San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, also SLO or San Luis to locals, is a college town and the hub of San Luis Obispo County. It is one of California's oldest communities, with a carefully preserved and bustling 19th-century downtown centered around a meticulously restored 18th-century mission, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Central Coast.

Nine small but impressive volcanic peaks march down a valley of the Santa Lucia range to the Pacific Ocean. Nestled around two of these peaks is San Luis Obispo. The town is clustered at the feet of the 1,000 ft (300 m) Cerro San Luis, marked with a big white "M", for Mission High School. This refers to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (Saint Louis the Bishop of Toulouse), the fifth Catholic mission founded in California, and the nucleus that the city has developed around since 1772.

San Luis Obispo is bounded by the imposing line of Cuesta Ridge to the northeast, the Irish Hills to the southwest, dramatic Bishop Peak to the northwest and Islay Hill to the southeast. The downtown area runs from Cerro San Luis roughly toward campus around two parallel streets, Higuera and Monterey.

35.301667-120.6598191 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is just outside city limits, at the foot of Cuesta Ridge with its big white "P". The school has about 23,000 students, a substantial fraction of the city's population of about 50,000.

• 35.2811-120.662342 San Luis Obispo Visitors Center, 895 Monterey St (downtown at Morro St, in the same building as the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce,), ☏ +1 805 781-2777, visitorcenter@slochamber.org. Sun-Wed 10AM-5PM; Thu-Sat 10AM-7PM. The Visitor Center offers city maps, visitor guides, books about San Luis Obispo, and San Luis Obispo souvenirs. Welcoming Information Specialists are at the ready to answer questions and provide recommendations on what to do, see, eat and explore during your visit.  

SLO is about halfway between Los Angeles, 200 mi (320 km) to the south, and San Francisco, 230 mi (370 km) to the north.

35.236944-120.6419441 San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP  ^IATA). A one-terminal airport with scheduled flights from Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle on Alaska Air, American Airlines, and United. Taxis and Uber/Lyft is available, as well as rental cars, and the 1A and 1B city bus routes link the airport to downtown.  (updated Jun 2021)

The next closest commercial airport is Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX ^IATA), about 35 mi (56 km) south.

From Los Angeles (LAX ^IATA), the nearest major international airport, the Central Coast Shuttle has 7 trips to Santa Maria Airport. This is a limited option, an Uber or ride from a friend must be procured, but may work in your situation.

Air Charter or air taxi is another alternative, where you can catch flights to San Diego for the weekend, or to any large or small airport. Air charters and air taxis fly point-to-point, at the departure time, departure airport, and arrival airport of the passengers' choosing. Prices start around $150 for a seat on flights that might already be going to your destination, or go from $1,000 to $10,000 or more for a custom-chartered flight where you hire the aircraft to fly you directly to your destination, any time you want to go. On-demand flights, and seats on flights already chartered to/from San Luis Obispo are offered by Pacific Air Taxi. Air taxi flights have a much shorter check-in time (typically just 15 minutes) than larger airlines, so you can just arrive and go. Travel time for an air taxi flight is usually 80 minutes from SLO to Sacramento.

• 35.2764-120.6552 San Luis Obispo Station, 1011 Railroad Ave (Few blocks southeast of downtown, regional and local buses stops just outside). Fully staffed station, with ticketing and checked baggage services, a waiting room, restrooms, payphone, vending machines.  (updated Nov 2020)
  • Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States.  (updated Mar 2022) Routes stopping in San Luis Obispo:
    • Coast Starlight operates daily between Seattle and Los Angeles. Stops include Tacoma, Lacey, Centralia, Kelso, Vancouver, WA, Portland, Salem, Albany, Eugene, Klamath Falls, Dunsmuir, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, Davis, Martinez, San Francisco (Emeryville), Oakland, San Jose, Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Van Nuys, and Burbank. Northbound and southbound trains meet in San Luis Obispo at about 3:30PM each day. The Coast Starlight offers particular treats to travellers from both north and south. Those coming from San Francisco will penetrate the Santa Lucia range through the eight tunnels of the Cuesta Grade, the longest railroad grade west of the Rockies, just before disembarking at San Luis Osbispo. From Los Angeles, the route traverses the wild coastline of Vandenburg Air Force Base, which is otherwise inaccessible to civilians. During the winter, Coast Starlight travelers should enjoy great sunset views after departing San Luis Osbispo southbound.
    • Pacific Surfliner operates daily between San Luis Obispo and San Diego via Los Angeles.

