San Luis Obispo Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled on the picturesque Central Coast of California, San Luis Obispo is a vibrant city that offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and a laid-back atmosphere. Known for its charming downtown, stunning landscapes, and warm community spirit, San Luis Obispo is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a unique and unforgettable experience.

One of the highlights of San Luis Obispo is its bustling downtown area, filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and a wide array of restaurants and cafes. Stroll along the tree-lined streets, and you'll find yourself immersed in a lively atmosphere where locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy the city's vibrant social scene. Don't miss the iconic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, a historic Spanish mission that dates back to 1772 and serves as a testament to the city's rich heritage.

For nature enthusiasts, San Luis Obispo is a paradise waiting to be explored. Just a short drive away, you'll find the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific coastline, where pristine beaches and rugged cliffs create a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities. Head to Montana de Oro State Park and embark on a scenic hike, or take a leisurely bike ride along the famous Bob Jones Trail that winds through picturesque landscapes.

Wine lovers will also find themselves in paradise in San Luis Obispo, as the region is home to numerous award-winning wineries. Take a tour of the Edna Valley wine region, known for its cool-climate wines, and indulge in tastings of exquisite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals. The rolling vineyards and charming tasting rooms make for a perfect day of relaxation and indulgence.

With its year-round pleasant climate and welcoming community, San Luis Obispo offers a wide range of events and festivals that celebrate its unique culture. From the vibrant Thursday night Farmers' Market, where locals gather to enjoy fresh produce and live music, to the annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival that showcases cutting-edge cinema from around the world, there's always something exciting happening in this vibrant city.

Alternative names: Population: 47.3 thous.Area: 13.28 mi²Elevation: 194 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 35°16'45"N, 120°39'50"W

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CaliforniaUnited States

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San Luis Obispo Top Attractions

San Luis Obispo Attractions - What to See and Explore

San Luis Obispo offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Bishop Peak, Bubblegum Alley, Islay Hill. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Church • Historical place • Hispanic colonial architecture
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a Spanish mission founded September 1, 1772 by Father Junípero Serra in San Luis Obispo, California. Named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse, the mission is the namesake of San Luis Obispo. The mission offers public tours of the church and grounds.
Natural attraction • Geologic formation • Lookout
Bishop Peak
Bishop Peak is a 1,546-foot volcanic plug in San Luis Obispo, California. It is the tallest of the Morros or "Nine Sisters", a chain of similar peaks stretching to Morro Bay.
Neighbourhood • Downtown SLO
Bubblegum Alley
Bubblegum Alley is a tourist attraction in downtown San Luis Obispo, California, known for its accumulation of used bubble gum on the walls of an alley. It is a 15-foot high and 70-foot long alley lined with chewed gum left by passers-by. It covers a stretch of 20 meters in the 700 block of Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo.

Volcano • Nature • Natural attraction
Islay Hill
Islay Hill is a volcanic cone, and is the southernmost of the nine volcanic mountains and hills that make up the Nine Sisters, located in the San Luis Obispo County of central California.
Museum • History museum • Romanesque architecture
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
The San Luis Obispo Carnegie Library is a Carnegie library located at 696 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo, California. The library building was funded by the Carnegie foundation in 1903 and built in 1905; it housed the city's subscription library program, which had operated since 1894. William H.
Museum • Garden • Historical place
Dallidet Adobe
The Dallidet Adobe and Gardens is a California Historical Landmark in San Luis Obispo, California. The site was originally the property of Pierre Hypolite Dallidet, who came to San Francisco in search of gold in 1850.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Cerro San Luis Obispo
Cerro San Luis Obispo is a 1,292 feet mountain in San Luis Obispo, California. It is part of the chain of peaks called the Nine Sisters. It is a common spot for hiking, jogging and mountain biking, and has steep terrain. Below the west side of the visible peak, there is a large plateau with a large wooden stage on the east end.
Church • Downtown SLO
First Presbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church in downtown San Luis Obispo, California is located at 981 Marsh Street on the corner of Marsh and Morro Streets. It holds Sunday services and also midweek gatherings. First Presbyterian Church's mission is for Christian ministries of healing and reconciling.
Museum • Specialty museum • Historical place
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum, in San Luis Obispo, California, was founded to preserve and present the railroad history of California, and specifically the Central Coast, by collecting, restoring, displaying, and operating historic railroad equipment.
Theater • Concerts and shows
Palm Theatre
The Palm Theatre, located at 817 Palm, San Luis Obispo, California, is an independently owned and operated movie theatre which showcases a variety of independent, foreign, arthouse, and mainstream cinema.
Church • Highland
Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church
Saint Anne Byzantine Catholic Church is a Catholic Christian parish of the Byzantine Ruthenian Tradition located in the City of San Luis Obispo, California. It was founded in 1986. It is a parish of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.
35°18'10"N • 120°39'5"W
The "P"
The “P” is a 50-by-30 foot landmark located atop a northwestern hill of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California. Its creation dates back to the early 1900s and it has remained on the same hillside ever since.
35°17'9"N • 120°38'48"W
City of San Luis Obispo Historic Resources
The City of San Luis Obispo Historic Resources consists of buildings and sites designated by the City of San Luis Obispo, California, as historic resources. A map displaying the locations of San Luis Obispo's designated historic resources can be viewed by clicking "OpenStreetMap" in the template found to the right below.
Museum • History museum
Robert Jack House
The Robert Jack House, at 536 Marsh St. in San Luis Obispo, California, is a two-story Italianate-style historic house. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The listing included two contributing buildings. The Jack House is now owned by the City of San Luis Obispo.
Library • Bookshop • Laboratory
Robert E. Kennedy Library
In 1904, the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo opened its university library. Today, it's housed in a five-story on-campus building, which is named in honor of President Emeritus Robert E. Kennedy.
Botanical garden • Garden • Park
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located in the rolling hills of El Chorro Regional Park, between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County, within the Central Coast of California region.
35°17'2"N • 120°39'29"W
Anam-Cre Pottery
Museum • Downtown SLO
35°17'22"N • 120°39'54"W
SLO Skate Park
Playground • Sport complex • Park
35°17'4"N • 120°39'25"W
Art Central
Museum • Art gallery • Shopping

