Positioned between the luxurious inexperienced peaks of mid-California lives San Luis Obispo, or SLO for brief. Close to the coast and with a vibrant downtown scene, SLO gives the right stability of out of doors and indoor actions for all. Whether or not you’ve lived in SLO for years or need to purchase a house or lease an condominium right here, beneath you’ll discover a compilation of the highest San Luis Obispo bucket record gadgets. Starting from downtown actions to cafes to hikes and bikes to eating places, this bucket record has all of it.
1. Take a look at a classy artwork cafe
In case you’re like many people and you’ll’t begin your day with out being correctly caffeinated, SLO has an abundance of native espresso outlets to select from. One of many extra uber-cool spots is The Bunker which not solely serves espresso from the Nautical Bean, one other native espresso spot, but in addition acts as an artwork gallery/occasion house/artist studio. Even cooler, The Bunker “has a brand new artwork exhibit each month with an ‘all are welcome’ opening on the primary Friday of the month and tons of stay music, workshops and occasions through the evenings.”
2. Help native on the farmers market
Positioned on one in all SLO’s extra ‘taking place’ streets lives the weekly Downtown Farmers’ Market. The San Luis Obispo Information boasts of the full of life occasion: “Each Thursday night, Higuera Avenue comes alive with stay music and leisure, the pleasant chatter of locals and guests alike, and the attractive aromas of scrumptious BBQ, recent native produce from over 100 distributors, connoisseur treats, and artisan items.”
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is an effective way to become involved with the neighborhood and assist native companies whether or not you’re grabbing a chew to eat, produce, or a home made good. Shelby, from the journey weblog Sedation Holidays, claims “There’s no higher option to expertise the vibe of town than by going to the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market!…[T]his bustling market spans 5 blocks and options over 100 native distributors beginning at 6 pm each Thursday evening. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for recent produce, hand-crafted items, delectable bread and pastries, or simply wish to be entertained by stay music whereas having fun with some well-known Central Coast BBQ, there’s one thing for everybody on the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market!”
3. Store ‘until you drop in Downtown San Luis Obispo
A SLO should is exploring Downtown SLO and stopping at many – if not all – the lovable shops. The most effective is the SLO Normal Retailer which is positioned contained in the SLO Public Market and is a one-stop store for native items. Not solely have they got quite a lot of nice items, however the store was “created with the mission to supply alternatives for native artisans and makers to attach with native shoppers, the SLO Normal Retailer options over 80 native artisans, growers, and makers.”
4. Make a journey to Morro Bay
In case you’re on the lookout for an escape to the water, Morro Bay is the right little journey and is simply a fast 20-minute drive from SLO. The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce recommends three principal actions: the Misplaced Isle Adventures tour to be taught concerning the historical past of the bay, Morro Bay Boat Leases for these desirous to captain their very own 10’ boat, and Morro Bay Sub Sea Excursions which includes a harbor cocktail cruise, glass backside boat, and whale watching. In case you time it proper, you’ll get to sea (get it?) whales on the bay as “Morro Bay is on the migration sample to 2 totally different whale species, grey whales and humpback whales.”
5. Take the scenic route—by bike!
One of many principal attracts of SLO is its lovely outdoor and “entry to an unimaginable vary of roads and trails” for a nature stroll, run, rollerblade, or our advice — a motorcycle trip! In case you don’t personal a motorcycle, Cycle Central Coast has a number of outlets in SLO the place you’ll be able to lease them. Beaming concerning the unimaginable coastal views, take their “endurance biking tour by means of our Cycle Central Coast Morro Rock Descent route[or] clim[b] the filth paths and grit-testing inland hills of the Central Coast” or vary of long-distance routes. Regardless of bike stage, there’s positive to be the right scenic route for everybody.
6. Take a hike
There’s a lot beautiful surroundings to discover in SLO, and far of it may be seen on a hike. Artist Bobby of Bobby Boss Artwork finds a lot inspiration from SLO’s beautiful landscapes and recommends discovering “a climbing buddy and explor[ing] a path just like the “M Path” on Cerro San Luis” for “superb views of town, and quintessential nature expertise for SLO.” In truth, the M Path is simply one of many three stops of the SLO “Tri Tip Peak Problem.” This bodily problem contains climbing the M Path, Bishop’s Peak, and California Polytechnic College’s “P” in sooner or later, and ends at native eatery, Firestone Grill, for a tri-tip sandwich reward.
7. Strive new delicacies
If a tri-tip sandwich isn’t your cup of tea, SLO has a number of unimaginable eating places to select from. In case you’re seeking to attempt a brand new delicacies, like Ethiopian, Ebony SLO is without doubt one of the finest, and is each minority- and women-owned. Created with the objective of bringing neighborhood collectively over meals, Ebony has indoor and outside seating which is ideal for these sunny California days, Ethiopian music, and “[It’s] a should go to for the superb, vegan, natural and gluten-free meals cooked with love and care.” in line with the place itself. In case you’re on the lookout for distinctive fusion meals, one other nice restaurant choice is Todo Bueno All Good Grill, a wok-seared, California-Mexican joint. This place has balcony eating with a view of the SLO Public Market and an ideal choice of draft beers and native wines.
