Guidebook for Arroyo Grande
Food Scene
Their delicious menu changes monthly to take advantage of local seasonal delicacies. The service is fantastic and it has a great cocktail program. Be aware though, it can get busy and they don't take reservations!
134 residents recomanen
Ember Restaurant
1200 E Grand AveTheir delicious menu changes monthly to take advantage of local seasonal delicacies. The service is fantastic and it has a great cocktail program. Be aware though, it can get busy and they don't take reservations!
Refugees from the San Francisco restaurant scene, the husband and wife duo that own this place have put a refined spin on comfort food. Their menu often changes to take advantage of seasonal produce, but they always have a killer burger, amazing vegan polenta dish, and fresh sourdough from their bakery across the street.
78 residents recomanen
The Spoon Trade
295 W Grand AveRefugees from the San Francisco restaurant scene, the husband and wife duo that own this place have put a refined spin on comfort food. Their menu often changes to take advantage of seasonal produce, but they always have a killer burger, amazing vegan polenta dish, and fresh sourdough from their bakery across the street.
Our favorite Thai restaurant! Everything we've had is delicious and they have lots of options for vegetarians/vegans (try the mock duck!)
Thai Talay Restaurant
601 Price StOur favorite Thai restaurant! Everything we've had is delicious and they have lots of options for vegetarians/vegans (try the mock duck!)
Old school red-sauce Italian. They recently moved to an updated space, but the pizzas and pastas are just the same: delicious. Bring an empty stomach because you will be tempted to only eat the hot, housemade rolls they'll bring out.
13 residents recomanen
Del's Pizzeria
1101 Price StOld school red-sauce Italian. They recently moved to an updated space, but the pizzas and pastas are just the same: delicious. Bring an empty stomach because you will be tempted to only eat the hot, housemade rolls they'll bring out.
Local ice cream makers with some wild flavors as well as your favorite standards.
34 residents recomanen
Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab
114 W Branch StLocal ice cream makers with some wild flavors as well as your favorite standards.
Another (semi-) local ice cream place, McConnell's was founded in Santa Barbara and is probably a little slice of heaven on earth. There are flavors to please everyone, but it's a little more grown-up than Doc Bernstein's. My favorite flavor is Eureka Lemon & Marionberry. They also have dairy-free options.
McConnell's Fine Ice Creams
868 Monterey StAnother (semi-) local ice cream place, McConnell's was founded in Santa Barbara and is probably a little slice of heaven on earth. There are flavors to please everyone, but it's a little more grown-up than Doc Bernstein's. My favorite flavor is Eureka Lemon & Marionberry. They also have dairy-free options.
Great local coffee shop with amazing open-faced sandwiches and wine and beer as well, should you so desire.
31 residents recomanen
Cafe Andreini
131 E Branch StGreat local coffee shop with amazing open-faced sandwiches and wine and beer as well, should you so desire.
Parks & Nature
During the winter months you can see thousands of monarch butterflies resting on their journey up the Pacific Coast.
141 residents recomanen
Bosquet de Papallones Monarca
400 South Dolliver StreetDuring the winter months you can see thousands of monarch butterflies resting on their journey up the Pacific Coast.
A two fabulous 2+mile loops right off of 101. Easy to get to, easy parking, beautiful views, and if you're feeling very ambitious the trail links to longer, more challenging routes. Families, dogs, bikers can all enjoy this trail.
24 residents recomanen
Johnson Ranch Open Space
Johnson Ranch LoopA two fabulous 2+mile loops right off of 101. Easy to get to, easy parking, beautiful views, and if you're feeling very ambitious the trail links to longer, more challenging routes. Families, dogs, bikers can all enjoy this trail.
This is a super easy, paved, flat trail that winds its way all the way to the beach (about 7 miles one way, I think). Plenty of parking at the trail head. Nice for a stroll with kids or people with less mobility. You could even stop at the Avila Beach Club for lunch!
21 residents recomanen
Bob Jones City to the Sea Bike Trail Park & Ride
7009 Ontario RdThis is a super easy, paved, flat trail that winds its way all the way to the beach (about 7 miles one way, I think). Plenty of parking at the trail head. Nice for a stroll with kids or people with less mobility. You could even stop at the Avila Beach Club for lunch!
