Here you'll find the best of San Luis Obispo
County's abundant opportunities to enjoy the
outdoors and experience its unique beauty,
history, arts and culture. Our mild, sunny
climate, pristine beaches, world-class surf,
stunning peaks and lakes, and quiet country
roads offer something for everyone who enjoys
the outdoors. You'll find popular attractions
such as the famous Hearst Castle, historic
missions, museums, wineries, performing arts,
art galleries, antiques, boutiques, estuaries,
wildlife and other points of interest. It is
always a perfect time to visit the California
Central Coast, conveniently located along
Highway 101 half-way between Los Angeles and
San Francisco.
San Luis Obispo County Attractions
Favorite Tourist Attractions on the
Central Coast
Here you'll find the best of San Luis
Obispo County's abundant opportunities to
explore its unique beauty, history, arts and
culture. You'll find popular attractions such
as the famous Hearst Castle, historic
missions, museums, wineries, performing arts,
art galleries, antiques, boutiques, estuaries,
wildlife and other points of interest.
San Luis Obispo County City of San Luis Obispo
Pismo Beach Region North County Region
Hearst Castle
San Simeon
Magnificent Hearst Castle offers daily
tours of this historic private 127-acre estate
built by newspaper magnate William Randolph
Hearst. The castle consists of unique
artifacts, Renaissance art, ornate swimming
pools, fanciful gardens and over 165 rooms.
Historic Missions
San Luis Obispo
The county is home to two prominent
missions. San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, in the
heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, was founded
in 1772. Surrounding the mission is Mission
Plaza, a venue for outdoor events --
festivals, concerts and special events.
Shopping & Farmer's Markets
San Luis Obispo
From Farmers' Markets to antiques and
unique gift shops, San Luis Obispo County has
big shopping experiences in a small, intimate
setting. Farmers Markets and quaint antique
stores can be found in almost every city on
the Central Coast.
Wineries & Vineyards
San Luis Obispo
National acclaim has been bestowed upon the
prize winning wines and premium vineyards in
San Luis Obispo County. Over 80 wineries
welcome visitors to sample prize-winning
selections and current releases.
Oceano Dunes
Oceano
The dunes in Grover Beach and Oceano are
one of the few places where you can drive your
vehicle on the sand. The dunes adjoin the Oso
Flaco nature preserve with rare plants and
animals.
Pismo Beach/Shell Beach
Pismo Beach
Pismo and Shell Beach offer long white
beaches, rocky cliffs and spectacular sunsets.
This classic California beach town offers
superb dining and shopping, golf, the dunes,
horseback riding, surfing, body boarding, or
fishing from a 1200-foot pier.
Village of Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande
Explore the Historic Village of Arroyo
Grande, the Central Coast's unique
turn-of-the-century downtown village. Here
you'll find a unique array of antiques,
specialty shops and fine dining, all nestled
within the scenic atmosphere of historic
buildings, natural beauty, and timeless
treasures.
Baywood Park/Los Osos
Baywood Park
Baywood Park is a small town located next
to Los Osos, and has incredible beaches,
sunsets, nature preserves and dunes. Relax
here, or use as a base to visit other parts of
this very scenic county.
Cayucos
Cayucos
Downtown Cayucos still has the small town
charm, while being located just steps from a
great beach for swimmng, surfing and fishing.
Enjoy the pier, great restaurants and antique
stores in this charming old town.
Elephant Seals
San Simeon
Elephant seals can be observed along small
coves just south of the Piedras Blancas
lighthouse. Populations have grown from a few
dozen in 1990 to current estimates of nearly
10,000.
Montana de Oro State Park
Baywood Park
A beautiful nature preserve on the coast in
Los Osos. Great hiking and sightseeing
opportunities. Tidepools. Make sure to visit
beautiful Spooners Cove inside the park, which
also offers a small natural history museum of
local teasures.