8. Pattern wine with a aspect of journey
Talking of wine, should you’re of age, Uncorked Wine Excursions gives a singular wine tour that mixes a zipline tour and tastings of native wine. In case you’re curious concerning the day’s itinerary, they’ve outlined it for you: “[You’ll] start your day hovering by means of the picturesque landscapes on a zipline tour over lush vineyards at Margarita Adventures. Afterwards, immerse your self within the area’s wealthy viticultural heritage with wine tastings and a tasty lunch at a captivating vineyard. Lastly, unwind with handcrafted spirits and a go to to an area brewery, finishing an unforgettable exploration of SLO’s vibrant tradition, and pure magnificence.”
9. Hovering by means of SLO by way of helicopter
In case you’re within the temper for much more journey, add flying a helicopter to your San Luis Obispo bucket record. Helipro gives an introductory flight the place you’re taking the controls (with skilled instructors after all) to expertise SLO from a brand new perspective. Helipro says this expertise is for all ranges: “Whether or not you’re a budding aviator or just searching for an unforgettable journey, that is your likelihood to raise your senses and create lasting reminiscences.” This distinctive expertise gives hands-on expertise for these desirous to soar by means of the skies and take within the picturesque SLO nature from a chicken’s eye view.
10. Go to the lavender
Past the bay, Downtown, and the a number of peaks, SLO can be shut by to lovely farms. From mid-Might to the top of June, luscious fields of lavender bloom at Hambly Farms. This farm options three soccer fields full of varied forms of lavender, which is ideal for a late spring/early summer season stroll. You’ll be able to harvest a recent bouquet, chill out within the scent and benefit from the view, pack a picnic, go to the pleasant livestock, and take a look at “the farm retailer loaded with property grown and crafted merchandise like lavender important oil and sachets and many treats to eat too – charcuterie packing containers, gelato, and extra” as Hambly Farms recommends.
11. Cease by an area bakery for a candy little deal with
In case you’re within the temper for a deal with in spite of everything these actions, or simply have a little bit of a candy tooth, SLO is house to a number of tasty native bakeries. An SLO staple is SloDoCo, a donut store that includes a number of flavors, seasonal specials (I like the worms n’ soil donut within the fall!), and choices for various meals preferences. Jackie, the gluten-free meals blogger of Gluten Free Comply with Me, recommends SloDoCo, particularly for gluten-free eaters: “I’m gluten-free so I used to be excited to find that they make GF donuts! I’ve tried the GF chocolate, lavender, vanilla, and maple donut flavors, and you’ll’t go mistaken with any of them.”
One other good spot for a deal with, particularly on a hotter day is The Creamery Market, a market positioned behind the intersection of Higuera and Nipomo streets. A best-kept native secret, the open-air market merges the Central Coast’s storied dairy historical past with a contemporary expertise with a number of “various eateries, artisan handiwork, and a bustling culinary neighborhood – all hidden in plain sight” in line with The Creamery.
12. Tour the SLO coast
Apart from Morro Bay, SLO has its very personal bay with equally nice excursions. SLO Excursions gives boat adventures within the San Luis Obispo Bay to “discover Fossil Level Sea Caves, Otter City, Pelican Jetty, Sea Lion Rock, Smith Island and views of Level San Luis Lighthouse in only one tour” says proprietor and captain Micheal Brink. The animal sightings and exquisite views make an tour on the bay greater than worthwhile, together with an effective way to get aware of the encircling nature.
13. Expertise the native artwork scene
SLO can be house to a vibrant artwork scene with a particular native custom that happens on the primary Friday of each month and spans throughout a number of neighborhoods in SLO. Artwork After Darkish is a self-guided artwork stroll the place “the SLO neighborhood is welcome to get pleasure from visible, literary, and performing artwork at native companies and galleries” in line with SLO County Arts. Not solely is that this a singular alternative to assist native artists and companies and get linked with the neighborhood, however what higher option to get immersed in SLO tradition than by means of artwork?
14. Go on a meals tour
SLO has confirmed to be a hub for excellent meals, however should you’re on the lookout for a particular foodie expertise, add this culinary journey to your record. Style of SLO – Strolling Meals Tour gives a one-of-a-kind expertise that takes customers by means of Downtown SLO streets to pattern meals “from regionally sourced artisanal cheeses to mouthwatering farm-to-table dishes” for the final word style of SLO’s thriving meals scene. This tour actually is for everybody whether or not “you’re a seasoned foodie or simply discovering your palate, our knowledgeable guides will lead you to hidden gems and iconic eateries that can go away you craving extra” says Style of SLO.
15. Hang around with animals
SLO can be near animal sanctuaries just like the Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary in Arroyo Grande, which is only a brief drive from Downtown SLO. That is the right exercise for animal lovers of all ages because the farm has quite a lot of animals to satisfy from miniature donkeys to goats to sheep to geese to call a couple of. Since this can be a sanctuary, Greener Pastures invitations the general public to “meet the rescued animals up shut and listen to their tales of triumph and forgiveness from docents who work with them weekly.” This expertise is assured to heat your coronary heart with the lovable animals and galvanizing restoration tales.
16. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The final word SLO bucket record wouldn’t be full with out a journey to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. As the primary mission based within the land of the Chumash Native Individuals, this place is a particular piece of SLO historical past. Michael of MK Library recommends grabbing a espresso or chew to eat downtown and taking a stroll alongside the San Luis Obispo Creek Path. “There are many spots to take a seat and luxuriate in a little bit of greenery, with fast entry to the native and really distinctive artistically boutique outlets. In case you time it proper, you’ll be able to expertise the bells from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa” says Michael. If you wish to hear the bells ring up shut, we suggest visiting the Mission’s backyard for an up-close take a look at the attractive structure to actually take in SLO’s historic roots.