Best Health Club/Gym
Kennedy Club Fitness
Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Templeton, SLO
facebook.com/KennedyClubFitness
Best Yoga Studio
Spark Yoga
977 E. Foothill Blvd., suite 111, SLO
1289 Laurel Lane, SLO
(805) 439-1848
Best Martial Arts Studio
Paragon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
SLO, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles
(805) 305-7512
Best Bike Trail
Bob Jones Trail
Avila Beach
(805) 544-9096
facebook.com/LandConservancySLO
Best Bike Shop
Art’s Cyclery
3988 Short St., No. 110, SLO
(805) 439-3915
Best Hike
The Land Conservancy of SLO County’s Pismo Preserve
80 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach
(805) 544-9096
facebook.com/LandConservancySLO
Best ADA Accessible Trail
Bob Jones Trail
Avila Beach
(805) 544-9096
facebook.com/LandConservancySLO
Best Outdoor Store
The Mountain Air
667 Marsh St., suite D, SLO
(805) 543-1676
customerservice@themountainair.com
Best Campground
Lopez Lake Recreation Area
6800 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande
(805) 788-2381
slocountyparks.com/camp/lopez-lake
Best Horseback Rides
Madonna Inn Trail Rides
110 Madonna Road, SLO
(805) 550-5307
madonnainntrailrides@yahoo.com
facebook.com/madonnainntrailrides
Best Surf Lessons
Van Curaza Surf School
598 Front St., Avila Beach
(805) 543-7873
Best Surf Shop
Moondoggies Beach Club
837 Monterey St., SLO
781 Doliver St., Pismo Beach
(805) 541-1995
moondoggiesbeachclub@gmail.com
facebook.com/moondoggiesbeachclub
Best Skateboard Shop
Central Coast Surfboards
855 Marsh St., SLO
(805) 541-1129
Best Place to Get Swimwear
SLO Swim Co.
795 Higuera St., SLO
(805) 888-7630
Best Dive Shop
SLO Ocean Currents
3121 S. Higuera, suite B, SLO
(805) 544-7227
Best Watersport Rental
Avila Beach Paddlesports
3915 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach
(805) 704-6902
avilabeachpaddlesports@gmail.com
facebook.com/avilapaddlesports
Best Fishing Charter
TIE
Virg’s Landing
1169 Market Ave., Morro Bay
(805) 772-1222
Patriot Sportfishing
Harford Pier, Avila Beach
1215 Embarcadero, suite A, Morro Bay
(805) 595-7200
facebook.com/PatriotSportFishing
Best Hotel
Hotel SLO
877 Palm St., SLO
(805) 235-0700
Best Golf Course
Morro Bay Golf Course
201 State Park Road, Morro Bay
(805) 772-1923
facebook.com/MorroBayGolfCourse
Best Dog Park
Laguna Lake Dog Park
504 Madonna Road, SLO
(805) 781-7302
slocity.org/government/department-directory/parks-and-recreation/parks/dog-off-leash-area
Best Thing About SLO County
The People
Wow! Kind of self-aggrandizing, don’t you think? I mean, sure, you’re good, but “The Best”? Have you seen our beaches? Avila? Pismo? San Simeon Cove? MontaƱa de Oro? The Rock is iconic! Big Sur? Hello? Our downtowns are charming as heck. Cambria’s so adorable I want to put it in my pocket. We have a world-class university and a terrific junior college. The state’s only functioning nuclear plant is here, if you’re into that kind of thing. Our country has a Wild West history including Indigenous people with a rich culture. John Steinbeck’s novels were about our home. You realize Hearst Castle is in our county, right? Our agriculture sector is killer! Got wine? We do! We could wash a herd of elephants in the best wine around. Our weather ain’t bad either, but oh no. You think you’re “The Best.” OK, playas. I see you. Ī
āGlen Starkey
This article appears in Best of SLO County 2025.