Morro Bay Estuary/Morro Rock
Morro Bay
Morro Rock, the near by dunes, harbor and
estuary are beautiful to look at and a
year-round attraction to visitors. You'll find
wonderful stores, art galleries and boutiques
right next to the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
Paso Robles
Paso Robles
Paso Robles is in wine country and is known
for its relaxed ambience and beautiful drives.
The scenery is as delicious as the wines they
produce. Enjoy wine tasting, historic downtown
shopping, and annual wine festivals and car
shows.
Town of Harmony
Harmony
Harmony is one of the smallest towns in the
USA, with just 14 inhabitants. It offers
historic buildings with small boutiques,
pottery shop, glass maker, several crafters
and artisans, and a charming winery
overlooking the tiny town below.
Village of Cambria
Cambria
The quaint Village of Cambria is host to
many boutiques, local artists and quality art
galleries with paintings of the natural beauty
of the area. Moonstone Beach in Cambria
provides dramatic views of the ocean.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
(Mission Plaza in downtown SLO) This is
considered by many to be the most beautiful of
all California missions. Founded in 1772 and
still an active church.
Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
The state-of-the-art, 91,500 square foot
center located on the Cal Poly campus is the
result of a partnership between the city, Cal
Poly and the Foundation for the Performing
Arts. The 1,350 seat Harmon Concert Hall is
acoustically one of the best halls in the
world and has been JBL Professional's
exclusive North American test and
demonstration site.
Downtown
Bustling with activity, downtown offers great
shopping, outdoor and indoor dining, night
life, and its famous Thursday Night Farmer's
Market where you can buy locally grown fresh
produce and enjoy an outdoor barbecue.
California Polytechnic State
University
Cal Poly is known throughout the world for its
excellence in learn-by-doing education.
Largest schools of engineering and
architecture in the west. Visitors welcome.
Walking campus tours are offered each Monday,
Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.,
except major holidays. Self-guided tours can
be taken anytime; call tour hotline 756-5734
for the latest update. Don't miss the
Shakespeare Press Museum, Poly Canyon, horse
and dairy units, and the ornamental
horticulture greenhouses.
Railroad Depot
(South end of Santa Rosa Street) This restored
depot brings back memories of the time when
railroads were America's lifeline.
Jack House
(536 Marsh Street) Built in the late 1870s and
deeded to the city by the Jack family in 1974,
this historic Victorian home has been fully
restored into a “living museum,” giving
visitors a glimpse of life at the turn of the
century. Admission $2. Call 781-7308 for
recorded information about docent guided
tours.
San Luis Obispo Art Center
(1010 Broad St.) San Luis Obispo's community
art center in Mission Plaza features the works of many of SLO's most talented amateur and
professional artists. Admission is free. Open
to the public 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
County Historical Museum
(696 Monterey St., next to the Mission) Tells
the story of San Luis Obispo's colorful
history via changing displays of old
photographs and artifacts. Open Wednesday
through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free
admission.
Cuesta College
(5 mi. west of SLO on Highway 1 north) Known
statewide for its dedication to lifelong
learning, this scenic 150 acre campus,
bordered by Hollister Peak and Cerro Romaldo,
is open to visitors.
San Luis Obispo's Children's Museum
(1010 Nipomo St.) A museum just for children
and others who like to explore and learn. Kids
can race to the scene of a fire on the back of
a fire engine, watch themselves on television
or zip down a dinosaur slide. Admission $4.
Call 544-KIDS or visit the website
www.kids.fix.net for more information.
Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center
(1039 Chorro St.) Not to brag, but our center
has received rave reviews from more than one
travel writer. Open daily, Sunday and Monday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 8
a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to
8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Maps and
complete information on San Luis Obispo and
points north and south. Information on Hearst
Castle and tickets. National Forest Adventure
passes, special event tickets, books,
postcards, and other souvenir items also
available. Complete calendar of events going
on throughout the city and county.
Golf Courses–Public
Cypress Ridge Golf Course El Campo &
Halcyon Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 489-2781
Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course
11175 Los Osos Valley Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA
93405 781-7309
Morro Bay Golf Course
201 State Park Road Morro Bay, CA 93442
771-4341 reservations
