Overview
San Luis Obispo is a city in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California.
7 sights · 7 things to do · 10 places to eat · 18 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about San Luis Obispo
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Founded in 1772 by Junipero Serra, Mission San Luis Obispo was the fifth Catholic mission in California. Still an active parish, it is in the middle of downtown on Chorro St and Monterey St, with its main courtyard inter…
History Center of San Luis Obispo County
Housed in a beautiful library donated by Andrew Carnegie. There are three separate exhibit areas (two medium-sized rooms and a set of two much smaller rooms). There is a friendly attendant, and there is a good chance tha…
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
Really just a relatively large art gallery (or a couple of galleries), with art for sale. You might or might not find it interesting, but admission is free.
Bubble Gum Alley
Take a look and leave some of your own chewed gum behind. Located on the south side of Higuera Street between Broad St. and Garden St.
California Polytechnic State University
Depending on the season, college basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, and football games can be seen at the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), in the hills on the northern end of town. Games are gen…
SLO Railroad Museum
Chronicles the history of the railroad in SLO County and how it shaped development.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Morro Bay)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SBP San Luis County Regional Airport, San Luis Obispo — 3 mi away. Directions
- SMX Santa Maria Public Airport Captain G Allan Hancock Field, Santa Maria — 28 mi away. Directions
- FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport, Fresno — 116 mi away (major hub). Directions
San Luis Obispo has a one-terminal airport,
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $45–$205 a night (typical $144), from 14 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$320.
Options are grouped as Camping, Hotels and motels in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, History Center of San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
- Lunch Sidecar
- Afternoon Bubble Gum Alley, Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
- Dinner Novo Restaurant And Lounge
Day 2
- Morning Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, Downtown Area
- Lunch Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
- Afternoon Go wine tasting in Edna Valley
- Dinner Koberl at Blue
Day 3
- Morning SLO Railroad Museum
- Lunch Eureka! San Luis Obispo
- Afternoon California Polytechnic State University
- Dinner Thai Delight
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Due in large part to the death of affordable ethnic eateries, dining in town will set you back a few dollars. None of the local restaurants stands out with a consistently good menu (with the possible exception of the pricey Koberl) although several have some great dishes. Consequently, a fun and satisfying way to explore downtown is to have an itinerant dinner, sampling appetizers, salads, and a main course or two at a variety of eateries.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
About half way between Los Angeles (200 miles / 320 km to the south) and San Francisco (230 miles / 370 km to the north), nine small but impressive volcanic peaks march down a valley of the Santa Lucia range to the Pacific Ocean. Nestled around two of these peaks is San Luis Obispo ("SLO", "slow", or "San Luis" to locals), a small college town that also is one of California's oldest communities. San Luis and its neighboring communities boast extraordinary resources for hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, swimming and surfing; outstanding natural beauty; a carefully preserved and thriving 19th-century downtown centered around a meticulously restored 18th-century mission; a small but thriving art gallery scene; and a large and growing collection of top-quality wineries.
Getting Oriented
San Luis Obispo is bounded by the imposing line of Cuesta Ridge to the northeast, the Irish Hills to the southwest, dramatic Bishop Peak to the northwest and Islay Hill to the southeast. The town clusters around the feet of the 1,000-foot (300-meter) Cerro San Luis, notably marked with a big white "M" (for Mission High School). Both locals and visitors frequently refer to Cerro San Luis as "Madonna Mountain" and a common misconception is that the "M" represents the surname "Madonna;" the famous Madonna Inn sits at the foot of the mountain and the city of San Luis Obispo negotiated public access to the peak with the Madonna family. Cal Poly sits hard against Cuesta Ridge (with its big white "P") and the downtown area runs from Cerro San Luis roughly toward campus around two parallel streets, Higuera and Monterey. Most restaurants, bars and shops are located on Higuera Street, nearer the Mission and Cerro San Luis; hotels are mostly located on Monterey Street, nearer the university but still within a mile (2 km) of the central downtown. A few restaurants are located in the charming Railroad District, about 5 blocks east of Higuera via Santa Rosa Street, near the train station and youth hostel.
Place San Luis Obispo Visitors Center
The Visitor Center offers San Luis Obispo city maps, visitor guides, books about San Luis Obispo, and San Luis Obispo souvenirs. Welcoming Information Specialists are at the ready to answer questions and provide recommendations on what to do, see, eat and explore during your visit.
