"SAN LUIS OBISPO, THE CENTRAL COAST DESTINATION" Top 5 Page for this destination San Luis Obispo by travelgourmet

San Luis Obispo Travel Guide: 195 reviews and 374 photos

SUNNY SLO, HAT NEEDED - San Luis Obispo
SUNNY SLO, HAT NEEDED
SLO IS NOT SLOW

Locals call the town "SLO", some say "San Luis" with the Luis pronounced as "Lewis". Whatever it is called, it is a beautiful American City with a little bit of everything for everyone. From the early beginnings as a California Mission stop, "Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa" still sits proudly in the center of town, since the late 1700's, as the beacon of peace and tranquility next to the San Luis Creek at the Mission Plaza.

The town is modern and upbeat, yet relaxed and mellow. The climate is ideal for outdoor activities and one of the premiere events is the Thursday Night Farmers Market that draws the locals as well as those hundreds of miles away. Wineries dot the Edna Valley area and the beaches are nearby. California Polytechnic State University, "Cal Poly", in town and Cuesta College, nearby on Hwy 1, brings a vibrant youthful presence to the town. The scenic Highway 1, the "Pacific Coast Big Sur" road that goes from SLO to Monterey starts right in town on Santa Rosa Street going north, or off of Highway 101 at the CA-1 N exit toward Morro Bay/Hearst Castle. It is about 144 miles of spectacular costal scenery.

  • Intro Updated Jun 26, 2009
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Reviews (15)

HWY 1 Big Sur turnoff photo by Google Earth - San Luis Obispo WATCH OUT FOR HWY 1 TURNOFF (Hearst... Warnings and Dangers (1)

Taking Hwy 101 north into San Luis Obispo, all the offramps come up very quickly. If you are looking for the turnoff for... more travel advice

ALL ABOARD - San Luis Obispo AMTRAK COAST VIEW TRAIN RIDE Transportation (1)

San Luis Obispo is a jewel in the central coast area. Worth visiting if you are in the Los Angeles or San Francisco... more travel advice

A STEAK IS A STEAK TILL YOU TRY F.MCLINTOCKS - San Luis Obispo THE BEST STEAK AROUND Restaurants (3)

Heading for the coast of California near Pismo Beach or San Luis Obispo? Well, right in the midst of the ocean and sand... more travel advice

WHEN THE EVENING SUN GOES DOWN - San Luis Obispo WHERE THE COLLEGE CROWD HANG OUT Nightlife (1)

San Luis Obispo is a college town that does blend well with a beach town and fits in with a laid back population. One of... more travel advice

Comments (7)

  • Reply
    BruceDunning's Profile Photo
    Oct 6, 2010 at 3:20 PM

    A cultural TV show called Divine Life featured this the other day. YOu have done a splendid job of showing the sites and describing how nice the place is to visit.

  • Reply
    saskia1806's Profile Photo
    Apr 2, 2010 at 6:02 AM

    Lovely tips. Great advice. We'll be in SLO on first Thursday this September (first time in America-someone pinch me I am so excited!!!) and I can't WAIT for the Farmer's Market etc!! Great pics...I can almost taste the strawberries

  • Reply
    icunme's Profile Photo
    Oct 5, 2009 at 12:36 PM

    Lovely - especially the vino - I do remember Edna. Can only pray Italian teens don't hear about Bubble Gum Alley - God forbid! Ciao, <(•¿•)>

  • Reply
    jumpingnorman's Profile Photo
    Jul 27, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    Wow, I want to go through this alley!!! BUBBLE GUN ALLEY...awesome place...hehehe....

  • Reply
    Yaqui's Profile Photo
    Jun 29, 2009 at 2:25 PM

    Bubble Gum Alley....LMAO!! Wow, my boys would think this wall rocks. Yeah yuck factor is right, yet you gotta love customs. Still, SLO is charming. Nice page!

  • Reply
    Apr 21, 2009 at 2:29 PM

    The balloon man is also a physics teacher at Cal Poly

  • Reply
    hunterV's Profile Photo
    Mar 24, 2009 at 1:23 AM

    Hi, Larry ! Thanx for you good page..... Great!

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