If you’re thinking of traveling and you’re looking for a destination with warm weather and tons of exciting things to do, then San Luis Obispo is the right place for you.
Located in the U.S. state of California, this county is home to more than 47,000 people of various ethnicities. The diverse palates of local folks make San Luis Obispo a hub for a wide range of dining destinations.
Apart from restaurants and beaches, SLO has some interesting history and plenty of nearby vineyards to explore. Because it’s home to Cal Poly State University, the youthfulness of the town is reflected in many of the fun activities and bars in the downtown area.
If you’re getting ready for a trip to SLO and want to know what there is to do, this list of 13 fun things to do in San Luis Obispo should get you off to a good start.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
13 Fun Things to Do in San Luis Obispo
1. Wine Tasting
San Luis Obispo has more than 250 wineries and about 40 varieties of grapes. The mild weather makes it a haven for vineyards, and the richly-flavored and fully concentrated fruit is ideal for making great wine. Nick and I have been to many of the wineries near San Luis Obispo and we always have fun.
One of our favorites is Tolosa Winery, which can be found on Edna Road, across from the airport. The tasting room is large, but often gets quite busy so a reservation is required. Next you can drive down to Biddle Road and go to Edna Valley Vineyard, known for its Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio, plus they often have live music in the tasting room.
Also on that road is Saucelito Canyon Tasting Room. They have a large outdoor area with picnic tables and tapas boxes to enjoy with your tasting. Next take a left on Orcutt Road and head to Baileyana, a family-run vineyard with a tasting room in a 1909 schoolhouse.
2. Dine at SLO’s Many Restaurants
San Luis Obispo is a small city, but it has a ton of great places to eat. Thanks to its abundant produce there’s always something fresh and seasonal on the menu.
One of the favorites in town is Firestone Grill. There’s almost always a line out the door for their delicious tri tip sandwich, that is piled high with some of the most tender tri tip you’ll ever eat. We love it! If you want to sit inside, the best way to bypass the line is to find a seat in the bar, where there’s table service.
San Luis Obispo’s proximity to the ocean makes it a fantastic place for seafood lovers. For local fish, try Ciopinot.
Another thing you’ll find in abundance in SLO is Mexican food. Try La Esquina Taqueria. You can’t go wrong with the pork chile verde, chicken enchiladas, and fajitas. The decor is fantastic, and they now have a distillery too.
3. Take a Tour at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Located at 751 Palm Street, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa embodies the area’s colorful past. The Mission’s architecture takes you back to when the early Franciscan friars used to live there. The bear sculpture by the fountain is a reminder that the area was once populated by the grizzly bears.
The facade of the mission is quite unique itself, but if you really want to learn more about the region’s history, then you should go on a guided tour at the Mission’s museum.
In there, you’ll see a multitude of artifacts that tell the rich heritage of the native people of California, plus antiquities about American settlement and the Mission Era.
The Mission San Luis Obispo’s guided tour usually begins at 1:15 PM from Mondays to Saturdays and at 2:00 PM every Sunday. Be mindful that the parking lot is rather small, so you might need to park on the street and walk in.
4. Thursday Night Farmer’s Market
If you happen to be in San Luis Obispo on a Thursday night, make sure to drop by downtown’s farmer’s market. It’s when farmers bring their harvests, such as peaches, berries, and other fruits, for shoppers to enjoy.
Covering a total of five blocks, SLO’s farmer’s market offers other products besides fresh produce. You’ll find its gigantic barbecue spot where you can munch grilled pork, chicken, and roasted corn cobs. You could also have pizza, baguettes, juices, lasagnas, pita chips, and many other snacks.
If you like to listen to live music, you can also catch some of SLO’s talented bands and singers at the market. It usually goes from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
5. Bubblegum Alley
At the center of downtown’s shopping district is an attraction called Bubblegum Alley, located at Higuera Street. I wasn’t going to mention this one, because I think it’s disgusting, but it’s also one of the things that gets mentioned the most about downtown SLO.
It’s a 70-foot-long alleyway that has 15-foot-high walls covered with chewed bubble gum from hundreds of visitors. It was said that this practice of sticking used gum on the alley walls began during the ‘50s.
While many enjoy this travel destination, others find it awful – like me. In fact, the city tried to clean it up several times. However, both locals and tourists keep coming back to this alley to build it back up again.
6. Sunset Drive-In
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to watch a movie at a drive-in theater, then you should plan a night at the Sunset Drive-In.
