Joshua’s guidebook Local Food, Hikes, and Sites
Food scene
This is our favorite Thai place in Los Osos and the central coast! Order between 5pm and 7pm before they sell out!
26 locals recommend
Noi & Doi's 2nd Street Cafe
1325 2nd StreetThis is our favorite Thai place in Los Osos and the central coast! Order between 5pm and 7pm before they sell out!
Great Sushi place in Los Osos and the surrounding areas, people come from all around to eat at this Coastal Gem.
49 locals recommend
Kuma.
2011 10th StGreat Sushi place in Los Osos and the surrounding areas, people come from all around to eat at this Coastal Gem.
This is my FAVORITE Sushi restaurant of all time! There are some great ones here, but this place to me is the best of the best!
49 locals recommend
Goshi | Japanese Restaurant
570 Higuera StThis is my FAVORITE Sushi restaurant of all time! There are some great ones here, but this place to me is the best of the best!
Sushi Hide Japanese in Morro bay, the restaurant itself is cramped and small, but the food is top notch. ask about portion size before ordering, prices are reasonable, and I love to place my order, pick it up and take it with me, it is seriously great food!
898 Main St
898 Main StreetSushi Hide Japanese in Morro bay, the restaurant itself is cramped and small, but the food is top notch. ask about portion size before ordering, prices are reasonable, and I love to place my order, pick it up and take it with me, it is seriously great food!
If you like burgers, and lots of selections of BIG, JUICY, MESSY, FLAVOR-FILLED BURGERS, then go try them!
51 locals recommend
Sylvester's Burgers
1099 Santa Ynez AveIf you like burgers, and lots of selections of BIG, JUICY, MESSY, FLAVOR-FILLED BURGERS, then go try them!
The Custom House has some of the best food, and one of my favorite paces to get clam chowder, in Avila Beach!
36 locals recommend
Custom House
404 Front StThe Custom House has some of the best food, and one of my favorite paces to get clam chowder, in Avila Beach!
Ventana Grill has some of the best food around, great gourmet cooking, with gourmet prices, around $24 a plate. But this restaurant sits on the bluffs just North of Pismo Beach, you can see whales spouting in the distance at times, but there is no restaurant with a better view than this restaurant!
96 locals recommend
Ventana Grill
2575 Price StVentana Grill has some of the best food around, great gourmet cooking, with gourmet prices, around $24 a plate. But this restaurant sits on the bluffs just North of Pismo Beach, you can see whales spouting in the distance at times, but there is no restaurant with a better view than this restaurant!
If you come to the central coast and like cinnamon rolls then this place is a must, get there early, or there may be a line out of the door! Even if there is, they are worth the wait!. The have a selection of cinnamon rolls and icings to chose from, this place is AMAZING!
40 locals recommend
Old West Cinnamon Rolls
861 Dolliver StIf you come to the central coast and like cinnamon rolls then this place is a must, get there early, or there may be a line out of the door! Even if there is, they are worth the wait!. The have a selection of cinnamon rolls and icings to chose from, this place is AMAZING!
Carlock's is a great bakery here in Los Osos, about 4 blocks from our location, then have all kinds of fun baked gods to choose from, and they are 1 minute away!
12 locals recommend
Carlock's Bakery
1024 Los Osos Valley RdCarlock's is a great bakery here in Los Osos, about 4 blocks from our location, then have all kinds of fun baked gods to choose from, and they are 1 minute away!
Ralphs
1240 Los Osos Valley RdLocal Grocery Store
Albertsons
189 Niblick RdAlternative to Ralph's
Dancing, Eating, Great over the top desserts, and a crazy pink Hotel, this place is a must-see if you are in the area.
118 locals recommend
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna RdDancing, Eating, Great over the top desserts, and a crazy pink Hotel, this place is a must-see if you are in the area.
If you are traveling from Atascadero to Morro, or vise Versa this is a great little stop, with great hosts, delicious food, and a refreshing vibe, especially at night when they have bands playing!
