San Luis Obispo County Vinyl Trail
Inspired by the Paso Robles Wine Trail and Tennessee Whiskey Trail, the San Luis Obispo County Vinyl trail serves as a map of record stores and listening lounges around the Central Coast. The variety of record stores and their owners’ knowledge captivated Jeff and Lisa Root, owners of Jan’s Place and avid vinyl collectors. They created the vinyl trail, with 19 locations, ranging from Solvang to Atascadero to Paso.
“If you look up and down the coast, there’s a number of places that are sort of connected,” Jeff Root said. “If you’re into this sort of culture, here is a map of places you may or may not know.”
Boo Boo Records
Tucked on Monterey Street, Boo Boo Records is a deep rooted part of San Luis Obispo’s music scene. The store has witnessed five decades of music lovers passing through its doors since its opening in 1974. Beyond the endless shelves of records and CDs, Boo Boo Records offers a space for the community to come together by hosting vinyl listening parties and album release celebrations.
Cheap Thrills
Cheap Thrills is the kind of place where someone goes in looking for one thing and finds themselves flipping through an entirely different section twenty minutes later. A two-story maze of music, movies and video games, customers are likely to get lost in a realm of physical media and leave with something they weren’t expecting.
Vinyl Isle
A smaller store, Vinyl Isle provides an intimate setting for music discovery and searching. Those interested in deal-hunting can sift through the $1 bins outside of the store, making a vast vinyl collection all the more attainable.
The Record Rack
A standout spot in the quiet town of Nipomo, The Record Rack is a worthwhile go-to for those willing to make the thirty-minute trek. One of the two owners is a friendly face and more than willing to share music knowledge and tell stories. Their four for $1 record deals make it one of the most affordable spots on this map.
Jan’s Place
A hub for aspiring disc jockeys, wine connoisseurs and music lovers, Jan’s Place in downtown Paso Robles perfected the art of the vinyl bar. Whether it’s an out-of-town DJ playing UK electronica or owner Jeff Root spinning his favorite soul records, there is something special about hearing music when it’s played so intimately. From featuring customer drawings and notes in its zine “Against the Grain,” to displaying locals’ record collections on their weekly “Open Deck Night,” analog media is not only cherished but used to connect the community. Customers may be seated at a table with total strangers but will undoubtedly leave the dimly lit listening lounge with new friends and plenty of record recommendations.
