28 minute read
EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Train Station
Getting Here Getting & Around
By Car San Luis Obispo lies along U.S. Highway 101, about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The approximately 200-mile drive takes 3-3.5 hours, though metro-area traffic can extend that. Or, if you’re one for the scenic route, Highway 1 through Big Sur hugs the coast from the north, coming down through Monterey County. From the east (including Fresno and Bakersfield), Highway 46 leads into Paso Robles, where you can jump on U.S. 101 south.
By Air The spacious terminal at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is served by United, American and Alaska airlines, with nonstop service to and from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Denver and Dallas. The airport is five miles south of downtown on Highway 227. (805) 781-5205 | sloairport.com
By Train Amtrak serves San Luis Obispo several times a day via the Coast Starlight from Seattle and the Pacific Surfliner from San Diego. The Amtrak depot is located at 1011 Railroad Ave. (800) USA-RAIL | amtrak.com Bicycles Bicycle paths thread throughout the city of SLO. You can bring your bike on local buses and Amtrak trains. For bike path information, visit rideshare.org. For information on bicycle rental, contact the SLO Chamber’s Visitor Center at (805) 781-2777.
•Redding 430mi
•Sacramento 290mi
Oakland 222mi • San Francisco 226mi •Merced 190mi
•Yosemite 233mi • San Jose 178mi • Monterey 135mi • Fresno 148mi •Sequoia 170mi
Bakersfield 141mi
• San Luis Obispo
•Santa Barbara 105 • San Bernadino 252mi • Los Angeles 198mi
Bus and Trolley Service SLO Transit provides bus service throughout the city. (805) 541-2877 | slotransit.org
The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates buses that connect with SLO Transit downtown and run throughout the county. (805) 781-4472 | rideshare.org
Visitor Center Drop in for friendly, expert guidance on what to do and what’s going on in and around SLO. Pick up maps, menus and maybe even a SLO memento. Open Sun.-Wed. 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 895 Monterey Street | (805) 781-2777 | slochamber.org
Aircraft Charters & Rentals
ACI Jet 4751 Aviadores Wy. San Luis Obispo (805) 782-9722 acijet.com
Ride-On Transportation (TMA) 3620 Sacramento Dr., Ste. 201 San Luis Obispo (805) 541-8747 ride-on.org
Airports
Ride-On Transportation (TMA) 3620 Sacramento Dr., Ste. 201 San Luis Obispo (805) 541-8747 | ride-on.org
SLO County Regional Airport Oceano Airport 975 Airport Dr., Ste. 1 San Luis Obispo (805) 781-5205 sloairport.com
Bus Services Charters & Rentals
Ride-On Transportation (TMA) 3620 Sacramento Dr., Ste. 201 San Luis Obispo (805) 541-8747 ride-on.org
Recreational Vehicles Sales, Service & Rentals
Steve’s ATV Rentals 332 Pier Ave. Oceano (805) 481-2597 stevesatvrentals.com
Tours: Boating
SLO.Tours Port SLO Pier 3975 Avila Beach Dr. San Luis Obispo (805) 705-8681 slo.tours
Tours: Wine & Beer
101 Wine Tours, Beer, Olive Oil and Scenic Tours 155 Valley View Pl. Arroyo Grande (805) 874-CORK (2675) 101winetours.com
Breakaway Tours Wine and Events P.O. Box 535 Pismo Beach (805) 783-2929 breakaway-tours.com Ride-On Transportation (TMA) 3620 Sacramento Dr., Ste. 201 San Luis Obispo (805) 541-8747 ride-on.org
SLO Safe Ride 284 Higuera St., Ste. D San Luis Obispo (805) 620-7233 slosaferide.com
Transportation: Alternative
SLO Regional Transit Authority 179 Cross St., Ste. A San Luis Obispo (805) 541-2228 | slorta.org
Transportation: Rail
Pacific Surfliner 1011 Railroad Ave. San Luis Obispo (800) USA-RAIL pacificsurfliner.com
Travel: Agencies
AVA Wine Adventures, LLC (833) 282-9463 avawineadventures.com Gulliver’s Travel of San Luis Obispo 81 Higuera St., Ste. 150 San Luis Obispo (805) 541-4141 | slogull.com
Travel: Tour Operators
Aurora Adventures P.O. Box 882 Morro Bay (805) 540-1762 auroraadventures.us
Visitors Bureau
Chamber of Commerce San Luis Obispo 895 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 781-2670 slochamber.org
Highway 1 Discovery Route P.O. Box 1875 San Luis Obispo (805) 547-2243 highway1discoveryroute.com
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
Richardson Properties is the Leading Independent Real Estate Brokerage on the Central Coast, deeply rooted in the local community and committed to building long-lasting relationships with the clients we serve. With over 30 years of experience navigating our clients through the ever changing real estate landscape, we’d love the opportunity to work for you if you are in the market to purchase or sell a home.
