Granada Hotel & Bistro

Lying, as it does, roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is, as a destination, occasionally somewhat overlooked. This isn’t a criticism, of course — most of the best places fly a little bit under the radar, which is how they manage to remain affordable, available and/or more or less crowd-free. And you have to think a touch of out-of-the-way-ness can only help the Granada Hotel & Bistro; this is a hotel that would be jammed to the rafters every day of the week, were it in the Southland or the Bay Area.

Of course it just wouldn’t be the same anywhere else. This nearly century-old brick structure is an authentic part of San Luis Obispo history, dating back to the vaudeville era, a time when this town was considerably seedier than it is today. Nowadays, of course, it’s a classic luxury boutique, after a renovation that’s left the Granada looking closer than ever to its Twenties roots, and at the same time closer than ever to the well-aged industrial-chic style that goes down so well with a contemporary audience. Add a bistro that makes the most of the Central Coast’s near-obscene agricultural riches, and you’ve got a proposition that’s pretty tough to turn down.

Please note: Granada Hotel & Bistro only allows guests age 18 or older.

How to get there:
Granada Hotel & Bistro is located about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, and 220 miles south of San Francisco, about a 4-hour drive on U.S. Highway 101 from either city. The closest airport, San Luis Obispo County Regional (SBP), is approximately 10 minutes by car from the hotel.