Travel Guide to San Luis Obispo
nestled on the central coast of California, San Luis Obispo is a gem of place. With pleasant sunshine year round, there is no wrong time to visit. Hiking, wineries, a tasty food scene and a charming downtown hub await.
This post was written in partnership with Visit California and Visit SLO. All opinions expressed are my own.
San Luis Obispo, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, is tucked off the coast of the Pacific Ocean right along Highway 101. SLO, the moniker it is better known by, is a city that is hard not to like. I know, I know—“there’s something for everyone” and “it’s hard not to like” are clichés said of many cities, but with SLO it really rings true. At the very least, there is very little, if anything, to dislike about it. If I had to take a stab at how it has achieved such a reputation, I’d say that its talent for balance is a contributing factor. If cities could be described like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, SLO would be the soup whose temperature is just right.
SLO is quiet but lively; it’s a college town after all and CalPoly students are never far from sight. Despite this, it’s family-friendly and an enjoyable spot for young couples and retirees alike. The city also holds being laidback and being active in expert symmetry; there is no need to move quickly yet there are always things to do. Between its abundance of community events and green spaces, you’ll be hard pressed to find yourself bored. If it’s a food scene your after, you’ll have a full platter of options ranging from hometown-feel cafes to more elevated dining experiences. And as if that weren’t enough, it’s sunny nearly everyday—but since SLO is the unofficial sensei of balance, it is not overwhelmingly hot, like a good soup, it’s just right.
San Luis Obispo stands out as a weekend getaway but you can easily spend more time here by exploring nearby spots. Ready to plan your trip? I thought so. This comprehensive travel guide provides all the details you’ll need to make the most of your trip to SLO.
Table of contents
Snapshot
When to Visit
Travel Logistics
Itineraries
What To See & Do
Eats & Drinks
Where to Stay
Last Minute Tips
Nearby Destinations
Location
Central California, USA
Why visit?
Outdoor activities, food and wine tasting and to enjoy a cute, laidback city
How long to stay
3-4 days
Population
~48,000
Spring | Mar-May
Spring is lovely in SLO. Temps are mild and everything is green from winter rains. A good time to hike, eat outside and explore.
Average Temps: 55°-65° F, sunny with clouds
Summer | Jun-Aug
Expect delightful warm weather in summertime. With CalPoly students away for summer it can be a bit quieter, too.
Average Temp: 65°-75° F, no rain and all sun
FALL | Sep-Nov
Summer temperatures linger making for pleasant weather. It’s an ideal time for hiking and wine tasting.
Average Temps: 60°-70° F, mostly sunny
WINTER | Dec-Feb
Cooler temps and a higher chance of rain makes it a slower time of year. (Slow in SLO? Anyone? Bad joke, I know.)
Average Temp: 50°-60° F, some rain and some sun
Getting To SLO
Flight
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)—a long name for a tiny airport—is a breeze to get in and out of. It is located ten minutes from downtown. All international airports (San Jose, Fresno, Los Angeles) are a three hour drive to SLO.
Car
Located along Highway 101, SLO is an easy stop if doing a California coast road trip. From major cities in California, expect at least a 2-4 hour drive to reach SLO.
Getting Around
On Foot
Downtown SLO, where most shops and restaurants are located, is compact and easy to walk around.
Car
If driving downtown, there is plenty of cheap street parking. To explore further, such as to the coast or vineyards in Edna Valley, you’ll want a car. Rental cars are easily picked up at SLO Regional Airport.
1 day
If you’re just stopping through for a day, grab a drink at Scout Coffee Co. and explore downtown SLO.
Visit local shops, grab lunch and make a quick stop at the Mission and SLO Museum of Art. For dinner, check out Luna Red or Novo.
2 days
On your first day, explore downtown SLO by eating and drinking your way through the city. There is a wild amount of options so you’ll stay well fed.
The next day, do a morning hike to Serenity Swing and spend the afternoon visiting wineries in Edna Valley. End your trip with a cocktail at Nightcap or Sidecar.
3+ days
With an additional day, you can spread hiking and vineyard visits over two days at a more relaxed pace.
