Best Of SLO

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Best of SLO County 2025: Recreation

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Best Health Club/Gym

Kennedy Club Fitness

Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Paso Robles, Templeton, SLO

[email protected]

kennedyclubs.com

@kennedyclubfitness

facebook.com/KennedyClubFitness

click to enlarge

Photo By Jayson Mellom

BREATHE. SWEAT. SMILE. The Best Yoga Studio, Spark Yoga, offers hot yoga, cycling, and community with three locations in San Luis Obispo.

Best Yoga Studio

Spark Yoga

977 E. Foothill Blvd., suite 111, SLO

1289 Laurel Lane, SLO

(805) 439-1848

[email protected]

sparkslo.com

@sparkslo

facebook.com/smileatspark

Best Martial Arts Studio

Paragon Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

SLO, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Paso Robles

(805) 305-7512

[email protected]

paragonbjjslo.com

Best Bike Trail

Bob Jones Trail

Avila Beach

(805) 544-9096

[email protected]

lcslo.org

@landconservancyslo

facebook.com/LandConservancySLO

Best Bike Shop

Art's Cyclery

3988 Short St., No. 110, SLO

(805) 439-3915

[email protected]

artscyclery.com

@artscyclery

facebook.com/ArtsCyclery

click to enlarge

Photo By Jayson Mellom

TAKE A HIKE The Pismo Preserve is pretty special. The trails take hikers up high along the Pacific Coast, winding through oak woodlands to viewpoints that reveal the coastline as far as the eye can see. Best Hike in SLO County? Absolutely.

Best Hike

The Land Conservancy of SLO County's Pismo Preserve

80 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach

(805) 544-9096

[email protected]

lcslo.org/pismopreserve

@landconservancyslo

facebook.com/LandConservancySLO

Best ADA Accessible Trail

Bob Jones Trail

Avila Beach

(805) 544-9096

[email protected]

lcslo.org

@landconservancyslo

facebook.com/LandConservancySLO

Best Outdoor Store

The Mountain Air

667 Marsh St., suite D, SLO

(805) 543-1676

[email protected]

themountainair.com

@themountainair

facebook.com/TheMountainAir

Best Campground

Lopez Lake Recreation Area

6800 Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande

(805) 788-2381

slocountyparks.com/camp/lopez-lake

facebook.com/slocoparks

Best Horseback Rides

Madonna Inn Trail Rides

110 Madonna Road, SLO

(805) 550-5307

[email protected]

madonnainn.com/trail-rides-1

@madonnainntrailrides

facebook.com/madonnainntrailrides

Best Surf Lessons

Van Curaza Surf School

598 Front St., Avila Beach

(805) 543-7873

[email protected]

vancurazasurfschool.com

@vcsurfschool

facebook.com/vcsurfschool

Best Surf Shop

Moondoggies Beach Club

837 Monterey St., SLO

781 Doliver St., Pismo Beach

(805) 541-1995

[email protected]

moondoggiesbeachclub.com

@moondoggiesbeachclub

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

[email protected]

slooceancurrents.com

@slooceancurrents

facebook.com/SLOSCUBA

Best Watersport Rental

Avila Beach Paddlesports

3915 Avila Beach Drive, Avila Beach

(805) 704-6902

[email protected]

avilabeachpaddlesports.com

facebook.com/avilapaddlesports

Best Fishing Charter

TIE

Virg's Landing

1169 Market Ave., Morro Bay

(805) 772-1222

[email protected]

virgslanding.com

@virgslanding

facebook.com/virgslanding

Patriot Sportfishing

Harford Pier, Avila Beach

1215 Embarcadero, suite A, Morro Bay

(805) 595-7200

patriotsportfishing.com

facebook.com/PatriotSportFishing

Best Hotel

Hotel SLO

877 Palm St., SLO

(805) 235-0700

[email protected]

hotel-slo.com

@thehotelslo

facebook.com/hotelslo

click to enlarge

Photo By Jayson Mellom

SWING The Morro Bay Golf Course takes its place across the street from the bay and an iconic state park. With a driving range, club rentals, lessons, a pro shop, and bar and grill beneath eucalyptus trees overlooking the estuary, its Best Golf Course win is a no-brainer.

Best Golf Course

Morro Bay Golf Course

201 State Park Road, Morro Bay

(805) 772-1923

golfmorrobay.com

@morrobaygolfcourse

facebook.com/MorroBayGolfCourse

Best Dog Park

Laguna Lake Dog Park

504 Madonna Road, SLO

(805) 781-7302

[email protected]

slocity.org/government/department-directory/parks-and-recreation/parks/dog-off-leash-area

@sloparksandrec

facebook.com/sloparksandrec

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? Montaña 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. Δ

—Glen Starkey