11 locals recommend
Halfway Station
15050 Morro RdIf you are traveling from Atascadero to Morro, or vise Versa this is a great little stop, with great hosts, delicious food, and a refreshing vibe, especially at night when they have bands playing!
Avila Valley Barn
560 Avila Beach DrThis is an amazing morning pastry location, Wayward Baking, specific to Los Osos! You can check out their selection online it is amazing!
1001 Santa Ynez Ave, Los Osos, CA 93402, USA
This is an amazing morning pastry location, Wayward Baking, specific to Los Osos! You can check out their selection online it is amazing!
Celias Garden Cafe Inc
1188 Los Osos Valley RdGood food, quiet scene
This spot is my favorite breakfast spot in Cayucos. Such a fun vibe, also has a great selection of pies!
18 locals recommend
Sea Shanty
296 S Ocean AveThis spot is my favorite breakfast spot in Cayucos. Such a fun vibe, also has a great selection of pies!
Sightseeing
Hearst Castle is an amazing historical mansion on the central coast 45 minutes north of Los Osos, CA. While you are there stop by Elephant Seal beach and see fully grown elephant seal males, down to newborn baby elephant seals!
18 locals recommend
San Simeon
Hearst Castle is an amazing historical mansion on the central coast 45 minutes north of Los Osos, CA. While you are there stop by Elephant Seal beach and see fully grown elephant seal males, down to newborn baby elephant seals!
Cambria is a fun town to walk through, they have a scarecrow festival, lights festival, plenty of iconic shops to shop at, and have a great pie shop, Linn's Pies!
128 locals recommend
Cambria
Cambria is a fun town to walk through, they have a scarecrow festival, lights festival, plenty of iconic shops to shop at, and have a great pie shop, Linn's Pies!
Morro bay has seals, otter's, whale tours, BBQ oyster's, countless restaurants on the water fronts, art galleries, surfing, and more!
183 locals recommend
Morro Bay
Morro bay has seals, otter's, whale tours, BBQ oyster's, countless restaurants on the water fronts, art galleries, surfing, and more!
Avila Barn is a staple on the Central Coast! It was an assortment of farm animals to feed, tractor rides, pies, jams, fruits and vegetables, ice cream, it is a great place to stop and take photos on your way to Avila and Port Slo Beaches!
144 locals recommend
Avila Valley Barn
560 Avila Beach DrAvila Barn is a staple on the Central Coast! It was an assortment of farm animals to feed, tractor rides, pies, jams, fruits and vegetables, ice cream, it is a great place to stop and take photos on your way to Avila and Port Slo Beaches!
Avila Beach is 20 minutes from our location, it has lots of restaurants and coffee shops along the ocean front. There is plenty of places to walk on the beach or jump in the ocean, and it is much more manageable place to hang out if you don't want to deal with the larger crowds in Pismo.
329 locals recommend
Avila Beach
Avila Beach is 20 minutes from our location, it has lots of restaurants and coffee shops along the ocean front. There is plenty of places to walk on the beach or jump in the ocean, and it is much more manageable place to hang out if you don't want to deal with the larger crowds in Pismo.
Port San Luis is at the far end of Avila Beach, there is a light house and pier you can walk on, eat at, and see the local wildlife. There is a Seal colony that likes to hang out on a boat pier about 30 feet off of the main pier.
35 locals recommend
Point San Luis Lighthouse
1 Lighthouse RdPort San Luis is at the far end of Avila Beach, there is a light house and pier you can walk on, eat at, and see the local wildlife. There is a Seal colony that likes to hang out on a boat pier about 30 feet off of the main pier.
Pismo Pier is a favorite of many travelers year round. It is bright, sunny, with tons of local shops, a pier to fish on, surfing waves, kayaking and more!
187 locals recommend
Pismo Beach
Pismo Pier is a favorite of many travelers year round. It is bright, sunny, with tons of local shops, a pier to fish on, surfing waves, kayaking and more!
Shell beach is just North of Pismo Beach, you can access it via Dinosaur Park, and when tide is low you can walk the tide pools there, if you like the beach feel, without the large crowds of Pismo, this is for you. If you have young children you will love the play structure at Dinosaur Park!
