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SLO Holiday Gift List

Posted December 15

Updated December 2017

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the yearly stress of gift-giving begins. But don’t worry… we’ve got you covered with nifty gifts ideas, unique to SLO. Whether you’re looking for a hostess gift or planning presents for the holidays, we’ve got a wide range of ideas for everyone on your list!

SLOcally Made 

Don’t miss out on the SLOcally Made Showroom & Creative Pop-Up Market, opening on December 17! The women makers of SLOcally Made are redefining traditional trades such as leatherwork, weaving, painting, metal-smithing, screen printing, and authorship. Right in the heart of Downtown SLO, these local artists, innovative creators, and even mini makers have created a one-of-a-kind collective, offering a large selection of artisan goods, created in San Luis Obispo that are perfect for this holiday season.

Unique & Whimsy

Known for their whimsical themed rooms and extravagant décor, Madonna Inn is quite the landmark spot along Highway 101! Pick up one of their signature goblets, available in a variety of jewel-toned colors and finishes – perfect for the collector or lover of originality in your life!

T-shirt Collector

Know someone who can never have enough t-shirts? San Luis Obispo Visitor Center has the perfect SLOcal gift for them! From tanks featuring the “happiest place in the USA” to graphic tees with SLO’s historic sites, the Visitor Center has a variety of apparel to please all. Need something to go along with your t-shirt? They also offer quality canvas tote bags screen printed with either the Mission, Sunset Drive-in, or other SLO spots. Find these t-shirts and tote bags Downtown at the SLO Visitor Center on Monterey Street.

Cal Poly Proud

Support Cal Poly by purchasing Cal Poly Grown products. Cal Poly students in the College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences follow the Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” motto by growing produce and plants, making wine, chocolate, and jams, and many other things. Visit the Cal Poly Grown page for more information on what products are offered and where to find them.

Art Lovers and Appreciators

For those in your life searching for the perfect art pieces, delight them with a gift from the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art’s store. The museum store has works of art by local artists including glass-blown pieces, handmade jewelry, and ceramics. The store also stocks exhibition souvenirs like posters of certain pieces, catalogs, or DVDs. Find these exclusive items at the Museum of Art located on Broad Street or online.

Foodies

San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market Cookbook contains 60 seasonal recipes and 40 short stories from local contributors such as Big Sky Café, Mama’s Meatball, Sally Loo’s, Novo and more. Made possible by Kickstarter, this is a true one-of-a-kind Central Coast find.

Caffeine Addicts

Local Coffee Roasts

For the coffee fiends out there, what better present could there be than delicious, heavenly smelling, freshly roasted coffee beans? Find a range of roasts at Kreuzberg Café Downtown, one of the four Black Horse locations or other coffee shops throughout San Luis Obispo.

Specialty Tea

Come meet the Tea Lady at the Secret Garden Organic Herb and Tea Shop, where she watches over shelves of quality tea, herbs, and spices as well as a wealth of knowledge on herbal remedies and alternative medicine that she’s more than happy to share. She can portion out specific amounts of tea for you or mix tea leaves, herbs, and spices by request. With a focus on sustainability and fair trade sourcing, the Tea Lady also stocks teaware, crafts, and other herbal products made by talented locals. Find her Downtown on Higuera Street by Mission San Luis Obispo.

Beer Enthusiasts

For the ones who can never say no to a beer, fill a growler or pick out a variety pack at one of San Luis Obispo’s local breweries such as Central Coast Brewing Company. Treat your family and friends to a taste of SLO with Central Coast’s one-of-a-kind signature lagers and ales.

“Treat Yo Self” Advocates

For the person in your life that works hard and needs some pampering, book them a spa day at Sycamore Mineral Springs just a short 15-minute drive from SLO in Avila Valley. Sycamore Springs offers a variety of packages combining massages, facials, and hot tubbing.

A Lil’ Bit of Everything

Can’t decide on just one SLO goodie to gift to a friend or family member this holiday season? Why not put together a SLO gift basket! Include any of the previously mentioned items or try out a few of the below:

From coffee and tea to t-shirts, artwork, and food, we hit a little bit of everything to help get you started on holiday shopping. So get out there and start tackling that list of yours with some one-of-a-kind SLO finds!