A weekend getaway for you and your pup down the California Central Coast

MAY 2025

Written by: Strawberry Erica

Central Coast roadtrip: Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Los Osos, Cayucos, and Paso Robles

I used to live in San Luis Obispo for four years while attending Cal Poly — so coming back five years later with JiJi, our new pup, for his first road trip felt extra special! The Central Coast holds such a special place in my heart, and it also happens to be super dog-friendly.

In this guide, I’ll be sharing all my favorite spots from the perspective of someone who actually lived here — and loved it on a student budget. While you can have a bougie Central Coast experience, this travel guide is tailored to a fun, casual, and affordable weekend getaway for you and your pup.

DAY ONE

Buckle up, let’s go!

Since we were coming from San Francisco, the drive to the Central Coast was just about 4 hours. If you take the afternoon off and hit the road around noon, you can avoid the worst of the traffic and still make it down in time to enjoy a relaxed evening and a nice dinner.

Stay in a cute pup-friendly Airbnb in Morro Bay

We stayed in the sweetest little guest house in Morro Bay, just steps from Morro Bay Blvd — a cozy strip filled with unique vintage shops, local coffee spots, and great restaurants to explore.

Airbnb we stayed at: PERFECT LIL SURF SHACK

We absolutely loved our stay at the Surf Shack! The guest house was tucked away in the backyard of the sweetest little garden. Our pup, JiJi, was ecstatic to be somewhere new — he had the best time exploring the yard. The owners of the main house had two friendly old Dachshunds, and JiJi was so happy to say hi and make some new friends.

Head to Morro Bay Blvd and grab a drink at Babydudes

After checking into your stay, kick off the evening with a stroll down Morro Bay Blvd. There are tons of cute vintage shops to window shop, and we stopped for some deliciously crisp beers at Babydudes. They have an amazing selection of beer and wine, and even offer 20% off take-home bottles — so we grabbed a great bottle of wine to enjoy back at the Airbnb that night. JiJi loved Babydudes’ massive outdoor patio — the perfect beach town vibe to start the weekend right.

Walk around Morro Bay at sunset

Head toward the water and you’ll find Morro Bay’s main waterfront shopping and dining area — and your first glimpse of the iconic Morro Rock. Walk all the way out to Morro Bay T Pier for a perfect sunset view, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be surrounded by otters floating and playing in the water.

Enjoy fresh seafood with harbor views at Tognazzini’s Dockside Too

I’m always a big fan of casual outdoor dining — and Tognazzini’s Dockside Too is exactly that. They have a spacious deck right on the bay with perfect views of Morro Rock. The food was delicious — we shared a clam chowder bread bowl, oysters, fish tacos, and fries with a couple of beers. JiJi even got a few treats and loved taking in the sea breeze and watching the seabirds swoop around.

Note: Tognazzini also has a main indoor restaurant next door, but make sure to head to the one on the water — that’s where your pup can join you!

DAY TWO

Start the morning with an adventure to Montana de Oro

Grab a quick coffee and light breakfast from Scout Coffee in Morro Bay, then head to Montaña de Oro State Park — my favorite park in all of California. It’s got everything: massive sand dunes, tide pools, and beaches perfect for swimming.

Unfortunately, dogs are only allowed on the main roads and at Spooner’s Cove, but don’t let that stop you — driving through the park and pulling over at the scenic lookout points is so worth it. If you’re a beach lover, Spooner’s Cove is a gorgeous place to relax, with swimmable water and a unique rock formation right in the middle of the beach that makes the view extra special.

Grab a beer & snack at Beerwood in Los Osos

If you love a good beer garde like we do, head to Beerwood in Los Osos to cool off and rehydrate after a sunny morning at Montaña de Oro! We ordered a couple beers and a decadent cheese board that was way bigger than we expected. Pro tip: keep it light — because the most amazing lunch spot is right next door!

Indulge in the best sandwiches in the world at High Street Deli

Alright friends, High Street Deli is no joke. These are hands down my favorite sandwiches of all time — I stop here every single time I’m back on the Central Coast. They’ve got a big, laid-back outdoor area that’s perfect for hanging out with your pup.

