Introduction
San Luis Obispo is one of the most underrated cities in California. It’s usually overshadowed by San Francisco and Los Angeles, but it’s actually one of the best places to visit in the state. From dinosaur caves to drive-in theaters, there are tons of things to do and see in San Luis Obispo that will make you want to stay forever. Here are our top 14 picks:
San Luis Obispo Is A Hidden Gem
San Luis Obispo is a hidden gem between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The city has some amazing attractions to see, including the Madonna Inn, which is one of the most famous hotels in America. It’s also home to some great restaurants and shops that are perfect for an afternoon of exploring. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, we highly recommend staying at one of our luxury condos!
Morro Bay Harbor Festival
This event is held every year on the second weekend of October, at the Morro Bay Harbor. The entertainment includes live music from popular artists, a wine-tasting area where you can sample some wine from various wineries, and much more.
There will be plenty of food to choose from like grilled chicken breast or salmon with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies ($8), fried green beans topped with bacon ($5), tacos filled with beef fajita meat or marinated pork carnitas served in flour tortillas topped with cilantro lime sour cream salsa ($10) and many others! There’s no doubt that you will find something delicious here!
Bring your wallet because admission costs $15 per person while children under 12 years old get in for free. If you want to stay longer than 3 hours then it’s recommended that you pay an extra $3 per hour after the initial entrance fee as well as parking fees which may vary depending on location but average around $20-$30 per vehicle during weekends when events are held throughout town such as this one!
The Cuesta College Planetarium
The planetarium on the Cuesta College campus is a must-see for any visitor. It’s open to the public, and it offers guided tours of its facilities and programs. The planetarium is located in the Science Building, which also houses classrooms and research labs.
The Planetarium has a large dome that can seat up to 100 people—which makes sense because it has one of the largest domes in California! With its full-dome system, it can project an image that fills 72 feet in diameter, so you get an immersive experience no matter where you sit.
Mission Plaza
Mission Plaza is a historic plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo, California. The plaza was created when the mission moved to its current location in 1772 and was dedicated to Saint Louis. It is the site of the first Catholic.
During the early 1900s, Mission Plaza was home to a bandstand that hosted community dances and concerts with local musicians. Today, this area hosts festivals like Brewfest and farmers’ markets where locals enjoy fresh local produce from nearby farms.
Old Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Located at the end of California’s central coast, San Luis Obispo is a great place to visit. There are plenty of things to do in this tiny town!
One of the most popular destinations in this area is Old Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The mission was founded in 1772 and has been considered one of the best-preserved missions in California since it was declared a national historic. It’s located just north of downtown San Luis Obispo, CA on Palm Street (Cal Poly campus). It’s open daily for tours from 10 am-4 pm except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day when it closes at noon.
Bubblegum Alley
Those looking for a fun, quirky place to visit in San Luis Obispo should look no further than Bubblegum Alley. It’s located on Higuera St between Marsh St and Osos St, and it’s a place that you’ll want to check out if you’re visiting the area.
Bubblegum Alley is exactly what it sounds like: an alley that is completely covered in chewed bubblegum. The thought itself may sound gross, but don’t worry—the people who have been visiting this spot since around 1960 clean up the gum every year! So while some of the pieces of gum might be old and stale-tasting, they’re also safe enough to eat (although we wouldn’t recommend doing so).
Visitors can expect to see photos of celebrities who have visited here over the years hanging along both sides of the street. It’s also worth mentioning that this is not only an interesting sight for tourists; locals come here as well because it has become somewhat of a tradition for them as well!
The Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn is an iconic hotel along the coast of California. It is known for being one of the most unique hotels in the world, featuring a variety of themed rooms such as:
- The “Pink Room”
- The “Tropical Hawaiian Bungalow”
- The “Japanese Garden Suite”
- The Restaurant: This is where breakfast is served daily and you can enjoy lunch or dinner on weekends.
Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst built Hearst Castle on a hilltop overlooking San Simeon Bay. The estate is a National Historic Landmark and tourist attraction maintained by the State of California. It is open to the public for tours.
Jocko’s Steak House
It is a local favorite that has been around since the 1950s and has become somewhat of a legend in San Luis Obispo and has hosted many famous people over the years. The place is also known for its rich history, as it was founded by brothers Jack and Nick Kyser.
The restaurant was called “Jockos” because Jack had an affinity for anything related to planes and aviation, so he named it after his nickname: “Jocko” (which is short for something else). All kinds of celebrities have eaten at this steakhouse, including Tom Cruise and Arnold Schwarzenegger; John Wayne enjoyed eating here so much that he even wrote about it in his autobiography!
In addition to its great food and service, customers come here just because they want to experience this classic San Luis Obispo establishment firsthand.
Cal Poly University’s Farmers Market
This is a popular weekly event that many locals attend. Cal Poly has a campus farm, which supplies its dining halls with fresh produce and other foods. The market is held on Tuesday afternoons from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in front of the University Bookstore on South Grand Avenue between Storke Road.
The market has plenty of things to offer: baked goods, fresh eggs, plants for landscaping, flowers for home decorating purposes, fruits such as apricots and mangoes (in season), nuts like almonds and walnuts (also in season), jams made from local berries (sometimes even blackberry jelly). If you’re looking for something specific just ask someone at the stand–they’ll be glad to help out!
Dinosaur Caves Park
The Dinosaur Caves Park is a great place to visit with kids. There are lots of cool things to see and do, including walking through the caves and seeing the fossils embedded in the rock walls, or hiking or biking on one of many trails. It’s also a great spot to have a picnic!
Avila Beach Drive-In Theatre
This is the only drive-in movie theater in California and one of only a few left standing nationwide. It has been a family tradition for generations and you can bring your food and drinks to enjoy while you watch a movie on the big screen or in your car. There are lots of fun activities for kids like face painting, games, inflatable rides, bounce houses, and more!
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA)
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art has a collection of over 3,000 pieces that span from the 19th century to today. The museum’s permanent collection includes masterpieces by Picasso, Matisse, and Johns among others.
SLOMA offers a variety of permanent exhibitions as well as special exhibitions (some for adults only). They also have rotating art exhibits in their galleries and offer classes for both kids and adults! Free admission – pay whatever you think is fair to support the museum!
SLO Brew Rock
- SLO Brew Rock is a music venue located in downtown San Luis Obispo. It’s one of the best places to see live music, and it has a great atmosphere.
- The venue has live music every night of the week. It also has a full bar and food menu. If you’re looking for some good vibes with friends and want to enjoy some live music then this place is for you
There are lots of unique and amazing attractions to experience in San Luis Obispo
There are many things to do and you can find a list of attractions on the SLO website. You can also find a list of attractions on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google.
Conclusion
There are so many things to do in San Luis Obispo that it can be hard to pick just one. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or planning an extended vacation, there is something for everyone.