• Amtrak offers its Thruway bus service to San Luis Obispo from areas statewide including the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the Central Valley.
• Flixbus offers bus routes into SLO from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
• San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority provides countywide bus transportation from as far south as Santa Maria up to Morro Bay/San Simeon and Paso Robles/San Miguel in the north.
• Greyhound stops in Santa Maria, about 30 miles (48 km) south.

Since San Luis Obispo is home to the first ever motel (The Milestone Mo-Tel) it is definitely a car town.

U.S. Highway 101 (El Camino Real) runs through town, from Pismo Beach and all the way to Los Angeles, as well as inland over the Cuesta Grade to Atascadero and Paso Robles, then onward through the Salinas Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Luis Obispo is the south end of dramatic Big Sur stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1). The PCH joins US-101 in town, overlapping from San Luis Obispo until splitting again further south in Pismo Beach. Travellers opting for the very worthwhile scenery of Big Sur via the PCH should be aware that driving times are much longer than by the 101.

Car is the easiest way to get around town and the larger region, but many locals opt to travel by bike or to walk within the city.

SLO Transit Services are reliable and cover most points of interest, but end at 11PM on weekdays and 8PM on the weekends. A trolley links some of the hotels on Monterey Street to the downtown area.

Regional Transit Authority The county bus system. Mainly intended for travel to neighboring cities, with limited service inside SLO, but check if the stops and schedules work for you.

Walking is a great way to get around, especially if you're staying close to downtown.

SLO keeps improving its bike infrastructure every year. Several bike shops offer rentals and some hotels have bike available for use by guests.

Take some time to walk around downtown. While there are some new developments and larger chain restaurants/stores, it still maintains a wonderful small town feel, with pedestrian corridors between streets where you'll find locals hanging out.

• 35.2807-120.6651 Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 728 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805 543-6850, fax: +1 805 781-8214. Open daily winter 9AM-4PM, summer 9AM-5PM, closed New Year's, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Founded in 1772 by Junipero Serra as the fifth Catholic mission in California. Still an active parish, it is in the middle of downtown on Chorro St and Monterey St, with its main courtyard interrupting Monterey St for a full city block. In addition to the church, there is a small museum; both are definitely worth visiting. The Mission is part of the Mission Plaza development, which incorporates San Luis Creek and a number of stores and restaurants. Walk from the Mission to the creek and up to one of the restaurants for a bite to eat. Admission by donation.  

• 35.280119-120.6650262 History Center of San Luis Obispo County, 696 Monterey St (across Broad St from the Mission), ☏ +1 805-543-0638. Every day except Tue 10AM-4PM. Housed in a beautiful library donated by Andrew Carnegie. There are three separate exhibit areas (two medium-sized rooms and a set of two much smaller rooms). There is a friendly attendant, and there is a good chance that you will find the exhibits interesting and worth looking at. For example, in October 2014, there were exhibits of impressive baskets by Native American tribes from the region and historic photographs of people and buildings in San Luis in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Free.  

• 35.279649-120.6648733 San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, 1010 Broad St (on the west end of the Mission Plaza), ☏ +1 805-543-8562. Every day (except Tue from Labor Day through July 3) 11AM-5PM. Really just a relatively large art gallery (or a couple of galleries), with art for sale. You might or might not find it interesting, but admission is free.  

• 35.27916-120.663874 Bubble Gum Alley (south side of Higuera St, between Broad St and Garden St). Take a look and leave some of your own chewed gum behind.  (updated Dec 2024)

• 35.273175-120.6553315 SLO Railroad Museum, 1940 Santa Barbara Ave, ☏ +1 805-548-1894. Sat 10AM-4PM. Chronicles the history of the railroad in SLO County and how it shaped development.  (updated Jun 2022)
• Also see the eclectic Madonna Inn, with the fanciest bathrooms in town.

