Thinking of visiting San Luis Obispo? If so, you’re in for a treat! After living here for several years, I can decidedly say it’s one of my favorite places in California. This city and the surrounding county is all about the SLO life—taking things slow and enjoying the beauty around you. But even while you enjoy the SLO life on vacation, you’ll find plenty of exciting things to do in San Luis Obispo, California!
So if you’re planning a visit and wondering what to do in San Luis Obispo, then here are some of my favorite things to do in SLO and the surrounding county. Here you’ll find the best of the San Luis Obispo points of interest and the best things to do in San Luis Obispo from sightseeing, to activities, to places to visit and more!
What to do in San Luis Obispo, CA: A Guide to the Best of SLO
What is there to do in San Luis Obispo? If you’re wondering this, then here are some of the best San Luis Obispo attractions and fun activities in San Luis Obispo! You’re sure to find plenty to enjoy on this list during your vacation.
1. Visit the Madonna Inn
Yes, the Madonna Inn is a hotel. And yes, this hotel is at the top of the list of San Luis Obispo must see attractions! Why? Well, not only is this hotel a landmark of San Luis Obispo but it’s also quite unique.
How unique? Well, when you visit the Madonna Inn you will quickly find yourself swallowed up in a world of bright pink—from the hotel lobby furnishings, to the tennis courts (yes, they are hot pink courts!), to the famous Madonna Inn champagne cake.
If you’re just stopping by to view the inn, then you’ll have a chance to view some of the decor (and maybe take a peek at the famous men’s bathroom waterfall). But if you decide to stay the night here, then you’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the Madonna Inn’s many rooms. Each are decorated with a unique theme, charm, and whimsy that fits right in with the vibrant feel of the rest of the hotel.
With the overarching pink color across the hotel, this icon of San Luis Obispo really is a sight to behold. Whether you stay the night, eat a meal in the restaurant and grab a slice of champagne cake, or simply wander and explore the public areas of the Madonna Inn, this iconic place should definitely be on your list of places to see while in SLO!
2. See Bubblegum Alley
There are lots of things to do around San Luis Obispo, but tradition dictates that Bubblegum Alley is one of the most important attractions for sightseeing in San Luis Obispo. No trip would be complete without a stop here, where both walls of the alley are completely covered with gum!
I personally think that it’s all a bit disgusting, but it is a rite-of-passage to visit the Bubblegum Alley when you visit SLO…so grab some gum and come join the tradition! You won’t need to spend a lot of time here as it won’t take long to see. In fact, it’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there, so use this address to find it.
But since the alley is in the heart of downtown, it is very simple to stop by as you explore the rest of the city so I do recommend stopping if only for the novelty. People sometimes also like to draw pictures or their initials with their chewed gum, so keep an eye out…or you can draw on your artistic side to leave a gum masterpiece behind for others to find!
3. Watch a Movie at Sunset Drive-in
Sunset Drive-in is one of my favorite places to watch movies in SLO. On a visit here, it’s a must do in San Luis Obispo because it’s one of only a handful of drive-in theaters left in California today! Watching a movie here will definitely make you feel like you’ve been transported to the 1950’s for the night.
The drive-in offers a double feature every evening, so you can see two movies for the price of one. They also have a nice little concession stand where you can purchase popcorn and other movie necessities (although you can also bring in your own snacks in your car if you would like).
Just note that if you are going to the movies here, you may want to bring blankets to stay warm, especially if you’re driving a truck and want to pile in the bed to watch the movie, or if you have an SUV-style car where you can sit in the back, or if you plan to bring a chair and sit outside your car. When I go, I always back my CRV into a spot so I can open my trunk and hang out in the back there as I like that better than sitting in a closed car for 4+ hours. (My friends and I have also been known to bring a whole couch with us in the back of a pick-up truck and then set it up on the truck bed to create the ultimate viewing experience…so if you’re committed you can easily turn this into a luxurious viewing experience 😉)
Regardless, this is a fun community space where locals often run into others they know, and it is also perfect for visitors to the area who want a fun and easygoing evening out. Check out what’s playing now, and enjoy one of the top things to do in San Luis Obispo!