Get in
By plane
San Luis Obispo has a one-terminal airport,
Go San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
Scheduled flights are available from Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle on Alaska Air, American Airlines, and United. Taxis and Uber/Lyft is available, as well as rental cars, and the 1A and 1B city bus routes link the airport to downtown.
Central Coast Shuttle has 7 trips a day between the Los Angeles/LAX and Santa Maria Airport, about 35 miles south. This is a limited option, an Uber or ride from a friend must be procured, but may work in your situation.
Air Charter or air taxi is another alternative, where you can catch flights to San Diego for the weekend, or to any large or small airport. Air charters and air taxis fly point-to-point, at the departure time, departure airport, and arrival airport of the passengers' choosing. Prices start around $150 for a seat on flights that might already be going to your destination, or go from $1,000 to $10,000 or more for a custom-chartered flight where you hire the aircraft to fly you directly to your destination, any time you want to go. On-demand flights, and seats on flights already chartered to/from San Luis Obispo are offered by Pacific Air Taxi. Air taxi flights have a much shorter check-in time (typically just 15 minutes) than larger airlines, so you can just arrive and go. Travel time for an air taxi flight is usually 80 minutes from SLO to Sacramento.
By train
- Routes stopping in San Luis Obispo:
- Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. Northbound and southbound trains meet in San Luis Obispo at about 3:30PM each day. The Coast Starlight offers particular treats to travellers from both north and south. Those coming from San Francisco will penetrate the Santa Lucia range through the eight tunnels of the Cuesta Grade, the longest railroad grade west of the Rockies, just before disembarking at San Luis Osbispo. From Los Angeles, the route traverses the wild coastline of Vandenburg Air Force Base, which is otherwise inaccessible to civilians. During the winter, Coast Starlight travelers should enjoy great sunset views after departing San Luis Osbispo southbound.
- Pacific Surfliner operates daily between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles.
By bus
- Amtrak offers its Thruway bus service to San Luis Obispo from areas statewide including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the Central Valley.
- Flixbus offers bus routes into SLO from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- San Luis Obispo County's Regional Transit Authority provides countywide bus transportation from as far south as Santa Maria up to Morro Bay/San Simeon and Paso Robles/San Miguel in the north.
- Greyhound stops in Santa Maria, about 30 miles south.
By car
Since San Luis Obispo is home to the first ever motel (The Milestone Mo-Tel) it is definitely a car town. Both Highway 101 and Highway 1 run through town, with the two overlapping from San Luis Obispo until they split again further south in Pismo Beach. San Luis Obispo is the south end of dramatic Big Sur stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1), inasmuch as the PCH rejoins Highway 101 in town. Highway 101 turns inland from San Luis, traversing the historic Cuesta Grade over the Santa Lucia Range to Atascadero and Paso Robles, then onward through the Salinas Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area. Travellers opting for the very worthwhile scenery of Big Sur via the PCH should be aware that driving times are much longer than by the 101.
Get around
Car is the easiest way to get around town and the larger region, but many locals opt to travel by bike or to walk within the city.
By bus
SLO Transit Services are reliable and cover most points of interest, but end at 11PM on weekdays and 8PM on the weekends. A trolley links some of the hotels on Monterey Street to the downtown area. Click here for more information
Regional Transit Authority The county bus system. Mainly intended for travel to neighboring cities, with limited service inside SLO, but check if the stops and schedules work for you.
By foot
Walking is a great way to get around, especially if you're staying close to downtown.
By bike
SLO keeps improving its bike infrastructure every year. Several bike shops offer rentals and some hotels have bike available for use by guests.
By pedicab
SLO Pedicab San Luis Obispo now has pedicab service.
By taxi
Taxi service is available from 234 Taxi (805-234-TAXI) but you certainly won't be able to hail a cab from a street corner; call for pick-up.
See
See Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Founded in 1772 by Junipero Serra, Mission San Luis Obispo was the fifth Catholic mission in California. Still an active parish, it is in the middle of downtown on Chorro St and Monterey St, with its main courtyard interrupting Monterey St for a full city block. In addition to the church, there is a small museum; both are definitely worth visiting. The Mission is part of the Mission Plaza development, which incorporates San Luis Creek and a number of stores and restaurants. Walk from the Mission to the creek and up to one of the restaurants for a bite to eat.
