1) Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

The historic Mission is the anchor of downtown San Luis Obispo.  Walk or take SLO Transit to downtown SLO to take a tour around the Mission, enjoy the summer Concerts in the Plaza or stroll along San Luis Obispo Creek

2) Visit the Enchanting Hearst Castle®

Where can you see zebras and cows grazing together on the coast against the backdrop of a castle? At Hearst Castle, of course! Located 45 miles north of San Luis Obispo is La Cuesta Encantada® – The Enchanted Hill® – once home to the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst from 1919 until 1947. Hearst Castle is now maintained as a state historic monument and is open to viewing from the public daily. The castle features 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools, 165 rooms in four houses, a movie theater, an airfield and even a zoo. You can even get to Hearst Castle without a car, if you’re up to the challenge!

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Bus Directions to Hearst Castle: On the weekend, take the first SLO RTA Route 12 B bus at 9:33am from the San Luis Obispo Government Center to arrive at the Hearst Castle Information Center at 11:28am. Grab a bite to eat at the Visitor’s Center Snack Bar before you take one of the several tours offered at the castle (except the evening tour, due to the lack of bus availability).  After your 1 hour and 45 minute tour, enjoy some time in the gift shop before catching the RTA 12 B bus back to SLO at 4:39pm (on Saturdays) or 3:39pm (on Sundays).  You will arrive back in SLO at 6:27pm or 5:27pm, respectively.  If you take Tour One, you should schedule a tour before noon to allow yourself enough time to enjoy the 40-minute original movie, Hearst Castle Building the Dream that is included in the purchase price of that tour.  You should book your reservation at Hearst Castle ahead of time, as tours often sell out. Be sure to book a tour that allows you to get back to the bus by the time it departs! Service to Hearst Castle® is also available on the weekdays via RTA 12A and 12 B with one connection in Morro Bay.

Other Car Free ways to get to Hearst Castle: There are other transportation options for getting to Hearst Castle that will help reduce your car-bon footprint. See Almost Car Free for more ideas.

* Photo courtesy of Hearst Castle®/California State Parks

Just north of SLO along the coast lies the picturesque fishing village of Morro Bay. The main harbor in Morro Bay lies at the north end of a spectacular National Estuary, which abounds in birds, seals, otters and other types of wildlife and is easily accessed by kayak. A four mile long isolated sandspit on the other side of the harbor offers one willing to kayak the short distance out to it, a stunning beach all to oneself.

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The Embarcadero (or waterfront) area in Morro Bay abounds with gift stores, restaurants, kayak rental shops and places to buy locally caught fish. Just north of the Embarcadero is imposing Morro Rock, a rugged monolith that is home to peregrine falcons. A beautiful sandy beach popular with local surfers stretches north from Morro Rock all the way to Cayucos. If you are looking for a car free coastal escape near SLO, look no further than easily accessible Morro Bay.

Bus directions to Morro Bay: Take SLO RTA Route #12 from the San Luis Obispo Government Center takes you to Morro Bay and drops off at Morro Bay Park at the corner of Piney Way and Harbor Street, less than ½ mile from the waterfront (just walk downhill). It’s about a 40-50 minute bus ride each way. On the weekdays, Route #12A is the best choice.  On weekends, Route #12B is the best choice.  For detailed schedules and route information, click here. Or for directions on biking to Morro Bay, click here .

Morro Bay Trolley: You can also take the Morro Bay Trolley around town. It meets SLO RTA Route 12 at Morro Bay Park. The trolley runs Fridays, weekends, and Mondays. It also operates on Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Click here for details

For Kayak rentals in Morro Bay, see the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Kayak Listings

San Luis Obispo Downtown

Spend the day discovering Downtown San Luis Obispo!  Walk, bike or take SLO Transit to the Downtown Transit Center.  Walk south two blocks, and turn right on Higuera Street into the heart of downtown SLO.  Enjoy your time shopping at small boutiques and large retail stores alike.  Take a self-guided or guided tour of the historic downtown.  Your vacation to SLO wouldn’t be complete without going to the weekly Farmers’ Market on Thursday evenings – when Higuera Street transforms into a festival of flavors and sounds! 

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To get to the historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, stroll down Higuera Street until you reach Chorro Street, turn right and go one block to Monterey Street or hop on the SLO Trolley for 25 cents to get dropped off at the Mission Plaza.  Be sure to stop in at the San Luis Historical Museum across the street and the Jack House just a few blocks away.  For a tour of these historic places and more, take a walking tour of the downtown.  If you’re here on a Friday during the summer, enjoy the weekly Concert in the Plaza or the monthly Art after Dark , when galleries keep their doors open late.  Afterwards, walk along the creek before stopping in at one of the downtown’s diverse restaurants. After dinner, catch a movie at the historic Art Deco Fremont Theater, which has been projecting films on the silver screen since 1941.  Return to your hotel using SLO Transit.  Some bus routes have evening service when Cal Poly is in session (September thru June).  Check the SLO Transit map for details.

Hike Bishop’s Peak

What is that big hill just to the north of SLO?  The one with all the rocks on top?  Why it’s Bishop Peak, the tallest (at 1559’) of a dramatic range of hills called the Nine Sisters that run from SLO northeast to Morro Bay.  The Nine Sisters are volcanic in origin and most of them have very dramatic granite-like rock outcroppings.  A hike to the top or just along the flanks of Bishop Peak is one of the most popular day hikes in the SLO area, and with good reason.