FOR OVER 30 YEARS
DRE License #01465507 735 Tank Farm Road, Suite 130 | San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | 805.781.6040 | www.richardsonproperties.com
EXPLORE San Luis Obispo
COUNTY
Edged with 90 miles of coastline and well over a dozen distinct cities and towns, SLO County is best enjoyed outdoors. Bike the backroads through wine country, paddle the oceans and lakes, trek miles of trails through hills and along coasts or stroll the many charming villages and shops. You’ll find new delights at every turn.
SAN LUIS OBISPO At the heart of the county is San Luis Obispo. Meander through the celebrated downtown, where streets are alive with new outdoor dining patios and parklets. Or hit the greenbelt surrounding the city for some hiking or biking. SLO is home to the regional airport, county government, the main Cuesta College campus and Cal Poly, with beaches and vineyards just minutes away.
A few miles southeast along Highway 227, you’ll find SLO’s wine region in quaint Edna Valley, amid coastal hills and acres of vineyards. To the west off Highway 101, the hills slope down to reveal Avila Beach, with wineries, shops, and restaurants fronting a long stretch of sandy shore.
NORTH COUNTY Golden hills and the oak trees that populate them greet you along Highway 101 north of San Luis Obispo. After cresting the Cuesta Grade, you come to Santa Margarita, offering wine tasting, zip lining and a serene lake just down the road.
A few miles farther north lies Atascadero, boasting a budding shopping core and expanding menu of dining, breweries, a state-of-the-art multi screen cinema, Atascadero Lake and its surrounding park, and more than 100 animals at the county’s only zoo.
Hit Templeton for one of the county’s largest farmers’ markets, a rustic downtown and agricultural land loaded with grain, almond, cherry and apple farms and more of the North County’s signature vineyards and wineries.
Then there’s Paso Robles, home to a robust wine region, a thriving downtown and the California Mid-State Fair, an annual summer extravaganza celebrating the county’s ranching history and winemaking present while drawing a diverse slate of A-list music acts and entertainers. For a day on the water, don’t miss nearby Nacimiento Lake.
At the county’s northern edge, San Miguel is anchored by the late 1700s Mission San Miguel and features wineries sprinkled in with numerous cattle ranches.
NORTH COAST Take Highway 1 north out of San Luis Obispo, and you’ll find a scenic route leading to some of the county’s most well-known beach communities, Hearst Castle and the southern gateway of the famous Big Sur coastline. First comes Morro Bay, featuring a fisherman’s wharf where you can pick up the fresh catch of the day. Visit the Embarcadero for dining, antiques and gift shops, kayak rentals and deep-sea fishing tours, with towering Morro Rock providing a distinctive backdrop.
Nearby, Los Osos offers the Elfin Forest, a 90acre natural area for exploring, and Montaña de Oro State Park, with camping, hiking, mountain biking, beaches, tide pools, beautiful vistas and equestrian trails.
Keep heading north for a vintage 1950s-era surf town and pier in Cayucos, and Harmony, a tiny settlement boasting fresh small-batch ice cream, a pottery shop, glassworks studio and winery—and, according to the sign, a booming population of 18.
Up the road, the village of Cambria is bursting with artist studios, antiques, crafts and wine tasting rooms. Round that off with a visit to Moonstone Beach and you have a dynamite day trip.
Finally, you’ll find San Simeon, with Hearst Castle, elephant seals, ragged ocean cliffs and, a little further north, the Piedras Blancas Light Station and Ragged Point at the gateway to Big Sur.
SOUTH COUNTY To the south along Highway 101, San Luis Obispo County offers world-famous coastal towns, quaint village shopping and one of only a handful of beaches in the country you can drive on.
First up is Pismo Beach, offering the quintessential California beach town experience, including a new pier plaza with a selfie-ready giant illuminated sign, slide to the beach and playground area welcoming you to the popular surf and fishing spot with its many shops and eateries.
Further south, Arroyo Grande offers a quaint downtown village filled with boutiques, restaurants, wine tasting, and resident roosters as well as the road out to Lopez Lake, with boating, fishing and camping.
Cut west onto Highway 1 South, and you’ll find Grover Beach and Oceano. The Oceano dunes offer the finest and most extensive coastal sand dunes in California, popular with off-highway enthusiasts, as well as surfers, surf anglers and campers.
