A Fabulous Book Nook: SLO's Higher Groundz
Published March 12, 2010
Every month or so, my sister and I partake in a ritual where we escape our domestic kingdoms for a snug hole in the wall in which we read/write/not talk/stare at other people’s screaming children as if we’ve never had any of our own and indulge in some quiet time with a full cup of serenity. Always chai for her; whatever strikes my fancy for me.
Last week’s rendezvous took place at Higher Groundz coffee shop (in San Luis Obispo)—one of my favorites (because not all coffee shops are created equal, can we agree?). Fortunately for me and the rest of the Central California Coast (the region that lays claim to Hearst Castle, Big Sur, and Santa Barbara, for those of you unfamiliar), this one is heaven. Cozy fireplace, Illy espresso, amazing food, tables, couch, eclectic art strewn across the walls, and music that is modish enough to enjoy without it blaring so loud one need shout over it. And, for the record, no screaming kids.
Just a super cute one named Tobin. Child to the unreasonably gorgeous owners, Garth and Holly (this would be the same brilliant Garth who created the website you are currently staring at).
We wrote. I read. Still working through The Swan Thieves, which, I hesitate to admit, I am not enjoying. However, I purpose to reserve full judgment until I’ve reached the end. But you can expect an upcoming review.
Oh, and we tormented James (our barista) too, despite the fact that he DID make a pretty rockin’ turtle mocha for me and a super lucious chai (something my sister is unbelievably fastidious about). And then we wandered off, back to our respective homes, all the nicer for it.
All right, my beautiful friendlies, now it’s your turn. For the sake of fun, indulge my curious side. Where is YOUR favorite book nook?
(Oh, and if you ever feel inclined toward doing your own tormenting of James the Barista and the rest of the Higher Groundz staff you can go to: http://www.highergroundz.com/, or 3230 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Tell them Mary sent you 
.)
What’s the mood noise of the moment? David Gray: This Year’s Love
:0)
Tags: California Central Coast, chai, Higher Groundz coffee shop and eatery, San Luis Obispo, SLO chamber of commerce, The Swan Thieves
03.12.2010 / 12:32 pm
I agree, Higher Grounds is the place in SLO town for good food and good coffee/tea. However, since girl’s nights out only includes sisters, I’ll have to stick with my partner-in-coffee-shop crime, Tom.
03.12.2010 / 12:35 pm
I love Higher Groundz but can rarely find an open spot tarry.
My favorite spots -
Who can beat the coziness of my own big over-sized chair and ottoman… and let me add..they are upholstered in an amazing kiwi green fabric, add my incredibly soft down throw to wrap my tootsies in ….in deep, rich red corduroy, and light my Tuscan Sun soy candle and a cup of Higher Groundz Vineyard… hard to beat.
But often I am lured to Morro Bay where I can be found on the deck behind the embarcadero shops… on a sunny day of course… there is almost never anyone else there. water lapping, sun and breeze – oh yes that’s where I am going today!
If And i am feeling very “enjoy my town today”, it’s gonna be take my pick… Black Horse on either Broad St or downtown on their patio.
No matter how I feel the way I look at it I am pretty in awe of the life and choices I have arrayed in front of me -
My current reads are four in number:
~ The Women/T.C. Boyle
~ An Altar in the World/Barbara Brown Taylor
~ Those Who Save Us/Jenna Blum
~ When Helping Hurts/Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
03.12.2010 / 12:42 pm
http://www.cafekopi.com/
except they don’t serve alcohol anymore but luckily there is a nice little tavern across the street that opens at three:)
03.12.2010 / 12:59 pm
Yea, Higher Groundz is a rockin’ place indeed. Bethany, you have to ask for the “real” syrup for your lattè. They’ll know what you mean
03.12.2010 / 1:34 pm
Oh ok, thanks Garth. I will try that next time.
03.12.2010 / 2:17 pm
Dang! If only I’d known to ask for the special stuff! Haha! But really though it was a good spot. Also, free wifi.
