The vibrant city of San Luis Obispo has soooo much to offer. Tucked away on California’s Central Coast, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco (about a 3.5-hour drive from either), SLO offers a melting pot of laid-back charm, vibrant culture, and stunning beaches and even more stunning yellow flower fields. SLO Down and enjoy this San Luis Obispo (affectionately known as SLO) travel guide that I hope you will draw inspiration from and give you all the details to make the most of your trip to SLO …btw (Did you get the pun?)
When is the Best Time to Visit SLO?
Spring and Fall offer mild weather and fewer crowds, though SLO’s charm shines year-round. So, there is no wrong time to visit. The hiking, tasty food scene, beaches and sunshine are open year round!
Brief Overview of SLO
Location
📍Central California, USA (3.5 hours from both LA and SF)
Why Visit?
Outdoor activities, beaches, laid back downtown, tasty food scene, family friendly
How long to visit?
2-3 days
Sample Itineraries
1 Day
GrabCoffee at Lianna’s Cafe. Explore downtown SLO(visit shops and Mission) eat lunch at High Street Deli and Eat dinner at Mistura. End the day at Sycamore Hot Springs
2 days
On the first day fully explore downtown SLO. Visit the shops, quirky cafes and restaurants. End the day at Sycamore Hot Springs. The next day, do a morning hike at Montana Ora State Park, tacos for lunch at Taqueria El Guero, end the night at a drive in movie theatre.
3+ days
With an additional day, go on sunrise hike at Serenity Swing, or do a morning kayak tour on Morro Bay, lunch at Lido, spend the afternoon at Pismo Beach, then drive up Perfumo Canyon for a sunset and a picnic.
Things to Do in San Luis Obispo
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Visit one of the oldest and best-preserved Spanish California missions- Mission San Luis Obispo. It’s a quick place to visit to just admire the beautiful grounds and the beautiful murals on the walls. There are also free guided tours that are available.
READ MORE: Unforgettable Road Trip From San Francisco to San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Creek
If you enjoy people watching and just strolling along a creek, walk along San Luis Obispo Creek and meander through the heart of downtown, this creek adds a touch of charm to the area. Stroll along the creek walk, have a picnic lunch by the water.
Downtown Night Market
If you’re visiting SLO on Thursday evening, don’t miss the vibrant night market in SLO. Local vendors showcase their crafts, artwork, and delicious food – a great way to experience the town’s creative energy and just spend the night. We ended up grabbing tacos here.
Montana de Oro State Park
Enjoy some outdoor adventures like hiking and biking at Montaña de Oro State Park. They offer miles of hiking and biking trails for all skill levels. The views from the top are simply spectacular.
Before you hike, always fuel yourself, with donuts of course (duhh) stop at SloDoCo for the freshest, crispiest donuts you can imagine. Their donuts are from heaven. And they have the most random flavors like a chai donut and matcha donuts.
Kayak in Morro Bay
If you are into kayaking you can paddle the calm waters of the Morro Bay Estuary and spot a variety of wildlife, including otters, seals, and birds. Paddle past playful sea otters, majestic harbor seals basking in the sun, and see the iconic Morro Rock.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t want to kayak, but you want to see sea otters go to Morro Bay Pier, drive down the road towards the giant rock and you will see a pod of otters hanging out there.
Book A Kayaking Trip Here
Shop Downtown
Downtown SLO is the heart and soul of the city. It is lined with small boutique shops that sell all kinds of arts, gifts and clothes and it’s fun to window shop(me!) or shop. If you love to thrift Calico, it is great for thrifted clothes. Phoenix Books is a large used bookstore that is worthy of every book lover’s time. And, JunkGirls for souvenirs and all kinds of quirky stuff. For unique handmade gifts check out HumanKind Fair Trade.
If you love coffee, Linnaea’s Cafe has not only delicious coffee, but a whole garden interior to drink and enjoy your coffee .
Bubblegum Alley
Bubble Gum Alley might sound gross to some, but intriguing to others. This quirky alleyway in downtown SLO is covered in discarded chewing gum. It’s free to check out
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort is an historic resort nestled amidst rolling hills. They have natural hot springs that are perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of exploring and hiking.
Book Your Reservation Here
SLO Farmers Market
If you are headed to SLO, make sure to start your trip on a Thursday, because SLO has got an extraordinary farmers market . Also, you will get to beat the weekend traffic. Here, you will see the SLO locals eating elotes and burritos and live performances. Here, you will also find Locum, a super yummy turkish delight sweet shop.
SLO Botanical Garden
The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is a haven of tranquility, showcasing the diverse flora of the Central Coast. The atmosphere is so peaceful, and you get to learn about the native plants. They often host special events that include a stunning light display that illuminates the gardens in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Glamping in SLO
If you’re looking for a unique accommodation experience, consider glamping. Several locations near SLO offer luxurious camping options.
See Glamping Options Here!
Bread Bike
Bread Bike has some of the best bread-related goods you’ll find anywhere. I’d recommend taking a stop at their store to grab a few snacks, bread, and/or a light lunch.
Hike Black Hill in Morro Bay
Black Hill is the second to last of nine volcanic plugs that lie between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay (the last being Morro Rock itself). Hike the 2.5 mile trail to get 360 degree views of Morro Bay and Morro Rock.
Serenity Swing Hike
A hike to the Serenity Swing is a must. The moderate 4 mile round trip hike rewards you with panoramic views of the city and surrounding valleys below– it’s quite serene.. And as the sun begins to set, you can also head up to Terrace Hill for a breathtaking display of color as the sky transforms into a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples.
Perfumo Canyon
Drive up Perfumo Canyon, which is accessible from a dirt road at the end of See Canyon Road as well as from Los Osos Road in San Luis Obispo. The winding road will take you to the top of the hill, with a scenic overlook – perfect for picnics and sunsets and stargazing.
Pro-Tip: Bring some layers as it can get cold and windy while you are there
Sunset Drive-In
If you are looking for a date spot, Sunset Drive In is a great spot to go. They have a large-screen movie venue with concession stand, showing 2 new releases nightly.
Architecture Graveyard
The Architecture Graveyard is a super cool attraction to see in SLO. It is also known as Poly Canyon Design Village, and has old structures dating back to the 1970’s that were created by Cal Poly Students.
Pismo Beach and Shell Beach
Fun Fact: Pismo Beach was once known as the clam capital of the world
SLO has many pretty beaches such as Pismo and Shell Beach. At Pismo beach you can kayak, visit the Monarch Butterfly grove or learn how to surf. Or you can just relax in the sand and listen to the ocean waves. You can also see The Pismo dunes, just outside the town of Oceano, a few minutes from San Luis Obispo.
