Discover Local Gems on the Central Coast

The Central Coast is home to a myriad of small cities and towns boasting fantastic local businesses often hidden behind franchises and chain restaurants. While it’s easy to zip through a drive-thru for a quick bite or shop at large retailers that engage in fast fashion, supporting local businesses is crucial for strengthening our community. It can take some digging to find the hidden gems from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay. To help, we've compiled a list of local businesses for you to explore.

Santa Barbara

Handlebar Coffee Roasters: Owned by former cyclists Olson and Anderson, Handlebar has two locations in Santa Barbara. They roast beans sourced from Central and South America and Africa in-house.

The Book Den: One of the oldest bookstores in Santa Barbara, The Book Den offers new, used, and out-of-print books. Opened in 1933, it has moved a few times and is now located half a block from State Street.

Anna Janelle Jewelry: This Latina-owned jewelry business specializes in permanent jewelry and themed collections, including coastal cowgirl and wanderlust designs.

Los Agaves: Voted the best Mexican restaurant in Santa Barbara, Los Agaves is a family-owned business serving authentic dishes with a twist.

Santa Maria

Woody’s Butcher Block: This top-quality meat market sells beef jerky, sausages, and rubs. If you’re a sandwich fanatic, the market transforms into a deli from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Gavin’s Books: A charming tiny bookstore offering new and used books. The selection and pricing are exceptional compared to other local bookstores.

Lark and Sparrow: A vibey wine and beer bar featuring striking artwork and vintage furniture for sale. This is the perfect spot to escape Santa Maria for a few hours.

805 Tacos: Known for its extensive taco selection with 17 different meat options, 805 Tacos also offers seafood, combo plates, and soups for those who prefer something other than tacos.

Flower Carriage by Ms. Cardel: Order a beautiful bouquet for a family member, friend, or special occasion. Ms. Cardel offers same-day delivery, which is perfect for last-minute gifts!

Arroyo Grande

Timbre: Located in the heart of the village, Timbre Winery uses the terroir method in its winemaking to create wines with balanced aromas, acidity, sweetness, and complexity. The winery has a cozy atmosphere and offers a variety of blends for every wine enthusiast.

Pacific Plant Co.: This woman-owned indoor plant store features a wide range of plants, from pet-friendly varieties to rare finds. Owner Teresa, a registered nurse, turned her passion for plant care into a business.

Fresh Baked Tees Print Shop: Whether you’re starting a customized t-shirt business or need matching tees for an event, Fresh Baked Tees will print your desired logo on any colored shirt. Owner Anthony Damian began screen printing in 2013 for locals and tourists and has become a leading provider of screen-printed tees.

Nipomo

Queen V Boutique: A woman-owned clothing store offering fashionable Latin-inspired clothing, shoes, and accessories, designed with vibrant colors and floral styles.

Sunshine Donuts: The only donut shop in Nipomo, Sunshine Donuts is family-owned and serves fresh, delicious donuts at affordable prices.

Deliciás de Mi Tierra Bakery: This panadería offers fresh-baked pan dulce, cookies, and more. Known for their mini conchas, this family-owned business prepares everything in-house.

Bubbles & Tea Coffeehouse: Opened in June 2023 by Latina entrepreneur Maricruz Sanchez, this coffeehouse offers coffee, tea, wine, and a menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She hosts events from paint nights to salsa dance lessons.

San Luis Obispo

High Street Market and Deli: A quality sandwich shop dedicated to creating mouthwatering sandwiches. If you’re in SLO around 4:20 p.m., stop by for your favorite sandwiches for just $8.50.

Field Day Coffee: A family-owned coffee shop known for having the best bagels on the Central Coast. They partner with various coffee roasters and winemakers from the U.S. and Denmark.

Cattaneo Bros: A beef jerky establishment that prioritizes high-quality ingredients. This family-owned business has been in San Luis Obispo for over 70 years, providing a variety of jerky, sausages, and beef sticks.

Len Collective: Shop for fine handmade jewelry, unique fragrances, apothecary goods, and gifts from locally sourced artists. Shannon Len curates artisan goods from around the world for her store.

Paso Robles

Olive & Emerald: A woman-owned stationery business, Kerry Scott Groelle specializes in designing invitations for any occasion and branding for small businesses. She works closely with clients to ensure satisfaction.

Relics Antique Mall: This vintage marketplace features multiple vendors selling antique clothing and furniture. It's a great place to shop second-hand for unique items.

The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar: Located in downtown Paso Robles, The Hatch offers comfort food through rotisserie chicken dishes and creative cocktails, sourcing ingredients from producers who share their values.

Morro Bay

The Shell Shop: If you enjoy collecting seashells, visit The Shell Shop in Morro Bay. They boast the largest selection on the West Coast, focusing on sustainability by reusing what’s left behind and minimizing their carbon footprint.

The Savory Palette: Located in Marina Square, this wine bar offers stunning ocean views. Enjoy delicious wine and food, or select from their variety of loose teas.

Top Dog Coffee Bar: This cozy coffee shop loves dogs and supports local shelters. Located a couple of blocks from the beach, it's a perfect spot to enjoy coffee and a walk along the ocean.