When you're looking for the perfect Holiday Gift, look no further than the Central Coast of California; San Luis Obispo offers up plenty that'll top anybody's list. Whether they're Music Lovers, Cal Poly Fanatics, Wine Enthusiasts, Beer Lovers, or Admirers of Madonna Inn and Hearst Castle; we've got Our Top 5 Holiday Wish List here for you!
Our Top 5 Picks for Music Lovers
#1 Classic Vintage Records from Boo Boo Records in Downtown San Luis Obispo. Established in 1974, Boo Boo Records has become an icon of Downtown SLO as it's been named one of the top vinyl stores in America by Rolling Stone Magazine. In addition to their vast vinyl racks, Boo Boo’s continues to offer unique, iconic ‘lifestyle’ gifts while continuing to expand on the best selection of new and used Vinyl, CD’s and DVD’s, Shirts and other Collectibles. Vinyl, in particular, has continued to enjoy a renaissance and has surprised pundits by bringing in many new young music fans eager to experience this revered format on its rightful march toward renewed relevance. Surprise your loved ones with a copy of Pink Floyd's album Off the Wall or Duran Duran's album Rio, it'll bring some life to your holiday party.
#2 Fine Art Prints of Boo Boo Records by famous artist Steve Thomas. In June of 2016, Steve Thomas released his first print of Boo Boo Records and we quickly learned what a big deal this small-town record shop was. We had people rushing in to pick-up their print of Boo Boo's and they would tell us stories of first dates vinyl shopping, weekly visits to their store and how this piece perfectly captured the vinyl culture. Since that first piece we've realized that Boo Boo Records isn't just a great local record shop, but that they're one of the best vinyl stores in the US! We love the friendly vibe and the passion that they continue to share with each generation that discovers the beauty of vinyl. As Steve began to work on the new Boo Boo Records piece this past August he was able to collaborate with Mike White, owner of Boo Boo Records, to line out a new visual concept that captured the nostalgic feeling and eclectic quality of vinyl collecting; and of course Steve had to sneak a few favorite albums in there too! Can you spot the hidden treasures?
#3 Tickets to Jethro Tull Live at Vina Robles Amphitheatre on June 3rd, 2018. It was on the 2nd of February 1968 at the world-famous Marquee Club in Wardour Street that Jethro Tull first performed under that name. The group would go on to become one of the most successful and enduring bands of their era, selling over 60 million albums worldwide and entering the cultural collective consciousness along the way. To celebrate this golden anniversary, Ian Anderson will present 50 years of Jethro Tull at the Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Sunday, June 3. Ian Anderson is accompanied by Tull band musicians David Goodier (bass), John O'Hara (keyboards), Florian Opahle (guitar), Scott Hammond (drums) and surprise virtual guests.
#4 Vinyl Me Please Monthly Subscription. Vinyl Me, Please is a record of the month club. The best damn record, in fact. Their mission is to help people explore, experience and enjoy music on a deeper level. Join the thousands of people wordwide by becoming a member.
#5 Sonos Speaker System. Sonos is a home sound system that works as a smart network of wireless speakers to fill your home with pure, immersive sound, room by room. If you're looking for a local representative to work with you and ensure that you get the right combination of Sonos products for your home or business check out Audio Vision in San Luis Obispo.
Our Top 5 Picks for Cal Poly Fanatics
#1 Classic Cal Poly Hoodie from the Downtown Cal Poly Store is the timeless gift that's sure to be worn every lazy weekend. Help your loved ones show their Poly Pride with this classic and comforting gift.
#2 Fine Art Print of Cal Poly by famous artist Steve Thomas.
#3 Cal Poly Chocolates, started in 2000 as a student enterprise project, is a part of Cal Poly's Food Science and Nutrition Department. Student employees, under the guidance of Operations Manager Molly Lear, learn how to develop, create, package and market various chocolate products using strictly organic and Fair Trade certified chocolate. Chocolates are sold in Central Coast markets, on campus at Campus Market, and by special order.
