Guidebook for Oceano
Food Scene
Great views, good food and good prices. Used to be my go to place, but food has dropped from excellent to good, but the view is awesome and prices are good. Easiest parking in the lot just south - no charge.
13 locals recommend
SeaVenture Restaurant
100 Ocean View AveGreat views, good food and good prices. Used to be my go to place, but food has dropped from excellent to good, but the view is awesome and prices are good. Easiest parking in the lot just south - no charge.
Not budget friendly, but great food in downtown Pismo. Also in SLO. And Pismo has a small take out lunch place with slices of pizza, salads & gellato on the other side of the street.
65 locals recommend
Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana
891 Price StNot budget friendly, but great food in downtown Pismo. Also in SLO. And Pismo has a small take out lunch place with slices of pizza, salads & gellato on the other side of the street.
Lively place with patio near the beach. Seating inside and out. Music some nights and sometimes loud. Classic place if you want fish and chips. (Lots of fried food here). Bands often play on the patio. Small bar with TV's. Medium priced. Bruce is the owner & often there. Very casual. Lunch and dinner.
30 locals recommend
Fin's Seafood & Sports Bar
25 W Grand AveLively place with patio near the beach. Seating inside and out. Music some nights and sometimes loud. Classic place if you want fish and chips. (Lots of fried food here). Bands often play on the patio. Small bar with TV's. Medium priced. Bruce is the owner & often there. Very casual. Lunch and dinner.
BREAKFAST! Enjoy a little Hawaii here. Healthy foods & variety of drinks. Small lively place that recently moved near Wall Mart in Arroyo Grande
7 locals recommend
Red Dirt Coffee House
1142 E Grand AveBREAKFAST! Enjoy a little Hawaii here. Healthy foods & variety of drinks. Small lively place that recently moved near Wall Mart in Arroyo Grande
I don't get there very often, but the reviews for their food are good. No views and doesn't look like much from the outside - very nice inside with a bar. Reservations recommended.
134 locals recommend
Ember Restaurant
1200 E Grand AveI don't get there very often, but the reviews for their food are good. No views and doesn't look like much from the outside - very nice inside with a bar. Reservations recommended.
Redesigned in Summer 2023. Big patio on nice days in downtown Arroyo Grande.
17 locals recommend
Branch Street Deli
203 E Branch StRedesigned in Summer 2023. Big patio on nice days in downtown Arroyo Grande.
THURSDAY nights only in SLO! They close down Higuera street to cars and have a big (and famous) Farmer's Market. Music, food, people watching. Parking - check their web site. This is popular for locals and tourists. Try the garage on Marsh St. or Palm. 6-9pm. No dogs.
150 locals recommend
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
Higuera StreetTHURSDAY nights only in SLO! They close down Higuera street to cars and have a big (and famous) Farmer's Market. Music, food, people watching. Parking - check their web site. This is popular for locals and tourists. Try the garage on Marsh St. or Palm. 6-9pm. No dogs.
Walk to Efren's from my house for real Mexican food. Small cafe type place - not elegant or expensive. Near the post office.
12 locals recommend
Efren's Deli
1720 Beach StWalk to Efren's from my house for real Mexican food. Small cafe type place - not elegant or expensive. Near the post office.
Old Juan's Cantina
649 Pier AveDon't bother - not recommended.
I think it's like eating in a big tin can. If you go - let me know how it was.
21 locals recommend
Rock & Roll Diner
1300 Railroad StI think it's like eating in a big tin can. If you go - let me know how it was.
Honeymoon Cafe
999 Price StGreat breakfasts.
#1 top spot for dinner and can be expensive. Awesome food and service! It really is the best. Reservations recommended.
39 locals recommend
Oyster Loft
101 Pomeroy Ave#1 top spot for dinner and can be expensive. Awesome food and service! It really is the best. Reservations recommended.
I always see lots of people on the patio at breakfast time. If you go - let me know your review.
9 locals recommend
Beachin' Biscuits
783 Price StI always see lots of people on the patio at breakfast time. If you go - let me know your review.
Shopping
Restaurants, coffee shops, burger joints, clothing, antiques, wine tasting, butcher shop, cleaners and more. Don't miss the Saturday Farmers market.
35 locals recommend
Arroyo Grande
Restaurants, coffee shops, burger joints, clothing, antiques, wine tasting, butcher shop, cleaners and more. Don't miss the Saturday Farmers market.
Parks & Nature
About a 25 minute drive from my house but worth it. Hike along the cliffs or up in the hills for great views. Go at low tide and check out the tidepools. Have a picnic on a sand dune. Visit the little museum. Watch the sunset. All FREE. Hazard Peak is a favorite hike. Walk along the cliffs if you want something easy. This park does have Poison Oak - so beware of that! Go to the Los Osos Valley Road Exit and head west - don't make any turns.
341 locals recommend
Montaña de Oro State Park
3550 Pecho Valley RdAbout a 25 minute drive from my house but worth it. Hike along the cliffs or up in the hills for great views. Go at low tide and check out the tidepools. Have a picnic on a sand dune. Visit the little museum. Watch the sunset. All FREE. Hazard Peak is a favorite hike. Walk along the cliffs if you want something easy. This park does have Poison Oak - so beware of that! Go to the Los Osos Valley Road Exit and head west - don't make any turns.
This is the southern entrance to the Oceano Dunes. 8 miles south of my house just off Hwy 1. Turn at the Oso Flaco Lake sign. Small charge for parking. Walk past a couple of small lakes and watch the birds. Follow the boardwalk to the ocean. Not a swimming beach - surf is more rugged. Before or after you can visit the small museum in Guadalupe. Nice little museum but not open every day.
48 locals recommend
Oso Flaco Lake
3098 Oso Flaco Lake RdThis is the southern entrance to the Oceano Dunes. 8 miles south of my house just off Hwy 1. Turn at the Oso Flaco Lake sign. Small charge for parking. Walk past a couple of small lakes and watch the birds. Follow the boardwalk to the ocean. Not a swimming beach - surf is more rugged. Before or after you can visit the small museum in Guadalupe. Nice little museum but not open every day.
Lovely views and numerous paths. Most have no more than a 5% grade. Smallish parking lot with good bathrooms. Hot weather - watch out for snakes. Take water. Dogs on leash OK.
53 locals recommend
Pismo Preserve
80 Mattie RdLovely views and numerous paths. Most have no more than a 5% grade. Smallish parking lot with good bathrooms. Hot weather - watch out for snakes. Take water. Dogs on leash OK.
Fitness
Excellent place for a yoga class. Parking might be tricky on weekends, but a wonderful group of instructors and they have mats to borrow.
8 locals recommend
Harmony House Yoga
991 Price StExcellent place for a yoga class. Parking might be tricky on weekends, but a wonderful group of instructors and they have mats to borrow.