See History Center of San Luis Obispo County
Housed in a beautiful library donated by Andrew Carnegie. There are three separate exhibit areas (two medium-sized rooms and a set of two much smaller rooms). There is a friendly attendant, and there is a good chance that you will find the exhibits interesting and worth looking at. For example, in October 2014, there were exhibits of impressive baskets by Native American tribes from the region and historic photographs of people and buildings in San Luis in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
See Downtown Area
Take some time to walk around. It's changed rapidly over the past decade with the introduction of new developments and larger chain restaurants/stores, but still maintains a wonderful small town feel with the addition of pedestrian corridors between streets where you'll find locals hanging out.
See Bubble Gum Alley
Take a look and leave some of your own chewed gum behind. Located on the south side of Higuera Street between Broad St. and Garden St.
See California Polytechnic State University
Depending on the season, college basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, and football games can be seen at the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), in the hills on the northern end of town. Games are generally $5 for non-Cal Poly students.
Also see the eclectic Madonna Inn, with the fanciest bathrooms in town.
Do
Do Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
On Thursday evenings head downtown on Higuera St. for the weekly farmers' market where bands, college students, and local farmers pack the streets for several blocks to create one of the best known farmers' markets in California. On the first Thursday of every month, hundreds of spirited bicycle enthusiasts congregate near the intersection of Chorro Street and Monterey Street to celebrate a themed, downtown bicycle parade, which starts promptly at 9:30PM.
- There are many places to hike and mountain bike in San Luis Obispo. The Santa Lucia mountains and the "Nine Sisters" offer many beautiful views of the city and the countryside. The two most popular hikes are Bishop Peak (no bikes allowed) and Cerro San Luis (multiple biking trails). If you're interested in other mountain biking trails around the county check out the list at CCCMB, a volunteer organization that creates and maintains trails countywide.
Do Montaña de Oro State Park
Take Los Osos Valley Road 10 miles west of town to a park named one of the state's best-kept secrets by the L.A. Times a few years back, and with good reason; it's filled with an abundance of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails both along the ocean along the bluffs and inland into the coastal peaks; a dramatic cove with caves that kids and adults love; and miles of sandy beach and tidal pools. Trails range from casual ambles along the bluffs to the steep climbs up Valencia and Oats Peaks. Oats is the longer hike (about 5.5 miles / 9 km) but more rewarding, as it offers views of Valencia against the Pacific, as well as northward and eastward to the Nine Sisters and Cuesta Ridge; the trail also is less steep. A terrific nine-mile (14-km) loop can be made by continuing over the summit to the Coon Creek trail, then crossing back in front of the range along Rattlesnake Flats Trail. Take water! The "Mountain of Gold" also reigns as a popular out-and-back destination for the many road cyclists in the county, but cyclists ride westward early as strong winds pick up through Los Osos Valley in the early afternoon.
- Walk or bike to Poly Canyon. Located on the north east side of the Cal Poly campus. Poly Canyon is a hilly, open, grassy area where many Cal Poly engineering and architecture students have constructed senior projects. The road up can be reached by taking the main road towards the Poly Canyon Village housing complex and taking a right before the road dips down the hill on a smaller road with a gate that quickly turns to dirt/gravel. Public vehicles are not allowed to drive on it, though be alert for university vehicles travelling up and down on occasion and student runners/cyclists.
- Kayaks and other outdoor gear can be rented at reasonable prices by students and the public from [https://www.asi.calpoly.edu/experience/poly-escapes/ Poly Escapes] on the Cal Poly campus. Kayaking is possible in many places in the county, but the most exciting place to kayak is between Shell Beach and Pismo Beach where there are sea caves you can explore. There are guided tours of the so-called "Dinosaur Caves" available from several kayak rental shops in Pismo Beach.
- See a movie downtown at the Fremont Theatre or The Palm Theater. The Fremont is located downtown on Monterey St and has become an instantly recognizable landmark with its vivid neon signage. The beautiful classic main theatre room is used primarily for the largest movie being screened while the rest are shown in smaller modern theaters built in a hidden addition. The Palm Theatre is a local movie theatre that instead showcases the very best of independent, foreign, art house, and mainstream cinema. Located downtown on the corner of Palm and Broad, it is an easy walk and located next to two of the main parking garage facilities. The theater also boasts being one of the first fully solar-powered and plays host the annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.