4. Visit the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is one of the best places to go in San Luis Obispo as it is part of the founding heritage of the city. If you are interested in history or specifically in the history of SLO or California, then you will definitely want to make a stop here.
This mission was founded in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra, and is the fifth out of nine total missions he founded throughout California. If you would like to see inside the mission, you can visit for mass or you can occasionally see concerts here throughout the year. You can also take a docent-led tour that starts at 1:15pm on most days.
While you’re on site, you might also like to drop by the mission museum here to learn a bit more about its interesting history. You can visit during opening hours, which are usually from 9pm-4pm in the winter and from 9pm-5pm in the summer). The museum is free to visit, although donations are appreciated.
If you wish to visit and take a tour or see the museum, it may be a good idea to call ahead just to confirm the museum is open or a tour is running on the day you are visiting on your trip to San Luis Obispo. You can call them at (805) 543-6850.
5. Go to the San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market
Of all the cool things to do in San Luis Obispo, going to the San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Market was always one of my favorites. It’s also one of my favorite things to do in SLO at night and makes an excellent activity for visitors to the city as well.
Each Thursday evening, the community comes together for a weekly farmers’ market with plenty of fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and handmade and homemade products for sale. Local restaurants and some shops also join in on the fun, with some brick and mortar places staying open later and other places setting up tents within the market so you can enjoy some delicious food!
Whether you’re looking to buy some groceries or simply want to try some of the best local food for dinner, the Farmers’ Market is the place to be! It really is one of the best things to do in downtown San Luis Obispo, even if you just want to wander instead of buying anything. Besides the vendors, there are also musicians located on various corners of the market so it is just a really enjoyable time to be in downtown SLO.
You can plan your visit to the Farmers’ Market with this helpful guide about times, transportation, and more. So as you’re wondering where to go in San Luis Obispo, be sure to add this to your list!
6. Attend a Concert at the Performing Arts Center
If you’re looking for activities in San Luis Obispo, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) on the California Polytechnic State University Campus is a great place to go. It’s one of the best places to visit in San Luis Obispo for music lovers!
The PAC is an amazing concert venue that hosts concerts throughout the year…from classical music, to musicals, to contemporary artists. Because of the size of California Polytechnic University, you’ll often find fairly big name musicians and entertainers playing here too, which is always a treat. Some of the highlights I’ve seen here over the years include The Piano Guys and Chris Thile, so just keep an eye out in case anyone you want to see is in town while you are here!
But whether well-known artists or less well-known musicians are playing during your time in SLO, you’ll find plenty of entertainment here no matter what type of music you like. This is also a good place to add to your list of fun things to do in San Luis Obispo at night!
7. Explore the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum
When you visit San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum is a fun little stop to go to near the train station. This museum collects various artifacts of railroad history from the central coast of California and restores and displays them so everyone can enjoy seeing this historic railroad equipment!
The museum room itself is only open on Saturdays from 10am-4pm, plus on every 3rd Saturday at 2pm SecretSLO runs a tour of the Railroad District that includes admission to the museum. You can learn about that tour here in case you want to join.
However, if you don’t want to enter the museum but still want to see some historical trains and train cars, there are several that sit outside the museum. You can come and see these any time of day no matter the day of the week, so this is a fun stop while you explore San Luis Obispo!
8. See a Movie at the Fremont Theater
As far as historical attractions in San Luis Obispo, another one you won’t want to miss is the Fremont Theater. This historic movie theater was built in 1941 and is a fascinating place to visit!
Since its opening, the Fremont Theater has seen many generations of movie-goers, serving as both a movie theater and a live entertainment venue. Inside, the theater is decorated in an Art Deco style and you’ll see that one of the most prominent features is the fantastical swirls on the ceiling. It’s quite decadent and beautiful and is one of the best San Luis Obispo tourist attractions.
If you are interested in seeing a movie or show at the Fremont to see inside the building, then you can check out their website to see what is upcoming while you are in SLO. This is a fun stop when you’re looking for unique things to do in San Luis Obispo!
9. Take a Food Tour of Downtown
Want to explore more of downtown and take in the San Luis Obispo sights with a guide but also get to eat some great food at the same time? Then taking a food walking tour is an excellent choice!
