Ann’s guidebook
Food!
There are so many great restaurants around here!
Straight down El Morro is Baywood Park, where you will find the Back Bay Cafe for great coffee, breakfast, and kids cocoa. You'll also find other restaurants, the dock, a small market, a bakery, taverns, and art studios.
We have include our favorites here in Los Osos, Morro Bay, and other nearby coastal towns.
A favorite with locals and tourists. Great coffee and breakfast. Treat the kids to a kids cocoa with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cookie for just $1!
38 locals recommend
Back Bay Cafe
1399 2nd StA favorite with locals and tourists. Great coffee and breakfast. Treat the kids to a kids cocoa with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cookie for just $1!
If you like Thai food you must go! Award winning restaurant!
32 locals recommend
Noi's Little Thai Takeout
1288 2nd StIf you like Thai food you must go! Award winning restaurant!
A gastro-pub with great beer, wine, and local music! They have indoor and outdoor seating with heaters for evening visits.
Baywood Tavern
690 Santa Maria AveA gastro-pub with great beer, wine, and local music! They have indoor and outdoor seating with heaters for evening visits.
This is our favorite burger! Great sauce! Try their burger bowl if you are low-carb.
51 locals recommend
Sylvester's Burgers
1099 Santa Ynez AveThis is our favorite burger! Great sauce! Try their burger bowl if you are low-carb.
A really fun spot for families. Great produce, ice cream, farm animals, and seasonal u-pick fruit. On the way to the beach.
144 locals recommend
Avila Valley Barn
560 Avila Beach DrA really fun spot for families. Great produce, ice cream, farm animals, and seasonal u-pick fruit. On the way to the beach.
Right in town, it is a great breakfast cafe that has very pleasant outdoor dining and charming inside seating as well. A favorite with locals and tourists.
27 locals recommend
Celias Garden Cafe Inc
1188 Los Osos Valley RdRight in town, it is a great breakfast cafe that has very pleasant outdoor dining and charming inside seating as well. A favorite with locals and tourists.
The two sisters serve delicious Thai and American Cafe food. More open hours than the original Noi's across the street. The outside patio area is very pleasant. We have many favorite dishes here.
26 locals recommend
Noi & Doi's 2nd Street Cafe
1325 2nd StreetThe two sisters serve delicious Thai and American Cafe food. More open hours than the original Noi's across the street. The outside patio area is very pleasant. We have many favorite dishes here.
There are a few Mexican food restaurants in LO that are fancier, but this is our favorite for their delicious and reasonably priced food.
12 locals recommend
La Casita | Mexican Food
2008 9th StThere are a few Mexican food restaurants in LO that are fancier, but this is our favorite for their delicious and reasonably priced food.
If you crave frozen yogurt it is right around the corner on Los Osos Valley Road, next to Ralph's Grocery Store.
Yogurt Paradise
1240-3 Los Osos Valley RdIf you crave frozen yogurt it is right around the corner on Los Osos Valley Road, next to Ralph's Grocery Store.
Not your usual Starbucks! The building used to be a bank. They kept the concrete vault, cut a window in it, and you can sit in and drink your coffee! I like to look at the vault door that has been modified to show its inner workings under plexi-glass. Very fun and interesting! It is on Los Osos Valley Road in the parking lot across from Rite Aid, Ace Hardware, and Bargain Grocery Outlet.
21 locals recommend
Starbucks
730 Quintana RdNot your usual Starbucks! The building used to be a bank. They kept the concrete vault, cut a window in it, and you can sit in and drink your coffee! I like to look at the vault door that has been modified to show its inner workings under plexi-glass. Very fun and interesting! It is on Los Osos Valley Road in the parking lot across from Rite Aid, Ace Hardware, and Bargain Grocery Outlet.
If you are lucky enough to be in LO on a Monday, run down to the bay between 2-4 for great produce, cheeses, fresh fish, and hand-crafted gifts. A very nice, smaller farmer's market that I never miss if possible.
I find usually find parking on 2nd St or across from the liquor store/market on Santa Maria Ave.
22 locals recommend
Baywood Market
1297 2nd StIf you are lucky enough to be in LO on a Monday, run down to the bay between 2-4 for great produce, cheeses, fresh fish, and hand-crafted gifts. A very nice, smaller farmer's market that I never miss if possible.
I find usually find parking on 2nd St or across from the liquor store/market on Santa Maria Ave.
This is an amazing bakery for unique artisan breads and pastries made from organic, locally sourced ingredients. It is tucked in to a residential area just down the street from the Baywood Tavern.
10 locals recommend
Pagnol Baywood at 3rd Street Bakery
1229 3rd StThis is an amazing bakery for unique artisan breads and pastries made from organic, locally sourced ingredients. It is tucked in to a residential area just down the street from the Baywood Tavern.