San Luis and its neighboring communities boast extraordinary resources for hiking, mountain biking, sea kayaking, swimming and surfing.

• 35.29874-120.659611 Poly Escapes (on the Cal Poly campus). Kayaks and other outdoor gear can be rented at reasonable prices by students and the public. Kayaking is possible in many places in the county, but the most exciting place to kayak is around Pismo Beach where there are sea caves you can explore.  
• 35.278921-120.6661032 San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, 1010 Nipomo St (Nipomo and Monterey), ☏ +1 805 544-5437, info@slocm.org. Thu-Mon 10AM-4PM. The Children's Museum is an interactive, family experience, inspiring learning through play. Great for families with young children.  (updated Mar 2024)

There are many places to hike and bike in San Luis Obispo. The Santa Lucia Mountains and the "Nine Sisters" offer many beautiful views of the city and the countryside.

• 35.3025-120.6973 Bishop Peak (trailhead on Patricia Ave). 4.0 mi (6.4 km) round-trip moderate trail up the tallest of the Morros or "Nine Sisters", at 1,546 ft (471 m). "Obispo" is Spanish for "Bishop". No bikes allowed.  
• 35.2828-120.684 Cerro San Luis (primary trailhead at the end of Marsh St). There are several trails on the 1,292 ft (394 m) mountain. The large white "M" present on the east face derives from Mission High School. A common misconception is that the "M" represents the surname "Madonna", as the famous Madonna Inn sits at the foot of the mountain. Multiple biking trails.  
• 35.306127-120.6587355 Poly Canyon, Poly Canyon Rd (northeast side of Cal Poly campus; take Village Dr towards Poly Canyon Village housing complex, turn right before the road dips onto a smaller road with a gate). Walk or bike about 0.5 mi (0.80 km) down a dirt road to Poly Canyon, a hilly, open, grassy area where engineering and architecture students construct fanciful senior projects. Public vehicles are not allowed to drive on the road, though be alert for university vehicles travelling up and down on occasion and student runners/cyclists.  (updated Oct 2026)

If you're interested in other mountain biking trails around the county check out the list at CCCMB, a volunteer organization that creates and maintains trails countywide.

• 35.281925-120.6605736 Fremont Theater, 1035 Monterey St (downtown), info@fremontslo.com. An instantly recognizable landmark with its vivid neon signage. The beautiful classic main theater room is used primarily for the largest movie being screened while the rest are shown in smaller modern theaters built in a hidden addition.  (updated Mar 2024)
• 35.281492-120.6637917 Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St (downtown on the corner of Palm and Broad, next to two main parking garage facilities). A local movie theater that showcases the very best of independent, foreign, art house, and mainstream cinema. The theater also boasts being one of the first fully solar-powered and plays host the annual San Luis Obispo International Film Festival.  (updated Mar 2024)
• 35.299501-120.657278 Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo, 1 Grand Ave (at Cal Poly), ☏ +1 805 756-4849. Hosts a range of concerts, theater, comedy, speakers, and other events.  (updated Mar 2024)
• Cal Poly Mustangs (northern end of town). Depending on the season, college basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, and football games can be seen at Cal Poly. Games are generally $5 for non-Cal Poly students. (updated Dec 2024)

San Luis Obispo has a wide range of both local and chain stores. Most local stores, mixed in with some familiar brands, are downtown along Higuera St and the pedestrian developments that branch off it. The larger box stores are in the two sprawling developments near the corner of Madonna Rd and Los Osos Valley Rd.

