Day-by-day eating plans for San Luis Obispo. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

San Luis Obispo weekend: tri-tip, wine and pink cake ★ 4.5

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A Saturday and Sunday built on the city's pillars: a diner counter breakfast, Edna Valley tasting rooms, a steakhouse night and the Creamery's pizza and nitrogen ice cream.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: diner counter, Edna Valley, steak night

    Morning
    Breakfast at Louisa's Place from 08:00; biscuits and an omelette at the Higuera Street counter. Detour to the Madonna Inn Bakery for a pink champagne cake slice to go.
    Afternoon
    Drive ten minutes into Edna Valley. Tasting at Tolosa from 11:00, then Claiborne & Churchill's Alsatian whites; both close at 17:00.
    Evening
    Dinner at Ox + Anchor from 19:00, then a slow drink at Nightcap behind the Granada Hotel until 23:00.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: railroad brunch, Creamery evening

    Morning
    Brunch at Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe from 09:00; breakfast burrito, walk the Railroad District after.
    Afternoon
    Coffee at Scout Coffee on Garden Street, then browse downtown and Mission Plaza at an easy pace.
    Evening
    Early dinner at Bear & The Wren in the Creamery from 17:00, then liquid nitrogen scoops at Nite Creamery next door.

The Thursday: San Luis Obispo on market night ★ 4.6

Anyone in town on a Thursday1 day

One Thursday done right: coffee and noodles downtown, then the 18:00 street closure, barbecue pits, produce stalls and a nightcap of live music.

  1. Day 1: Thursday: build up to the market

    Morning
    Coffee and a pastry at Kreuzberg California from 09:00; claim a couch in the back room.
    Afternoon
    Hand-pulled noodle lunch at Shake Shake Fresh Noodle, 11:30-14:30 window, then walk it off along San Luis Obispo Creek.
    Evening
    The Downtown SLO Farmers' Market closes Higuera Street 18:00-21:00: eat from the barbecue pits, shop the stalls, then live music at Frog & Peach Pub until late.

San Luis Obispo on a student budget ★ 4.0

On a budget, one day1 day

A Friday for under $40: doughnuts at dawn, the 4:20 sandwich discount rehearsed at lunch, plant-based burgers at dinner and midnight pizza.

  1. Day 1: Friday: the under-$40 circuit

    Morning
    A bacon maple bar and drip coffee at SloDoCo Donuts, open around the clock on Foothill Boulevard.
    Afternoon
    Sandwich at High Street Market & Deli, daily 11:00-17:30; go after 16:20 for the discount if you can wait.
    Evening
    Ziggy's plant-based burgers and taquitos on California Boulevard until 21:00, then a late slice at Woodstock's Pizza SLO before its 01:00 Friday close.
← Back to San Luis Obispo food guide