Finally, along Highway 101 at the southernmost edge of San Luis Obispo County is Nipomo, with horseback riding through beautiful eucalyptus groves, hiking through peaceful dunes, one of the most popular barbecue joints in the area, and some lush world-class golf courses.
Signature Attractions
Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove
San Luis Obispo County bubbles with outdoor adventure, laid-back beaches, culinary delights and urbane shopping, but make sure to reserve some space in your itinerary for these iconic, uniquely SLO experiences.
Mission Plaza With the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa as a backdrop, this community gathering spot has taken on new life with plenty of seating to enjoy a coffee, ice cream or take-out from one of downtown’s many eateries and Instagram-ready installations that evolve with the seasons. Check downtownslo.com for the latest.
Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market The long-time Thursday night street fair is back after a year-long hiatus and once again the go-to spot for fresh-from-the-farm produce and artisan goods. Check downtownslo.com for updates on live music and entertainment.
Bubblegum Alley One of Downtown San Luis Obispo’s quirkiest features is a 15-foot-high, 70-foot-long alleyway on Higuera Street covered in decades’ worth of chewed bubblegum left by passers-by. Bubblegum Alley has, over the years, attracted the attention of national media, including The Tonight Show, MTV and Ripley’s Believe It or Not to name a few.
Beaches From the craggy cliffs of Ragged Point south to the sandy Oceano Dunes, San Luis Obispo County offers 90 miles of coast to comb. Watch the waves from a bed and breakfast along Cambria’s Moonstone Beach, surf with Morro Rock as a backdrop, walk the pier in Cayucos, San Simeon, Pismo or Avila Beach, or poke around the tide pools of Montaña de Oro. Wine Country A variety of wine experiences, from downtown tasting rooms and vineyard tours to bottle service overlooking the vines, await visitors to Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley. The region boasts more than 300 friendly, world-class wineries—just be sure to call ahead or book reservations online before heading out.
Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove From November through March, Pismo Beach attracts a different kind of visitor, when thousands of monarch butterflies gather in the Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach. The photo-friendly spot just steps from the beach often offers the chance to get a closer look at the colorful insects through strategically placed telescopes. | monarchbutterfly.org
Elephant Seals The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, about seven miles north of San Simeon along Highway 1, is home to more than 15,000 elephant seals. Visitors come from around the world to view the mammoth marine mammals. Viewing platforms are open, free of charge, every day of the year. | elephantseal.org
Light at Sensorio Through January 2, experience an ethereal stroll through rolling hillsides illuminated with thousands of color-changing fiber optic bulbs at artist Bruce Munro’s Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles. New to the installation are towers lighting 17,000 wine bottles to a musical score. | sensoriopaso.com
| EXPERIENCE Walk Through
SLO History
Simply strolling through downtown San Luis Obispo offers a peek into its past, with buildings and signposts tracing the eras from the city’s founding in 1772 to today. Here are 10 don’t-miss spots that showcase San Luis Obispo’s layered history.
yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Throughout San Luis Obispo, you are surrounded by the legacy of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash tribe, who have lived on these lands for well over 10,000 years. Plans for a cultural heritage center are starting to form, but for now you can honor the tribe’s enduring stewardship of the land as you explore the area’s many coastal trails, oak woodlands and open spaces.
1772 – Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa The Spanish Missionaries’ standing in California history is being reevaluated for their treatment of native peoples, but it was Father Juniper Serro who put San Luis Obispo on the map when he established his fifth mission here in 1772. Considered one of the most beautiful, the Mission sits at the heart of the city, its plaza a gathering place for the community, and remains an active Catholic Church.
1853 – Dallidet Adobe & Gardens Pierre Hypolite Dallidet, who established the first commercial vineyard on the Central Coast, built this home. The adobe contains many original furnishings and is surrounded by gardens.
1875 – Jack House & Gardens Pioneering rancher and banker Robert Edgar Jack built this elegant Victorian home, which has been preserved as a museum of Victorian life circa 1880 and popular spot for small weddings and events.
1884 – Ah Louis Store Chinese immigrant merchant Ah Louis built this structure of bricks that he made himself. The store, which anchored SLO’s Chinatown, served as a bank, post office and general merchandise store for the more than 2,000 Chinese laborers who came to San Luis Obispo to build the railroad.
Courtesy of History Center of San Luis Obispo County
1894 – Historic Railroad District The Southern Pacific Railroad route connected Los Angeles to San Francisco and brought the city into the industrial age. The district is now a busy neighborhood, home to the train station, railroad museum and numerous restaurants and businesses.