• 35.279447-120.6635391 Downtown SLO Farmers' Market (downtown on Higuera St). Thu 6PM-9PM. One of the best-known farmers' markets in California, where bands, college students, and local farmers pack the streets for several blocks. On the first Thursday of every month, hundreds of spirited bicycle enthusiasts congregate near the intersection of Chorro Street and Monterey Street to celebrate a themed, downtown bicycle parade, which starts promptly at 9:30PM.  (updated Mar 2024)
• 35.27878-120.664952 Tom's Toys, 682 Higuera St, ☏ +1 805-541-2896. A locally owned toy store that resembles something out of a movie. Filled to the brim with toys that you'll likely recognize for your childhood, it's a fun place to visit both for small children and nostalgic adults.  (updated Jun 2022)
• 35.27747-120.666653 Cheap Thrills & Recycled Records, 563 Higuera St, ☏ +1 805-544-0686. It's best described as nerd heaven. They have a large selection of new & used music, videogames (ranging from current systems back to the Atari), table-top games, movies, audio equipment, comics, model supplies, and more.  (updated Jun 2022)
• 35.28173-120.66174 Phoenix Books, 986 Monterey St (two doors down from Boo Boo Records), ☏ +1 805-543-3591. A local bookstore filled to the brim with books.  (updated Jun 2022)
• 35.281639-120.6618825 Boo Boo Records, 978 Monterey St (near the corner of Osos St and Monterey St), ☏ +1 805 541-0657. This long-time local music store features a large selection of CDs and vinyl records. They also frequently sell tickets to a few local venues and occasionally host small indie shows within the store.  
• 35.279-120.662696 Dr. Cain's Comics, 778 Marsh St Suite 110 (near Chorro St), ☏ +1 805 752-1085, drcainscomics@gmail.com. Wed-Sat 11AM-6PM, Sun-Tue Noon-5PM. A nice small shop specializing in comics, and Cain the owner is almost always there if you have any questions or want a recommendation. Some of the best customer service in town.  

Most restaurants, bars and shops are on Higuera St, nearer the Mission and Cerro San Luis. A few restaurants are in the charming Railroad District, about 5 blocks east of Higuera via Santa Rosa St, near the train station and youth hostel.

Dining in town will set you back a few dollars. None of the local restaurants stands out with a consistently good menu (with the possible exception of the pricey Koberl) although several have some great dishes. Consequently, a fun and satisfying way to explore downtown is to have an itinerant dinner, sampling appetizers, salads, and a main course or two at a variety of eateries.

The Central Coast is the home of the tri-tip steak, also known as Santa Maria Barbecue. A lightly seasoned beef roast, where the fat hasn't been trimmed off, is cooked slowly over an oak fire, so the fat melts and tenderizes the meat. Look for a tri-tip sandwich at places that serve your usual burgers and grilled fare.

Due to a longstanding city ordinance, there are no drive-through restaurants in San Luis Obispo. Some common fast food chains are conspicuously absent because of this.

• 35.278566-120.6647191 Kreuzberg California, 685 Higuera St, ☏ +1 805 439-2060. 8AM-9PM. This cavernous coffee shop/nightclub/restaurant/used bookstore/study spot offers a range of relatively affordable, tasty sandwiches for lunch; prices go up a little in the evening. It has a slightly edgy, intellectual vibe (photos of famous authors adorn the walls) and can be a pleasant place to spend an hour or two, sipping a coffee and sampling the games and books on offer. Kreuzberg (named for a hip neighborhood in Berlin) is a favorite study spot for Cal Poly students, and can become crowded around exam times. Live music is presented a few evenings a week. $8-10.  (updated Mar 2024)
• 35.279201-120.6631742 Linnaea's Cafe, 1110 Garden St, ☏ +1 805 541-5888, info.linnaeas@gmail.com. A long-standing downtown institution, Linnaea's has a wide variety of teas along with the usual cafe fare. The large patio and garden out back is an excellent place to relax, and the back room often hosts musicians and poetry readings. Delicious dinner is served five nights a week. Wi-Fi is available for free.  (updated Mar 2024)
• 35.28133-120.660123 Thai Delight, 1011 Higuera St, ☏ +1 805-541-2025. One of the most authentic and tastiest Thai restaurants on the Central Coast. Any dish can be ordered spicy, on a scale from 1 to 5, 5 being the spiciest and not for the faint of heart. Dine in or take out. Open for lunch and dinner. $12-18.  (updated Dec 2024)
• 35.28311-120.657794 Petra Mediterranean Pizza & Grill, 1210 Higuera St, ☏ +1 805-439-1999. 10AM-9PM. Authentic Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices, including gyro, shawarma, and award-winning pizza. Outdoor seating in a street-facing covered patio. $10-20.  (updated Dec 2024)

