San Luis Obispo is famed for its historic missions, museums, and quirky attractions like Bubblegum Alley and the City centre Farmer's Market. The city is located on the Central Coast of California and offers a wealth of activities from rock climbing to shopping and dining, children's museums, art galleries, and so much more.
Check out 10 of the best things to do in San Luis Obispo, from sampling wine at a tranquil vineyard to taking in a film at a drive-in theatre so you can create memories you'll carry for a lifetime.
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Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
View an 18th century Spanish mission and museum
- History
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is amongst the most beautiful and iconic missions in California and draws thousands of visitors annually for its unique and historic architecture. The mission is large and overlooks San Luis Creek in the centre of town. The main building is a traditional adobe structure first erected in 1772, and dedicated to Saint Louis.
Surrounding the building you'll find an elegant courtyard garden with grape vines, roses, and oak trees, while inside the mission bursts with colour thanks to its bright floral motif on the arches and walls. In addition, you can tour a museum focused on the history of Spanish missionaries and the native Chumash culture.
Location: 751 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Phone: +1 805-781-8220
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Bishop Peak
Climb the tallest mountain peak in the region
- Adventure
Bishop Peak is the most prominent mountain peak in San Luis Obispo, rising more than 1,500 feet above the sea level, and an iconic spot for hiking and climbing. The peak is located about a 15-minute drive to the west and north of the city centre.
The hiking trails range in difficulty from moderate to highly challenging uphill climbs so there's an appropriate challenge for many different levels of outdoor adventurer. The full hike to the top requires about 2 hours of tough trails but offers stunning panoramic vistas of the entire California coastline.
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Avila Valley Barn
Visit a working farm and farmer's market
- Families
- Unusual
Avila Valley Barn is a working farm where you can enjoy a day out in the country, visit a farmer's market, try homemade ice cream, and have a family-friendly adventure.
This place is a popular stop on the way back to town from the nearby Avila Beach, and many love to try the fresh made ice cream, take a pony or hay ride, enjoy some roasted corn, or just shop the farmer's market with its wealth of offerings of fresh seasonal produce. A petting area allows the kids to interact with farm animals. Best of all, the farm is just 10 minutes' drive to the south of the city centre.
Location: 560 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 805-595-2816
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Sunset Drive-In Theatre
Take in a Hollywood blockbuster in an iconic Americana setting
- Couples
- Families
The Sunset Drive-In Theatre is an iconic big-screen traditional drive-in film theatre with a concession area showing the best of new releases in a classic setting. It's located in the Mill Street Historic District just about 7 minutes away from the city centre.
The theatre bills itself as "Good Ol' Americana," and permits chairs and pickup lorry beds for viewing films. The theatre is one of the last remaining of its kind in the state, a throwback to earlier days and an unforgettable way to experience the latest in blockbuster and family films.
Location: 255 Elks Ln, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Open: Hours vary based on showtimes
Phone: +1 805-544-4475
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Bubblegum Alley
Witness the brilliant colours of a local cultural spot
- Unusual
Bubblegum Alley is a famed stretch of alleyway that's covered with used bubblegum, offering a striking display of bright colours and patterns. The alley is located right in the heart of the city centre area and is 65 feet long, stretching between two 15-foot high walls.
The tradition of sticking gum on the walls here began in the 1950s, but nobody is sure why, though some say it began as a rivalry between two local high schools. Twice in its history the alley has been cleaned, but locals love it so much that the cleaning didn't take and the city has decided to leave it as it sits.
Location: 733 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 805-781-7222
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Edna Valley Vineyard
Learn about wine and food pairings with local vintages
- Couples
- Luxury
The Edna Valley Vineyard has provided crisp and balanced wines that are designed for food pairing with a range of flavours and styles for over 30 years. The vineyard includes a tasting room, tours, and even a gift shop where you can buy bottles or souvenirs to take home.
Since the wines are designed for pairing, the winery also provides wine and food pairing experiences on a regular basis where you can learn how to pair wines properly with food so that the tastes and smells complement each other. It's located just 12 minutes to the south of city centre San Luis Obispo in the heart of the region's wine country.
Location: 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Open: Thursday–Monday from 10 am to 5 pm (Closed Tuesday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 805-544-5855
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Mission Plaza
Walk a garden plaza with grape vines, shady oaks and colourful flowers.
- Couples
- Families
- History
Mission Plaza is a public space dominated by a Spanish mission from the 1700s with gardens, museums, and a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can visit the mission itself, an historic adobe structure with bright interior painting and museum dedicated to early missionary history.
You can walk the oak-shaded pathways through colourful and immaculately tended gardens. Look down over the San Luis Creek and its peaceful bubbling waters and explore the porticoed arcades amongst the climbing grape vines. Best of all, it's located right in the heart of town.
Location: 989 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 805-781-7067
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Valencia Peak Trail
See a panoramic view for miles of bays, coves and beyond
- Adventure
Valencia Peak Trail is a hiking trail that spans 4.2 miles into the Montana De Oro State Park mountains with gorgeous views of the coast. The trails are heavily used and are accessible year-round. They are famed for the wealth of native wildflowers along the path and the hike is rated as moderately difficult.
At the peak you'll see panoramic views of Morro Bay, Cayucos, Spooners Cove, and on clear days all the way to Cambria and beyond. The peak stretches over 1,000 feet above sea level and presents a challenge for hikers of a wide range of skill levels. It's about a half hour's drive from the city centre, right along the Pacific coast.
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San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
Get hands-on with science and history just for the kids
- Families
The San Luis Obispo Children's Museum is designed especially for kids of 10 years and younger with hands-on exhibits that are as fun as they are educational. The museum is huge, with three floors of activities which spark the imagination, creativity, and curiosity of kids and adults alike through interactive experience.
Though designed for younger kids, it's not unusual to see adults thrilling to the exhibits as well, making this an attraction for entire families. The museum always has some event going on, whether it's a featured exhibit or a special programme. The museum is right in the heart of the central city centre area.
Location: 1010 Nipomo St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
Phone: +1 805-544-5437
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Reservoir Canyon Trail
Relax by a 20-foot waterfall over black rocks into a natural pool
- Adventure
The Reservoir Canyon Trail offers an unique hiking experience traversing to 1,715 feet above sea level within a natural reserve and offers a challenging outdoor adventure.
Not only does the summit of the trail offer stunning views of the rich green surroundings and coastline, but you can take a quick detour off the trail to view the natural Reservoir Creek Falls, a 20-foot high waterfall cascading over a black rock slope to a shallow pool shaded by oak trees. Best of all, it's only a 6-minute drive from the centre of city centre San Luis Obispo.
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