Downtown is a beautiful place to be. Photo courtesy of junior Roslyn Risner.
San Luis Obispo High School students love to hang out downtown with their friends. So what are the best things to do downtown?
SLOHS Expressions decided to interview three students to answer that question.
Expressions: What are your favorite things to do downtown after school or on the weekends?
Senior Jessie Cross: Downtown is always super fun to do things like getting food or hanging out with friends. Just seeing all the different businesses and trying out new places is anyone’s weekend highlight.
Junior Lucia McCarthy-Zirion: I love to go to Barnes and Nobles downtown because it’s usually where my friends meet to go adventuring, and because it’s such a cozy environment with sooo many books.
Senior Romy Ray: [I like to] get food, walk around downtown, or find a cute place to get coffee and study. Currently my favorite spot is Linnea’s because it has a super calming atmosphere and they make the London fog tea. It’s also been around since my mom went to SLOHS.
Expressions: What’s the most popular place for SLOHS students to go? Do you like going there too?
Cross: The most popular place for students is probably the Habit. They have pretty good burgers and the customer service is pretty decent. I don’t like their regular fries because they are kind of soggy and they need ketchup and salt to taste good.
McCarthy-Zirion: SLO Froyo is one of the most popular places for students to go downtown. I enjoy it very much.
Ray: Firestone is the most popular place for SLOHS students to go, as the food is always delicious it also easily hosts bigger groups then other restaurants.
Expressions: Do you usually go downtown by yourself, in a small group, or in a larger group?
Cross: I’ve gone downtown by myself a few times but it’s way more fun with friends! I normally go with only up to two friends, otherwise things get a little crowded.
McCarthy-Zirion: I’ll usually go with a small group, around one to three other people.
Ray: Typically I go downtown by myself, but I also go in groups because activities downtown like Thursday night Farmers’ Market are perfect for large groups.
Expressions: Is there anywhere that shutdown downtown that you miss?
Cross: Most recently, the Starbucks across from Barnes and Noble closed down which was a let down to me and a lot of people. Everyone normally gets their coffee there and heads on into Barnes and Noble to go book shopping. Then again, there is a cafe on the second floor, but they don’t take Starbucks gift cards.
McCarthy-Zirion: Beverly’s. Oh, how I miss it so!
Ray: Last year, Tortilla Town right next to Barnes and Noble closed down which is super sad because they had the best burritos that were the size of your face. My friends and I would get them after practice often, and it was the best meal.
Expressions: If you could add anything to downtown SLO what would it be?
Cross: I would add another church. I am aware of a mission which is Catholic, but I think another church for Christian believers of any kind could really build a great community and get people talking about their religion. This would make people more open and more willing to express themselves with God in their hearts.
Ray: If I could add anything, I would add more places to shop for clothes, as the current selections lead me to gravitate towards online shopping more, but I would rather have more diverse options for in-person shopping.
There are a diverse range of things to do downtown, no matter your interests! Get outside and bring SLO to life, Tigers!