You can also head to the coast for the day. Avila Beach and Pismo Beach are great options.
Hike to the serenity Swing
Located right on the perimeter of CalPoly, the Serenity Swing hike ends at the top of a hill (“hill” being a 900 foot elevation climb) with a swing that overlooks the campus and the hills beyond it. It’s a great four mile roundtrip hike with expansive views of SLO’s valley.
To get there, drive to the CalPoly campus and park near Poly Canyon Village (finding visitor parking was hard, I parked in H16). I followed the Brizzolara Creek Trail but you can also walk along Poly Canyon Road.
CalPoly Architecture Graveyard
On the way to the Serenity Swing, you will come upon a large field of seemingly random structures. You can’t miss it—it’s the decrepit, graffiti painted building materials placed at random seemingly intervals on an otherwise expansive and tranquil hillside. What you are looking at is essentially a ghost town of experimental structures designed and built by CalPoly architecture students for a yearly competition. It is a unique sight to wander around.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
This historic mission, built in 1772, is a lovely building surrounded by large aloe plants and dangling greenery. It’s a quick stop in your exploration of SLO, mostly just to take in its beauty. Fun fact: the mission’s height was built in accordance with Vatican law. This law states that churches could only be as tall as the trees, therefore it is no taller than the surrounding pine.
Shop Downtown
SLO is filled with boutique shops selling art, gifts, clothes, and more. My favorites are Buen Dia for printmaking and illustrative art, Calico for thrifted clothes, and Len Collective for novelty home and gift items.
Wine Tasting
Nearly 30 tasting rooms and wineries dot Edna Valley, a simple 10-minute drive from downtown SLO. Make a day of it by visiting a few and sampling a variety of wines. My recommendations:
Chamisal Vineyard. This French-style villa, surrounded by lavender, offers a quintessential wine-sipping ambiance. They specialize in pinot noirs and chardonnays.
Kynsi Winery. This winery feels like stepping into a secret garden. Small seating areas are shaded by trees and the atmosphere is relaxed and pleasant.
Biddle Ranch. A ranch-style vineyard with a minimalist vibe of white walls, greenery and light-colored wood. It offers sweeping views of the valley and small-batch chardonnays.
Sextant Winery. Enjoy an estate tour at this charming pioneer-inspired winery that specializes in old world wines, like bold reds.
SLO Botanical Garden
Meander along trails and through pleasant gardens that focus on Mediterranean plants. It is located 15 minutes northwest of Downtown SLO right on Highway 101.
SLO Museum of Art
The art museum, located right downtown, is small but mighty. It features a variety of exhibitions, and even its exterior is a piece of artwork—and it’s one that changes frequently, at that. Admission to the museum is free!
San Luis Obispo has a vast selection of food and drink options on offer. In fact, visiting its many different spots will be an integral part of your travel experience. While cuisine-styles run the gamut, the majority of SLO’s restaurants share an ethos for creating locally-sourced and thoughtfully made dishes. The same can also be said for its cocktail, beer and wine scene.
SLO has everything from handcrafted coffee in cute cafes to artisanal wine at charming vineyards, and from casual community-centered delis to high-end cuisine enjoyed creekside. Below are a few of my favorite places to check out.
BreaKfast + Coffee
Scout Coffee Co. | A coffeeshop with an industrial-meets-chic style. Enjoy delicious coffee in a lively space surrounded by brick walls and dried floral decor, or outside at wooden tables where you can soak up your caffeine in the sunshine.
Seeds | A casual eat-in or take-out cafe with a selection of health-inspired toasts, smoothies and coffee. It’s a clean and sleek spot with indoor and outdoor seating.
SLO Provisions | A rustic-style cafe with a hometown vibe. They serve cafe items all day and also have a little shop section with hand selected wines, artisanal cooking ingredients and sweet treats.
Field Day Coffee | Handcrafted coffee in an industrial, minimalist-style space. Natural wines are also available if that’s your selected vice for the day.
Avocado toast at Seeds
Scout Coffee Co.
