California's Central Coast Food Guide
Where to eat and drink in the new wine country
Maria’s proper introduction to California’s Central Coast came about when Graham started working with restaurants and wineries in the area. He was creating brand identities and drawing logos and even coordinating a carved-wood hanging sign at one point. They used to take road trips together, up from Los Angeles or down from Berkeley, usually staying for a night or two and always eating as much delicious food as possible. She fell hard for the rolling hills, the epic Pacific coastline, and all the dreamy small towns with their exceptionally good wines. Graham has now collaborated with bakeries, secret members-only bars, and barbecue pop-ups—and his clients have turned into dear friends. We are so excited to share with you our reccs for the very best places to eat along California’s beautiful Central Coast, from San Luis Obispo all the way to Santa Barbara.
And for this food guide, we’ve also included a little bonus feature called ~Stay the Night~. California’s Central Coast has far too much to explore for just a day-trip, so why not turn your visit into a proper getaway and stay for a night (or two)? You’ll get first pick of all the delicious breakfast pastries at our favorite bakeries and cafes. Also, dinner reservations will be a whole lot easier when you know there’s a pillow with your name on it. From budget-friendly car camping to upscale hotels, we’ve got you covered.
Just like our SF Bay Area Food Guide and our Los Angeles Food Guide, this one is exclusively for paid subscribers. We put so much love and hard work into creating these guides and we even update them regularly so that they can always be a valuable reference for you. Thank you very much for supporting this work and being part of the Recipe of the Month community! We’re so happy you’re here.
—Updated April 2025—
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