San Luis Obispo Travel Guide

With the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east and Pacific Ocean to the west, San Luis Obispo is a gorgeous vacation destination on the West Coast. Visitors can embark on one of the endless activities in town, such as hiking and biking trails, wineries, boat tours and historic sites. In addition, San Luis Obispo is well-known for its farmer’s market, with it being repeatedly called one of the best markets in California. Higuera Street is full of life during the day and in the evening, with everything from unique ice cream flavors to fine dining restaurant experiences.

Things to Do in San Luis Obispo

Top things to do include exploring San Luis Obispo’s Historic Downtown where the street is lined with pretty Spanish-style buildings. All of the action is around Higuera Street, which including shopping and great restaurants. To learn about how ice cream is made and to sample new and unique flavors, make sure you visit Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Wonderland -- the perfect pit stop on a sunny day. Don't miss out on the San Luis Obispo Farmer’s Market held every Thursday evening, which has tons of stalls selling local produce and street food, as well as having lively entertainment.

For hiking and exploring, venture out to Bishop Peak, where at the top there are spectacular views of the town below. For history buffs, The Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a popular place to visit, being founded in 1772 and a quaint place for a peaceful walk.

Best Places to Stay in San Luis Obispo

Downtown San Luis Obispo offers plenty of comfortable accommodation options that are near to all of the action.

Best Time to Visit San Luis Obispo

The best times to visit San Luis Obispo is during the spring, summer and fall months.

A Local's Guide to San Luis Obispo Vacation Rentals

There's a reason that San Luis Obispo is known as the happiest place in all America. Nestled between the Coast Range and the Pacific Ocean in California, it draws visitors all year round, either as a destination in itself or as part of a bigger West Coast road trip.

Whether you are looking for a short stopover, or plan to stay for a while, there are plenty of San Luis Obispo vacation rentals to accommodate. There are plenty of lodging options in town, such as budget-friendly inns or hotel rooms. Another option is to find a vacation home that may be a little out of town, but will bring you much closer to the beach of the central coast, and may even have additional extras such as hot tubs. San Luis Obispo county is in the center of the wine-growing region, so many people opt to stay amongst the vines in one of the nearby vineyards or farms.

When it comes to things to do, you will not be disappointed. The town provides an ideal base for the diverse surroundings, whether you want to sample the freshest produce and dining options, lay on a sun-drenched beach or shop for local creations, it is all possible in San Luis Obispo, the perfect stopover between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Seeing as agriculture still plays a large role in the local economy, the town is home to the second largest farmers' market in the western US every Thursday. Find some of the freshest produce ready to take back to your San Luis Obispo vacation home while also being entertained by street performers.

Adding to the town's cultural appeal, in the center of downtown San Luis Obispo is the Obispo Museum of Art and the San Luis Obispo Museum. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a must visit for those visiting the town, and will appeal to any history buff or California tourist. On a pedestrianized square, the church is free for you to explore on your own, or alternatively take one of the free tours of the Mission, museum and gardens.

This part of town is known for its babbling creek, treelines streets and quaint shops and eateries. Downtown is also home to possibly one of the strangest attractions in California, as no trip to the town would be complete without a walk down Bubblegum Alley. This small alley tucked off of Higuera Street is a place where you can make your mark and take part in an usual right of passage -- graffiti using bubblegum. The walls are 15 feet high and 70 feet long, and are definitely not for the germophobic, the attraction was well established by the 1970's as has now lovingly stuck.

Additionally, the town is blessed with 315 days of sunshine a year, which means that it is paradise for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers. There are many hiking and biking trails in the surrounding countryside and mountains, such as the Montana dear Oro State Park, Los Osos Valley and the Los Padres National Forest. Nearby you will find some great beachfront towns such as Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Avila Beach, all of which offer white sands and a range of facilities for guests to make use of. The town is also within driving distance to some big cities, such as Los Angles and Phoenix, both of which make a great day trip.

With such a wide range of things to do, coupled with so many nearby towns, it is hardly surprising that people look for vacation rentals in San Luis Obispo year-round.