Burrito at SLO Provisions
Lunch + Dinner
Novo | Located in the heart of SLO, right above the creek, Novo offers an ambient patio experience alongside stellar food and cocktails. The ahi nachos, scallops and chocolate cake make for a dinner delivered straight from heaven. This is easily one of the best spots in the city.
Lincoln Market & Deli | A charming neighborhood staple featuring tasty sandwiches, salads and soups. The market portion has a selection of food, craft beers and novelty items.
Mistura | Peruvian food in the middle of San Luis Obispo? Why yes, that exists. This modern restaurant serves up authentic Peruvian dishes and drinks while taking inspiration from other cultural influences, like Spain and Japan. The chico murado cocktail was excellent and the paella was superb.
Luna Red | Innovative, locally-sourced cuisine with a wide-range of wines to accompany it. The Spanish-style ambiance is refined but relaxed and the patio is the place to be on a sunny day.
Creekside dining at Novo
Ahi nachos at Novo
Market items at Lincoln Market & Deli
Drinks + Dessert
Nightcap | An intimate cocktail lounge inside Granada Hotel & Bistro. Sip on handcrafted cocktails in a well-decorated space featuring dark wood, brick walls and thoughtful details.
High Bar | Head to the rooftop of Hotel San Luis Obispo for refreshing cocktails paired with amazing views of the city and its stunning natural scenery.
Chamisal Vineyards | Sip on sustainable artisan wines in a tranquil French-inspired setting. They are best known for their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
Nite Creamery | This is the spot for handmade nitrogen ice cream. What does that mean? I’m not entirely sure either, but I can confirm it’s delicious.
Cocktails at High Bar
Cocktails at Nightcap in Granada Hotel
S’mores ice cream at Nite Creamery
Petit soleil | ~$250 / Night
This cute boutique bed & breakfast feels like being transported straight to the south of France. They offer cozy rooms (with large, comfy bathrobes!) and a simple complimentary breakfast that is best enjoyed in their quaint courtyard. It is located just outside the downtown core, a mere 10-minute walk away.
TIP!
At Petit Soleil, I recommend booking a Queen room, which faces the courtyard, or a Suite, which is spacious and has a fireplace.
Granada Hotel & Bistro | ~$300 / night
This chic hotel with a European flair is conveniently located in the very center of SLO. Even if you don’t stay, be sure to visit their bistro or cocktail bar, Nightcap. As a bonus, the this property is female-owned and operated!
Madonna Inn | ~$250 / night
Madonna Inn is a beloved institution of SLO. If you are looking for a colorful and quirky hotel, then you’re in the right place. Select from over 80 different themed rooms with names like, “What’s Left Over,” “Pony Room,” “Oriental Fantasy,” and “Rock Bottom” (which, true to its name, is a rocky cave). It doesn’t get more unique than the Madonna Inn.
Avenue Inn Downtown | ~$100 / Night
Budget-friendly and to-the-point, Avenue Inn gets the job done. It is well-located just outside of the downtown hub.
View more hotel options for San Luis Obispo on Booking.com
01. Downtown SLO has plenty of street parking. Most of SLO uses the PayByPhone parking system (where you can…pay by phone, but also by credit card), however, some areas have ancient coin operating machines. Consider carrying a few quarters with you, just in case.
02. While SLO is known for its sunny days but the wind does come through. I recommend bringing along a light jacket, especially at night.
03. Some wineries require reservations or tickets for estate tours—be sure to check the websites of the ones you plan to visit.
Hearst Castle
An hour north, along Highway 101, is Hearst Castle. This grand 20th century mansion boasts 165 rooms and its opulence has no parallel within the region. Built on a hilltop overlooking the ocean, it also offers amazing views. You may even spy a zebra or two while visiting, because what else would you expect in the hills of central California?
READ MORE: Cambria: Finding Stillness on California’s Central Coast
Pismo Beach & Avila Beach
Both beaches are located 30 minutes west of SLO. In cooler months, monarch butterflies migrate to Pismo Beach and it is quite an impressive spectacle!
Channel Islands National Park
If you’re searching for a remote and visually stunning outdoor experience, add Channel Islands to your itinerary. Located only 2.5 hours south of SLO, it feels like a world away.
Read more: Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide
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