1905 – Presbyterian Church This church is built entirely of gray granite quarried from Bishop Peak, the second in the range of volcanic peaks that lead from San Luis Obispo to the Pacific Ocean.
1906 – The Creamery SLO County once was home to the largest dairy industry in the United States, served by this full-service creamery through 1974. Recently reborn as the Creamery Marketplace, it’s now a hip spot with shops, restaurants and of course, ice cream.
1940 – Fremont Theatre SLO’s Art Deco movie palace has evolved into a unique venue for concerts and special events. Its ceiling is painted with sea nymphs on horseback, and at night its marquee is a neon showpiece.
1956 – Kundert Medical Building Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this building is a popular stop on many architectural tours of SLO.
Want more? Check out the History Center of SLO County—built in 1905 as one of the roughly 3,000 public libraries established worldwide by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie—and its free walking tour guides at historycenterslo.org/walking-tours.
Outdoor Adventures
90 miles of coastline. 10 state parks. 60+ miles of trails on more than 4,000 acres of open space in the City of San Luis Obispo alone. Thousands of acres of wilderness. San Luis Obispo is a true outdoor paradise.
Whether you’re looking for a rugged challenge or family-friendly adventure with Fido and the kids, SLO offers something for everyone.
San Luis Obispo was also recently ranked the top city in the U.S. for bicycling by the nonprofit PeopleForBikes so make sure to bring along your wheels or rent some for a spin around town or a ride on some of SLO’s scenic bike paths and backroads.
Campgrounds
Granite Ridge Christian Camp 4850 Coyote Creek Rd. Creston (805) 238-3582 graniteridgechristiancamp.com
Golf Courses
Avila Beach Golf Resort 6464 Ana Bay Dr. P.O. Box 2140, Avila Beach (805) 595-4000 avilabeachresort.com
Blacklake Golf Resort 1490 Golf Course Ln. Nipomo (805) 343-1214 blacklake.com
Chalk Mountain Golf Course 10000 El Bordo Rd. Atascadero (805) 466-8848 chalkmountaingolf.com
Dairy Creek Golf Course 2990 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo (805) 782-8060 dairycreekslo.com
Morro Bay Golf Course 201 State Park Rd. Morro Bay (805) 772-1923 golfmorrobay.com
San Luis Obispo Country Club 255 Country Club Dr. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-3400 slocountryclub.net
Horse Stables, Riding & Instruction
Central Coast Polo Club 2320 Clark Valley Rd. Los Osos (805) 801-9410 centralcoastpolo.com
Covell Ranch 5694 Bridge St. Cambria (805) 975-7332 covellsclydesdaleranch.com
Recreation
Buttonwillow Raceway Park 24551 Lerdo Hwy. Buttonwillow (661) 764-5333 buttonwillowraceway.com
Recreation: Family
Camp Natoma P.O. Box 3012 San Luis Obispo (805) 316-0163 campnatoma.org
Port San Luis Harbor District P.O. Box 249 Avila Beach (805) 595-5400 portsanluis.com
YMCA, SLO County 1020 Southwood Dr. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-8235 sloymca.org
Recreation: Paintball
Gladiator Paintball Park Freedom Field 1 Sutter Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 602-8629 gladiatorpaintballpark.com
Recreation: Swimming
San Luis Obispo Country Club 255 Country Club Dr. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-3400 slocountryclub.net
Recreation: Water Sports
Central Coast Kayaks 1879 Shell Beach Rd. Shell Beach (805) 773-3500 centralcoastkayaks.com
Operation Surf 80 San Francisco St. Avila Beach (805) 544-7873 operationsurf.org
Recreational Vehicle Park
Cava Robles RV Resort 3800 Golden Hill Rd. Paso Robles (866) 835-1677 sunrvresorts.com/cava-robles
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort 165 South Dolliver Rd. Pismo Beach (805) 773-1811 pismocoastvillage.com
Sports: Teams & Clubs
American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 599 P.O. Box 368 San Luis Obispo (805) 316-0424 ayso.bluesombrero.com/ Region599
Cal Poly Athletic Department 1 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-2924 gopoly.com
SLO Blues Baseball 3195 McMillan Ave., Ste. B2 San Luis Obispo (805) 512-9996 bluesbaseball.com
Tours: Boating
SLO.Tours Port SLO Pier 3975 Avila Beach Drive San Luis Obispo (805) 705-8681 slo.tours
Arts & Culture
Art is all around you in San Luis Obispo, with dozens of public art installations including the 30-foot kinetic sculpture at the entrance downtown and colorful murals at the Creamery and Marsh Street parking garage. Find an interactive walking map on the city’s website at slocity.org.
