About

Our History

Our original logo.

The lush courtyard completely enclosed by creeping vines and patchwork bricks and concretes, textures and surfaces bleeding into one another randomly and without caution is the most succulent private space I’ve been in California.

It all began back in 1984 when Linnaea Phillips had the desire to create a gathering place for conversation, music, social events and of course the sharing of food and drink. With the help of many friends, her vision of a classic coffee house became a reality.

When you are out back in our Garden look down. Linnaea had a “brick party” where bricks were brought in by the community (everyone has a brick or two laying around was Linnaea’s thought) and each brick had the persons name fired on to it. The San Luis Obispo community helped lay the groundwork for Linnaea’s Café and that beginning created the energy and feeling that is Linnaea’s Café today.

Twenty three years later, Linnaea sold the café to her long time manager, Marianne Orme who was, and still is, dedicated to keeping Linnaea’s the eclectic and welcoming center of San Luis Obispo’s coffee house culture.

Our Purpose

It’s hard to believe a person could go wrong trying to find a coffee shop with exceptional atmosphere in the quaint downtown of San Luis Obispo. Linnaea’s offered excellent cappuccinos and the house specialty is large homemade waffles served with warm syrup. My drink was beautiful. The espresso maintained a full body finish, smooth and cream after taste, and the milk was foamed to perfection, rich and densely frothy, just the way I like it. Don’t miss this fabulous cafe on Garden Street.

Linnaea’s is a showcase for local artists and host to a variety of musical performances, poetry readings, jazz jams, and other events. We have held an assortment of fund raisers, political election night gatherings, weddings, and a killer party or two…just because. Contact Marianne if you are interested in renting out the garden, it happens every now and then.

But really, one of the most wonderful and satisfying things about Linnaea’s is that we have become a second home to numerous students and members of the community over the years. We hear it again and again. Walking into Linnaea’s is like coming home. With such a unique and warm environment, free Wi-Fi, plenty of good food, good coffee, clean bathrooms and free entertainment, why go anywhere else?

There are three distinct environments to hang out in at Linnaea’s. when you first walk in there is window seating to watch the world go by… well the uniqueness of Garden Street anyway. Then head back to the main “living room” filled with tables, art, and a bookcase to peruse. Continuing further, you enter the garden where you can sit in the sun or under the flowering arbor for some shade. The table next to the fish pond is probably the most popular.

Our Staff


We have always been selective in choosing our baristas, bakers, and cooks. The most important factor is someone who loves and wants to work at Linnaea’s. We believe happy employees make their customers happy. Working at Linnaea’s is not just a job, it is a big step in the path of life. We all continue to learn each day about people, each other, and the world at large, as well as the world of coffee. Many life long friendships are made here at Linnaea’s, amongst staff as well as between staff and customers. There is just something special about the place.

Our Town

San Luis Obispo (SLO, SLOtown, or San Luis) is the county seat and home of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) with a population of 45,000, about 1/3 of whom are college students. It is almost exactly half-way (about a 4 hour drive) between Los Angeles & San Francisco, just a few miles from the coast, where Highways 1 and 101 meet. It is a quiet and beautiful town, with a very strong sense of community. Town slows down a bit during the first part of the summer but picks up in August when Europe takes a vacation. San Luis has a beautiful downtown, wonderful outdoor concerts during the summer, and great weather year round. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful place.