Established in May 1950 by Raymond Rodkey, the Sunset Drive-In has been a source of entertainment in SLO for so long that it just seems normal, but this is one of the last remaining drive-in theaters in the U.S. In 1950, there were 3,000 drive in theaters in the U.S. and now there are only about 300.
The drive in plays two movies a night when it’s open, including Hollywood blockbusters and some children’s movies, on a big screen that runs with a digital projector. It has a food stand where you can grab a bag of popcorn and some beverages. The first one starts around 7pm.
On Sundays, the drive in turns into a swap meet.
7. Dallidet Adobe and Gardens
Located at 1185 Pacific Street, this historic destination was the home of Pierre Hypolite Dallidet—the region’s first commercial winemaker. Built during the mid-1800s, Pierre and his family spent many years together in this adobe until it was sold to SLO County Historical Society in 1953.
Today, the garden houses a variety of fruit-bearing trees and flowering plants that visitors get to enjoy. Surround yourself with the lushness of crape myrtles, magnolia trees, poppies, wisterias, avocados, and irises as you walk around and appreciate the tranquil beauty.
The gardens are open on Saturdays and Sundays from April through October.
8. History Center of San Luis Obispo
The History Center of San Luis Obispo is located in a historic Carnegie Library building that was built in 1905. It includes a gallery, research room, and book store, and the Dallidet Adobe and Gardens.
The museum traces the history of San Luis Obispo County from the era of the Chumash and Salinan Indians to present day. It’s open every day except Tuesday from 11am to 5pm.
9. Railroad Museum
Railfans, history buffs, and kids alike will love a tour of the San Luis Obispo’s Railroad Museum.
Like a portal to the distant past of the Californian railways, it has a collection of restored train artifacts that could rewind the clock. Things like switch stands, telegraph devices, wagons, train headlights, bells, handcars, and so much more are on display in this museum.
Besides that, it has some old stuff about Amtrak, the Pacific Coast Railway, and the Santa Maria Valley. The museum also has a play area for kids where they can have fun with toy trains. Parents can shop around for some gift items like books and clothing at the Museum Store.
You can find the museum in the restored Southern Pacific Freighthouse. The only drawback is that they’re only open Saturdays 10am – 4pm.
10. Bishop Peak Hike
If you’re up for some hiking, there’s one you have to do in SLO, though it’s not for beginners. It’s a bit o a strenuous hike up to Bishop Peak, the tallest of the Nine Sisters, which are a chain of volcanic mountains and hills in western San Luis Obispo County.
Bishop Peak summit is at 1,559 feet, making this a strenuous, but rewarding hike. When you get to the top, you’re rewarded with fantastic views over the valley.
The trailhead is at the top of Highland Drive. There’s no much parking up there, mind you. Once you get started on the route, it’s a 3.5 miles round trip with 950 feet of elevation gain.
11. Sun and Waves at Pismo Beach
It’s a short day trip, but situated about 15 miles south of San Luis Obispo, is Pismo Beach with plenty to do – a great beach destination to enjoy the surf and sand.
In Pismo Beach, you can do horseback riding, kayaking, and sailing, not to mention surfing. Pismo Beach constantly has surfers because of its nonstop waves. You can take lessons if you want to give it a try.
For an adventure, try a 4-wheel ATV ride on the dunes of Pismo Beach. If you have the right vehicle, you can actually drive out onto the beach with your car/truck, which is something unique to Pismo Beach.
The little town is super cute and has plenty of restaurants, like the Cracked Crab and the Oyster Loft. We also have to get clam chowder from Splash Cafe every time we go!
12. Lopez Lake
Just 15 miles south of San Luis Obispo is Lopez Lake, which is a reservoir formed by Lopez Dam on Arroyo Grande Creek. The lake has more than 22 miles of shoreline to explore.
Over 175 species of flowering plants, and more than 150 species of birds have been identified within the park.
You can go hiking, birdwatching, and mountain biking. Lopez Lake also offers several water activities, such as windsurfing, jet skiing, boating, and kayaking. They also have a campground so you can stay overnight to enjoy the activities.
13. Avila Hot Springs
Discovered more than a hundred years ago, this popular tourist destination in San Luis Obispo offers an array of features and activities. From a hot mineral pool and barbeque sites to biking, jogging, and skating, as well as facilities for special event celebrations, Avila Hot Springs has it all.
Avila Resort has a heated freshwater pool with double slides, hot mineral soaking pool, massage therapy, and bike rentals so you can enjoy the bike trails nearby, like Bob Jones Bike Trail.
You can also stay over night at their cabins or tent camping facility. An all-day adult pass is just $25.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.