• 35.279165-120.6624675 Eureka! San Luis Obispo, 1141 Chorro St, ☏ +1 805-903-1141. Daily 11AM - midnight. This SLO outlet of a small California chain (6 or 7 stores statewide) serves some creative, tasty burgers made with grass-fed beef, and some very good salads. Vegetarian burgers and other sandwiches also are available. However, the excellent selection of craft beers and bourbons is the place's greatest strength. Can be crowded at mealtimes and nights when Cal Poly is in session. $10-15.  (updated Jan 2017)
• 35.281216-120.6603156 Firestone Grill, 1001 Higuera St (corner of Higuera and Osos), ☏ +1 805-783-1001. Known locally as the best tri-tip sandwich in California. A must-have for anyone who wants to understand West Coast BBQ. Can be noisy - try for a table outside.  (updated Jan 2017)
• 35.27934-120.664687 Sidecar, 1040 Broad St, ☏ +1 805-439-3563. Mon-Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat Sun 10AM-11PM. This hip offering by the folks from Kreuzberg (see budget listing) serves an adventurous seasonal menu using fresh local "farm-to-table" ingredients; Sidecar may be the best value in town. Enjoy an excellent bloody mary along with brunch on the weekends.  (updated Jan 2017)

• 35.281843-120.6616528 Koberl at Blue, 998 Monterey St (at the north end of the historic downtown, one block west of Higuera Street), ☏ +1 805 783-1135. This elegant downtown restaurant features "wine country dining" on the ground floor of an attractive Victorian-era office building near the courthouse. A great meal can be made from appetizers at the bar, which is one of the few watering holes in town not overrun by students. $23–50 for entrees.  (updated Jan 2017)
• 35.28022-120.6634029 Luna Red, 1023 Chorro St (on Mission Plaza), ☏ +1 805-540-5243. Novo's sister restaurant offers an exciting "global tapas" menu, serving such delights as duck confit crepes, spiced lamb kebabs, roasted beets with fennel, and stuffed piquillo peppers, all in small portions intended for sharing. Like Novo, it has a lovely patio, this one with a nice view of Mission San Luis Obispo across Mission Plaza; patio dining can be marred sometimes, though, by loud music from the restaurant next door.  (updated Jan 2017)
• 35.279261-120.6642710 Novo Restaurant And Lounge, 726 Higuera St, ☏ +1 805 543-3986. Open until midnight on Saturdays, with last reservation time 9:30PM. This eatery is beloved by locals, although the expense of a visit is justified more by the truly lovely atmosphere than by the middling quality of the menu, which features "international" foods prepared with fresh local ingredients. Novo is most noted for its beautiful creekside patio; often overlooked is the romantic dining in the basement.  (updated Jan 2017)

The downtown area has many bars along Higuera St south of Santa Rosa Ave, owing to the large student population. They are all an easy walk (or stumble) from one another. These start to become active around 10PM and on weekends will generally be quite busy up until 2AM. Options range from Martini lounge to Irish pub to wannabe LA nightclub.

There are several award-winning wineries in SLO County, many of which offer free wine tasting. Brochures to guide you through the area are available all over town, but they are actually unnecessary.

• There are a number of wine tasting bars downtown.
• Follow Broad St out of town and the vineyards of Edna Valley will begin to appear on the left. In addition to the large namesake establishment, over a dozen smaller, high quality wineries are open for tasting. Explore the region between Edna Valley Road and Orcutt Road to the east.
• Drive north on US-101 into Paso Robles and turn either direction on Highway 46. There will be wineries on either side of the road.

Hotels are mostly on Monterey Street, nearer the university but still within a mile (2 km) of downtown.

Hotels along the entire California coast get booked up every weekend during the summer. Be sure to make reservations if you intend to stay on a weekend in the summer.