#4 Tickets to a Cal Poly Baseball Game. Cal Poly's Baseball team is very competitive and always draws a big home crowd. Pick some of your favorite rivalries, put on that classic Cal Poly hat, shirt or hoodie, buy tickets for your family and friends, and enjoy the game!
#5 Tickets to see the Cal Poly Band perform at the PAC. With CD recordings and international tours, the Cal Poly Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra (concert bands) have established a wide reputation for musical excellence. Both groups perform each quarter in the San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center.
Our Tip 5 Picks for Wine Enthusiasts
#1 Wine Tasting Tour with 101 Wine Tours. Experience Wine Country in luxury and safety, with panoramic views from a Mercedes van complemented by the knowledge and passion of the owner/operator Laura Jeffrey—herself an award-winning home-winemaker and Certified Sommelier. Your tailor-made tour will transport you to some of the most stunning wineries that California has to offer – well-known and hidden gems alike! Whether you love Chardonnay, Cabernet, or anything in between, we will create a tour based on your personal tasting preferences to ensure the best possible wine-tasting experience.
#2 Tickets to the Covered Bridge Dinner at Halter Ranch Vineyard. Each year, near the start of harvest Halter Ranch Vineyard holds a special dinner catered by a local chef on their covered bridge. The bridge was built in 2009 by Western Wood Structures Incorporated of Tualatin, Oregon to meet the fire department’s requirement for access to the new winery across Las Tablas Creek. As with all structures onsite, the bridge combines clean, beautiful, and rustic aesthetic with function to provide a memorable transition from the tasting room and barnyard to the vineyards and winery. Their dinner events are rich in flavor and ambiance.
#3 Paso Robles Art Deco Prints by famous artist Steve Thomas
#4 A Bottle of J Dusi Wines Zinfandel Port. This Haute zinfandel port will arouse your senses with its intense and robust fruit forwardness. The balance of super ripe, long-hanging fruit fortified with brandy, delivers one succulent and tantalizing treat. Enjoy this bottle in the company of friends and family along with decadent chocolate. Guaranteed to be a perfect dessert or night-cap. It will tickle anyones fancy at 20% alcohol!
#5 Edna Valley Vineyard Wine Club Membership. The region now home to Edna Valley Vineyard saw its first grapes planted in the days of the California missions. In the 1800s, it was believed that the grapes in this region were of the highest quality. Edna Valley Vineyard still holds that to be true. Following in the footsteps of their founder, pioneering vineyard developer Jack Niven, they continue to craft award-winning Chardonnay – the first variety planted in the Edna Valley. In addition to their flagship Chardonnay wine, they offer five other varietal wines nationwide: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc; how can you refuse a wine club like that!
Our Top 5 Picks for Beer Lovers
#1 Beer tasting at SLO Brew The Rock. Home to a 30-barrel brewhouse, canning line, and tasting room, The Rock features a taproom restaurant, catering kitchen, and event space. The casual setting is centered around “the rock”, with extensive landscaping, casual outdoor seating and fire pits. The Rock boasts one of the largest venues in San Luis Obispo for beer fans, so grab a group of friends or family and take a taste of SLO Brew's beers in a great social setting.
#2 “Hop On” Beer Bus Tour. They offer Private Tours for your personal party or Social Tours for fun gatherings. You'll learn all about local breweries or cideries and the goodness that they're brewing while traveling in a pub-styled limo bus to the best beer destinations in the county.
#3 Central Coast Brewing Limited Edition Designer Can Release. Central Coast Brewing opened in 1998 and is located in beautiful downtown San Luis Obispo. Recognized as one of the premier brewing facilities in California's Central Coast region, CCB is known far and wide for its variety of hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind signature ales and lagers. Whether you sit at the bar enjoying a fresh beer or hang out on the patio, Central Coast Brewing is your neighborhood brewery. Grab some of their limited edition designer cans as a special gift for that brew lover!
