What to Do in San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, or SLO as the locals affectionately call it, always felt like one of the world’s best-kept secrets to people who lived there and anyone who visited. Then one day Oprah said that San Luis Obispo was the happiest place in the USA, letting the rest of the world in on what the locals already knew.
Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on Highway 101, SLO can be considered one of the happiest places because of all there is to experience here. For a town with a population just shy of 50,000, it’s incredible what the area can offer in terms of things to do.
Top 12 Things to Do in San Luis Obispo
1. Indulge in the Food Scene
While the city itself may be small, the food scene packs a big punch. Whether you’re looking for something super casual to fine dining, SLO has it all. In fact, it would be an injustice to try and summarize what SLO’s food scene has to offer in one paragraph, so check out all our favorite food spots here.
2. Hike Bishop Peak
SLO has an amazing Mediterranean climate with an average of over 300 sunny days per year. Because of this, there is no shortage of outside activities. As you meander through the city you’ll see people running, biking, and hiking throughout the town and surrounding areas.
While Gina and I visited, we hiked Bishop Peak which gives stunning views of the town looking east and a gorgeous vista looking west where you can see the ocean in the distance.
3. Walk Around Downtown
SLO’s downtown captures the ethos of the community perfectly. Large sidewalks, old but well-maintained buildings, local and national stores, and wonderful restaurants are some of the reasons why spending time downtown is time well spent. You can visit Bubble Gum Alley, walk along the creek that cuts through downtown, or find live music.
4. Thursday Farmer’s Market
Every Thursday night from 6pm – 9pm, one of the main streets downtown is closed for the weekly farmer’s market. What makes this different than your standard farmer’s market is the sense of community around it. Every week the market is packed with people weaving their way up and down the street meeting up with friends, enjoying live performances, and sampling the amazing treats the county has to offer. The market is a wonderful microcosm of what makes SLO so great. Case in point – they have free bicycle valet.
5. The Beaches
Just outside of San Luis Obispo, you can find the beaches of Avila, Pismo, Shell, and Grover. There’s enough coastline here that it offers something for everyone. You can surf at Pismo, take in the views at Sunset Cliffs, or rent a 4×4 to ride the sand dunes at Grover Beach.
6. Wine Tasting
SLO is a great place to do some wine tasting. Vineyards are peppered all around the city limits and surrounding areas. On our recent visit, Gina and I spent a couple hours of the day sipping on some of the area’s best wines. SLO makes it easy – we went from downtown to a winery in 5 minutes. The two we visited were Tolosa and Baileyana which were fantastic. With dozens of wineries in the area, it would be easy to forget there was anything else to do other than sip some whites and reds all day.
7. Breweries
If you’re not into wine, SLO has plenty of breweries to quench your thirst. A lot of the breweries are located within walking distance from each other – with a majority located downtown. A couple of our favorites are SLO Brew and Central Coast Brewing. There are several others, with more popping up all the time to delight what your palate desires.
8. Hearst Castle
Like the beaches, Hearst Castle isn’t in the town of San Luis Obispo, but if you’re in the area it is definitely worth visiting. Located 50 miles up the road in San Simeon, Hearst Castle is the former home of media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Built over several decades of the early 20th century, Hearst Castle is as beautiful as the ocean view landscape that surrounds it. You’ll even see zebras and other exotic descendants from Hearst’s private zoo that still roam the countryside.
9. Poly Royal Rodeo
Usually held sometime in April, the Poly Royal Rodeo showcases some of the best collegiate rodeo athletes while sprinkling in some fun activities for the crowd. As a nice bonus, there’s usually a concert afterward. Poly Royal is a great reason to dust off your cowboy hat and enjoy an evening in what feels like a small town in the middle of rural America, without having to travel all the way there.
10. The Madonna Inn
World famous and often featured on travel shows, the Madonna Inn is another one of the SLO’s landmarks that helps give the city it’s charm. Located just outside of downtown, the Madonna Inn is a place unlike any other.
People are drawn to the whimsical themed rooms (jungle, rock, safari, etc.), but even the restaurant’s men’s bathroom is a tourist attraction in itself. Inside you’ll find a rock waterfall urinal that has also been featured on travel shows, making it famous in its own right.
11. Sunset Drive-In
For a fraction of the normal movie ticket price, and a lot more nostalgia, you can head over to the Sunset Drive-In and catch 2 movies while enjoying the ideal weather that SLO has to offer.
12. A Night Out at the Bars
Checking out SLO’s nightlife is a great way to cap off a day of activities. Cal Poly students ensure that downtown is full of energy year-round. Since the majority of bars are located downtown, it’s easy to bar hop to get the full experience. Some of my personal favorites are Bulls Tavern, Mother’s Tavern (MoTav), and Frog and Peach.
The Old Stomping Grounds
San Luis Obispo, holds a special place in my heart. For 4 years I lived in San Luis Obispo while attending Cal Poly State University for my undergraduate degree. I loved it so much that I even stayed an extra year after graduating to work before finally making the move down to San Diego.
What is your favorite thing to do in San Luis Obispo? Let us know in the comments below!
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