• El Chorro Regional Park Campground, Highway 1 (across the highway from Cuesta College), ☏ +1 805-781-5930 x2. Features 61 campsites (43 sites are full hook-up, 18 sites are primitive with water nearby). Each site can accommodate approximately 6-8 people and either a couple of tents or a full-sized R.V. Restrooms and coin-operated showers are available. 
• See more options in Atascadero, Los Osos, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach.

• 35.290208-120.6493771 Apple Farm, 2015 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805 544-2040. An upscale country style hotel with small but charming rooms and a wonderful restaurant that serves large, hearty breakfasts. Their administrative building at 2223 Monterey St (a block away) is what remains of the Milestone Mo-Tel, the world's first motel. $205/night.  
• 35.26367-120.678342 Best Western Plus Royal Oak Hotel, 214 Madonna Rd, ☏ +1 805 544-4410, toll-free: +1-800-545-4410, fax: +1 805 544-3026, reservations-slo@royaloakhotel.com. An average motel with simple, clean, comfortable rooms in a convenient location. $165/night.  
• 35.28935-120.650293 Inn At San Luis Obispo, 1895 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805-544-0973, reservations@bwslo.com. Renovated hotel, featuring stylish, comfortable accommodations, meeting space and California vacation packages.  
• 35.2437-120.685354 Courtyard San Luis Obispo, 1605 Calle Joaquin Rd, ☏ +1 805-786-4200. One of the Marriott hotel chains; clean, spacious rooms and pleasant staff, as expected from a large mid-range company. $205.  
• 35.25912-120.674935 Embassy Suites, 333 Madonna Rd, ☏ +1 805-549-0800. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Accommodations come with a complimentary cooked-to-order buffet breakfast, nightly manager's reception, parking, business center, fitness facility, and heated indoor pool and spa. $109/night and up.  
• 35.27846-120.662476 Garden Street Inn, 1212 Garden St, ☏ +1 805 545-9802, fax: +1 805 545-9403. A bed and breakfast with 9 rooms and 4 suites. A little expensive for the level of luxury, but it is the only lodging in the heart of downtown. $180/night.  
• 35.244866-120.6834337 Hampton Inn & Suites San Luis Obispo, 1530 Calle Joaquin, ☏ +1 805 594-1445. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Pets allowed with additional fee. No smoking. $138/night.  (updated Mar 2024)
• 35.28946-120.65148 The Wayfarer San Luis Obispo, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, 1800 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805 544-8600. A reliable chain hotel with clean, comfortable rooms and a warm, friendly, helpful staff. $118/night.  
• 35.277647-120.6558419 Hostel Obispo, 1617 Santa Rosa St (one block north of the train station), ☏ +1 805 544-4678, reservations@hostelobispo.com. Check-in: 4:30 PM, check-out: 11AM. A Hosteling International youth hostel with a homey feel. For those who enjoy the communal vibe of a traditional hostel, this is by far the best option on a budget due to its combination of centrality, comfort, amenities and moderate cost. Family rooms are available. The hostel is closed between 11AM and 4:30 PM. $40/night.  
• 35.2911-120.6495810 La Cuesta Inn, 2074 Monterey St (right off US-101, onto Monterey St.), ☏ +1 805-543-2777. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The hotel provides each guest with a large clean room with 2 closets, two sinks, king bed, balcony, DVD player, coffee maker, mini-fridge, free continental breakfast with waffle maker, and free DVD rental from the lobby. $130/night.  
• 35.2675-120.6747211 Madonna Inn, 100 Madonna Rd, toll-free: +1-800-543-9666, fax: +1 805 543-1800, info@madonnainn.com. A fun and crazy theme-room hotel on the side of the road. Don't miss the cafe, if only for an overpriced breakfast, or the pool/hot tub. Have a wander around the grounds and peek in at the rooms. $235/night.  
• 35.24312-120.6844212 Motel 6 San Luis Obispo South, 1625 Calle Joaquin, ☏ +1 805 541-6992. Very much a budget hotel. Don't expect luxury, or even function, necessarily, but the price is right. $45/night.  
• 35.28989-120.6498413 Peach Tree Inn, 2001 Monterey St, toll-free: +1 800-227-6396, info@peachtreeinn.com.  
• 35.285571-120.65475214 Petit Soleil Bed & Breakfast, 1473 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805 549-0321, reservations@petitsoleilslo.com. Claims to provide a touch of European charm and says that their 16-room inn offers an "amazing gourmet breakfast" as well as complimentary wine tasting and appetizers in the evening. $150.  
• 35.287047-120.65250515 Quality Suites, 1631 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805 541-5001. A very nice 3-star hotel. $225/night.  
• 35.287678-120.65288116 Sunbeam Motel, 1656 Monterey St, ☏ +1 805-543-8141, toll-free: +1-877-338-8717, sunbeammotel@gmail.com. Check-in: 3-10PM (call if you can't make it before 10PM), check-out: 11AM (though if you need more time, they're unlikely to rush you). A comfortable 15-unit motel close to the Monterey St. exit from the 101 Freeway and about a 15-minute walk from downtown. You may find your bed just a tad lumpy, but the rooms are big and everything is quite acceptable, especially for the price. Very nice, helpful managers, and you may be allowed to leave your car in the lot for the afternoon after you check out, if you ask nicely. $49-69 plus tax/night for 1-2 people.  
• 35.26405-120.6769717 Vagabond Inn San Luis Obispo, 210 Madonna Rd, ☏ +1 805 544-4710, hotelslo210@gmail.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM.  