Things to See and Do in San Luis Obispo by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in San Luis Obispo.

Active

Dairy Creek Golf Course
San Luis Obispo
GolfOutdoor activities
SLO Skate Park
San Luis Obispo
PlaygroundSport complexParkSanta Rosa
Alex G. Spanos Stadium
San Luis Obispo
Sport venueSport
Robin Baggett Stadium
San Luis Obispo
Sport venueSport
Robert A. Mott Athletics Center
San Luis Obispo
Sport venueSport

Other categories

Museum Park

Day trips

San Luis Obispo – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of San Luis Obispo, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Hearst Castle (San Simeon), La Purísima Mission (Lompoc), Estrella Warbird Museum (Paso Robles).

40 milesNW
Forts and castles, Museum, History museum
Hearst Castle, San Simeon
Perched atop the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo County, California, Hearst Castle stands as a monument to opulence and grandeur. This palatial estate, once the private residence of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, now serves as a museum, offering a glimpse...
44 milesS
History museum, Regional park, Church
La Purísima Mission, Lompoc
Mission La Purísima Concepción, or La Purísima Mission is a Spanish mission in Lompoc, California. It was established on December 8, 1787 by the Franciscan order. The original mission complex south of Lompoc was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812, and the mission was rebuilt at its present site a few miles to the northeast.
27 milesN
Specialty museum, Museum, Military museum
Estrella Warbird Museum, Paso Robles
The Estrella Warbirds Museum is an aviation museum dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, vehicles, and memorabilia.
9 miSW
35°10'21"N • 120°45'22"W
Avila Beach Paddlesports, Avila Beach
Beach, Kayaking, Outdoor activities
44 milesNW
Lighthouse, Gothic Revival architecture, Vernacular architecture
Piedras Blancas Light Station, San Simeon
Piedras Blancas Light Station is located at Point Piedras Blancas, about 5.5 miles west by northwest of San Simeon, California. It was added to the California Coastal National Monument in 2017.

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Best Time To Visit San Luis Obispo

Learn when is the best time to travel to San Luis Obispo weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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July is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in June.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July, August, September and October. While the coldest is in January, February, March and December.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in June, July and August. Most of it rains in January and February.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Best Ways to Experience the City

Food & drink

Cuisine

A guide to some of the best local dishes and drinks that you will meet in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in San Luis Obispo?

The top attractions to visit in San Luis Obispo are:

What is the best time to visit San Luis Obispo?

July is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Many people also choose to visit in June. The highest air temperature is in June, July, August, September and October. While the coldest is in January, February, March and December.

San Luis Obispo Travel Guide

Facts and practical information

San Luis Obispo Attractions - What to See and Explore

San Luis Obispo plan & book

Things to See and Do in San Luis Obispo by Category

Active

Other categories

San Luis Obispo – popular in the area (distance from the center)

Best Time To Visit San Luis Obispo

Best Ways to Experience the City

Food & drink

Cornbread

Slider

Fajita

Cheeseburger

Crab cake

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in San Luis Obispo?

What is the best time to visit San Luis Obispo?