#4 Tickets to Central Coast Beer Fest. Go to the inaugural Central Coast Craft Beer Fest, presented by the Central Coast Brewers Guild. This festival is the Official Kickoff to Central Coast Craft Beer Week March 23rd - April 1st, 2018. California's Central Coast covers over 300 miles of coastline (Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey counties) and is home to an amazing variety of craft brewers. Enjoy over 40+ Breweries, 5 Wineries, 2 Cideries, and Live Music at the beautiful and spacious Sunken Gardens in Atascadero. Commemorative cup and unlimited 2 oz pours.
#5 Art Deco Print by famous artist Steve Thomas featuring Central Coast Brewing
Our Top 5 Picks for Madonna Inn Dreamers
#1 Madonna Inn Iconic Colorful Glass Goblets. Bring a little piece of Madonna Inn home with you to commemorate your stay with a set of their famous, colorful goblets that come in a range of colors and finishes in to sizes.
#2 Spa Day. The Madonna Inn Spa offers personalized service in an elegant setting. Their licensed massage therapists and estheticians are dedicated to providing you with an unparalleled multi-sensory spa experience. From the moment you walk into the reception area and escape the outside world you will be pampered and cared for by their highly trained staff. With their expert guidance and attention to detail you are certain to leave the SPA at Madonna Inn restored and rejuvenated.
#3 Pink Champagne Cake. It's a white cake with Bavarian and whip cream filling that's dashed and ribbons in pink chocolate curls, what more could you want?!
#4 Madonna Inn Art Deco Print by famous artist Steve Thomas
#5 A Stay in the “Love Nest” Room, where a sense of escape and wonder that only romance whispers awaits you in the “Love Nest.” Accessed by a quaint trestle bridge, the entrance to this sentimental room is adorned with love birds entwined with hearts and vines. The room features an enchanting staircase winding upward into a private viewing tower...where brilliant rays of sunlight filter through multi-colored glass during the day and soft touches of moonlight linger at night. French-styled furnishings surrounded by shades of pink create a charming “nest” for two in this hilltop semi-suite. Or if that's not your style find try any number of their other 110 Whimsical Rooms
Our Top 5 Picks for Hearst Castle Admirers
#1 Hearst Book Hearst Castle: The Biography of a Country House by Victoria Kastner. A rich photographic tour of William Randolph Hearst's legendary California estate at San Simeon chronicles the history of Hearst Castle, the work of his Hearst's architect, Julia Morgan, the art and architectural treasures of the estate, and anecdotes about life in the glamorous country house during its heyday. If you love Hearst Castle, you'll spend hours carefully thumbing through this book. Good luck giving it away as a gift, you just might want to keep it for yourself.
#2 Friends of Hearst Castle Membership. In case you don't know, Friends of Hearst Castle is a nonprofit cooperating association, supporting the preservation and interpretation of Hearst Castle, including its art, artifacts, architecture and grounds through membership, education, outreach and special events; enhancing understanding and appreciation, and thereby enriching the visitor experience. So if you or your loved ones have a love for the castle, want to support the preservation of the castle, get a membership and you too could find yourself with an invitation to swim in the world famous Neptune Pool or dine in the Refectory, the very grand dining room that's filled with rare museum-quality furnishings.
#3 Evening Tour Tickets to Hearst Castle. Offered only in spring and autumn, this special tour enables you to experience the Castle illuminated at night, and is longer than daytime tours (100 minutes). Docents in period dress bring 1930s history to life as they move silently through the sumptuous rooms of Casa Grande. A vintage newsreel in Hearst’s private theater rounds out the evening. It's a charming evening that beautifully introduces you to the Castle and defines exactly why Hearst named the Castle "La Cuesta Encantada" The Enchanted Hill.
#4 Hearst Castle Ornament. This brightly colored Hearst Castle ornament of Casa Grande is surrounded by a wreath with the Central Plaza fountain in the foreground. Measuring 3 1/4" X 3 1/4" it's sure to dress up any tree!
#5 Art Deco Print of Hearst Castle by famous artist Steve Thomas
We hope these lists have helped you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones while shopping on the Central Coast of California in San Luis Obispo.