Downtown Center Mall, San Luis Obispo

Downtown Center Mall is an upbeat, attractive mall along the main strip in downtown San Luis Obispo, at 893 Higuera Street. There are flowerpots, a statue, and colorful umbrellas. Unfortunately, the town council has kind of abandoned downtown, so it's not as clean as it used to be. A two-storey Barnes and Noble Booksellers provides a nice escape with kids after a long day exploring the coast. Antonia's Pizza is a great choice, with many different toppings.  There is a Starbucks, and Sequoia Sandwich Company, and Jamba Juice has good lemonade with kale and mango. There's also a movie theater, Downtown Center Cinemas, which is a venue for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival in April each year. Cal Poly students are everywhere downtown and liven up the scene. They look clean-cut and sure of themselves, which is refreshing.
Just half a block north of here on Higuera Street is another downtown mall called Court Street Mall. It has an alley with strung lights and star lanterns.

Directions

Downtown Center Mall is located at 893 Higuera St. You can also access it from the other side at 894 Marsh St. Park along any of the downtown streets nearby and bring quarters for the machines.
From Highway 101, exit at Marsh St and turn east on Marsh St.
Pizza Solo, 891 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, call (805) 544-8786.
Starbucks, 885 Higuera St, call (805) 547-0465.
California Pizza Kitchen, 876 Marsh St, call (805) 784-0790.
Jamba Juice, 890 Marsh St, call (805) 549-0733.
Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 894 Marsh St, call (805) 781-8334.

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