We like the fish and chips here. Casual dining outside and fun to watch the activity on the waterfront.
7 locals recommend
Harbor Hut
1205 EmbarcaderoWe like the fish and chips here. Casual dining outside and fun to watch the activity on the waterfront.
Shine Cafe
415 Morro Bay BlvdAn excellent vegetarian option.
Taco Temple Morro Bay
2680 Main StVery popular and busy. Be prepared for a line.
In downtown Morro Bay, very casual and delicious. Worth the 10 minute drive!
20 locals recommend
Taco De Mexico
980 Main StIn downtown Morro Bay, very casual and delicious. Worth the 10 minute drive!
Famous for their pies, it is a worthwhile stop if driving to beautiful Cambria!
53 locals recommend
Linn's Restaurant
2277 Main StFamous for their pies, it is a worthwhile stop if driving to beautiful Cambria!
This 36+ year old Farmers' Market offers high quality produce, prepared foods, entertainment, and activities for the community and is known as the premiere event throughout the city on Thursday nights.
Several streets are blockaded off to cars. Parking can be a situation.
150 locals recommend
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
Higuera StreetThis 36+ year old Farmers' Market offers high quality produce, prepared foods, entertainment, and activities for the community and is known as the premiere event throughout the city on Thursday nights.
Several streets are blockaded off to cars. Parking can be a situation.
Famous for their fish burritos and tacos, I prefer the catch of the day salad. A little pricier than some cafes, it is really worth it! There is inside and outside dining with heaters for chilly evenings.
Located on the edge of the back bay marina just across the estuary from Los Osos, it is only a 5 minute drive away. It is right across the street from the Morro Bay State Park campground. You can also rent kayaks at the marina and paddle across to the sand spit.
44 locals recommend
Bayside Cafe
10 State Park RdFamous for their fish burritos and tacos, I prefer the catch of the day salad. A little pricier than some cafes, it is really worth it! There is inside and outside dining with heaters for chilly evenings.
Located on the edge of the back bay marina just across the estuary from Los Osos, it is only a 5 minute drive away. It is right across the street from the Morro Bay State Park campground. You can also rent kayaks at the marina and paddle across to the sand spit.
They have great gourmet pizzas with vegetarian and gluten free options. Right across the parking lot from Starbucks.
Nichols Pizza N Grill
1236 Los Osos Valley RdThey have great gourmet pizzas with vegetarian and gluten free options. Right across the parking lot from Starbucks.
French Corner Bakery
2214 Main StIn Cayucos, they are famous for their cinnamon rolls!
Favorite Places & Activities
There is so much natural beauty to experience on the Central Coast. Some of it is a close as a 5 minute walk from the Blue House. Enjoy!
The spectacular views from the bluffs will leave you breathless! Sunsets are amazing! Montana de Oro State Park is about 15 minutes away- just go west on Los Osos Valley Road. It is known for scenic trails for hiking, biking, and running. There you will find Spooner's Cove and the Bluff Trail which gives access to tide pools at Coralina Cove. Check the tide schedule on the kitchen bulletin board for low tide.
341 locals recommend
Montaña de Oro State Park
3550 Pecho Valley RdThe spectacular views from the bluffs will leave you breathless! Sunsets are amazing! Montana de Oro State Park is about 15 minutes away- just go west on Los Osos Valley Road. It is known for scenic trails for hiking, biking, and running. There you will find Spooner's Cove and the Bluff Trail which gives access to tide pools at Coralina Cove. Check the tide schedule on the kitchen bulletin board for low tide.
Straight down El Morro is Baywood Park, where you will find the Back Bay Cafe for great coffee, breakfast, and kids cocoa. You'll also find other restaurants, the dock, a small market, a bakery, taverns, and art studios.
Montana de Oro State Park is about 15 minutes away- just go west on Los Osos Valley Road. It is known for spectacular bluff views and trails for hiking, biking, and running. There you will find Spooner's Cove and the Bluff Trail which gives access to tide pooling at Coralina Cove.
45 locals recommend
Elfin Forest
17th StreetStraight down El Morro is Baywood Park, where you will find the Back Bay Cafe for great coffee, breakfast, and kids cocoa. You'll also find other restaurants, the dock, a small market, a bakery, taverns, and art studios.
Montana de Oro State Park is about 15 minutes away- just go west on Los Osos Valley Road. It is known for spectacular bluff views and trails for hiking, biking, and running. There you will find Spooner's Cove and the Bluff Trail which gives access to tide pooling at Coralina Cove.
Known as just "Sweet Springs" this preserve also has great views of the back bay and rock. Turtles are often seen in the pond. There is a new boardwalk extension on the east side of the preserve. A peaceful area to visit in Baywood.