This Downtown San Luis Obispo Food Tour takes you to some of the best places in San Luis Obispo for food including local wine places, artisan food shops, BBQ restaurants, and more. You’ll get a chance to try out various SLO foods, wines, and beers…and all food and beverage items are included in the tour so you can simply enjoy being with your guide and group and trying out locally owned restaurants!
This is definitely one of the nicest downtown San Luis Obispo things to do, particularly if you enjoy having a local to guide you around to local favorites in the area. Be sure to book your tour ahead of time to ensure you have a spot on the tour before you travel to San Luis Obispo.
10. Hike Bishop Peak
Hiking is a very popular activity in SLO—and for good reason! Literally everywhere is beautiful and you really feel compelled to get outside and breathe in the fresh air. So when you’re wondering about fun things to do in SLO, the Bishop Peak hike is likely to come up as an excellent suggestion!
Bishop Peak is one of the most popular hikes in SLO as it takes you up to some of the most gorgeous views of the city and the surrounding area! It’s a moderate hike and is about 3.5 miles out and back with around 1,000 feet of elevation change, which makes it a pretty doable hike for most people.
The view from the top of Bishop Peak is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset when the sun tints the world into shades of orange and purple, so these are my favorite times to hike here. It is also usually less crowded at sunrise in particular, so this makes getting up early worth it!
Another reason to hike Bishop is because it is one of the stops on a local tradition called the Tri-tip Challenge. This challenge asks you to summit three specific peaks (Bishop, Madonna, and the Cal Poly “P”) in one day and then afterwards you go to Firestone Grill to eat a tri-tip sandwich. Unfortunately, you still have to pay for your own sandwich after all that hiking…but you’re certain to enjoy the sandwich even more because of all the hiking you just did!
11. Explore Cerro San Luis Obispo (Madonna Mountain)
Cerro San Luis Obispo, more popularly known as Madonna Mountain, is the second peak in the Tri-tip Challenge. This hike is another of the best SLO activities in its own right, however, as the trail leads to sweeping vistas over the city and the surrounding area. It has an especially stunning view of nearby Bishop Peak!
This loop trail is around 4 miles total, with approximately the same elevation gain as hiking Bishop Peak. But whether you hike Bishop, Madonna, or both you are certain to get some of the best views of San Luis Obispo!
12. Walk to the Cal Poly “P”
Located on the Cal Poly campus, the hike to the Cal Poly “P” is the final part of the Tri-tip Challenge. The “P” is a giant concrete structure on the hillside in the shape of the letter P, and is painted various colors and designs throughout the year to correspond with important events and holidays.
The views from here are nice (especially if you continue further up the hill after reaching the “P”), but as far as activities in SLO go I think the most compelling reason to hike here is if you are trying to do the Tri-tip Challenge. Otherwise, especially if you have limited time, I’d recommend going on some of the other more spectacular hikes instead.
13. Explore Architecture Graveyard
Architecture Graveyard is another hike on the Cal Poly Campus, but this one I personally think is more fun than hiking to the Cal Poly “P.” If you have time during your trip and are wondering what to do around San Luis Obispo, then this is a fun attraction to visit!
The Architecture Graveyard is actually officially an “experimental practice laboratory” and in the past was used as a hands-on laboratory for architecture students at Cal Poly. Today, the graveyard mostly consists of old abandoned projects…interesting sculptures, odd structures, and some dilapidated houses. It’s all a bit run-down, but it is fun to explore and see the ideas that students were allowed to test out on this part of Cal Poly’s land. It is also an excellent place to go stargazing on any clear nights!
14. Hike to Serenity Swing
Besides Bishop Peak, the hike to Serenity Swing is one of my absolute favorites in SLO. When you’re looking for the best of San Luis Obispo activities, this should definitely be on the list!
As the name suggests, the biggest attraction on this hike is a cute swing at the end of the trail. This swing overlooks amazing views of the hills at Cal Poly and is a peaceful place to spend some time while in SLO.
This trail to the swing is around 3.5-4 miles round trip, depending on where you park. But the hike itself is overall pretty easy except for a steep section at the end. However, the trail can be a bit difficult to navigate as there are many offshoots and different trails that are not marked…so you may want to check out my complete trail guide and map to help you find your way.
