Sunkist Studios guidebook
Food scene
Good cocktails and plates, cool vibe. In the ‘Village’ of Arroyo Grande.
87 residents recomanen
Mason Bar and Kitchen
307 E Branch StGood cocktails and plates, cool vibe. In the ‘Village’ of Arroyo Grande.
Gina's Italian Cuisine
138 East Branch StreetLovely little Italian restaurant in the Village.
A safe bet for lunch and dinner. Enjoy the wide selection of beers while a village rooster or two struts around outside.
78 residents recomanen
Rooster Creek Tavern
200 E Branch StA safe bet for lunch and dinner. Enjoy the wide selection of beers while a village rooster or two struts around outside.
Excellent restaurant in Arroyo Grande near Grover. Top notch Californian food. Call or get there early as there’s often a wait.
134 residents recomanen
Ember Restaurant
1200 E Grand AveExcellent restaurant in Arroyo Grande near Grover. Top notch Californian food. Call or get there early as there’s often a wait.
Tasty, inexpensive little Mediterranean cafe/restaurant in the Arroyo Grande Village. Remember to grab the sauces!
29 residents recomanen
Jaffa Cafe
206 E Branch StTasty, inexpensive little Mediterranean cafe/restaurant in the Arroyo Grande Village. Remember to grab the sauces!
Homemade ice cream, local favorite. In the Village.
34 residents recomanen
Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab
114 W Branch StHomemade ice cream, local favorite. In the Village.
Humdinger Brewing
116 W Branch StNice little local brewery in the ‘Village.
Cafe Andreini
131 E Branch StCute cafe in the Village for a cup of joe and muffins!
Villa Cantina
106 E Branch StTasty Mexican, in the Village
Santa Maria style bbq and huge tri-tip sandwiches in a modest, no-frills place (though the rustic barroom has its charm and is where you can enjoy an Old Fashion or a beer while you wait). A favorite of carnivorous locals. Located in nearby Nipomo.
79 residents recomanen
Jocko's
125 N Thompson AveSanta Maria style bbq and huge tri-tip sandwiches in a modest, no-frills place (though the rustic barroom has its charm and is where you can enjoy an Old Fashion or a beer while you wait). A favorite of carnivorous locals. Located in nearby Nipomo.
If you’re in Pismo, and like tacos, this humble hole in the wall offers the best taco selection on the central coast- 15 different kinds of tacos! Order to go and enjoy at the Pier!
12 residents recomanen
Papi's Grill
1090 Price StIf you’re in Pismo, and like tacos, this humble hole in the wall offers the best taco selection on the central coast- 15 different kinds of tacos! Order to go and enjoy at the Pier!
Honeymoon Cafe
999 Price StWonderful cafe in Pismo for breakfast.
Sightseeing
Less than a mile away, cute little farm and shop where you’ll discover local produce, an assortment of gourmet foods, various gifts including garden gifts, and a "Critter Corral" of farm animals. Enjoy the relaxing browse!
Windmill Farms
1275 N Thompson AveLess than a mile away, cute little farm and shop where you’ll discover local produce, an assortment of gourmet foods, various gifts including garden gifts, and a "Critter Corral" of farm animals. Enjoy the relaxing browse!
WIneries
Great wines for tastings, and spacious seating. Only a mile away!
19 residents recomanen
Peacock Cellars
1543 Los Berros RdGreat wines for tastings, and spacious seating. Only a mile away!
Scenic winery for tastings; bring a picnic! Close by.
49 residents recomanen
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
453 Laetitia Vineyard DriveScenic winery for tastings; bring a picnic! Close by.
Hiking Trails
Ontario Ridge Trail via Shell Beach Road. Amazing ocean views! Moderate level.
27 residents recomanen
Ontario Ridge Trail
Ontario Ridge TrailOntario Ridge Trail via Shell Beach Road. Amazing ocean views! Moderate level.
Easy walk across a small pretty lake; you can keep going on the deck path through the sand dunes and out to the ocean.
48 residents recomanen
Oso Flaco Lake
3098 Oso Flaco Lake RdEasy walk across a small pretty lake; you can keep going on the deck path through the sand dunes and out to the ocean.
Easy stroll on hills and through oaks, towards San Luis Obispo.
