The places in San Luis Obispo the guidebooks miss.
The places in San Luis Obispo the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Mee Heng Low Noodle House has woked chop suey on Palm Street since 1927, the surviving heart of San Luis Obispo's forgotten Chinatown block.
Why locals goThe last kitchen of SLO's vanished Chinatown hides in plain sight on Palm Street, passed daily by visitors bound for the Mission.
TipThe Kwong family took over in 2009, the third to run the house since 1927; the Ah Louis Store faces it across Palm Street.
Mama Ganache hand-rolls truffles from fairly traded chocolate in a small Monterey Street shopfront, San Luis Obispo's quiet chocolate workshop.
Why locals goA family chocolate workshop on upper Monterey Street that most drivers pass at 40 mph on the way to their motel.
TipTruffles are made in-house from ethically sourced chocolate; boxes survive a day of wine tasting in the boot.
Nite Creamery freezes ice cream to order with clouds of liquid nitrogen in the Creamery Marketplace, San Luis Obispo's after-dinner science show.
Why locals goA liquid nitrogen ice cream counter tucked into the Creamery courtyard, open from 13:00 at weekends and 16:30 on weekdays.
TipEach scoop is frozen to order with liquid nitrogen; go after dinner at Bear & The Wren next door.
Del Monte Cafe has cooked for San Luis Obispo's Railroad District since 1981, a family diner in the old workers' quarter by the Amtrak depot.
Why locals goA railroad-district diner two blocks from the Amtrak platform that tourists on Higuera Street never find.
TipSunday service stops at 14:00; on weekdays it is one of the few diners serving dinner.
Corazon Cafe pours cafe de olla and plates Latin brunches behind a modest Higuera Street shopfront, San Luis Obispo's quietest great breakfast.
Why locals goA family-run Southern Mexican coffee counter squeezed between Higuera Street retail, easy to walk past at brunch hour.
TipThe cafe de olla, spiced with cinnamon and piloncillo, is the order that sets it apart downtown.
Hungry Mother builds banh mi, po'boys and rice bowls from a scratch kitchen on upper Monterey Street, still San Luis Obispo's best-kept weekday lunch secret.
Why locals goA weekday-only banh mi counter in a Monterey Street suite, lunch only at the start of the week and closed every weekend.
TipIt closes at 15:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays and does not open weekends; plan a weekday visit.
Guided tour · 3h 30m
Discover downtown San Luis Obispo on a brunch food tour. Enjoy 5 unique stops with delicious bites and drinks, including Santa Maria BBQ, California brunch, and Peruvi...
Private tour · 2h 30m
Embark on a private wine tasting tour in San Luis Obispo with a twist in a tandem sidecar motorcycle. Visit 3 wineries, admire the rolling hills and enjoy tasting 3 wi...
Guided tour · 5h 30m
Hop aboard our vintage trolley for a 5.5-hour Paso Robles winery tour! • Visit 3 handpicked scenic wineries • Onboard snacks, water & fun music • Stress-free ride with...