Gabbi Hall
As a born and raised Californian (now living in Nevada), I’ve always heard about the fun things to do in San Luis Obispo and have known it as a coastal California town teeming with sunshine. I finally had the chance to visit the city of San Luis Obispo for work and experience the wine, food, and fun for myself. Let’s answer a couple basic questions to start, shall we?
Is San Luis Obispo a City?
Yes! So, San Luis Obispo is a city that sits within a larger county, known as SLO CAL. Downtown SLO, the city’s epicenter, features a walkable stretch of shopping, restaurants, and places to stay—all acting as a hub from which you can access the rest of the county such as Paso Robles or Pismo Beach. The city of San Luis Obispo is also home to a larger college, Cal Poly, giving the city a youthful, welcoming, and lively ambiance.
Is San Luis Obispo Worth Visiting?
San Luis Obispo is 100% worth visiting. It has a lot of California’s best features—a thriving wine country, year-round sunshine, arts and culture, and really tasty food. Of course, all of this without the traffic and grittiness of surrounding destinations like Los Angeles or the pomp and pretentiousness that can come from Napa. (Note: I still love Napa, and also recommend it. It’s just a different vibe.)
Things to Do in San Luis Obispo
Depending on the type of traveler you are (solo, family, couple, girls trip), you’ll enjoy different things to do in San Luis Obispo. This is a brief highlight of what I consider some of the best things to do in SLO.
Visit the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market
The Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market holds a special place in the community’s heart. Happening every Thursday night in the streets of Downtown San Luis Obispo, it’s a hub for local produce, grabbing a tasty meal, picking up locally made products and listening to live music. It’s as much a local love as it is a fun experience for a traveler like me.
Hike around the Cal Poly Design Village
The Cal Poly Design Village, also known as the Architecture Graveyard, sits in the green hills of San Luis Obispo on the Cal Poly campus. It’s a great, leisurely hike (not overly strenuous, but with some elevation gain) through old projects by Cal Poly students. Wind your way through experimental structures from modern to primitive. Mostly covered in graffiti, there’s funny and strange art across many of the walls. It’s a great morning activity to get a workout in while you take in a funky SLO attraction.
Go wine tasting throughout the Edna Valley
No surprise. I love a trip to California Wine Country and SLO Coast Wine Country offers up stunning vineyards, tasty pours, and fewer crowds than its counterparts such as Sonoma or Napa. It’s only about a 10-15 minute drive from Downtown SLO to iconic wineries such as Edna Valley, Malene, and Chamisal. SLO wine country is known largely for its chardonnay and pinot noirs. Now, I am not a chardonnay person. At all. But I loved the chardonnay I tried in SLO. When you get your hands on one that’s artfully made, you really can’t beat in. And if you’re a rosé enthusiast, you MUST stop by Malene. They specialize in rosé that they serve out of an airstream and offer the perfect setting for a day in the sun.
Ride the Railroad Trail to Bang the Drum Brewery
If you’re staying downtown, many hotels offer bikes for guests. Grab a couple and ride down the railroad trail to Bang the Drum Brewery. They offer a large list of beers and hard kombucha on tap to wet your whistle after the short paved ride. It’s sure to satisfy a beer lover’s cravings! If you don’t want to bike, you can also drive or uber to SLO Brew Rock, 30-barrel brewhouse, canning line, and tasting room space with indoor and outdoor dining.
Hotels in San Luis Obispo
The city of San Luis Obispo is a place you stay for a night or two (or four) to really enjoy it. These three hotels offer spectacular stays, each with their own flavor.
Hotel SLO
When you want a luxury stay with a meticulously decorated room and top-of-the-line amenities, Hotel SLO is the place you want to stay. It’s modern perfection and an immaculate experience. I love the private balconies outside the rooms, so you can take in the view with a cup of coffee in the morning. Take advantage of the concierge and get local recommendations and reservations. Spend time at the pool. Grab cocktails at the High Bar.
Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn is perhaps the most famous of SLO’s attractions—for food and as a place to stay. It’s old school and covered in pink. Pink chairs. Pink carpet. Pink paint. Pink pool umbrellas. And it’s home to very distinctive and funky tooms. There’s nothing cookie-cutter about a stay here, but it sure is a memorable spot. It’s located just down the highway from Downtown SLO, so it’s not in the thick of the city and there’s plenty to do right on site.
Oh, and don’t leave the Madonna Inn without a slice of the champagne cake. It lives up to the hype.
Hotel Cerro
This small boutique hotel is tucked in the hubbub of Downtown SLO. It’s luxurious and cozy at the same time. My favorite feature? The rooftop pool and cocktails. You can lounge glamorously by the pool as you sip an expertly crafted drink. I have never had the chance to stay here, but Hotel Cerro is a favorite amongst influencers for its photogenic and expertly curated rooms, tasty food, and perfect location for exploration.
I can’t wait to adventure back to San Luis Obispo and explore more things to do in the region. Until next time, here goes nothing!