7 residents recomanen
Johnson Ranch Trailhead
5190 Ontario RdEasy stroll on hills and through oaks, towards San Luis Obispo.
Rent some bicycles in Avila Beach and enjoy the easy ride on this paved trail along sycamores (nice for walking as well). About midway along the trail, there’s a little deli to grab a bite or a glass of wine.
21 residents recomanen
Bob Jones City to the Sea Bike Trail Park & Ride
7009 Ontario RdRent some bicycles in Avila Beach and enjoy the easy ride on this paved trail along sycamores (nice for walking as well). About midway along the trail, there’s a little deli to grab a bite or a glass of wine.
It’s also called Madonna Mountain Loop. Moderate level. Wider-sized trail. Check “All Trails” for directions on accessing the trail.
37 residents recomanen
Cerro San Luis Obispo
It’s also called Madonna Mountain Loop. Moderate level. Wider-sized trail. Check “All Trails” for directions on accessing the trail.
Moderate level. Bishop Peak trail is a local favorite, has great views, and is a good workout too.
30 residents recomanen
Bishops Peak Trail Head
Brittany CircleModerate level. Bishop Peak trail is a local favorite, has great views, and is a good workout too.
Maybe the best scenic hike on our central coast, and definitely worth the 50 minute drive. Wide, easy stroll on a large bluff overlooking the ocean. You can also walk down to pebbly-beaches at a couple of areas, and drive to some others. There are also higher elevation trails nearby- particularly Valencia Peak.
12 residents recomanen
Bluff Trail Montana De Oro
Bluff TrailMaybe the best scenic hike on our central coast, and definitely worth the 50 minute drive. Wide, easy stroll on a large bluff overlooking the ocean. You can also walk down to pebbly-beaches at a couple of areas, and drive to some others. There are also higher elevation trails nearby- particularly Valencia Peak.
Beaches
The next beach over from Oceano Beach, Grover Beach is a nice walking beach to enjoy. There is also a wooden/plank strolling path for those who don’t want sand in their toes, or for those in wheel-chairs, etc.
37 residents recomanen
Grover Beach
The next beach over from Oceano Beach, Grover Beach is a nice walking beach to enjoy. There is also a wooden/plank strolling path for those who don’t want sand in their toes, or for those in wheel-chairs, etc.
Touristy, busier beach town, with shops, eateries, and a pier. Better surfing here than the other beaches, with surf rentals and lessons available.
186 residents recomanen
Pismo Beach
Touristy, busier beach town, with shops, eateries, and a pier. Better surfing here than the other beaches, with surf rentals and lessons available.
About 20-25 minutes from the Studio, Avila Beach has a couple of beach spots and piers. It’s the best for year-round weather (almost always sunny in Avila even when the other beaches are overcast). Downtown Avila is cute and has eateries, some shops, and a pier (and is slightly less busy than Pismo). There’s the nice Bob Jones Trail (referenced elsewhere in this guidebook) which is a walking/bicycle paved trail that connects from the downtown area (bike rentals in town). Kayak rentals are also available in town.
Also in Avila, down the road nearby, is another, larger pier that has a couple of eateries (we like MerSeas) and lots of lazy seals basking and barking in the sun. There’s also a dog beach in that area of Avila.
329 residents recomanen
Avila Beach
About 20-25 minutes from the Studio, Avila Beach has a couple of beach spots and piers. It’s the best for year-round weather (almost always sunny in Avila even when the other beaches are overcast). Downtown Avila is cute and has eateries, some shops, and a pier (and is slightly less busy than Pismo). There’s the nice Bob Jones Trail (referenced elsewhere in this guidebook) which is a walking/bicycle paved trail that connects from the downtown area (bike rentals in town). Kayak rentals are also available in town.
Also in Avila, down the road nearby, is another, larger pier that has a couple of eateries (we like MerSeas) and lots of lazy seals basking and barking in the sun. There’s also a dog beach in that area of Avila.
Golf
Monarch Dunes Golf Club
1606 Trilogy PkwyBlacklake Golf Resort
1490 Golf Course LnCypress Ridge Golf Course
780 Cypress Ridge PkwyNeighborhoods
Cute and quaint village scene in Arroyo Grande, with eateries and some shops.
48 residents recomanen
Village
Cute and quaint village scene in Arroyo Grande, with eateries and some shops.