The city’s active arts organizations have also taken things outside: The SLO Symphony kicked off drive-in concerts at Madonna Meadows. The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art turned its building into a canvas complete with a customized Spotify playlist. SLO Rep, as the Repertory Theatre is better known, is planning a new outdoor stage.
The art deco Fremont Theater has several events on the calendar, and the show will go on at Festival Mozaic, the summer classical music series that typically features several outdoor performances. But with seasons and schedules still in flux, be sure to call or check online for the latest happenings.
Art
Frame Works 339 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo (805) 542-9000 www.sloart.com
Hands Gallery 777 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-1921 handsgallery.com
Junk Girls 870 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-0123 junkgirls.com
San Luis Obispo County Arts Council 1123 Mill St. San Luis Obispo (805) 544-9251 artsobispo.org
Sensorio 4380 Highway 46 East Paso Robles (805) 226-4287 sensoriopaso.com
Casino
Central Coast Casino 359 W. Grand Ave. Grover Beach (805) 474-8500 facebook.com/ centralcoastcasino
Chumash Casino Resort 3400 E. Highway 246 Santa Ynez (800) 248-6274 chumashcasino.com
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino 17225 Jersey Ave. Lemoore (800) 942-6886 tachipalace.com
Entertainment Facilities
Circus Vargas 100 Madonna Rd. San Luis Obispo (877) 468-3861 circusvargas.com Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo 1 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-4849 pacslo.org
SLO Axe Co LLC P.O. Box 6284 Los Osos (805) 439-1004 sloaxeco.com
SLO Brew Lofts 738 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 305-2168 slobrewlofts.com
SLO Brew Rock 855 Aerovista Pl. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-1843 slobrew.com
The Puzzle Effect 583 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo (805) 250-4839 slo.thepuzzleeffect.com
Vina Robles Winery & Amphitheatre 3700 Mill Rd. Paso Robles (805) 227-4812 vinarobles.com
Fairs, Festival & Special Events
California Mid-State Fair 2198 Riverside Ave. Paso Robles (805) 239-0655 midstatefair.com
Pouring Productions P.O. Box 1052 Arroyo Grande (805) 481-4898 slocraftbeer.com
SLO International Film Festival P.O. Box 1449 San Luis Obispo (805) 546-3456 slofilmfest.org
Theater: Movie
Downtown Centre Cinema 888 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo (805) 546-8667 themovieexperience.com Fair Oaks Theatre 1007 East Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande (805) 489-2364 facebook.com/fairoakstheatre
Hearst Castle Theater 100 Hearst Castle Rd. San Simeon (805) 927-6811 hearstcastle.org
Palm Theatre 817 Palm St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-5161 thepalmtheatre.com
Theatre: Theatrical Performances
Cal Poly Arts Entertainment Presenter 1 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-6556 calpolyarts.org
PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre (Box Office) 800 S. College Dr. Santa Maria (805) 922-8313 pcpa.org
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre 888 Morro St. San Luis Obispo (805) 786-2440 slorep.org
The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival P.O. Box 175 San Luis Obispo centralcoastshakespeare.org
The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville 1863 Front Street, Hwy. 1 Oceano (805) 489-2499 americanmelodrama.com
Museums
Central Coast Veteran’s Memorial Museum 801 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-1763 vetmuseum.org History Center of San Luis Obispo County 696 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-0638 historycenterslo.org
Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers P.O. Box 308 Avila Beach (805) 540-5771 pointsanluislighthouse.org
San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum 1010 Nipomo St. San Luis Obispo (805) 544-KIDS slocm.org
San Luis Obispo Museum of Art 1010 Broad St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-8562 sloma.org
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum 1940 Santa Barbara St. San Luis Obispo (805) 548-1894 slorrm.com
Sculpterra Winery & Sculpture Garden 5015 Linne Rd. Paso Robles (805) 226-8881 sculpterra.com
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center 1065 Guadalupe St. Guadalupe (805) 343-2455 dunescenter.org
Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo 3592 Broad St., Ste. 104 San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4647 winehistoryproject.org
Shopping
Blackwater
One of the joys of travel is discovering new gems, and SLO County offers a treasure trove. Stroll along the tree-lined streets and turn-of-the-century buildings in downtown San Luis Obispo to find eclectic local boutiques pedaling one-of-a-kind wares as well as brands you know and love. With plenty of opportunities for a bite to eat, a caffeinated pick-me-up or sweet treat, sauntering around the easily walkable core is a delightful way to spend a few hours.
