringed room keys and vintage decor, while embracing a 2020s vibe with modern steam showers in the bathrooms (a DREAM). With bicycles for guests and Nightcap, a bar off the lobby entrance, it’s a fun way to spend a couple nights in SLO.
Where to Eat:
Farmhouse Corner Market - Across the street from San Luis Obispo airport, this is a great spot for breakfast or lunch on your way in or out of town.
Scout Coffee - Perfect for grabbing a latte and a pastry in the morning.
Mistura - Modern Peruvian cuisine with an adventurous menu.
What to Do:
Hike Cerro San Luis - A moderately strenuous dog-friendly hike that offers views of downtown SLO, Irish Hills, and the Edna Valley.
Stroll through the quirky and unique stores of the downtown shopping district. Be sure to check out Boo Boo Records - Rolling Stone named it one of the best record stores in the country.
The Granada Hotel & Bistro lobby
Granada Hotel & Bistro room key
Santa Barbara
Where to Stay: Mar Monte Hotel
Located on the site of the historic 1930s Vista Mar Monte, Mar Monte Hotel is a 200-room boutique hotel located just steps from the beach. Be sure to check out the newly opened Cafe Lido for breakfast or lunch, and costa Kitchen & Bar for dinner!
Where to Eat:
Helena Avenue Bakery - Amazing breakfast spot. Get the Wildflower Honey Ricotta on Sourdough!!
Santa Barbara Public Market - The market has a wide variety of vendors to satisfy any craving.
Satellite - One of the best lunches I’ve ever had with a full farm-to-table vegetarian menu.
Venus in Furs - A swanky wine bar with an ever-changing Mexican-American menu.
What to Do:
Wine tasting at Grassini Family Vineyards - Located in a little courtyard off State Street, it’s a great boutique winery for enjoying some wine.
Sunset cruise with Celebration Cruises - The best way to enjoy the water is to get out on it!
Rent an e-bike from one of the Santa Barbara BCycle stations and cruise along State St. and the beach.
Stroll through the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to see botanicals native to the area.
View from the Mar Monte Hotel at sunset
Santa Barbara BCycle eBikes
Huge thank you to Visit California for partnering with me on this trip! With everything from mountains to beaches and forests to deserts, the possibilities are endless when visiting California. If you were planning your dream trip, what would you do? What if anything was an option? The next thing on my California bucket list is to visit more national parks - they have a whopping NINE to choose from (more than any other state)!