• Carrizo Plain National Monument - 75 miles (120 km) east, this remote national monument is home to the largest remaining native grassland in California. During wet years it boasts spectacular wildflowers in the spring, and Soda Lake is an important wintering area for waterfowl when precipitation is sufficient to flood the seasonal lakebed. The park is also home to Painted Rock, a Native American site that has been adorned with pictographs over thousands of years. Services are extremely limited, with just a small visitor center, two primitive campgrounds, and a handful of marked trails available.
• Los Osos - The gateway to Montana de Oro State Park, one of the state's best-kept secrets. It's filled with hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails both along the ocean along the bluffs and inland into the coastal peaks; a dramatic cove with caves that kids and adults love; and miles of sandy beach and tidal pools.
• Paso Robles - Paso Robles is a historical resort town known for its hot springs, 31 miles (50 km) north. This city's major industry is wine production, with vineyards located throughout the surrounding area.

Take the Pacific Coast Highway north to Big Sur:

• Morro Bay - 13 miles (21 km) northwest, this coastal town is best known for the massive 581-foot (177 m) volcanic rock that dominates its harbor, but is also a great spot to see marine mammals and is home to one of California's oldest fine art and craft shows.
• San Simeon - 42 miles (68 km) northwest, San Simeon is home to Hearst Castle, the impressive residence of the former media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, now managed as a state park with tours available daily. A massive colony of more than 20,000 elephant seals can be viewed onshore just north of town every winter.

Take the Pacific Coast Highway south:

• Avila Beach - Avila Beach is a small coastal community 10 miles (16 km) southwest that offers a number of quaint inns, spas and resorts. Point San Luis, accessible via a scenic docent-led hike or by trolley, is home to a lighthouse that dates back to 1890 and is the only surviving Prairie Victorian on the West Coast. Visitors looking for relaxation can soak in nearby mineral hot springs or lounge on the sandy beach that gives the town its name.
• Pismo Beach - This tourism-focused coastal town 13 miles (21 km) south has more than 65 restaurants and 30 lodging options, and draws visitors with its beautiful coastline, annual clam festival, and the thousands of monarch butterflies that gather to spend the winter in a grove at the edge of town.

Salinas ← Atascadero ← Jct E ←	N  S	→ Pismo Beach → Santa Barbara
Monterey ← Morro Bay ←	N  S	→ Merges with → Pismo Beach → Santa Barbara
San Jose ← Paso Robles ←	N  S	→ Santa Barbara → Los Angeles
END ←	N  S	→ Grover Beach → Santa Barbara