Foodie Experiences That Dreams Are Made Of
Forage for sustainable seaweed off the coast. Savor a private meal in a chef’s garden. Grow an olive tree to produce olive oil. For all the experience seekers, here is a bucket list of Central Coast travel adventures that welcome you to dig deep into the food- and drink-scape of local culture.
Every experience is Edible approved. When seeking out the best culinary adventures throughout the county be sure to look out for this badge; it’s a beacon to some of our team’s most enjoyed foodie finds.
Olive Farming with The Groves on 41
Commemorate your time on the Central Coast by planting an olive tree at The Groves on 41, a working olive farm, to grow and produce the most popular varietal of olive oil in California — Spanish arbequina. The experience includes a full tasting and discussion about the “renaissance” olive oil producers are relishing in. Receive a certificate with the coordinates of the tree to return for a visit, take home three bottles of fresh olive oil, and be eligible to join The Groves on 41 Producers Club. In Templeton.
First debuted in Sorrento and now a popular tradition throughout Italy, pizza al metro (or meter pizza) is the style of serving pizza in different sizes and with varied tastings according to the number of people gathered — a tradition of sharing that made its way west to Flour House for Meter Monday. Feast on a half meter (consisting of three tastings, feeding up to four guests) or a full meter (six tastings, feeding up to eight guests) of artisanal pizza. Guests line up outside for this no-reservations-taken ritual, so visit Flour House early on a Monday to be guaranteed a seating — they open at 4pm. 690 Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo.
Seaweed Foraging with Marley Family Seaweeds
Spencer Marley of Marley Family Seaweeds leads intimate and educational seaweed tours and forages, a low impact journey that everyone — kids included — can enjoy. Learn to identify, prepare and preserve edible seaweeds, and discover the tidal ecosystem. The 90-minute session concludes with a tasty bowl of ramen noodles for lunch, made with freshly harvested seaweed from the beach.
Seasonal Garden Tasting at Niner Wine Estates
Be greeted for a garden tasting at Niner Wine Estates, available by appointment only, with a glass of wine and then guided on a private walking tour of the Chef’s Garden. See what is growing and being harvested for the kitchen before sitting at a private table in the center of the garden to enjoy a specialty flight of wines paired with courses prepared by Niner chefs. As you settle among colorful herbs, berry bushes, fruit trees and edible flowers in the vibrant and lively part of the property, dine on dishes designed to highlight the fresh garden ingredients of the season. 2400 Highway 46, West in Paso Robles.
Dining at the Collective Table with Table and Vine Supper Club
Experience through Table and Vine Supper Club once-in-a-lifetime dinners, in celebrated locations — from rolling vineyards, sun-kissed beaches and jaw dropping vistas to rustic farms and iconic landmarks — by acclaimed chefs and award-winning vintners who make the Central Coast region so distinctly ours. Enjoy a welcome beverage and passed hors d’oeuvres while witnessing the beautiful surroundings before sunset, then take a seat at a stunning, collective table for a culinary journey of a four- to five-course dinner with thoughtfully paired wine from a featured vintner.
Artisan Distillery Tour with SLO Safe Ride
Relax, sit back in luxury transportation of your choosing and take in the beautiful countryside as SLO Safe Ride guides you to the area’s finest artisan distilleries. Guests taste their way through three craft distilleries on the Central Coast and can request facility tours, private experiences and behind-the-scenes looks. Catered lunch is included in the all-inclusive package, and concierge service is available to help arrange additional meal reservations or tour stops.
Walking Food Tour with Taste of SLO
Walk, sip and taste your way through picturesque San Luis Obispo with Taste of SLO’s three-hour walking food tour, to get a true taste of the local dining scene. The tour destinations capture the heart and soul of San Luis Obispo’s entrepreneurial food landscape. Delight in drinks and bites through five to seven food stops at lesser known, off the beaten track mom-and-pop shops serving some of the best local fare, while entertaining and knowledgeable guides give a broad view of the city’s history and food culture. You will be very full after spending a day with Taste of SLO. In San Luis Obispo.
Edible Greenhouse at Windrose Farm
Live the life of a farmer with a visit to the Edible Greenhouse at Windrose Farm, a family enterprise tucked in a unique valley of 50 acres, for a self-guided walking tour through the working nursery to learn about farming lifecycles and lifestyles, as well as the over 100 varieties of tomatoes, peppers, greens, herbs and flowers being grown there. Get down and dirty and harvest your own crops to take home — potatoes, onions, garlic, beets, cucumbers, green beans, eggplant, squash, carrots, apples, stone fruit, melon, grapes — or for something less labor-intensive, pick up from the farmstand on site, to practice the true meaning of farm to table. By appointment only. 5750 El Pharo Drive in Paso Robles.
