Best Community Event
Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market
Higuera Street, SLO
(805) 541-0286
Best Movie Theater
Palm Theatre
817 Palm St., SLO
(805) 541-5161
facebook.com/ThePalmTheatre/?rf=1413260802299962
The Palm Theatre pretty much influenced which neighborhood I lived in when I moved to San Luis Obispo. What’s not to love? It’s solar powered, offers the best buttered $2 popcorn in the county, has a quaint old-school flair, and provides a curious gallery of alternative cinema from around the world. Nothing beats an evening stroll through Downtown SLO to watch a Palm film. I go every other week but became even more of a familiar face in April thanks to the theater screening some of the SLO International Film Festival shows. Support your local independent theater!
—Bulbul Rajagopal
Best Theater Group
SLO Rep
888 Morro St., SLO
(805) 786-2440
Best Dance Company
CORE Dance
882 Ricardo Court, SLO
(805) 541-2669
As someone who grew up as a competitive dancer, spending more than 20 hours a week in a studio, I know how important it is to find a place that cares for children on an individual level. CORE Dance Company is invested in its students; the students work hard and teachers help them grow—whether that’s their technique or life skills in general. Since opening in 2010, thousands of students have experienced a positive, enriched dance experience in CORE’s classrooms. The dance environment is clean, modern, and safe, and the studio offers a small store that sells shoes, leotards, tights, and other accessories. CORE offers programs for a variety of skill and commitment levels—starting from age 2 through adults. CORE can give your dancer the opportunity to perform, make lifelong friends, or try something new.
—Taylor O’Connor
Best DJ
DJ Bob
(805) 440-5504
Best Band
Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters
Best Live Music Venue
Vina Robles Amphitheatre
3800 Mill Road, Paso Robles
(805) 286-3680
facebook.com/vinaroblesamphitheatre
Best Place for Karaoke
Bill’s Place
112 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande
(805) 489-9989
Best Place for Trivia
Bang the Drum Brewery
1150 Laurel Lane, suite 130, SLO
(805) 242-8372
facebook.com/BangTheDrumBrewery
Best Record Shop
Boo Boo Records
978 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 541-0657
Best Bookstore
Phoenix Books
986 Monterey St., SLO
(805) 543-3591
facebook.com/pages/Phoenix-Books/121050681242482
Best Place to Buy a Musical Instrument
Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven
100 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande
(805) 481-2226
facebook.com/lightningjoesguitarheaven
Best Kids Arts Program
SLO Museum of Art
1010 Broad St., SLO
(805) 543-8562
Best Music School
Music Motive
SLO, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles
(805) 543-0377
Best Sculptor
Dale Evers
1000 Park St., Paso Robles
(805) 434-9237
Best Photographer
Andrew Gin
Best Painter
Susan Kounanis
(805) 441-4238
facebook.com/SusanKounanisFineArt
Best Mixed Media Artist
Peg Grady
(805) 234-4623
Best Public Art
SLO Museum of Art – Murals
1010 Broad St., SLO
(805) 543-8562
Best Museum
SLO Museum of Art
1010 Broad St., SLO
(805) 543-8562
Best Art Gallery
Studios on the Park
1130 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 238-9800
Best Event Venue
Vina Robles Amphitheatre
3800 Mill Road, Paso Robles
(805) 286-3680
facebook.com/vinaroblesamphitheatre
Best Event Planner
Anna Fergus – The Cliffs Hotel & Spa
2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach
(805) 773-5000
facebook.com/thecliffshotelandspa
Best Tattoo Shop
Traditional Tattoo
251 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 784-0822
facebook.com/slotraditionaltattoo
Best Limo Service
Lush Limousine Services
2235 Golden Hill Road, Paso Robles
(805) 226-5558
Best Radio Station
KJUG 98.1
3620 Sacramento Drive, suite 204, SLO
(805) 549-8698
Best News Source
KSBY
1772 Calle Joaquin, SLO
(805) 541-6666
This article appears in Best Of SLO County 2023.