Things to do in San Luis Obispo, CA and Surrounding Areas
There is lots to do in San Luis Obispo
Well, if you are coming to San Luis Obispo for a weekend getaway, I suggest you arrive on Thursday.
Thursday Night Downtown is great. It's a local farmers market where they close down the main downtown street (Higuera St.) from 7 to 9. If you're parked downtown, I think they have you move your car starting at 5. Be careful, or you'll get a ticket. Come down, visit the local merchants and have a Santa Maria Style BBQ Tri-Tip sandwich from Firestone Grill. If you get there early, you can walk around the San Luis Obispo Mission and then walk downtown once the street is closed off. When you're walking downtown, its also a good idea to spend one minute or less as you dash down bubblegum alley. Bubblegum alley is a narrow path between two buildings where everyone sticks their chewed gum. It's strange and disgusting and a bit reminiscent of San Luis Obispo's more liberal days.
A few other night time activities to do in SLO
- Music at Mother's Tavern. Usually there is live music Thursday - Saturday nights
- Get dessert at the Apple Farm (apple dumpling with ice cream) or at the Madonna Inn (Black Forrest Cake)
Map of things to do in San Luis Obispo at Night
mission de tolosa - Walk around the Mission in downtown San Luis Obispo
1001 Higuera St # A San Luis Obispo, CA - Get a tri-tip sandwich from Firestone Grill
733 and 734 Higuera Street san luis obispo ca - Bubble Gum Alley is between 733 and 734 Higuera Street
725 Higuera Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 - Enjoy live music at night at Mother's Tavern
Day Time Activities around San Luis Obispo CA
Friday is a great day to drive to Pismo Beach and see the monarch butterflies. The monarch butterflies migrate in January, so make sure it's the right season before planning a day to see the butterflies.
If the butterflies are out of season I suggest driving up the coast to Hearst Castle. It's a spectacular drive and you can even stop to see the elephant seals that migrate through San Simeon starting in December and leave in March. Be careful because it's mating season and plus the elephant seals are really big and they can squash you.
Reserve Saturday for wine tasting on the central coast. Here are a few San Luis Obispo County wineries to hit.
hearst castly - Hearst Castle is about a 40 minute drive from San Luis Obispo
Highway 1 seven miles north of San Simeon - The elephant seals are off of Highway 1 about seven miles north of San Simeon. Look for road signs and lots of parked cars as the signal you arrived
City of Pismo Beach just off Hwy 1 - The Monarch Butterflies are located at the south end of Pismo Beach right off of Highway 1. There is a clear sign
How did your visit to SLO go?
I knew I liked you Paul, because of the comments you made on my hub today, but then to see that you love my favorite town as well, how lucky can I get? I used to work at the SLO farmer's market. Last time I went I took the free mission tour (ask in the bookstore for times). I want to move back there.
I used to work at the farmer's market as well selling corn when I was a kid. I've also done the Mission tour a few times. I'd recommend attending mass as well as the tour to get the full feel of the Mission. You don't have to be Catholic to attend and it's worth the experience. Kids like the 9 am mass as well since there are activities and doughnuts after.
I think I'd burst into flames if I did that.
You'll notice lots of fire balls. Think of it as a cultural experience and not religious.
I think I may have to write my own SLO story. Would you slap me with a rubber chicken if I did that?
Please do.
You read my story before I was done perfecting it. I think it's done now. Maybe we can meet sometime and go to Big Sky or something.
I put you on Digg a few days ago. Hope it helped.
Paul until now I never had an inkling of desire to visit LA. I'm not against it but it, for some odd reason, has never been on my top ten list. Now I won't be dying to see the bubblegum alley on the other hand I would love to see the monarch butterflies. You just might be the first one that made me want to check LA out. I enjoyed your piece.
Now, I know this goes against the grain in more than a few social circles, but I enjoy LA. However, San Luis Obispoians tend to claim they are either Central Coast or Northern California. So your desire to see LA may not have actually changed.
Ooh I go to Cal Poly! :D What about the beaches?
Hi Paul, I even included a picture of Cal Poly in my Hearst Castle hub. I love the area and my parents lived in Morro Bay for quite a few years when I was younger.
Hi Paul, I just wrote a hub about Bubblegum Alley and hub showed up in related hubs! I quickly changed the hub to state that you come from Sam Luis Obispo.... coincidence hey? I sat on the fence when it came to whether I like it or not, I would visit it if I was in the area, but I would try very hard not to touch it and certainly wouldnt want one in my town! Cheers, Ry.
A detailed explanation and very well written. I want to make a trip to San Luis Obispo.
I just added maps and a wikicommons photo. I think it brings this hub to life. Going to slo for father's day in a few weeks....
Paul Edmondson 5 years ago
I'm heading to San Luis Obispo this weekend. The things I miss most are Chachos in Oceano. I'll have to tell the Taco fanatic about this one and about Taco Temple in Morro Bay.