San Luis Obispo, CA

Travel Guide

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San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, with its small-town, Californian charm, offers heritage sites, outdoor adventure and a thriving arts scene.

San Luis Obispo, roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, impresses visitors with its scenic setting. Here, the natural beauty of California is visible in vineyards, mountains and the nearby Pacific Coast. The town was raised around the mission of Father Junípero Serra, which was established in 1772. Today the downtown area presents a well-preserved collection of Victorian homes and historic landmarks.All the main attractions of San Luis Obispo are closely grouped around downtown, so it’s easy to get around on foot. Set out to discover centuries-old landmarks, such as the house of Pierre Hyppolite Dallidet, the town’s first winemaker.Learn about the town’s modern history at the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. This active church also has a museum that illustrates the history of Native Americans and Californian missionaries. Surrounding the site is Mission Plaza. In summer, this is one of the venues of the Festival Mozaic, a popular chamber music festival. While in this area, visit San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Free events, such as the I Madonnari chalk art and Art After Dark open-house festivals, take place here.To the north of town is Leaning Pine Arboretum, part of California Polytechnic State University. Here you can see displays of regional plants as well as Australian, Chilean, Mediterranean and South African varieties. Check out the views from the nearby Bishop Peak Trail.Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the hiking and biking trails of Montana Oro State Park to the west of town. To the east, Lopez Lake has trails for all fitness levels. Be sure to visit the pier and restaurants at San Luis Obispo Bay and Avila Beach, which are just a 15-minute drive from the town center. San Luis Obispo’s food and drink scene promotes homegrown produce, and a farmer’s market takes place every Thursday on Higuera Street, the main shopping area in town. Sample barbecued tri-tip beef, a traditional Californian dish, while you watch street performers and local bands. Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the wineries in nearby Edna Valley, just 10 minutes from the town center.

Where to stay in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo

Downtown San Luis Obispo

4.5/5(102 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown San Luis Obispo, Downtown SLO Farmers' Market and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown San Luis Obispo
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Laguna

While visiting Laguna, you might make a stop by sights like Madonna Plaza Shopping Center and Irish Hills Natural Reserve.

Laguna
Go online and look for an evening that suits your mood and painting style. Local artists walk you through this artist process. I happen to be a hopeless romantic and painted the "Love Birds" Simple beverages served, with a small selection of appetizers to keep you mellow and content as you paint with friends.

Railroad District

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Railroad District and surrounding area, you can visit Downtown SLO Farmers' Market and Fremont Theater.

Railroad District
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Old Town Historic District

When in Old Town Historic District, you can plan a visit to Downtown SLO Farmers' Market and Fremont Theater, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Old Town Historic District
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Lower Higuera

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lower Higuera and surrounding area, you can visit Downtown SLO Farmers' Market and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

Lower Higuera
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Foothill

While Foothill might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Fremont Theater and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

Foothill
Madonna Inn
Madonna Inn
3.5 out of 5
100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA
$169 nightly
The price is $192 total per night from Jul 9 to Jul 10
$192 total
Jul 9 - Jul 10
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,178 reviews)
"Large room, cozy bed, easy parking, and great restaurants. Lacked amenities in room 1 small tv with missing remote, sink handle broken with complicated instructions for use, and old stained carpet."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Madonna Inn
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown
3 out of 5
1845 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, CA
$145 nightly
The price is $165 total per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
$165 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,541 reviews)
"good"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown
Vagabond Inn San Luis Obispo
Vagabond Inn San Luis Obispo
2 out of 5
210 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA
$84 nightly
The price is $94 total per night from Jul 10 to Jul 11
$94 total
Jul 10 - Jul 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and premium TV channels. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,124 reviews)
"I liked the room. It was very clean and nice. The thing that I didn't like was leaving a 100 dollar deposit; I think that is excessive. Although I know the money will be returned eventually, I never stayed at a hotel where they charged 100 dollars for a deposit. Overall, despite this, it was a great ..."

Reviewed on Jun 30, 2025

Vagabond Inn San Luis Obispo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
3 out of 5
7075 Ontario Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA
Stay at this 3-star cabin in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Avila Hot Springs and Avila Beach are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (25 reviews)
"We came at a great time of the year. Very quiet and not too many people here right now. We've enjoyed the pool and hot tub all to ourselves. This place is right next door to the natural hot springs and public swimming pool. There's a cute little farm across the street...this is an awesome place for ..."

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
MOUNTAIN TOP GETAWAY : Best View In SLO! : Pets welcome
MOUNTAIN TOP GETAWAY : Best View In SLO! : Pets welcome
San Luis Obispo
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (340 reviews)
Serene Paradise: Pictures Cannot Define
"My wife and I spent 30 days in CA and stayed in 6 different VRBO’s as we journeyed down the California Coastline. Ryan (and Bourbon Cider) were the absolute most gracious hosts. The property is astounding. I took 50 pictures and none of them live up to the beauty you’ll see with your eyes. The home ..."

Reviewed on Jun 21, 2025

MOUNTAIN TOP GETAWAY : Best View In SLO! : Pets welcome
SLO Brew Lofts
SLO Brew Lofts
4 out of 5
738 Higuera, San Luis Obispo, CA
Stay at this 4-star condo in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Bubblegum Alley and Downtown SLO ...
9/10 Wonderful! (86 reviews)
"This is our second stay at the Lofts and we will certainly be back again. Such unique and gorgeous rooms and amenities. Check in is super easy and they provide parking passes for a nearby parking garage. The Lofts are right in the heart of downtown SLO providing a cool vibe that is super convenient ..."

Reviewed on May 12, 2025

SLO Brew Lofts
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo is great for pedestrians, with hundreds of miles of sidewalk and an easily walkable downtown. There are also a lot of cycle paths and places to lock up bikes, and plenty of opportunity to rent bikes in town. There’s also an extensive bus system covering the entire city. The Old SLO Trolley, a restored vintage trolleybus, is a very atmospheric way to get between downtown and Monterey Street. Visit the Regional Transit AuthorityOpens in a new window website.Browse San Luis Obispo rental cars.

Best time to visit

San Luis Obispo sits in California’s Central Coast region, and as such you'll find mild and pleasant weather here throughout the year. In the summer, which is the busiest season, there are average highs in the mid 70s F (mid 20s C); however, like San Francisco to the north, this time of year can also see fog roll in from the coast. Winters are quite mild, with average highs of around 61 F (16 C).

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