My guide to a perfect weekend getaway in Edna Valley and the magical surrounding towns in San Luis Obispo County
Evan and I have been loving little California getaways. Heck, I haven’t left the state in over a year! It is a damn good thing I love California or I’d be going stir crazy. If you haven’t checked out my California Road Trip Honeymoon blog yet, you definitely should. Dozens of ideas and restaurants for making your coastal California getaway a dream.
We spent a few days up in Edna Valley and it was an absolute dream. Edna Valley is a unique Southern California wine region just south of San Luis Obispo. With tasting rooms and wineries studded along this quaint valley, there is no shortage of picturesque spots to sip delicious wines.
Why I love Edna Valley
My favorite part of Edna Valley is how close it is to so many incredible sights and eats! The valley itself doesn’t have many restaurants, but there are hundreds of incredible dining options within 15 minutes. From Arroyo Grande to the South, Pismo Beach and Avila Beach to the East, and the gorgeous town of San Luis Obispo to the north, there is everything you need within a short and beautiful drive.
My Edna Valley Getaway Guide
I break down this Edna Valley Getaway Guide into a few sections.
First up, I’ll share the best place to stay in Edna Valley – our beautiful AirBnB we discovered by chance. I received SO many DM’s asking for this location). This is hands down on of the best AirBnB’s I’ve ever stayed at. But, it’s not without a few things to note before booking!
Then, I’ll break down our favorite restaurants in San Luis Obispo county for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, I’m even so kind to throw in our favorite restaurant, coffee shop, and wine tasting in Santa Barbara along the way. You are welcome hunnies! Last, l share our favorite wine tasting spots in Edna Valley.
I’m writing this as of March 2021, so we made sure that all safety precautions were taken. Every restaurant and winery had ample outdoor seating and social distancing, so we felt very comfortable supporting the local businesses.
Santa Barbara Pit Stop
The drive from San Diego to Edna Valley is about 5 hours, so we planned a stop in Santa Barbara to break up the drive. There are dozens of incredible cafes and things to do in Santa Barbara, but here’s what we did:
Evan insists on coming here any time we are in Santa Barbara. Dart roasts all their own beans, and damn does this shop smell divine. The shop also doubles as a mercantile for local artisans. I picked up a few gorgeous cards because you always need a few on hand.
Helena Avenue Bakery
When I tell you that we went to Helena Ave Bakery three days in a row during our last Santa Barbara trip, I AM NOT KIDDING. The vibe, the food, the staff, it’s all perfection. Helena Avenue Bakery shares a space with Santa Barbara Wine Collective and it’s pretty much my dream restaurant concept. With delicious breakfast and lunch options, I could eat here for every meal and never get sick of it. Evan had a spiritual experience with their freshly baked bread.
I get the SB Farmer’s Market Bowl every single time. I’m going to have to recreate this perfection immediately because it is divine. What’s in it: tutti frutti sauteed swiss chard, sugar snap peas, oyster mushrooms, two soft poached eggs, puffed rice, aleppo pepper
If you want to get the vacation vibes going even before you hit Edna Valley, pop into Folded Hills for a tasting. Folded Hills is an organic winery and farm, complete with a ranch with Clydesdales, goats, and a camel named George. The setting is absolutely divine and just off the 101 about 30 minutes north of Santa Barbara. If we lived in SB, I would be a member here in a heartbeat.
Where we stayed – MarCasa
I have never received so many DM’s asking for this AirBnB. We discovered MarCasa by chance on AirBnB and I am so grateful we did!
Every single detail of this gorgeous studio was divine. Rarely do you find an AirBnB that uses quality products – like Restoration Hardware towels and Hale Mercantile bedding (which I’m now saving for as my next splurge gift to myself). Natural light pours in from enormous windows across the living room. And the view from the bed overlooking miles of rolling green hills of Edna Valley simply cannot be beat.
The Property
We walked through the property every morning with our coffees in hand and breathe in the fresh spring air. Surrounded by miles of vineyards, cow pastures, and organic farmland, this property truly feels surreal. And if you are an animal lover, the farm has horses, cows, alpacas, chickens, and a hefty hog to say hi to (and no, none of it smells!).
I will stay here again in a heartbeat! This 60 acre working horse ranch also hosts a three bedroom, three bathroom house and event space called MarFarm that looks divine if you’re traveling with a group.
Read this before you book!
Some things to note before booking: the only real downsides to this spot was the bathroom design and the lack of outdoor space for dining. While you do have access to most of the property to stroll through vineyards and pastures, there isn’t any real outdoor seating space for the MarCasa studio if you wanted to have dinner outside.
The bathroom, while absolutely gorgeous, does have an open air ceiling to the rest of the space. Since Evan and I have been dating forever, this didn’t really bother us. But, if you are on your first getaway weekend with a new boo, I wouldn’t suggest this spot unless you’re really feeling like breaking through some boundaries.
Again, I will stay here again no questions asked! But I want to disclose what could have been better in case those might be deal breakers for you!
Here’s their AirBnB listing if you want to book MarCasa for your next trip.
SLO County Restaurants
Since we ate all around town, I’m labeling this SLO County Restaurants because we found delicious eats all over the area. From Arroyo Grande, to Pismo Beach, to San Luis Obispo, and back to Edna Valley – there is no shortage of delicious restaurants here!
Breakfast
We discovered this homey cafe during our road trip honeymoon and knew we had to come back. Everything is made fresh, with local ingredients and the perfect funky vibe. With tons of outdoor seating and delicious homemade food, I could eat here weekly! I love the Al-Paca breakfast bowl, fresh smoothies, and hearty Veggie Scramble.