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Most of the peak is designated open space with an excellent trail network and stunning views over the surrounding valleys and out to the ocean.  From the Patricia Street Trailhead (easily accessible by bus) you can hike directly to the top of the peak (2.2 miles each way and a 1200’ elevation gain/loss) or do the more moderate Felsman Loop (2.7 mile loop, 700’ elevation gain/loss).  Both hikes cross through open grasslands as well as oak forests.  The wildflowers in spring are often spectacular. Take a hike!

Bus directions to trailhead: From the SLO downtown Transit Center, take SLO Transit Route #1 north.  Get off at Patricia and Highland (about a 10 minute ride).  Walk about ½ mile north along Patricia to an obvious trailhead on the left side of the road.  For the return trip, return to the same stop and take the bus going in the same direction as the one you took originally.  Route #1 runs about once per hour during the days on weekdays.  For detailed bus route information and schedules, click here.

Trail map: The local Sierra Club Chapter has a printable trail map and guide to the Bishop Peak area. Click here.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university located in San Luis Obispo California. The emphasis of the University is a “learn by doing” educational experience for its more than 18,000+ students.  Many students seek admission to Cal Poly not only because of its excellent academic reputation, but also because the 6,000-acre main campus is nestled in the foothills of San Luis Obispo, just minutes from California’s Central Coast beaches.  Tour the University on your own, or register for a college specific tour.

Bus directions to Cal Poly: Take bus line 4, 5, or 6 directly from your hotel to the campus, or take one of these buses from the Downtown Transit Center.  Check the SLO Transit map for details or enter your hotel’s address and Cal Poly’s address (1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-9000 (California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo: Student Academic Services)) into Rideshare’s Google Bus Trip Planner to find the best route.

San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens

Come experience the diversity in plant life of the Mediterranean climate zones of the world in this educational and beautiful botanical garden.  Located just north of SLO in the El Chorro Regional Park the botanical gardens feature a preview garden with a small creek and a sustainably-constructed Educational Center.  The garden is open to the public daily during daylight hours.  Admission is free.  The business office and gift shop are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

www.slobg.org

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Bus directions to the SLO Botanical Gardens: From the San Luis Obispo Government Center (on Osos Street between Palm and Monterey streets), take Route 12A (Monday through Friday) or 12B (on Saturdays and Sundays) to Cuesta College Romauldo Road at Parking Lot #3 (about a 20 minute ride).  Cross HWY 1 at Hollister Ave at the traffic light to enter the El Chorro Regional Park.  Walk approximately 1 mile up Dairy Creek Road to the SLO Botanical Gardens.

Another idea: take your bike on the bus, or bike to the Botanical Gardens from SLO!

Walk and Taste San Luis Obispo!

Downtown San Luis Obispo has a number of tasting rooms that feature local wines from around the region!  Stop in at one or hop from one to the next, leisurely walking through the downtown or taking the SLO Trolley.  Many of the restaurants in the downtown carry local wines as well.  For a list of tasting rooms in the downtown, click here. 

Directions: Walk, bike or take SLO Transit to the Downtown Transit Center. Walk to down Higuera, Monterrey or Osos Street and stop in at any of the local wine bars.

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Just south of SLO lies one of the best winery areas in all of California for cycling, the Edna Valley.  There is bike path access from the Amtrak train station heading south to the edge of town, and then the fun begins.  Several loops are possible, with everything from a moderately easy 13 mile loop with very few hills to a longer 29 mile loop that has several interesting out and back additional options.  Every option is a scenic delight, with hills rising all around the valley and vineyards or ranches lining the roads. 

If you like to taste wine, there are numerous tasting rooms in the Edna Valley, and many even have bike racks!  Old Edna Café near the corner of Price Canyon Road and Hwy 227 is a very popular stop for local cyclists.  They have great coffee, a wonderful deli and very scenic grounds.  Many of the wineries also have picnic items for sale and delightful picnic areas.  Even if you don’t want to taste wine while riding, Edna Valley is the perfect place for a great bicycle ride right out of SLO.

For a detailed map of “Edna Valley Wineries By Bike” and suggested routes, click here.

For more bike rides or a detailed version of this ride, see Bike.

For more information on the wineries in the Edna Valley, check out the San Luis Obispo Vintners and Growers Association website.

For individual, small or large group biking wine tours, visit Central Coast Outdoors.

Experience the beautiful wine country of the Central Coast by private bus, shuttle or limousine!  Plan your trip today using the following listings for wine tour buses and shuttles:

San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Wine Tour Listings

San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau Wine Tour Listings

San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau Activities Listings

SLO Bike Club Recommended Bike Rides

The Sierra Club Santa Lucia Chapter Hiking Information

Hostel Obispo Bike and Hiking Information

Edible San Luis Obispo Farmers’ Markets

San Luis Obispo State Parks Hiking, Mountain Biking, Beaches, Windsurfing, Picnicking, Tide pools, Surfing, and Camping Information

Things to do in Morro Bay

Morro Bay Museum of Natural History

For more ideas, see Walking Around and Biking Around .