This trail starts in the same place as the Architecture Graveyard hike and actually passes right near the graveyard, so if you want to see both the graveyard and the swing then you can pretty easily combine both sights into one trip. This hike is particularly lovely in spring when the hills come alive with flowers and greenery, although any time of year it is beautiful to get to swing up high in the hills!
15. Eat at Firestone Grill
When wondering what to visit in San Luis Obispo, there are a few food spots that should definitely be on your San Luis Obispo bucket list. One of these is Firestone Grill—and out of all the mouthwatering restaurants in SLO, this is one you definitely won’t want to miss.
In fact, I’d go so far as to call it a cult-favorite restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Firestone is particularly well-known for their tri-tip (as mentioned with the Tri-tip Challenge earlier), but I also adore a lot of other items on their menu including their Pig Sandwich. Plus, their fries are to die for…so just go ahead and order a whole basket!
Firestone is popular all year round, but at some times (particularly times when people are in town for college events like graduation) this restaurant will be completely packed. But just comfort yourself knowing that the lines always move fast so it won’t be too long of a wait, and comfort yourself with the knowledge that you’re waiting for some of the best BBQ around! If you love good food, then this is definitely one of the best things to do in SLO.
16. Get Donuts at SloDoCo
What is better than a local doughnut shop? Not much! So SloDoCo is a necessary stop on any San Luis Obispo trip. This exemplary specimen of the local doughnut shop makes nearly every type of doughnut imaginable, and they are open 24 hours every day!
SloDoCo also sometimes offers music, board games, or open mic nights for fun entertainment so this can be a nice stop in the evenings too if you’re looking for what to do in San Luis Obispo at night. There is often a pretty large college crowd here, however, so keep that in mind. But if you love good doughnuts, then you will definitely want to stop by here!
17. Take a Winery Tour
This region of California is well-known for its wineries, so during any San Luis Obispo travel a trip to the local wineries is definitely in order! You’ll likely want to visit some in San Luis Obispo as well as the surrounding county, including Paso Robles.
If you’re looking for a tour to take, this Ultimate Wine Experience in San Luis Obispo is a nice option. You can choose between half and full-day tours where you spend some time exploring local wineries, sampling red and white wines, and adding a bit to your wine knowledge along the way!
With this tour, you’ll be taken to 3-4 hand-picked local wineries by a local driver and guide (note that winery tasting fees are not included, although most fees are waived with a wine purchase). So when you’re looking for San Luis Obispo activities, booking a winery tour like this one is an excellent way to explore the area and discover some of the incredible local wineries at the same time!
18. See the Elephant Seals
While the above activities are excellent things to see in San Luis Obispo city, there are also plenty of fun things to do in SLO county if you want to branch out a bit. And one of the best San Luis Obispo county destinations is the Piedras Blancas Rookery in San Simeon where you can see Elephant Seals.
These funny looking creatures received their name of Elephant Seals because the males have large noses that resemble the trunk of an elephant. They are some of the strangest looking and funniest creatures I’ve ever seen and are really fun to watch as they lounge and play on the beach! Plus, while you’re here you you can enjoy a nice stroll on the boardwalk as you watch the seals sun themselves on the sand. This is definitely an activity you won’t want to miss if you are in the area from October to March, which are the best months to see these funny creatures!
19. Explore Hearst Castle
When you’re looking for more things to do near SLO, Hearst Castle is a place you won’t want to miss seeing. This fascinating place is not exactly a “castle” as the name implies, but it is the breathtakingly expensive and beautiful home of the famous newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst. This castle was his pet project, where he spent all his money (until he ran out of money), and it sits on top of the Enchanted Hill in San Simeon.
It’s a fabulous estate with elaborate rooms, stunning sculptures, art collections, and an indoor and an outdoor pool. As you explore, you can admire the art while learning about the life and quirks of this once enormously wealthy man. Even just seeing the gardens and the grounds of Hearst Castle make the trip here worth it!
