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A couple enjoys wine tasting in San Luis Obispo, CA

California Wine Country Vacation Ideas

Posted January 12

Nestled between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo wine country is home to world-class wine and scenic landscapes just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. San Luis Obispo’s charming downtown offers California wine country cuisine and a hospitable community that will make you feel right at home.

A variety of annual San Luis Obispo wine festivals and events provide the perfect focal points for planning wine vacations throughout the year. From special winery tours and blending seminars to barrel tastings and wine tasting events, San Luis Obispo offers a one-of-a-kind experience paired with award-winning wines.

Planning Your Trip to San Luis Obispo Wineries 

San Luis Obispo wine country is filled with artisan vintners and family-owned wineries. Feel free to browse the printable San Luis Obispo Winery Map, listing out Edna Valley wineries and their location so you can get the lay of the land.

Unsure of where to start? Explore our complete list of wineries in San Luis Obispo to get a taste of their specialties and ambiance. If you’re looking for a local’s perspective, check out Andie’s top wineries in SLO and Avrah’s favorite off-the-beaten-path wineries, recently featured on our #ShareSLO Blog.

Getting There

Local wine country shuttles are available for tours and transportation, but we recommend booking in advance to ensure the vendors can accommodate your party. If you don’t need a large group accommodation, consider looking into UberWINE. UberWINE offers a special program for San Luis Obispo wineries and their visitors. Order your UberWINE driver and he or she will spend the entire day driving you from tasting room to tasting room! If it is your first time using UberWINE, you can enjoy $10 off your trip, but that isn’t the only perk. If you visit one of UberWINE’s friends in the wine country, you’ll also enjoy $10 off a bottle of wine. At this time, UberWINE’s winery friends include Peachy Canyon, Villa San Juliette, Castoro Cellars, Donati Family Vineyard, and Monarch Grove Vineyard.

SLO Wineries

With an assortment of annual wine events and festivals, plan your San Luis Obispo wine country tour around one of those featured below. To discover other special offerings and seasonal events, browse individual winery websites and start planning your trip to San Luis Obispo today.

Annual San Luis Obispo Wine Festivals and Events

Bike Tour Through Edna Valley Wineries 

Grab your bike and helmet for a self-led tour of sustainable Edna Valley wineries. Start by wine tasting at Claiborne & Churchill, who also host live music on Friday nights at their summer event known as Sips and Songs. Pick up lunch from the deli at Old Edna to power your through your next wine tasting. Then, mosey over to Wolff Vineyards and enjoy a picnic in the tasting garden. Finally, visit Talley Vineyards for your final wine tasting of the day and recharge on the hillside grounds before heading back to San Luis Obispo.

Where to Go After Wine Tasting in SLO

While a majority of tasting rooms close shop at 5 p.m., the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Once you head back to town, there are a number of restaurants with wine specials including waived corkage fees. Ciopinot Seafood Grille features an array of appetizing bites, as well as no corkage fees for your party’s first 4 bottles of wine. If you happen to be in town on a Wednesday, Buona Tavola Northern Italian Cuisine offers half-off any bottle under $100, pairing wonderfully with their authentic menu choices. Similarly, on Tuesdays, Cafè Roma Italian Restaurant offers half-priced bottles of wine all day long. Whichever night of the week you choose to explore SLO’s wine country, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from once you’ve returned to town.