They recently renovated the children's playground and it is a lot of fun! There's a hill for sliding on cardboard and two climbing areas, one for preschoolers and one for bigger kids. There are also tennis and volleyball courts nearby, but they may have reservation requirements.
13 residents recomanen
Sinsheimer Park
900 Southwood DrThey recently renovated the children's playground and it is a lot of fun! There's a hill for sliding on cardboard and two climbing areas, one for preschoolers and one for bigger kids. There are also tennis and volleyball courts nearby, but they may have reservation requirements.
Great nearby park with a recently renovated play area. There is a path to walk along the cliffs and view the coastal scenery. We recently watched whales feeding off shore from this park (August 2019)!
66 residents recomanen
Parc de les Coves dels Dinosaures
2701 Price StGreat nearby park with a recently renovated play area. There is a path to walk along the cliffs and view the coastal scenery. We recently watched whales feeding off shore from this park (August 2019)!
A little pocket park tucked into a residential area. The play structures are brand new and the small footprint of the playground makes it easy to keep track of small persons. A path leads from the cliff edge to a secret surf spot, but be careful - experienced surfers only!
8 residents recomanen
Spyglass Park
Spyglass DriveA little pocket park tucked into a residential area. The play structures are brand new and the small footprint of the playground makes it easy to keep track of small persons. A path leads from the cliff edge to a secret surf spot, but be careful - experienced surfers only!
Essentials
Whole Foods style supermarket. It has lots of organic, local, gluten free, and/or vegetarian options, as well as a full butcher counter and prepared foods.
80 residents recomanen
California Fresh Market
771 Foothill BlvdWhole Foods style supermarket. It has lots of organic, local, gluten free, and/or vegetarian options, as well as a full butcher counter and prepared foods.
Vons
1758 W Grand AveYour standard supermarket.
CVS
3960 Broad StThe closest pharmacy to the guest house.
Trader Joe's
955 Rancho PkwyEverything Else
Take a drive up Carpenter Canyon Road, aka Route 227, aka "the back way" to San Luis Obispo and take in some gorgeous views of farms and the Edna Valley wineries.
Carpenter Canyon Road
Carpenter Canyon RoadTake a drive up Carpenter Canyon Road, aka Route 227, aka "the back way" to San Luis Obispo and take in some gorgeous views of farms and the Edna Valley wineries.
Entertainment & Activities
Not an aquarium or zoo, but a cute little children's museum, good for rainy day activities. They often have some sort of craft project to do right as you come in, and things for little ones to do, toddler age to tween.
37 residents recomanen
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
1010 Nipomo StNot an aquarium or zoo, but a cute little children's museum, good for rainy day activities. They often have some sort of craft project to do right as you come in, and things for little ones to do, toddler age to tween.
They had our daughter up on her very first wave. Great staff and Van himself has an amazing not-for-profit program that teaches vets to surf.
Van Curaza Surf School
80 San Francisco StThey had our daughter up on her very first wave. Great staff and Van himself has an amazing not-for-profit program that teaches vets to surf.
The Bar Method is an amazing blend of ballet, yoga & pilates. No impact, but you will get your heart rate up & gain strength. If you've never tried it before, let me know & I'll see if I have a pass so you can check it out. Not to mention, the women who run the SLO studio are just incredible: friendly, supportive, knowledgeable, & passionate!
The Bar Method
4464 Broad StThe Bar Method is an amazing blend of ballet, yoga & pilates. No impact, but you will get your heart rate up & gain strength. If you've never tried it before, let me know & I'll see if I have a pass so you can check it out. Not to mention, the women who run the SLO studio are just incredible: friendly, supportive, knowledgeable, & passionate!
Arts & Culture
A great small museum with exhibits that change frequently in the heart of downtown SLO. We especially recommend their educational offerings; our daughter has enjoyed their summer art classes for many years!
28 residents recomanen
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
1010 Broad StA great small museum with exhibits that change frequently in the heart of downtown SLO. We especially recommend their educational offerings; our daughter has enjoyed their summer art classes for many years!