43 locals recommend
Shell Beach
Shell beach is just North of Pismo Beach, you can access it via Dinosaur Park, and when tide is low you can walk the tide pools there, if you like the beach feel, without the large crowds of Pismo, this is for you. If you have young children you will love the play structure at Dinosaur Park!
This is just North of Pismo, amazing play structure for kids near the bluffs! Parking is limited.
66 locals recommend
Dinosaur Caves Park
2701 Price StThis is just North of Pismo, amazing play structure for kids near the bluffs! Parking is limited.
Great, Easy, Scenic walk through the local habitat near the Morro Estuary on a boardwalk.
45 locals recommend
Elfin Forest
17th StreetGreat, Easy, Scenic walk through the local habitat near the Morro Estuary on a boardwalk.
Visit the Black Hills Trail near the gold course in Morro Bay state park. It has a lovely view of the Estuary, and the city of Morro Bay! It is a very easy hike, just beware of POISON OAK.
18 locals recommend
Black Hill Lookout
Upper State Park RoadVisit the Black Hills Trail near the gold course in Morro Bay state park. It has a lovely view of the Estuary, and the city of Morro Bay! It is a very easy hike, just beware of POISON OAK.
There are several different trails to follow through the oaks at this location, fun, scenic place that is family friendly for all ages. Please beware of poison oak.
9 locals recommend
Los Osos Oaks State Reserve
1801 Los Osos Valley RdThere are several different trails to follow through the oaks at this location, fun, scenic place that is family friendly for all ages. Please beware of poison oak.
The Bob Jones trail is a well-paved county-maintained bike and walking trail also known as the City to the Sea Trail. The trail starts across the street from the parking lot on Ontario Road, right off Highway 101, and ends in downtown Avila Beach.
The trail is great for all levels of hiking and biking. It makes for an enjoyable, smooth and (mostly) flat ride with trail benches sprinkled throughout. Dogs are welcome on the trail but please pick up after them!
The Bob Jones Trail wanders next to San Luis Obispo Creek, right behind the Avila Valley Barn fields. It passes the rear of Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School. You can enjoy walking by the fields and depending on the time of year, you might just catch the sounds of frogs and flowing water. Hard to believe it’s so close to the beach!
From the trailhead parking lot to the end of the Avila Pier is 3.0 miles.
9 locals recommend
Bob Jones Trail
Bob Jones TrailThe Bob Jones trail is a well-paved county-maintained bike and walking trail also known as the City to the Sea Trail. The trail starts across the street from the parking lot on Ontario Road, right off Highway 101, and ends in downtown Avila Beach.
The trail is great for all levels of hiking and biking. It makes for an enjoyable, smooth and (mostly) flat ride with trail benches sprinkled throughout. Dogs are welcome on the trail but please pick up after them!
The Bob Jones Trail wanders next to San Luis Obispo Creek, right behind the Avila Valley Barn fields. It passes the rear of Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School. You can enjoy walking by the fields and depending on the time of year, you might just catch the sounds of frogs and flowing water. Hard to believe it’s so close to the beach!
From the trailhead parking lot to the end of the Avila Pier is 3.0 miles.
The Kayak shack is a great place to rent Kayaks and paddle the estuary, bay, and go to the Dunes.
30 locals recommend
Kayak Shack
10 State Park RoadThe Kayak shack is a great place to rent Kayaks and paddle the estuary, bay, and go to the Dunes.
A lovely walk along the Sandspit, quiet, plenty of sand, and dunes, and lovely coastal weather!
Sandspit Beach
A lovely walk along the Sandspit, quiet, plenty of sand, and dunes, and lovely coastal weather!
Great commercial fishing boats are available to take you up and down the coast.
Patriot sport fishing
Great commercial fishing boats are available to take you up and down the coast.
City advice
Customs and culture
Central Coast Fishing Charters
It is a great private small fishing boat, that will take you out, land you on the fish, and explain everything to you. These guys are amazing if you want a personal, successful, professional fishing experience that is more intimate. Try this place.