If you want to visit, you can book tickets on your own or you can join a day tour to Hearst Castle. And if you want to expand your trip, you could take a fun tour to Hearst Castle that also includes touring some amazing Paso Robles wineries! You won’t regret adding this to your list of things to do in San Luis Obispo county.
20. Go to Avila Beach
One of the best parts of a vacation in SLO is all the beaches nearby…and really, you can’t visit the central coast without enjoying at least one day at the beach. So if you’re looking for the best beaches in San Luis Obispo county, then you can’t go wrong with visiting Avila Beach!
Avila is a nice beach to go to because the beach itself is lovely and there are also some cool things to do in the surrounding area. From simply enjoying the sand and the waves, to exploring an aquarium, to eating acai, to kayaking, and more…you will have a full and exciting day at the beach if you visit Avila. Plus, the town center is cute and there are also some fun activities nearby like Avila Valley Barn.
Of course, there are also sea caves and a secret beach nearby, so if you’re looking for vacation adventures in San Luis Obispo then this should also be high on your list of what to do in SLO!
21. Visit Pismo Beach
If you’re looking for the best beach near San Luis Obispo for activities in the water like surfing and boogie boarding, then visiting Pismo Beach is one of the most fun things to do near San Luis Obispo. This city also has a fun downtown area to explore, some great hiking options, amazing cinnamon rolls, and plenty more to get excited about!
In an ideal world, you’d have time to visit both Avila and Pismo on your San Luis Obispo vacation…but if you have to choose just one, then you can compare the things to do at both beaches and see which ones appeal to you the most. Do keep in mind that Pismo is better for activities in the water like surfing, because the waves are bigger and further out in the water here than in Avila. Whichever you choose, though, you’re sure to enjoy the beach time and the tourist attractions in San Luis Obispo county here!
22. See Morro Bay and Morro Rock
This San Luis Obispo travel guide wouldn’t be complete without including another of the best beaches near San Luis Obispo—Morro Bay! This lovely beach town is home to the landmark Morro Rock and is a favorite with local and visiting photographers. It is a really beautiful place and a great beach and little city!
For those who enjoy photography, this is one of the essential places to visit near San Luis Obispo because of the beautiful beach scenery. But the beach near Morro Rock is also a great place to surf and enjoy the day, and there’s a fun kite festival that happens here every year in April that is fun to stop by if you are here during that time.
This area is also particularly beautiful at sunset, so if you’re a pro or an amateur photographer (or someone who just loves beautiful things) then you will definitely want to see the sunset here!
23. Explore Montaña de Oro
Last on this list of what to do in San Luis Obispo county is Montaña de Oro, one of my favorite beach areas near SLO to go hiking. There are lots of trails to explore in the area whether you are interested in hikes near the beach or in the hills, and there is also a sandy beach here if you want to go for a beach day instead.
However, some of the reasons I love this place so much are because of its rocky beaches and the dramatic cliffs that set a rugged scenery. So I love to walk along the Bluff Trail, as you get excellent views of the ocean over the cliffs! But along this trail as well you can also visit some amazing tide pools and see all the little sea creatures here!
So whether you hike, visit the beach, or go to the tide pools, you will be treated to spectacular views and will soon agree that this is one of the most dramatic and gorgeous places to see in San Luis Obispo! You’ll learn it is well worth the drive out and that the views alone will quickly justify adding it to your list of fun things to do in San Luis Obispo county.
Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo Area: Best Hotels in SLO
Besides deciding what to do in San Luis Obispo, California and which attractions near San Luis Obispo to visit, you will also need to decide where to stay in SLO during your vacation. Of course, this San Luis Obispo guide wouldn’t be complete without some suggestions to help you out!
So where is the best place to stay in San Luis Obispo? The answer to that, of course, depends on your needs for a hotel. However, there are plenty of nice places near San Luis Obispo to stay so you will be spoiled for choice. Here are a few of the best options:
- Madonna Inn – One of the best places to stay in San Luis Obispo for unique accommodation and luxury
- La Quinta – Highly rated mid-range accommodation near SLO attractions and downtown
- Apple Farm Inn – Boutique style, inexpensive hotel near San Luis Obispo downtown
Trying to plan a vacation to California? Check out my California trip planning guide to help you out!
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