Nestled between beaches and bucolic hills, San Luis Obispo is a gem of California’s Central Coast with plenty of things to do—here, visitors can surf, swim, and hit the trails all in one day. But there’s more to SLO—as locals call it—than just the great outdoors, as this lively university town pairs hip coastal culture with a rich history, as the site of one of California’s original Spanish missions. Taste buds are sure to be treated here, too, thanks to nearby Edna Valley’s wineries, downtown craft breweries, and a famous farmer’s market.
Summer is high season in San Luis Obispo and an excellent time to hit nearby beaches, buy produce at the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market, and visit area wineries —stick around until September to help ring in California Wine Month. And while winter is the rainy season in San Luis Obispo, it’s also when thousands of monarch butterflies overwinter; head to Pismo State Beach to see them.
The nearest airport to San Luis Obispo is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, which links the city to San Francisco, LA, and other cities in the western US. The city is also served by Amtrak, which stops at San Luis Obispo Station, and a number of San Luis Obispo Transit bus lines. For roadtrippers, the classic route into town is via the storied Highway 1, and much of downtown is walkable.
For a throwback experience—and a solid dose of Americana—don’t miss the chance to catch a movie at San Luis Obispo’s historic, drive-in theater. Sunset Drive-In has been operating since 1950 and is one of the last drive-in movie theaters in all of California. It’s open daily and shows two films a night, with cash-only tickets and concessions.
