Shopping

Fashion your own Style- Shopping in San Luis Obispo

A keepsake acquired during a trip can often help you recall all of those wonderful memories created every time you look at the souvenir, no matter how big or how small the keepsake might be. Saunter from kitschy local boutiques to the familiar shops as you make your way through our historic downtown. Whether you're shopping for yourself or putting on an Oscar winning performance convincing your friend you're shopping for them, there is no better place to find that memory-making merchandise then in SLO.

Downtown
One of the reasons San Luis Obispo is so happy is because of its walkability and friendliness to pedestrians. Downtown San Luis Obispo encompasses about seven blocks and five streets filled with retail and dining tucked into historic buildings. Take a stroll down Higuera Street, the main drag for shopping. But don't forget about the streets of Monterey and Marsh and all the cross streets in between. You will find that downtown is filled with off-beat boutiques and familiar chain retailers that provide a mixture of affordable and lavish shopping options. Along with the shopping you will discover that downtown is also the dining and entertainment hub of town.

Father Afield
If a tour of downtown doesn't wear out your plastic, there are several other shopping centers conveniently nearby. Just a short drive from downtown will give you your choice of several great shopping centers with many great stores to choose from. You'll find a number of regional and national chains that offer a variety of shopping options, as well as specialty shops and dining options.

All are Chamber members providing goods and services.

Downtown San Luis Obispo

Downtown San Luis Obispo is not only a prime people watching area it's also the prime shopping area. The best reason to be downtown is the Thursday night Farmers Market. Four blocks of Higuera, the main street are closed to traffic and a weekly block party begins with a horn blowing at 6:00 p.m. and the party lasts until 9:00 p.m.

Stores downtown include well known ones like Victoria's Secret, Barnes and Noble, the Gap, Express, Ross, and the Apple Store. Lesser known, independent stores are more prevalent in the downtown area. Tom's Toys, Campus Camera, Crazy Jay's clothing store, Beverly's, a craft and fabric store, Coverings, an upscale women's clothing shop, and a multitude of good restaurants are located in the downtown area. Rated San Luis Obispo' s best restaurant, Novo, serves a fusion of Brazilian, Indian and other international flavors with multi level patio seating beside San Luis Creek. Tapas shared on small plates is the way to eat here but individual entrees are available, too. Try the incredible seared scallops, as well as the Tandoori Spice Prawns and get a side order of their Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes with chipotle aioli. Fantastic food served in a splendid setting. Night time is especially stunning here with dining , not only under the trees and stars but under tiny, romantic white lights.

The big box store area is located off of Los Osos Valley Road at the south end of the city. Costco, Home Depot, Bev Mo, and Old Navy are here.

2. Madonna Plaza Shopping Center

The shopping center along Madonna Road, right off of U.S. 101, is home to Kohl's, Sears, Borders, Best Buy, and smaller stores. There is a new Forever 21 in what used to be the former Gottschalks's department store. The Madonna Plaza also contains a Ralph's grocery store, Bed Bath and Beyond, Men's Warehouse, and a great store, Cost Plus World Market. Applebee's is here, along with Sushi Goku, an excellent local sushi cafe, McDonald's and Taco Bell. It's not as congested as the downtown area can get and parking spaces are much easier to find here and free, too.

3. Prime Outlets Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach's Prime Outlets Shopping Center is a traditional outdoor shopping venue with a few dozen stores wrapped around a huge parking lot, just off the 101 Freeway.

The Central Coast is not like Southern California, which has a seemingly inexhaustible access to shopping venues. In San Luis Obispo County, shopping centers are few and far between. That's why the nearly forty shops at the Prime Outlets in Pismo Beach have continued to be popular.