19 locals recommend
Morro Coast Audubon Society Sweet Springs Nature Preserve
660 Ramona AveKnown as just "Sweet Springs" this preserve also has great views of the back bay and rock. Turtles are often seen in the pond. There is a new boardwalk extension on the east side of the preserve. A peaceful area to visit in Baywood.
A fun, touristy beach with lifeguards and good boogie boarding! The beach town of Avila was rebuilt in the 1990s due to an oil spill from pipes underground.
It cost UNOCAL hundreds of millions, but Avila is now fancy and polished because of it. When it is foggy In Los Osos, it can be clear and sunny in Avila!
About 20 minutes from the house. Take Los Osos Valley Road east and 101 South to the Avila Beach exits.
329 locals recommend
Avila Beach
A fun, touristy beach with lifeguards and good boogie boarding! The beach town of Avila was rebuilt in the 1990s due to an oil spill from pipes underground.
It cost UNOCAL hundreds of millions, but Avila is now fancy and polished because of it. When it is foggy In Los Osos, it can be clear and sunny in Avila!
About 20 minutes from the house. Take Los Osos Valley Road east and 101 South to the Avila Beach exits.
Another great boogie boarding beach with lifeguards and fun restaurants and shops. A little funkier than Avila Beach, we really like it. It is a little closer than Avila with a 15 minute drive. Also can be sunnier than Los Osos and Morro Bay.
29 locals recommend
Cayucos State Beach
Another great boogie boarding beach with lifeguards and fun restaurants and shops. A little funkier than Avila Beach, we really like it. It is a little closer than Avila with a 15 minute drive. Also can be sunnier than Los Osos and Morro Bay.
This beach is a coastal frontage park featuring outstanding picnic sites. A three-mile stretch of beach connects the southern and northern entrances to the beach. Fishing, windsurfing, jogging, and kite flying are popular. A section of the beach is a designated dog beach.
24 locals recommend
Morro Strand State Beach
This beach is a coastal frontage park featuring outstanding picnic sites. A three-mile stretch of beach connects the southern and northern entrances to the beach. Fishing, windsurfing, jogging, and kite flying are popular. A section of the beach is a designated dog beach.
A 10 minute drive from the house. The Embarcedero is touristy and busy on weekends. Many fun shops and restaurants. There is also a very strange little aquarium there. The glass bottom boat rides in the bay are very fun for families. You can also rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards here.
183 locals recommend
Morro Bay
A 10 minute drive from the house. The Embarcedero is touristy and busy on weekends. Many fun shops and restaurants. There is also a very strange little aquarium there. The glass bottom boat rides in the bay are very fun for families. You can also rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards here.
Home to a beautiful Spanish mission and Cal Poly, the downtown area is also very charming. There are many great restaurants, movie theaters, and shops to explore. The Thursday
Farmers market is big and crowded with live music too. Don't forget to check out Bubblegum Alley!
181 locals recommend
San Luis Obispo
Home to a beautiful Spanish mission and Cal Poly, the downtown area is also very charming. There are many great restaurants, movie theaters, and shops to explore. The Thursday
Farmers market is big and crowded with live music too. Don't forget to check out Bubblegum Alley!
One of America's prettiest towns. - Forbes Magazine -
Nestled among towering pines and the shimmering sea on California's Central Coast, Cambria California is a picturesque village that unfolds along scenic Highway 1. Phil and I were married there at Moonstone Beach many years ago! Treat yourself to a famous piece of pie at Linn's of Cambria (restaurant, cafe, and gift store).
128 locals recommend
Cambria
One of America's prettiest towns. - Forbes Magazine -
Nestled among towering pines and the shimmering sea on California's Central Coast, Cambria California is a picturesque village that unfolds along scenic Highway 1. Phil and I were married there at Moonstone Beach many years ago! Treat yourself to a famous piece of pie at Linn's of Cambria (restaurant, cafe, and gift store).
One of the best places to view Northern Elephant Seals is at one of the rookeries along the coast where they congregate to give birth, feed their young, and mate. They are amazing to watch.
151 locals recommend
Elephant Seal Vista Point
One of the best places to view Northern Elephant Seals is at one of the rookeries along the coast where they congregate to give birth, feed their young, and mate. They are amazing to watch.
Hearst Castle was the main residence of an estate in San Simeon, California, that originally belonged to William Randolph Hearst. The Mediterranean Revival mansion was designed by Julia Morgan in 1919–47 and is known for its opulence. Since 1958 the castle and estate have been part of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument.
It is best to buy tickets online ahead of time.
