One of the happiest places in America is San Luis Obispo, California – according to Readers Digest. Located on the coastline of California, where surf culture reigns supreme, it’s no surprise to see why that is. Though, there is more to San Luis Obispo than just surfing. From hidden, local eateries to lavender honey farms to wine country, here’s our top 10 things to do in San Luis Obispo, California.
If you want to see where San Luis Obispo got its name, start at Mission San Luis Obispo. Founded in 1772 by Father Junipero Serra, the mission serves as a reminder of over two hundred years of history in San Luis Obispo and today, is a Catholic church that offers services and tours.
Bubblegum Alley is a living, urban legend. The ‘gross’ landmark consisting of walls of chewing gum and is rumored to have come about post-WWII during a San Luis Obispo high school graduation event or in the 1950s due to a group of college students. Either way, feel free to stick a note and your own chewing gum to leave a mark on this iconic alley.
Locals know to head over to Creamery Marketplace for all things dining-related. The creamery dates back to 1907 and was reimagined in 2019. Today, the open-air market is the perfect place to stroll around to discover colorful murals, delicious eateries, and a feel of the local community.
William Randolph Hearst was a newspaper titan who built his estate of Hearst Castle on La Cuesta Encantada, or “The Enchanted Hill”. The 100-year-old breathtaking estate overlooks views of the California coastline and the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. The 60,645-square-foot hilltop home is truly magnificent, and you’ll have to see it to believe it.
The 10-acres California Lavender Honey Farm was purchased in 2021 after the owners got tired of city living. They offer farm tours which includes a tour of the unique, Bee Museum, Lavender Fields, as well as tastings of fresh produce.
The family-owned, award-winning Kiler Ridge Olive Farm produces healthy virgin olive oil on their 15-acre farm. Go for a tasting or a tour, where you can walk the orchard and see the production facility for yourself.
The beautiful San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is worth the visit, boasting a 150-acre garden with the “five Mediterranean climate regions of the world, which include California, central coastal Chile, the western Cape Province of South Africa, parts of Western and Southern Australia, and the Mediterranean Basin”. Since the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is near the coast, these plants are more “drought tolerant”, meaning they are more water conservative. Explore the resiliency of these amazing plants when you go.
If you want to explore craft breweries in San Luis Obispo, the “HOPPY Hour Social Tour” with Hop On Beer Tours is for you. Visit multiple craft brewery locations during this 4-hour tour while being driven around in a pub-styled limo bus, on a Friday with your favorite people.
While the coastline of San Luis Obispo usually gets all the glory, the truth is, the wine country is a hidden gem that must be uncovered. As a top-rated, award-winning, woman-owned, local wine tour business, Laura Jeffery seeks to do just that with her 101 Wine Tours. Discover several distinctive wineries the central coast has to offer by booking one of her wine tours.
Enjoy your stay at pet-friendly Best Western Plus Royal Oak Hotel, centrally located close to the beach, wineries, San Luis Obispo Promenade, and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa & Gardens. Start your day with complimentary breakfast before embarking on your San Luis Obispo adventures, and come back to your room and enjoy balcony views for looking at the stars.