Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008 - (Page 60)

coastaltraveler San Luis Obispo By Justin Nobel d St E Fo o th ill Bl vd N Br oa California Blvd San Luis Obispo was founded by Father Junipero Serra who constructed the mission of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 1772. San Luis Obispo, or SLO, as today’s locals call it, is set between golden hillsides a leisurely two-hour drive from Santa Barbara. It is far enough from the coast that mass tourism stays away. Instead SLO maintains the character of a picturesque college town, with leggy sorority sisters, cute shops, good eats, eccentric lodging and a wall padded with thousands of pieces of chewed gum. “It was an undiscovered part of the state for a long time,” said local Scott Sweeney, “but now it’s being discovered.” A popular SLO activity is biking. Every Thursday there is a rally downtown called The Bike Happening which features homemade bikes. A group called The Tall Bike Posse organizes impromptu bike parades around town. On full moons cyclists cavort over fine food at local restaurants such as Novo, which serves an eclectic array of tapas in a lush garden, before heading out on midnight rides. The main drag Higuera is populated by bouncy collegiates and is lined with an array of good spots for grabbing a book or a bite, or having a browse through one of the many boutique clothing stores. The epic California Coast used bookstore can be found in Leon’s Books, known for their hard to find originals, such as a $300, 30-volume set of Charles Dickens in a cherry-red binding. Across the street is one of two good independent coffee spots, West End Espresso & Tea, with two dozen different types of gourmet coffee and free internet. Linnaea’s Cafe, a few blocks away on Garden, is a favorite Bohemian java joint where one local patron recently published a book written entirely at the cafe. Everyone who visits SLO slaps a wad of chewed chewing gum on the sticky brick walls of Bubble Gum Alley, off Higuera. Some romantics even write gummy notes to loved ones. Gr an Monte rey St Monterey St Where to Stay Madonna Inn • 100 Madonna Rd. • 800.543.9666 The Sanitarium • 1716 Osos St. • 805.544.4124 Where to Eat The Park Restaurant • 1819 Osos St. 805.545.0000 Cafe Roma • 1020 Railroad Ave. • 805.541.6800 Novo 726 • Higuera St. • 805.543.3986 Where to Shop Leon’s Books • 659 Higuera St. • 805.543.5039 Hands Gallery • 777 Higuera St. • 805.543.1921 Avanti • 767 Higuera St. • 805.544.6441 60 coastaltraveler spring dA ve Broad St M on l ta ba n St California Blvd

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008

Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008 Contents Coastal Connoisseur Coastal Picks Coastal Scenario Coastal Art Coastal Driver Coastal Roadkill Coastal Eco Coastal Hotel Coastal Desert San Diego La Jolla Laguna Beach Malibu Santa Barbara San Luis Obispo Big Sur Carmel Monterey Santa Cruz San Francisco Sausalito Mill Valley Stinson Beach Bolinas Olema Point Reyes Station Fairfax Inverness Marshall, Tomales Sebastopol Petaluma Sonoma Coast Redwood Coast

Coastal Traveler - Spring 2008

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