327 locals recommend
Hearst Castle
750 Hearst Castle RoadHearst Castle was the main residence of an estate in San Simeon, California, that originally belonged to William Randolph Hearst. The Mediterranean Revival mansion was designed by Julia Morgan in 1919–47 and is known for its opulence. Since 1958 the castle and estate have been part of the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument.
It is best to buy tickets online ahead of time.
This beach is on the way to Montana de Oro. It is part of the Morro Bay State Park. There is a longish walk on a path from the parking area. No lifeguards here! A nice stretch to do a long quiet walk or jog in either direction! It is popular for surfing, shore fishing, and horseback riding.
Sandspit Beach
This beach is on the way to Montana de Oro. It is part of the Morro Bay State Park. There is a longish walk on a path from the parking area. No lifeguards here! A nice stretch to do a long quiet walk or jog in either direction! It is popular for surfing, shore fishing, and horseback riding.
A hike in SLO that is popular with locals. It takes about an hour to get to the top but there are spectacular views when you get there! A moderately strenuous hike.
30 locals recommend
Bishops Peak Trail Head
Brittany CircleA hike in SLO that is popular with locals. It takes about an hour to get to the top but there are spectacular views when you get there! A moderately strenuous hike.
This is the best known beach in Montana de Oro State Park. It is right across from the campground. It can get crowded on weekends. It is NOT a swimming beach but there is a fun creek that runs across the beach to the ocean. It looks different every year, but if it can be a fun place for children to play in the water when it is shallow! The beach is more smooth pebbles than sand. It is the only beach area in the park that dogs are allowed. It is one of our favorite family beaches.
13 locals recommend
Spooner's Cove
3550 Pecho Valley RdThis is the best known beach in Montana de Oro State Park. It is right across from the campground. It can get crowded on weekends. It is NOT a swimming beach but there is a fun creek that runs across the beach to the ocean. It looks different every year, but if it can be a fun place for children to play in the water when it is shallow! The beach is more smooth pebbles than sand. It is the only beach area in the park that dogs are allowed. It is one of our favorite family beaches.
Almost a mile straight El Morro from the house if you are walking. If you drive you will head south on 17th, turn right at Paso Robles, turn right again at 11th, and left again at El Morro and then straight down. You can usually park at the Back Bay Cafe or on 2nd St.
22 locals recommend
Baywood Market
1297 2nd StAlmost a mile straight El Morro from the house if you are walking. If you drive you will head south on 17th, turn right at Paso Robles, turn right again at 11th, and left again at El Morro and then straight down. You can usually park at the Back Bay Cafe or on 2nd St.
Nice place to rent kayaks and paddle around the bay. Check out their website to see winter vs. summer open days and times. Reasonable Rates.
30 locals recommend
Kayak Shack
10 State Park RoadNice place to rent kayaks and paddle around the bay. Check out their website to see winter vs. summer open days and times. Reasonable Rates.
Here you will find public coastal access between homes on Morro Bay in Los Osos, CA. The shore is narrow at high tide but less muddy. The view looks out across the bay to the dunes on the sand spit that protects the harbor. Morro Rock is visible to the north over the bay. I like to go here when I want a quick, nearby coastal walk. Drive down to Baywood and turn left at the liquor store/market and follow the road around to the beach access.
Pasadena Park
Pasadena DriveHere you will find public coastal access between homes on Morro Bay in Los Osos, CA. The shore is narrow at high tide but less muddy. The view looks out across the bay to the dunes on the sand spit that protects the harbor. Morro Rock is visible to the north over the bay. I like to go here when I want a quick, nearby coastal walk. Drive down to Baywood and turn left at the liquor store/market and follow the road around to the beach access.
Great playground and a skatepark. Tennis courts in the back across from the library. All free of charge although at times the skate park might have a minimal entrance fee.
Los Osos Community Park
2180 Palisades AveGreat playground and a skatepark. Tennis courts in the back across from the library. All free of charge although at times the skate park might have a minimal entrance fee.
Getting there is half of the fun! I suggest taking See Canyon road starting at the Avila end and coming out at on the SLO side for an amazing view of the "Seven Sisters".
See Canyon Fruit Ranch
2345 See Canyon RdGetting there is half of the fun! I suggest taking See Canyon road starting at the Avila end and coming out at on the SLO side for an amazing view of the "Seven Sisters".
Take the See Canyon Rd from Avila for a beautiful drive to get there. Afterward, continue along See Canyon Rd to the SLO side for a great view of the "Nine Sisters" volcanic plugs. Part of the road is unpaved but in good condition.
Gopher Glen Organic Apple Farm
2899 See Canyon RdTake the See Canyon Rd from Avila for a beautiful drive to get there. Afterward, continue along See Canyon Rd to the SLO side for a great view of the "Nine Sisters" volcanic plugs. Part of the road is unpaved but in good condition.