10 Best Things to Do in San Luis Obispo

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is among the most beautiful and iconic missions in California and draws thousands of visitors annually for its unique and historic architecture. The mission is large and overlooks San Luis Creek in the center of town. The main building is a traditional adobe structure first erected in 1772, and dedicated to Saint Louis.

Surrounding the building you'll find an elegant courtyard garden with grape vines, roses, and oak trees, while inside the mission bursts with color thanks to its bright floral motif on the arches and walls. In addition, you can tour a museum focused on the history of Spanish missionaries and the native Chumash culture.

Bishop Peak is the most prominent mountain peak in San Luis Obispo, rising more than 1,500 feet above the sea level, and an iconic spot for hiking and climbing. The peak is located about a 15-minute drive to the west and north of the city center.

The hiking trails range in difficulty from moderate to highly challenging uphill climbs so there's an appropriate challenge for many different levels of outdoor adventurer. The full hike to the top requires about 2 hours of tough trails but offers stunning panoramic vistas of the entire California coastline.

Avila Valley Barn is a working farm where you can enjoy a day out in the country, visit a farmer's market, try homemade ice cream, and have a family-friendly adventure.

This place is a popular stop on the way back to town from the nearby Avila Beach, and many love to try the fresh made ice cream, take a pony or hay ride, enjoy some roasted corn, or just shop the farmer's market with its wealth of offerings of fresh seasonal produce. A petting area allows the kids to interact with farm animals. Best of all, the farm is just 10 minutes' drive to the south of the city center.

The Sunset Drive-In Theatre is an iconic big-screen traditional drive-in movie theatre with a concession area showing the best of new releases in a classic setting. It's located in the Mill Street Historic District just about 7 minutes away from the city center.

The theater bills itself as "Good Ol' Americana," and permits chairs and pickup truck beds for viewing movies. The theater is one of the last remaining of its kind in the state, a throwback to earlier days and an unforgettable way to experience the latest in blockbuster and family films.

Bubblegum Alley is a famed stretch of alleyway that's covered with used bubblegum, offering a striking display of bright colors and patterns. The alley is located right in the heart of the downtown area and is 65 feet long, stretching between two 15-foot high walls.

The tradition of sticking gum on the walls here began in the 1950s, but nobody is sure why, though some say it began as a rivalry between two local high schools. Twice in its history the alley has been cleaned, but locals love it so much that the cleaning didn't take and the city has decided to leave it as it sits.

The Edna Valley Vineyard has provided crisp and balanced wines that are designed for food pairing with a range of flavors and styles for over 30 years. The vineyard includes a tasting room, tours, and even a gift shop where you can buy bottles or souvenirs to take home.

Since the wines are designed for pairing, the winery also provides wine and food pairing experiences on a regular basis where you can learn how to pair wines properly with food so that the tastes and smells complement each other. It's located just 12 minutes to the south of downtown San Luis Obispo in the heart of the region's wine country.

Mission Plaza is a public space dominated by a Spanish mission from the 1700s with gardens, museums, and a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can visit the mission itself, an historic adobe structure with bright interior painting and museum dedicated to early missionary history.

You can walk the oak-shaded pathways through colorful and immaculately tended gardens. Look down over the San Luis Creek and its peaceful bubbling waters and explore the porticoed arcades among the climbing grape vines. Best of all, it's located right in the heart of town.

Valencia Peak Trail is a hiking trail that spans 4.2 miles into the Montana De Oro State Park mountains with gorgeous views of the coast. The trails are heavily used and are accessible year-round. They are famed for the wealth of native wildflowers along the path and the hike is rated as moderately difficult.

At the peak you'll see panoramic views of Morro Bay, Cayucos, Spooners Cove, and on clear days all the way to Cambria and beyond. The peak stretches over 1,000 feet above sea level and presents a challenge for hikers of a wide range of skill levels. It's about a half hour's drive from the city center, right along the Pacific coast.

The San Luis Obispo Children's Museum is designed especially for kids of 10 years and younger with hands-on exhibits that are as fun as they are educational. The museum is huge, with three floors of activities which spark the imagination, creativity, and curiosity of kids and adults alike through interactive experience.

Though designed for younger kids, it's not unusual to see adults thrilling to the exhibits as well, making this an attraction for entire families. The museum always has some event going on, whether it's a featured exhibit or a special program. The museum is right in the heart of the central downtown neighborhood.