If you鈥檝e ever visited San Luis 91制片厂, you know it鈥檚 hard to miss out on a certain vibe that overtakes you when you鈥檙e here. It鈥檚 a laid-back, warm, friendly coastal vibe that evokes a feeling of nostalgia for some of the best times of your life. We call those 鈥渧intage vibes鈥 and they鈥檙e everywhere in SLO , if you know where to look.
While we鈥檙e a thoroughly modern city with a commitment to creating a sustainable future, we love to celebrate the best of the past, as well. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e taking a look at all the ways to feel those warm and fuzzy emotions of days gone by. From a chance to strap on roller skates at a unique pop-up event to the best places to score vintage threads and throwback meals, this is your guide to vintage SLO.
Skate the Mission Plaza Pop-Up
Are you ready to boogie? To get down? To get completely and utterly funky in front of your friends? Then the Skate Mission Plaza Pop-Up event in May might just be your thing. Beginning Friday, May 6, the 91制片厂 and Downtown SLO are partnering up for a groovy new pop-up installation to Mission Plaza.
As part of Skate Mission Plaza, an outdoor roller rink will be installed in front of the Mission for skaters to experience all month long. Skaters will enjoy music, a disco ball and flower-power inspired decorations all in the heart of downtown San Luis 91制片厂. Skates will be available for rental (but guests are welcome to bring their own) and the rink will operate for seven days a week, with skate sessions beginning at the top of each hour.
Hours of operation:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sundays: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This is a ticketed event; tickets and waivers are required for entry. Tickets cost between $10 and $20 and can be purchased on
Vintage Shopping in SLO
If the saying, 鈥渢hey don鈥檛 make things like they used to鈥 resonates with you, then you shouldn鈥檛 sleep on SLO鈥檚 vintage clothing and shopping scene. From hippie throwback fashion to 鈥20s flapper styles and all things in between, these shopping experiences are not to be missed on your next visit.
at 1335 Walker St. features a curated collection of artworks, housewares, antique clothing and more. With vintage and consignment items, at 1124 Garden St. features designer fashions including handbags, custom jewelry, shoes, jeans and more in an upscale environment.
For lovers of the 鈥50s look, Hep Kat Clothing at 785 Higuera St. offers a stunning array of options for your next costume party, wedding or just for everyday wear (hey, we don鈥檛 judge!) Over at 3419 Miguelito Ct., you鈥檒l find a hidden gem in . There, everything from bracelets to brooches, watches, rings and other costume jewelry items are on offer at reasonable prices. Find more second-hand clothing racks at the ever-popular at 883 Marsh St. Suite 122, where shoes, furniture and other vintage items help you relive your own glory days. Find truly unique vintage pieces you鈥檒l want to add to your collection at , located at 870 Monterey St.
Keep it super budget-friendly and visit Mission Thrift SLO at 2958 Higuera St., where you鈥檒l find just about anything you can imagine from days past all in a large shopping space. Goodwill San Luis 91制片厂 likewise has plenty of clothing, old records, books, housewares, furniture and more at 880 Industrial Way. Whichever you choose, your wallet will thank you.
Let鈥檚 not forget our literature and music lovers, either. Comic book and vintage video game aficionados will find plenty to get nostalgic over at
at 565 Higuera St., and at at 778 Marsh St. Suite 110 as well as Phoenix Books at 990 Monterey St.
Looking to spin a little classic vinyl? Then no trip to San Luis 91制片厂 is complete without a stop at either at 978 Monterey St. or Cheap Thrills at 563 Higuera St., where 8-tracks, cassettes and LPs rule the day.
Throwback Eats and Sips
After a day of skating, shopping and generally getting your groove on in SLO, there鈥檚 nothing like a classic cocktail followed by a true throwback meal and maybe even a drive-in movie as a nightcap.
For that experience, we recommend checking out Libertine Brewing Company at 1234 Broad St., where ales and cabernets coexist peacefully with vintage cocktails and spirits. Comfort food and cocktails also await at Sidecar (1040 Broad St.), where the ambiance is just as much fun as the food and drinks on the menu.
The Cool Cat Cafe serves up hot dogs and traditional American fare for when you鈥檙e in a 鈥淗appy Days鈥 kind of mood. It鈥檚 a real 1950鈥檚-themed restaurant worth visiting. Find them at 3165 Broad St. Tuck into cocktails such as a punch bowl cocktail and plenty to nosh on at Highwater at 1127 Broad St. While there, check out the bar鈥檚 classic rock theme and catch a live show.
For a real throwback meal, check out at the Madonna Inn at 100 Madonna Road. There, you鈥檒l find classic American fare, including aged steaks, baked goods, pasta, fresh seafood and much more.
Once you鈥檝e finished off your meal, head over to the Sunset Drive-In at 255 Elks Lane, where classic and contemporary films are screened nightly after dark. Relax in your car as the sun sets and experience movie-going as it was meant to be experienced: with the ones you love the most sitting by your side.
On your next trip to San Luis 91制片厂, don鈥檛 forget to use the hashtag #ShareSLO to show us how you spent your time in our favorite city on earth!