After a few days of glorious eating, I was craving something lighter for breakfast on one of our last days. Seeds on Garden was heaven sent! With smoothies, smoothie bowls, and toasts galore, this is a great spot for a plant-based breakfast or lunch. The gluten free bread for the toast was fluffy and crunchy and absolutely delicious.
Coffee and Bakery
Scout Coffee – San Luis Obispo
Can we just talk about the aesthetic at Scout Coffee for a moment? Neutral tones of white oak, dried floral bouquets, artisan market goods, I could have bought this entire shop. Scout Coffee has fresh baked treats galore (with gluten free and vegan options!), a small breakfast menu, and some seriously delicious coffee options made with freshly roasted beans. Stop in here, it’s a vibe!
Sweet Pea Bakery – Arroyo Grande
A monumental moment happened at Sweet Pea Bakery. I thought Evan was going to divorce me. After making the grave mistake to ask for his keys mid-bite of the most glorious croissant of his entire existence, I learned that you never get between a man and his Sweet Pea prosciutto croissant. Honestly, I’m only partially kidding.
Evan is a croissant connoisseur and he said this was hands down the best one he’s ever had. Sweet Pea also has gluten free Tuesdays (which I will definitely be back for) along with a few daily options each day. The bakery opens at 6:30am and is a bustling neighborhood joint for the best fresh baked goodies in town.
Lunch
The Gourmet Deli at Sextant Wines – Edna Valley
I highly suggest The Gourmet Deli at the Sextant Wines tasting room. The food is fresh, delicious, and definitely needed before an afternoon tasting wines. We loved the cheese board options (they don’t skimp on the cheese!) and paired it with a salad and sandwich each. With some of the only lunch to be had in the actual Edna Valley, this is a go-to! The flower-studded patio is absolutely dreamy as well.
Guiseppe’s – San Luis Obispo
We popped into Guiseppe’s for a quick lunch and loved the vibe! Who wouldn’t love an outdoor patio covered in flowers and ivy? I got a salad with salmon, and it was the perfect crispy sear cooked medium rare. Unsurprisingly, I’m still drooling. Guiseppe’s also serves pizzas, sandwiches, and pasta dishes galore. This is a perfect spot to pop into after strolling downtown San Luis Obispo.
Dinner
Flour House – San Luis Obispo
I have a bold proclamation. Maybe the boldest proclamation I have EVER made. Flour House has the best gluten free pizza I have ever eaten. And I have an entire post dedicated to the best gluten free pizza in San Diego. Your girl B is passionate about gluten free pizza.
What I love about Flour House: cozy outdoor patio, incredible cocktails, and the best damn gluten free pizza I’ve ever had. The crust is chewy, fluffy, and crusty. These toppings are high quality (you can taste how fresh the cheese and sauces are). If you are in San Luis Obispo, having dinner at Flour House is non-negotiable. And, this insanely delicious restaurant is female owned and run which I love.
Pro tip: ask for a side of pesto to dunk your pizza into. You can thank me later.
Ember – Arroyo Grande
Evan and I came to Ember on our Honeymoon Road Trip and fell in love! Ember hosts wood-fired, farm to table fare that packs some serious flavor. The biggest thing I notice is everything is seasoned perfectly. So much flavor in every single bite!
With an incredible wine list and some tasty cocktails, Ember is a perfect celebratory dinner spot. Before you even think of not ordering the brick chicken, I have to tell you that it’s the best restaurant chicken dish I think I’ve ever had. We also ordered the risotto and it was creamy heaven. If you’re a gluten eater, their pizzas do look absolutely delectable. Last but not least, their dessert menu is pretty incredible so save a little room and treat yourself!
Dessert
McConnell’s Ice Cream – San Luis Obispo
Ice cream is must. Following a dinner at Flour House, or a lunch at Guiseppe’s, grab a scoop (or two, or three, I’m not judging!) and take a stroll through town! I love the double peanut butter chip and salted caramel chip flavors!
Wineries
Biddle Ranch is our go-to spot in Edna Valley. Picturesque white farmhouse buildings, an olive-tree lined garden overlooking rolling Chardonnay vines, the vibe here is ON POINT! Evan and I dig their wines (the Pinot Noir and Syrah are personal faves) and it’s an approachable tasting at $25/tasting that’s waved with $60 purchase.
Pro tip: pack a picnic and take a long afternoon hanging out here!
First, we popped into Sextant Wines High Street Deli for lunch and a tasting on a rainy day. From the gorgeous outdoor patio flooded with fresh flowers to the cozy indoor space, you have nothing but good options at Sextant. Bold wines that drink easy is the experience here. The cheese plate is a MUST as well. Plus, our host Tony was seriously a gem and we ended up chatting with him for almost 2 hours!
When I say that Center of Effort is stunning, I mean it seriously. This big, bold, and dramatic estate building is pretty exceptional. Center of Effort is a gorgeous space to taste seriously delicious wines. And with two wine labels (Effort and Center of Effort) you also have two price points to try. Because I am definitely not made of money, as much as I’d love to spend my life savings on wine, I really loved their more affordable Effort label.
Edna Valley Vineyard is definitely the quintessential tasting experience in the area. While we did not have a chance to do a tasting here, we did pop our heads in. And wow, it was BEAUTIFUL! Next time we are in town, I will definitely try to make an appointment here.
We made it to the end!
Finally, we made it to the end! To sum it all up, Edna Valley is absolutely divine and I highly suggest visiting if you get the chance!