Do Go wine tasting in Edna Valley
Follow Broad street out of town and vineyards will begin to appear on the left; in addition to the large namesake establishment, over a dozen smaller, high quality wineries are open for tasting. Explore the region between Edna Valley Road and Orcutt Road to the east.
Buy
San Luis Obispo has a wide range of both local and chain stores at which to shop. In general the majority of local stores can be found downtown mixed in with smaller chains, while the larger box stores can be found in the two sprawling developments near the corner of Madonna Rd and Los Osos Valley Rd.
- Downtown San Luis Obispo has many chain stores located along the main Higuera St and the pedestrian developments that branch off including The Gap, Pottery Barn, Victoria's Secret, The Apple Store, Sephora, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Banana Republic.
Shop Tom's Toys
A locally owned toy store that resembles something out of a movie. Filled to the brim with toys that you'll likely recognize for your childhood, it's a fun place to visit both for small children and nostalgic adults.
Shop Phoenix Books
Two doors down from Boo Boo Records. A local bookstore filled to the brim with books.
Eat
Due in large part to the death of affordable ethnic eateries, dining in town will set you back a few dollars. None of the local restaurants stands out with a consistently good menu (with the possible exception of the pricey Koberl) although several have some great dishes. Consequently, a fun and satisfying way to explore downtown is to have an itinerant dinner, sampling appetizers, salads, and a main course or two at a variety of eateries.
Budget
Eat Kreuzberg California
This cavernous coffee shop/nightclub/restaurant/used bookstore/study spot offers a range of relatively affordable, tasty sandwiches for lunch; prices go up a little in the evening. It has a slightly edgy, intellectual vibe (photos of famous authors adorn the walls) and can be a pleasant place to spend an hour or two, sipping a coffee and sampling the games and books on offer. Kreuzberg (named for a hip neighborhood in Berlin) is a favorite study spot for Cal Poly students, and can become crowded around exam times. Live music is presented a few evenings a week.
Eat Linnaea's Cafe
A long-standing downtown institution, Linnaea's has a wide variety of teas along with the usual cafe fare. The large patio and garden out back is an excellent place to relax, and the back room often hosts musicians and poetry readings. Delicious dinner is served five nights a week. Wi-Fi is available for free.
Eat Thai Delight
One of the most authentic and tastiest Thai restaurants on the Central Coast. Any dish can be ordered spicy, on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 being the spiciest and not for the faint of heart. Dine in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner.
Eat Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill
Authentic Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices, including gyro, shawarma, and award-winning pizza. Outdoor seating in a street-facing covered patio.
Mid-range
Eat Eureka! San Luis Obispo
This SLO outlet of a small California chain (6 or 7 stores statewide) serves some creative, tasty burgers made with grass-fed beef, and some very good salads. Vegetarian burgers and other sandwiches also are available. However, the excellent selection of craft beers and bourbons is the place's greatest strength. Can be crowded at mealtimes and nights when Cal Poly is in session.
Eat Firestone Grill
Corner of Higuera and Osos. Known locally as the best Tri-tip sandwich in the State of California. A must-have for anyone who wants to understand West Coast BBQ. Can be noisy - try for a table outside.
Eat Sidecar
This hip offering by the folks from Kreuzberg (see budget listing) serves an adventurous seasonal menu using fresh local "farm-to-table" ingredients; Sidecar may be the best value in town. Enjoy an excellent bloody mary along with brunch on the weekends.
Splurge
Eat Koberl at Blue
This elegant downtown restaurant features "wine country dining" on the ground floor of an attractive Victorian-era office building near the courthouse. A great meal can be made from appetizers at the bar, which is one of the few watering holes in town not overrun by students. $23–50 for entrees.
Eat Luna Red
Novo's sister restaurant offers an exciting "global tapas" menu, serving such delights as duck confit crepes, spiced lamb kebabs, roasted beets with fennel, and stuffed piquillo peppers, all in small portions intended for sharing. Like Novo, it has a lovely patio, this one with a nice view of Mission San Luis Obispo across Mission Plaza; patio dining can be marred sometimes, though, by loud music from the restaurant next door.
Eat Novo Restaurant And Lounge
Open until midnight on Saturdays, with last reservation time 9:30PM. This eatery is beloved by locals, although the expense of a visit is justified more by the truly lovely atmosphere than by the middling quality of the menu, which features "international" foods prepared with fresh local ingredients. Novo is most noted for its beautiful creekside patio; often overlooked is the romantic dining in the basement.
