Central Coast
Joining the tangle of breweries, distilleries and wine-tasting rooms in Paso Robles' Tin City neighborhood, Tin City Cider's thoroughly modern tasting…
Must-see nightlife in Central Coast
Monterey
Vintage beer advertising punctuates Alvarado Street's brick walls, but that's the only concession to earlier days at this excellent craft-beer pub…
Santa Cruz
This locally beloved cocktail parlor is the perfect place for a night of dapper drinking. Settle into a huge armchair amid the vintage-chic decor to…
Central Coast
Stroll down to the Embarcadero for barrel-aged and sour beers from one of California's most interesting breweries. Lots more excellent American craft…
Santa Cruz
To sip finely roasted artisan espresso or a cup of rich pour-over coffee, join the surfers and hipsters at this high-ceilinged industrial-zen cafe. Single…
Santa Cruz
Named with the Spanish word for hops, Lupulo Craft Beer House is an essential downtown destination for traveling beer fans. Modern decor combines with an…
Central Coast
Paso Robles' first micro-distillery makes crisp botanical brandy (gin) and also whiskey and flavored vodkas. Scores of lemons were being zested when we…
Santa Cruz
An essential part of the eating and drinking scene in the Ingalls St Courtyard on Santa Cruz's Westside, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing is a rustic spot to…
Central Coast
Detour south of downtown, where locals chill in the outdoor beer garden with ales, stouts, zingy sour beers and fruity Belgian-style brews. Live bands…
Central Coast
Californian craft beers and West Coast wines come with a side order of stellar sunset views of Avila's pier at this recent opening. Relax on a comfortable…
Santa Cruz
Another recent opening amid the gathering of brewpubs, cafes and wine-tasting rooms in the Ingalls St Courtyard, West End Tap & Kitchen combines beers…
Monterey
Often heaving with locals and tourists, Peter B's combines huge meals – the burgers are really good value – with a solid array of craft beers brewed on…
Central Coast
Chuck Silva is US brewing aristocracy – he was previously with Green Flash Brewing in San Diego – and now he's crafting his own brews in a compact space…
San Luis Obispo
Barrel-aged and sour beers are the standout brews at this recent opening on the edge of downtown SLO. Saisions, kettle sours, goses and grisettes all…
San Luis Obispo
This downtown wine bar is an urbane but unpretentious alternative to SLO's more raucous student-heavy drinking dens. About half of the roughly 60 wines on…
San Luis Obispo
SLO Brew's versatile setup incorporates an on-site brewery with good pub meals – combine the Red Reggae wheat beer with the Yard Bird roast-chicken pizza …
Central Coast
A laidback spot for a quiet drink or game of pool during the week, The Siren is transformed into a rockin' live-music venue on Friday and Saturday nights…
San Luis Obispo
This shabby-chic coffeehouse and roaster has earned a fervent following with its comfy couches, sprawling bookshelves and local art. Look forward to…
Central Coast
An exemplary range of craft beers – mainly from the West Coast of the US – combines with knowledgeable and friendly bartenders at this easygoing bar with…
Big Sur
Down California craft beers and regional wines on the back deck or by the fireplace inside this high-ceilinged wooden bar. There are board games, sports…
San Luis Obispo
Head out toward the airport to this upstart brewery's tap room, where cacti grow inside an old Jeep and live bands sometimes rock on the patio. Order up a…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Shaking up Carmel's conservative image and adding a dash of after-dark fun is this cool little Spanish-themed courtyard bar. Come for free concerts from…
Central Coast
Grape juice sourced from Paso Robles wineries is the versatile basis for the innovative spirits crafted by Wine Shine. Sample brandies tinged with mango,…
Central Coast
Brick-lined walls and wooden floors combine with a thoroughly modern big screen displaying the 24 different beers on tap. Food options include cheese and…
Monterey
Sample medal-winning Monterey County wines from as far away as the Santa Lucia Highlands while soaking up dreamy sea views, then peruse thoughtful…
Alvarado Street Brewery & Tasting Room
Central Coast
This Salinas offshoot of the Monterey-based craft brewery is another excellent recent addition to the growing beer scene around Salinas. Location-wise, it…
Monterey
Downtown Monterey coffee shop on a busy corner brews with fair-trade, organic beans. At night, it pulls off a big-city lounge vibe with film, open-mike…
Central Coast
Inside a wine shop stacked floor to ceiling with hand-picked vintages from around California and beyond, ask for a taste of anything they’ve got open, or…
Central Coast
Come for drinks on the ocean-view deck, rather than the fried seafood. The cocktails are punchy and there's an OK selection of draft beers from central…
Santa Cruz
Rye IPA, English ales and traditional Belgian and German brews are always on tap, off Hwy 1. The raffish beer garden is dog-friendly, and ramen noodles…
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Pop into Scheid Vineyards' wine-tasting room to sip a prodigious range of grape varietals, all grown in Monterey County. Red wine varietals including…
Central Coast
This popular hillside winery is strong on robust reds including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, and cheese and charcuterie platters ($5-53, must…
Monterey
The legendary restaurant’s fireplace lounge pours wines by the glass, delivers filling appetizers to your table and has a live piano player most nights.
San Luis Obispo
A swank indoor/outdoor hotel cocktail lounge, adorned with wrought-iron candelabras and outdoor fire pits, classes up SLO's downtown scene.
Central Coast
Off Hwy 1 east of Santa Cruz, Belgian-inspired and barrel-aged beers are a beer geek's dream.
Central Coast
At this lively downtown Salinas microbrewery, an eight-beer tasting sampler costs just 10 bucks. The OK pub grub isn't earth-shattering, but it does come…
Monterey
At this basement British pub, the first thing you’ll notice is the red plaid carpeting, then the plentiful draft beers and single-malt scotches, not to…
San Luis Obispo
Cavernous two-story ‘MoTav’ draws in writhing CalPoly student masses with a no-cover dance floor, DJ and karaoke nights, and big-screen sports TVs. Live…
Central Coast
Perch on barstools in front of the harbor-view windows for a hand-selected tasting flight of California wines. Toasted panini, salads, and artisan-cheese…
Monterey
Dozens of craft beers from around the world bring folks into this Cannery Row bar-and-grill, as does an outdoor deck with roaring fire pits. Elevated…