From designer apparel and sportswear (IZOD, Pac Sun, Tommy Hilfiger, Anne Klein Outlet, Aeropostale, Calvin Klein, Nike Factory Store) to children's stores ( carter's, Oshkosh and Gymboree Outlet), shoe outlets (Nine West Outlet, Vans Shoes) home, jewelry and specialty stores (H

arry and David, Perfumania, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Jockey, Claire's, Kitchen Collection), Pismo Beach Prime Outlets really do have something for everyone. The outdoor mall is visitor friendly, too, with tourist information, free wi-fi hot zone, and a customer lounge in the pet-friendly California Welcome Center, Suite 100, near the mall's south end. There is a huge parking lot (free) and room for RV and bus parking. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Located off of Highway 101 at Five Cities Drive, next to the freeway. 333 Five Cities Drive, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

(805) 773-4661
www.primeoutlets.com

Shop till you drop and dine till you're done at the wide variety of great San Luis Obispo shopping spots and restaurants in SLO — all of which are just minutes away from our comfortable and affordable Comfort Inn & Suites Lamplighter hotel in San Luis Obispo.

Variety of Cuisines for Dining in San Luis Obispo

Whether you're in the mood for some spicy Mexican or Spanish fare, flavorful Italian cuisine, refreshing California-style dining or everyone's favorite steakhouse, seafood place or classic American restaurant, you'll be in close proximity to whatever your palate desires when you stay at our Comfort Inn® & Suites hotel in San Luis Obispo. For your convenience, we've highlighted a just a few of our nearby favorites:

AFFORDABLE SAN LUIS OBISPO RESTAURANTS

Café Roma (Italian) 1020 RailRoad Ave
805.541.6800
1.2 Miles Away California Pizza Kitchen 876 Marsh Street
805.784.0790
0.9 Miles Away Ciopinot Seafood Grille 1051 Nipomo Street
805.547.1111
1 Mile Away Corner View Restaurant & Bar Innovative Comfort Food
1141 Chorro Street
805.546.8444
0.9 Miles Away F.Mclintocks Steakhouse
686 Higuera Street
805.541.0686
0.9 Mile Away Jaffa Café Mediterranean
1212 Higuera Street
805.543.2449
0.4 Miles Away Koberl at Blue Wine Country Dining
998 Monterey Street
805.783.1135
0.6 Miles Away Monterey Street Wine Shop 1255 Monterey Street
805.541.1255
0.3 Miles Away Pepe Delgado's Mexican 1601 Monterey Street
805.544.6660
Across from Hotel Splash Café Artisan Bakery Tasty Sandwiches & Famous Chowders
1491 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.544.7567
0.1 Miles Away Upper Crust Trattoria 11560 Los Osos Valley Rd
805.542.0400
4.0 Miles Away

MORE RESTAURANTS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO
2115 BROAD STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
805.781.0766 TSURUGI JAPANESE CUISINE 570 HIGUERA STREET, SUITE 20
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
805.543.8942 TACO ROCO FAMILY-FRIENDLY MEXICAN
201 SANTA ROSA STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
805.784.0502 VIENI VAI TRATTORIA 690 HIGUERA STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
805.544.5282

Eclectic Destinations for Shopping in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo—the city as well as the county—is one of the country's most visited tourist destinations. In addition to fantastic food, gorgeous scenery, wine-tasting tours and amazing cultural and historical sites, our beautiful downtown is home to a wide selection of unique, independent and California-based shopping destinations. We've listed a few of the San Luis Obispo shopping favorites for your convenience.

RECOMMENDED SAN LUIS OBISPO SHOPPING

Ambercombie & Fitch 980 Higuera Street
805.541.2704
0.8 Miles Away Apple Store 899 Higuera Street
805.542.8800
0.7 Miles Away Banana Republic 990 Higuera Street
805.541.2318
0.5 Miles Away Costco 1540 Froom Ranch Way
805.541.7000
4.8 Miles Away Express 887 Higuera Street
805.546.0784
0.7 Miles Away The Gap Store 897 Higuera Street
805.545.9051
0.8 Miles Away The Home Depot 1551 Froom Ranch Way
805.596.0857
4.8 Miles Away Kevin Main Jewelry 720 Higuera Street
805.547.0662

MORE SHOPPING IN SAN LUIS OBISPO

Antique Center 1239 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805.541.4040 Antiques on Monterey 1599 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Outdoor & Farmer's Markets

Located in the heart of California Wine Country, San Luis Obispo is home to numerous farms, vineyards, dairies, orchards, groves and gardens just bursting with this verdant land's bounty. Stock up on fine California wines, olive oils, artisanal cheeses and a wealth of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables at our numerous outdoor and farmer's mark