Heads up: the wait can sometimes be 30 minutes to an hour because this place is that popular — but don’t worry, they’ve got beer on tap and the softest soft serve ice cream to keep you happy while you wait.

You really can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches, but my go-tos are:

  • The Big Parm — for pesto lovers and anyone who dreams of a crispy chicken cutlet

  • The Dutch Punch — if you’re into a classic turkey deli sando, but with all the extra pazazzz

Walk it off at the El Moro Elfin Forest boardwalk

After your bellies are full, it’s time to walk it off at the serene and peaceful El Moro Elfin Forest boardwalk. It’s a short, easy walk to Siena’s View — only about a mile round-trip — with beautiful, unique views of the bay and estuary. I’d call this spot a hidden gem, mostly frequented by locals, and it’s one of my favorite quick stops. The winding boardwalk, peaceful setting, and the chance of spotting a bunny hopping through the shrubs make it one of my favorite spots on the Central Coast.

Release the zoomies at Morro Bay Dog Beach

If your dog has lots of energy — like our JiJi — the boardwalk stroll might not cut it. That’s when it’s time to head to Morro Bay Dog Beach! This spot is a total dream for dogs who love to run wild. It’s an off-leash designated area with tons of friendly pups to play with, and the iconic Morro Rock makes the perfect backdrop while your dog gets out their zoomies.

Head to downtown San Luis Obispo for dinner and drinks

After an action-packed day, it’s time to treat yourself to a delicious and relaxing night out in downtown San Luis Obispo. SLO is full of cute bars and restaurants, but my personal favorite bar is Sidecar — they have a small but charming balcony overlooking the creek, where we enjoyed cocktails with JiJi by our side.

For dinner, we went to Mama’s Meatball, but here are a few great options depending on what you’re in the mood for:

  • Mama’s Meatball – For pasta lovers! Cozy outdoor seating in a lively courtyard and classic Italian comfort food.

  • Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill – A casual spot with huge portions. The food is bomb, there’s a great beer selection, and the outdoor vibes are super relaxed.

  • Novo or The Carissa – If you’re looking for something a little fancier, they both have outdoor decks that sit right next to the creek and make for a beautiful dining experience.

  • Firestone Grill or Old SLO BBQ Co. – Both are go-tos for a good ol’ tri-tip sandwich. Super casual, lively, and total fan favorites.

DAY THREE

Get açaí bowls at High Tide Deli & Cafe

Power up your day with an acai bowl at High Tide Deli & Cafe! I’m kicking myself for not taking a picture of how delicious these açaí bowls were — but maybe that’s just proof of how good they were (I ate mine way too fast!). This spot is seriously cute, with another adorable outdoor patio and a menu full of amazing açaí bowl options.

Stop by Cayucos Beach for some shopping and sunshine

Cayucos Beach is the cutest little beach town, filled with seaside restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and laid-back bars. Take a stroll through town, grab a bite, walk down the pier, and unwind on the beach. Your pup is welcome too — just be sure to keep them on a leash!

Go wine tasting at a DOAU Vineyards winery in Paso Robles

If you love wine tasting, don’t miss the chance to stop by one of the amazing wineries in Paso Robles! We chose to visit DAOU Vineyards, and the spectacular views of the rolling hills did not disappoint.

Make sure to book a reservation online — they won’t take walk-ins. We went for the wine tasting flight, which was absolutely delicious, and paired it with the Charcuterie Board that was to die for. Our server described it as a “love letter to Central Coast artisans,” featuring everything from housemade cheeses and freshly sliced smoked meats to warm toasted bread and fig jam cheese — basically every flavor you could want, with top-notch quality.

There was even live music and a bouquet-making pop-up while we were there. We ended the visit by taking home a bottle of their rosé and a gorgeous bouquet.

Head home

After the most relaxing afternoon, it’s time to head back home. Since Paso Robles is north of Morro Bay, you’re already on the way — expect about a 3 to 3.5 hour drive back to San Francisco.