Located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this Central Coast city has Mediterranean climate, historic Spanish mission, and is surrounded by vineyards and hiking trails.
San Luis Obispo sits halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on California's Central Coast. Walk through the 1772 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa with its adobe walls and garden courtyard, browse local produce at the Thursday night farmers' market, or taste wines at family-owned vineyards in Edna Valley. You can climb Bishop Peak's 1,559-foot summit for views across nine volcanic peaks to the Pacific Ocean.
Downtown SLO and Thursday Market
Five blocks of Higuera Street transform every Thursday evening into the city's main farmers' market. Local growers sell seasonal produce while food vendors cook tri-tip sandwiches, barbecue, and international dishes. Street musicians and performers set up along the street, making it one of the largest weekly markets in California. The surrounding downtown area contains more than 180 buildings from the 1800s and early 1900s, including Spanish Colonial buildings with terra cotta roofs and Victorian homes with detailed woodwork.
Wine Tasting in Edna Valley
The Edna Valley wine region sits just 10 minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo. Cool ocean breezes and mineral-rich soil create conditions for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. At Edna Valley Vineyard, you can taste wines while looking through floor-to-ceiling windows at rows of vines against volcanic peaks. Claiborne & Churchill Winery specializes in Alsatian-style Riesling wines. The wine region extends north to Paso Robles and south to Santa Ynez, making it convenient for day trips.
Hiking and Mountain Views
The trail to Bishop Peak's 1,559-foot summit takes about two hours round trip, leading past rock outcrops to views of the coastline. Irish Hills Natural Reserve turns green from January through April, with 720 acres of trails for mountain biking and hiking. The paved Bob Jones City-to-Sea Trail runs 3 miles from San Luis Obispo to Avila Beach, following San Luis Obispo Creek through oak woodlands.
Local Food Scene
San Luis Obispo's restaurants source ingredients from Central Coast farms and producers. At Novo Restaurant, you can dine on international dishes on a creek-side deck. Ox & Anchor, which earned a Michelin Guide mention, serves dry-aged steaks and local seafood. Eureka! makes creative burgers, including their arugula fig burger topped with goat cheese. Three local breweries - SLO Brew, Libertine Brewing Co., and Central Coast Brewing Co. - each make their own styles of craft beer.
Places to Stay
The Madonna Inn, opened in 1958, has rooms with specific themes - some include rock waterfall showers and bold pink, blue, or red color schemes. Hotel Cerro and Hotel SLO put you within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. The Petite Soleil bed-and-breakfast decorates its 17 rooms with French countryside furnishings near the historic district. Camp Arroyo Grande, 16 miles from downtown, has operated since 1885 with accommodation ranging from basic campsites to wooden cabins.
