Central Coast & Inland: Avila BeachCambria, Carmel, Cayucos, Los Osos, Monterey, Moss Landing, Pacific Grove, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Salinas
Stepladder Ranch & Creamery - Cambria
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Location: 4450 San Simeon-Monterey Creek Road
Why Go There? High quality small-batch goat, mixed goat/cow's milk cheeses are made on a multi-generation ranch creamery. Visit by appointment only for one hour tour/tasting. If not able to visit, cheeses are available at various farmers markets, stores (see website).
More Information: Steplader Ranch & Creamery
The Cheese Shop - Carmel
Daily 10:00am-6:00pm (Sunday 11:00am-5:30pm)
Location: Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue/Junipero Street, lower level
Why Go There? Known for service, extensive cheese selection, same location 40+ years. Offers ample samples local, domestic, international cheeses (stacked on shelves/and in refrigerated cases); provides suggestions from dizzying array of choices (so expect to wait your turn); cheese is star attraction; also carries wine, specialty foods
More Information: The Cheese Shop
Brown Butter Cookie Company - Cayucos, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo
Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (Paso Robles opens 11:00am, San Luis Obispo opens 10:00am, 11:00am Sundays)
Location: 98 North Ocean Avenue - Cayucos
801 12th Street - Paso Robles
1003 Osos Street - San Luis Obispo
Why Go There? Humble looking, fresh baked delicious browned butter cookies; variety of year-round/seasonal flavors; samples offered; sells singles, packaged to take away/ship (popular gift item); Coffee fans: try seasonal flavor espresso. Factory/original store in downtown Cayucos.
More Information: Brown Butter Cookies
Rudell's Smokehouse - Cayucos
Daily 11:00am-6:00pm
Location: 101 D Street
Why Go There? Enticing smoking meats/fish draws steady stream of customers to tiny casual spot overlooking the beach. Only seating: couple of outside tables; to-go orders of smoked fish, chicken, pork tacos, sandwiches, salads.
More Information: Smoker Jim
Pagnol Bakery - Los Osos (Baywood Park)
Friday-Monday 8:00am-3:00pm (or earlier if sold out)
Location: 1229 Third Street
Why Go There? Hand milled flours, wild yeast sourdough breads, pastries, all handcrafted, sold in small neighborhood home bakery by dedicated baker (who pioneered California's law legalizing home based bakeries)
More Information: Facebook
Revival Ice Cream - Monterey
Daily open at 11:00am (June-November); 12:00pm (December-May)
Location: 463 Alvarado Street
Why Go There? Small batch, artisanal organic rotating seasonal ice cream, sorbet flavors; ice cream bars, ice cream sandwiches; look for coffee with cacao nibs, olive oil with blood orange, rich hot chocolate (only during December)
More Information: Revival Ice Cream
Negranti Creamery - Paso Robles
Thursday-Sunday 12:00pm-7:00pm
Location: 2989 Limestone Way (Tin City, across from Barrelhouse Brewery)
Why Go There? One of few US creameries producing sheep's milk ice cream; variety of flavors; scoop shop also has cow's milk ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream pies
More Information: Negranti Ice Cream
Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary Academy dinner restaurant - Salinas (not curator reviewed)
Friday 5:30pm-7:30pm seatings
Location: 710 Old Stage Road
Why Go There? Three course prix-fixe dinners prepared, artfully plated by underserved/displaced youth training for future food hospitality jobs. Some ingredients sourced from the non-profit campus (historic ranch) on-site garden; indoor, outdoor tables offer views. Limited selection (donated) adult beverages available for purchase; reservations required. Tapas patio menu option, no reservations required: 5:00pm-7:00pm.
More Information: Rancho Cielo
Mama Ganache Chocolates - San Luis Obispo
Monday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm
Location: 1445 Monterey Street
Why Go There? Family-owned chocolate shop sources organic, fair trade and single origin beans, produces small batch chocolate bars, truffles, barks. Supports "Project Hope & Fairness”, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting cocoa farmers in West Africa.
More Information: Mama Ganache
Additional Resources
Point San Luis Lighthouse - Avila Beach
130 year anniversary special events include appetizers, wine
Farmers Market - Carmel
Thursday 10:00am-2:00pm, 6th/Mission
Gourmet Fest - Carmel
High-end four day foodie/wine festival (March)
Food & Wine Events - Monterey
Event calendar and map
Monterey Winemakers’ Celebration - Carmel
Annual day long food/wine festival features Monterey area wineries (2020: usually May, re-scheduled to late August)
Central Coast Brewers Guild - Central Coast
Events
Farmers Markets - Monterey County
”Live entertainment from local musicians makes Tuesday's Monterey market a particular local favorite”
Phil’s Fish Market - Moss Landing
Seafood restaurant/to-go ( don't miss chowders)
Farmers Market - Pacific Grove
150-158 Grand Avenue, Monday 3:00pm-7:00pm
Distillery Trail - Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo
Distilleries and events
Niner Wine Estates - Paso Robles
Pop-up wine dinners
Farmers Market - San Luis Obispo
Higuera Street between Nipomo/Osos, Thursday 6:00pm-9:00pm
Cheese Trail - California
Map of California craft cheese producers by region