Venturing out of downtown opens an entire slate of new options. San Luis Obispo County offers an abundance of shopping outlets, regional retailers and well-known national chains. And each community offers its own niche of antiques outlets and locally owned shops.
Apparel: Children’s
EcoBambino 863 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 540-7222 shopecobambino.com
Apparel: Men’s
Patrick James, Inc. 641 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 549-9593 patrickjames.com
Apparel: Sportswear
Cal Poly Downtown 767 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-7960 bkstr.com/calpolydwtnstore
Moondoggies Beach Club 837 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-1995 moondoggiesbeachclub.com
Apparel: T-Shirts
Live Local Apparel 755 Fiero Ln., Ste. A San Luis Obispo (805) 540-3582 livelocalapparel.com
Apparel: Women’s
Apropos 1021 Morro St. San Luis Obispo (805) 784-0664 shopapropos.com
Maison Marianne 970 Chorro St. San Luis Obispo (805) 548-1880 maisonmarianneslo.com
Art: Galleries
Frame Works 339 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo (805) 542-9000 sloart.com Hands Gallery 777 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-1921 handsgallery.com
Junk Girls 870 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-0123 junkgirls.com
Sensorio 4380 Highway 46 East Paso Robles (805) 226-4287 sensoriopaso.com
Art: Organizations
San Luis Obispo County Arts Council 1123 Mill St. San Luis Obispo (805) 544-9251 artsobispo.org
Cosmetics & Beauty Products
Beauty Poet 1920 Broad St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4114 thebeautypoet.com
Hello Cider 3940-7 Broad St., #177 San Luis Obispo (512) 993-8486 hellocider.com
Fabric Stores
Picking Daisies 570 Higuera St., Ste. 120 San Luis Obispo (805) 783-2434 pickingdaisiesinslo.com
Farm Supplies
Farm Supply Company 224 Tank Farm Road San Luis Obispo (805) 543-3751 farmsupplycompany.com
Gift
Apple Farm Gift Shop 2015 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-0369 applefarm.com
Aramark Hearst Castle 750 Hearst Castle Rd. P.O. Box 210, San Simeon (805) 927-8601 hearstcastle.com
Cal Poly Downtown 767 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-7960 bkstr.com/calpolydwtnstore
The Crushed Grape 491 Madonna Rd., Ste. 1 San Luis Obispo (805) 544-4449 crushedgrape.com
Edna Valley Vineyard 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd. San Luis Obispo (805) 544-5855 ednavalleyvineyard.com
Junk Girls 870 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-0123 junkgirls.com
Karson Butler Events at the Ah Louis Store 800 Palm St. San Luis Obispo (805) 592-2442 shopkarsonbutlerevents.com
Madonna Inn Gourmet & Wine Shop 100 Madonna Rd. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-3000 madonnainn.com
SLO Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center 895 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 781-2777 slochamber.org We Olive 958 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 595-1376 weolive.com/san-luis-obispo
Hobby
California Coin & Stamp 253 Granada Dr., Ste. B San Luis Obispo (805) 541-8775 californiacoinandstamp.com
Zacster’s Hobbies 3240 Broad St., #110 San Luis Obispo (805) 334-3348 zacsters.com
Home: Furnishings
Old World Rugs 1021 Broad St. San Luis Obispo (805) 546-9198 oldworldrugs.com
Jewelers, Gemologists & Appraisers
Garden Street Goldsmiths 1114 & 1118 Garden St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-8186 gardenstreetgoldsmiths.com
Ian Saude 3982 Short St., #110 San Luis Obispo (805) 784-0967 iansaude.com
Rogers Jewelry Co. 720 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 547-0662 thinkrogers.com
Serengeti West Fine Jewelers 951 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 546-8706 serengetiwest.com
Jewelry, Beads & Minerals
Urban Body Jewelry, LLC urbanbodyjewelry.com
Retail
Apropos 1021 Morro St. San Luis Obispo (805) 784-0664 shopapropos.com
Blackwater 778 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-2900 shopblackwater.com
Buen Dia Design 1023 Broad St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4061 buendiadesign.com
California Country 704 Monique Ct. Modesto (209) 543-2127 californiacountrylifestyle.com
Costco Wholesale 1540 Froom Ranch Wy. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-7000 costco.com
HumanKind Fair Trade 982 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo (805) 594-1220 humankindslo.org
Hush Boutique 14 North Ocean Ave. Cayucos (805) 900-5500
Jamestown Premier SLO Retail, L.P. P.O. Box 12260 San Luis Obispo (805) 785-0511 sanluisobispocollection.com
Monarch Window 201 Bridge St. San Luis Obispo (805) 242-2059 monarchwindow.com Sextant Wines and The Gourmet Deli 1653 Maxwellton St. San Luis Obispo (805) 542-0133 sextantwines.com
SLO Wine & Beer Co. 3536 S. Higuera St., Ste. 250 San Luis Obispo (805) 544-9463 slowineandbeerco.com
SLOFLY (805) 440-2499 slofly.co
Sock Drawer San Luis Obispo (800) 930-0955 sockdrawer.com
Summerland Co 1019 Morro St. San Luis Obispo (805) 752-1200 summerland-co.com
Shoes
Mike’s Shoes 487 Madonna Rd., #3 San Luis Obispo (805) 547-9593 mikesshoessanluisobispo.com
The Shoe Tree 801 Dolliver St. Pismo Beach (805) 773-5571 theshoetreepismo.com
Takken’s Shoes & Shoe Repair 668 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-6662 takkens.shoes
Shopping Centers & Malls
Laguna Village Shopping Center P.O. Box 3418 San Luis Obispo (805) 781-9100
Shopping Centers & Malls (cont.)