Drink
- Bars The downtown area has many bars along Higuera street south of Santa Rosa ave, owing to the large student population. They are all an easy walk (or stumble) from one another. These start to become active around 10PM and on weekends will generally be quite busy up until 2AM. Options range from Martini lounge to Irish pub to wannabe LA nightclub.
- Wine Tasting There are several award-winning wineries in SLO county, many of which offer free wine tasting. Brochures to guide you through the area are available all over town, but they are actually unnecessary. Drive on 101 into Paso Robles and turn on Highway 46 (either direction). There will be wineries on either side of the road. There are also a number of wine tasting bars in downtown SLO.
Sleep
Hotels along the entire California coast get booked up every weekend during the summer. Be sure to make reservations if you intend to stay in San Luis Obispo on a weekend in the summer.
Camping
Stay Camping
Nearby at San Luis at El Chorro Regional Park, Morro Bay State Park, Morro Strand State Beach, Pismo State Beach, Montana de Oro State Park, and Cerro Alto Campground (U.S. Forest Service).
Hotels and motels
Stay Hostel Obispo
A Hosteling International youth hostel with a homey feel, located within easy walking distance of downtown. For those who enjoy the communal vibe of a traditional hostel, this is by far the best option on a budget due to its combination of centrality, comfort, amenities and moderate cost. Family rooms are available. The hostel is closed between 11AM and 4:30 PM.
Stay Sunbeam Motel
A comfortable 15-unit motel close to the Monterey St. exit from the 101 Freeway and about a 15-minute walk from downtown. You may find your bed just a tad lumpy, but the rooms are big and everything is quite acceptable, especially for the price. Very nice, helpful managers, and you may be allowed to leave your car in the lot for the afternoon after you check out, if you ask nicely.
Go next
- Avila Beach - Avila Beach is a small coastal community 10 miles (16 km) southwest of San Luis Obispo that offers a number of quaint inns, spas and resorts. Point San Luis, accessible via a scenic docent-led hike or by trolley, is home to a lighthouse that dates back to 1890 and is the only surviving Prairie Victorian on the West Coast. Visitors looking for relaxation can soak in nearby mineral hot springs or lounge on the sandy beach that gives the town its name.
- Carrizo Plain National Monument - 75 miles (120 km) east of San Luis Obispo, this remote national monument is home to the largest remaining native grassland in California. During wet years it boasts spectacular wildflowers in the spring, and Soda Lake is an important wintering area for waterfowl when precipitation is sufficient to flood the seasonal lakebed. The park is also home to Painted Rock, a Native American site that has been adorned with pictographs over thousands of years. Services are extremely limited, with just a small visitor center, two primitive campgrounds, and a handful of marked trails available.
- Los Osos - gateway to Montana Del Oro State Park.
- Morro Bay - 13 miles (21 km) northwest of San Luis Obispo, this coastal town is best known for the massive 581-foot (177 m) volcanic rock that dominates its harbor, but is also a great spot to see marine mammals and is home to one of California's oldest fine art and craft shows.
- Paso Robles - Paso Robles is a historical resort town known for its hot springs that is 31 miles (50 km) north of San Luis Obispo. This city's major industry is wine production, with vineyards located throughout the surrounding area.
- Pismo Beach - This tourism-focused coastal town is located 13 miles (21 km) south of San Luis Obispo. It has more than 65 restaurants and 30 lodging options, and draws visitors with its beautiful coastline, annual clam festival, and the thousands of monarch butterflies that gather to spend the winter in a grove at the edge of town.
- San Simeon - 42 miles (68 km) northwest of San Luis Obispo, San Simeon is home to Hearst Castle, the impressive residence of the former media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, now managed as a state park with tours available daily. A massive colony of more than 20,000 elephant seals can be viewed onshore just north of town every winter.
Nearby
Avila Beach
City / town · 13 listings · 8 mi away
Pismo Beach
City / town · 17 listings · 9 mi away
Los Osos
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
Grover Beach
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
Arroyo Grande
City / town · 9 listings · 11 mi away
Oceano
City / town · 5 listings · 12 mi away
Morro Bay
City / town · 24 listings · 13 mi away
Atascadero
City / town · 7 listings · 15 mi away
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