The One California Town Where You Can Earn Money For Eating Out

The Chamber of Commerce in San Luis Obisbo, California, is offering $25 gift cards to anyone who spends at least $100 eating out in the town's local restaurants during the month of January.

By Trista Sobeck | Updated

earn money eating out

Dining out across the US has had its ups and downs. As restaurants closed during the COVID pandemic, then slowly opened, didn’t have workers, then got extremely expensive (but not as expensive as groceries), one town in California has a bit of a proposition for you! In San Luis Obispo, you can earn money eating out. That’s it. No silly promotions of eating naked. Just simply paying you for eating local. 

According to Food&Wine, the lovely town of San Luis Obispo, nestled off of California’s famous Highway 1 will pay you in gift cards if you choose to eat like a local throughout January. Therefore, the promotion isn’t just for folks who live there. Anyone from anywhere can earn money eating out. 

The town is a road-tripper’s daydream. It features vineyards and beaches perfect for swimming and boating. The town likes to say they live the SLO life. It’s a place where you can go to slow down, take in the finer things in life, and embrace delicious food. However, January is the town’s slower season. So, they created a promotion where you can earn money eating out in the town.

To take part in the promotion, which runs until the end of January, all you have to do is spend at least $100, and you’ll get a gift card for $25. What’s exciting is that you don’t have to spend the entire $100 at one spot at one time. You’ll earn money eating out even if you spend smaller amounts over time. You just have to save your receipts and send them to a special email address.

After you’ve uploaded your receipts to earn money eating out and you get to $100, you can pick up your gift card at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center. You’re cut off after three gift cards, but know that the town appreciates you eating local. If you don’t want to do that, you can head North to San Francisco to treat your dog to an elite-tasting menu. Or, you could just stay put and go horseback riding. I know what I’d choose. Dogs are welcome in San Luis Obispo as well. 

There really is so much to do and see while you’re living the SLO life, as locals call it. If you’re looking for a post-holiday getaway, do so in San Luis Obispo. And don’t forget to earn money eating out while you’re there! You can even keep your cell phone out at these restaurants. No one cares (like they do at other restaurants). 

The quaint town was founded in the 1700s by the Spanish. While you’re there, you can visit the historic mission that the Spanish built and enjoy the local art. The town has its own bubblegum alley (just like Seattle) where you can add your own piece of gum after chomping on it for a bit. 

After you do that, it’s time to earn money while eating out at coffee shops or any of the fabulous restaurants that are leading the California culinary scene.