Pismo Beach Premium Outlets 333 Five Cities Dr., Ste. 100 Pismo Beach (805) 773-4661 premiumoutlets.com/outlet/ pismo-beach
San Luis Obispo Public Market 3845 S. Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4285 slopublicmarket.com
Sports: Goods & Supplies
SLO Camp N Pack 341 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-8006 sloarmynavy.com The Mountain Air 667 Marsh St., #D San Luis Obispo (805) 543-1676 themountainair.com
Thrift Shops
Fred & Betty’s Thrift Store 532 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 593-0255 fredandbettys.org
Goodwill Central Coast 880 Industrial Wy. San Luis Obispo (805) 544-0542 ccgoodwill.org
Yarn
Ball & Skein & More 4210 Bridge St., Ste. 6 Cambria (805) 927-3280 cambriayarn.com
Hands Gallery
Courtesy of Sloco Health + Wellness
Health & Wellness
Wellness, mental and physical, is at a premium these days. A visit to San Luis Obispo County can provide just the escape you need. Sign up for an outdoor yoga session or melt into a massage in a seaside cabana, ocean breezes wafting over you. Take a dip in a rooftop pool or soak adventure-weary muscles in a mineral spring-fed hot tub.
With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, San Luis Obispo can be your oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation.
Acupuncture
East West Natural Medicine Center 1415 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-8958 eastwestslo.com
Intuitive Acupuncture 1025 Pacific St. San Luis Obispo (805) 459-6561 intuitive-acupuncture.com
Barbers
The Gallant 845 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-3664 thegallantbarbering.com
Beauty: Salons
Bladerunner Salon Spa Store 741 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-5131 thebladerunner.com
Health: Wellness
Balance Treatment Programs of San Luis Obispo 1551 Bishop St., Ste. 130 San Luis Obispo (805) 322-4400 balancetreatment.com
Haven - Addiction Treatment 391 Front St., Ste. E Grover Beach (805) 202-3440 thehaven.com
Herbellum Institute 1241 Johnson Ave. #129 San Luis Obispo (805) 439-0307 herbelluminstitute.com
Obispo Hyperbarics 6685 Bay Laurel Pl. Avila Beach (805) 440-9856 obispohyperbarics.com SLO Yoga Center 672 Higuera St., #200 San Luis Obispo (805) 598-7100 sloyogacenter.com
Health and Fitness
Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa 6699 Bay Laurel Pl. Avila Beach (805) 595-7600 abac.caclubs.com
Club Pilates San Luis Obispo 209 Madonna Rd. San Luis Obispo (805) 366-4750 clubpilates.com/sanluisobispo
GYMNAZO 720 Aerovista Pl., Ste. C San Luis Obispo (805) 548-8500 gymnazo.com
MZR Fitness Inc. 3536 S. Higuera St., Ste. 200 San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4616 mzrfitness.com
Orangetheory Fitness San Luis Obispo 3865 S. Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (559) 472-9191 orangetheoryfitness.com
Rev SLO Fitness 755 Alphonso St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-1881 revslo.com
Spark Yoga 977 Foothill Blvd., Ste. 111 San Luis Obispo (805) 439-1848 smileatspark.com
Vitality Corporate Fitness 805 Aerovista Pl., #205 San Luis Obispo (855) 393-3801 myvitalitycoach.com YMCA, SLO County 1020 Southwood Dr. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-8235 sloymca.org
Massage Therapist
Bladerunner Salon Spa Store 741 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-5131 thebladerunner.com
Intuitive Acupuncture 1025 Pacific St. San Luis Obispo (805) 459-6561 intuitive-acupuncture.com
Sloco Health + Wellness 1957 Santa Barbara Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-2515 slocohealth.com
Pharmacies
Cayucos Pharmacy Inc. 72 S. Ocean Ave. Cayucos (805) 995-3538 cayucospharmacy.com
Spas
Avila Bay Athletic Club & Spa 6699 Bay Laurel Pl. Avila Beach (805) 595-7600 abac.caclubs.com
Beauty Poet 1920 Broad St. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4114 thebeautypoet.com