03.12.2010 / 4:03 pm
I am so jealous! We have a cool coffee house here in Kailua, (the one where I hang with my BFF Evangeline Lily – haha) but it is loud very often with live music etc. But I would LOVE a little nook like that. Big sigh…. AND I love SLO and want to live there too.
03.13.2010 / 8:35 am
Higher groundz is very nice. Love the illy espresso and the art! Just finished Wuthering Hights by Bronte. Thanks for the recommendation on the book and the shop, Mary!
03.13.2010 / 10:47 am
Oh yes, good call, Kati. I forgot that I did use the free wifi to stalk, er, check in on facebook.
Kristin, I appreciating the irony that you live in Hawaii and you’re jealous to live in SLO
. But…you should (live here). Because then we could hang out and pretend that we’re really cool while we sing loudly in our Barbie convertible with the windows rolled down that “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”
Heather! I love Wuthering Heights. Did you enjoy it???
Garth, I too am wondering why I’ve not been told about the real syrup… Hmm… And do you hate me for saying you and Holly are “unreasonably gorgeous?” It’s true. And so not fair.
Bethany and Lisa, I love your suggestions. The only problem is that (a) I don’t live in Illinois so I can’t try out Bethany’s (which looks fabulous), and (b) the Embarcadero waterfront is beautiful to the point of distraction! How do you read there, Lisa? My easily side-tracked brain gets caught up on the seals and feisty birds and the old salted sailors who are always swapping stories on the dock…
And, Mom, where is your and dad’s favorite coffee shop? You guys are always surprising me at what new hole-in-the-wall you come up with!
03.13.2010 / 3:04 pm
In Arroyo Grande – Cafe Andreini’s – love it. They have a great sitting area and really cool art and fun stuff to buy – and really yummy bagels.
And besides Higher Grounds in SLO – I also love Linnaeas. http://www.linnaeas.com. They have a really quaint outdoor patio that is perfectly lovely on a warm spring day
I am currently not reading anything!!!! But – I will start soon. I don’t know what, but something…
03.14.2010 / 9:26 am
Mmmmmm…..don’t get out very often to enjoy coffee. My all time favorite has to be my livingroom, in the recliner, with my favorite cup – on a Sunday morning. It’s incredibly quiet, and everyone else is still asleep. Heaven.
03.14.2010 / 10:14 am
Try going behind Blue Skye Restaurant – the coffee is amazingly good… as is the shrimp louie and for some reason it is not so noisy. Sigh, but now I’ve told the world my haunt so it may suddenly be not so solitary.
By the way, if I am slightly bored with my book it is amazing the conversations one can eaves on… oops, probably not too polite -
03.14.2010 / 7:08 pm
Lori, I haven’t been to Linnaeas in forever, but I love that back patio
. And definitely Cafe Andreni’s. I think anything in the downtown village is perfecty lovely (in fact, you and I should go out to the Eclair Bakery one of these days, yes?).
Margo, I like how you think; my other favorite reading spot is my bed
.
Lisa, you’re giving us all these amazing book nook ideas! And I like your eavesdropping comment
. It’s incredible the things that people will say when they think no one is listening, eh? 
03.15.2010 / 1:11 pm
An excellent choice, to be sure.
I remember my first year in California. I was still acclimating myself to the culture. I went to Higher Grounds, and ordered the Valentine Mocha. The Barista that took the order duly wrote “VAL” on the cup.
Another clerk called out the order in her best valley accent
“Val? Mocha for Val?”
Toto, we’re not in Texas anymore…
03.15.2010 / 3:58 pm
Ha! Oh very nice, James. I hope you answered back in your best valley girl accent
.
Thanks for joining my blog, by the way. I’m enjoying the humor on yours. You’ve got excellent wit.
03.15.2010 / 8:33 pm
and believe me if you had heard what I heard the other day – let’s just say… “oh my!”
03.15.2010 / 9:50 pm
Teaser! Now we’re all on pins and needles, darn you, Lisa!