Bladerunner Salon Spa Store 741 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 541-5131 www.thebladerunner.com
Chumash Casino Resort 3400 East Highway 246 Santa Ynez (800) 248-6274 chumashcasino.com Hotel Cerro 1125 Garden St. San Luis Obispo (805) 548-1000 hotelcerro.com
La Bellasera Hotel & Suites 206 Alexa Ct. Paso Robles (805) 238-2834 labellasera.com
Madonna Inn 100 Madonna Rd. San Luis Obispo (805) 543-3000 madonnainn.com
Sloco Health + Wellness 1957 Santa Barbara Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 439-2515 slocohealth.com
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino 17225 Jersey Ave. Lemoore (800) 942-6886 tachipalace.com
The Cliffs Hotel and Spa 2757 Shell Beach Rd. Shell Beach (805) 773-5000 cliffshotelandspa.com
The Spa at Dolphin Bay 2727 Shell Beach Rd. Pismo Beach (805) 773-5003 thedolphinbay.com/spa
| EXPERIENCE On Campus
San Luis Obispo’s college campuses are a sought-after destination for high school grads, but they draw non-students, too, with a variety of events and activities for all ages.
Cal Poly
California Polytechnic State University—its full if seldom-used name —employs a distinctive Learn by Doing approach that has earned it accolades including best public masters-level university in the West by U.S. News and World Report for 28 years straight. Check online for the current status of campus tours as well as visits to explore the Leaning Pine arboretum or campus hiking trails, including one through the “architecture graveyard” of striking student projects.
The Cal Poly Creamery offers drive-thru hours to pick up some fresh student-made ice cream and cheese (calpolycreamery.com) and Cal Poly baseball started welcoming fans back in the spring, with other sports planning to join suit (gopoly.com).
The impressive Performing Arts Center hosts theatrical and musical performances by local, regional and national acts. See what’s coming up at pacslo.org.
Enter the Cal Poly campus via Grand Avenue, north of downtown. (805) 756-1111 | calpoly.edu
Courtesy of Cuesta College
Cuesta College
Cuesta serves people of all ages with lifelong learning options from associate degrees, certificate programs and enrichment offerings from three campuses across the county. Performances at the 400-seat Cultural and Performing Arts Center and exhibits at the Art Gallery have been on hiatus, but check online for current status of those and campus tours. The college’s main campus just off scenic Highway 1 also typically hosts community events including the Central Coast Writers Conference and College for Kids summer program. (805) 546-3100 | cuesta.edu.
Education
Cal Poly 1 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-1111 calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Cal Poly SBDC 872 Higuera St. San Luis Obispo (805) 756-5171 cie.calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Corporation 1 Grand Ave., Bldg. 15 San Luis Obispo (805) 756-1451 calpolycorporation.org
Cal Poly Extended Education 1 Grand Ave., Bldg. 52, E 34 San Luis Obispo (805) 756-2053 extended.calpoly.edu Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business 1 Grand Ave., Bldg. 3 San Luis Obispo (805) 756-1111 cob.calpoly.edu
California Polytechnic State University, SLO - Parent & Family Program 1 Grand Ave., Bldg. 81 San Luis Obispo (805) 756-6700 parent.calpoly.edu
Columbia College University Center at Cuesta College, Bldg. 5700 San Luis Obispo (805) 593-0237 ccis.edu/locations/san-luis-obispo
Cuesta College P.O. Box 8106 San Luis Obispo (805) 546-3100 cuesta.edu Grand Canyon University 3300 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix (602) 247-4762 gcu.edu/ec/jessica.lorenzo
Laurus College 81 Higuera St., #110 San Luis Obispo (805) 267-1690 lauruscollege.edu
San Luis Obispo College of Law 4119 Broad St., Ste. 200 San Luis Obispo (805) 439-4096 slolaw.org
