San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo in California is about half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, on the Pacific Coast Highway. With lots of places to stay, eat and drink, and things to see, it's an ideal stop-over

San Luis Obispo on the Pacific Coast HighwaySan Luis Obispo

Photo Courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce

It's about a 260-mile drive from San Francisco, if you take the slightly longer and slower coastal route all the way – and you should. That should be roughly a five- or six-hour drive, without stops. Driving on south to Los Angeles is about 200 miles, or four hours of driving, if you don't take a break.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Rough-Guide-California-2023.png

In San Luis Obispo County there's a good range of over 100 lodging options, from hostels and motels to unique resorts like the Madonna Inn. There are Best Westerns, Days Inns, Holiday Inns, a Budget Inn, and Marriotts. In fact, San Luis Obispo stakes a claim to having the first motel in the United States, back in the 1920s, so it's been a popular vacation destination for quite some time.

Vineyard in San Luis Obispo on the Pacific Coast HighwaySan Luis Obispo Vineyard

Photo Courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce

For wine lovers, San Luis Obispo County is now the third largest wine area in California, with plenty of vineyards within easy reach of the coast. Plenty of eating options in and around the town too, whether you like fine dining, chain places, casual, smart, mom and pop, or pub grub.

Don't miss our page on San Luis Obispo Coast Wine Country!

In terms of things to do and see, there's not actually a lot, but it's still an attractive place to stay and be, and relax for a day or so.

What to See in San Luis Obispo

Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo on the Pacific Coast HighwayBubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo

Photo Courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce

Bubblegum Alley
Higuera Street
on the 700 block north of Broad Street
Only in California could a back alley whose walls are covered in discarded chewing gum become an arty tourist attraction. But that's what Bubblegum Alley is. It began back in 1960, they say, though who would have bothered to make a note of it at the time? But the gum just kept on coming. and now covers both sides of the alley. There are some pretty creative efforts, if you can bring yourself to look up close. And if you forgot to bring your own gum with you, you can buy some at the end of Bubblegum Alley and leave your mark.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in San Luis Obispo on the Pacific Coast HighwayMission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Photo Courtesy of San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
751 Palm Street
Tel: (805) 781-8220
The SLO Mission dates back to 1772, when it was the fifth California Mission to be founded by Father Junipero Serra, though the present building was put up in 1793-94. It was named after Saint Louis, who was the Bishop of Toulouse in southwest France. It's still an active church, and quite lovely inside. The gardens are equally impressive, with grapes growing – a reminder that the first California wine was made by the Missionaries. There's also a statue to Father Serra, and the Mission is a beautiful and peaceful retreat from the streets.

History Center of San Luis Obispo County
696 Monterey Street
Tel: (805) 543-0638
The handsome 1905 Carnegie Library is the home of the San Luis Obispo County Historical Society, and its Historical Museum. There are changing exhibitions about the area, and a research room where you can consult old local newspapers and see the large collection of historical photographs.

San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
1010 Broad Street
Tel: (805) 543-8562
Open daily except Tuesday, the Center puts on regular changing exhibitions, including photography, featuring local and regional artists, and art from further afield. They do workshops for adults and children too, so it's well worth checking out what's happening while you're in town. 

San Luis Obispo Museum of ArtSan Luis Obispo Museum of Art

More Information
Get the San Luis Obispo County Visitor Guide

Other California coast pages

  • Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

    Dana Point

    Dana Point in California is the official start or end of the Pacific Coast Highway, and its attractions include whale watching, and Doheny State Beach.

  • Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

    Monterey, on the Pacific Coast Highway in California

    Monterey in California is off the Pacific Coast Highway and home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Monterey State Historic Park.

  • The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

    Point Reyes National Seashore

    The Point Reyes National Seashore is an hour’s drive northwest of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway and is maintained by the National Park Service.

  • The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

    Stanford Inn by the Sea Mendocino

    The Stanford Inn by the Sea in Mendocino on the California coast is an eco-resort with yoga classes and the award-winning Ravens Restaurant.

  • Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

    Santa Catalina Island

    Santa Catalina Island, or Catalina Island, is off the shore of Southern California and reachable from Long Beach, San Pedro, Newport Beach, and Dana Point.

  • The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo

    The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

    Moss Beach Hotel

    For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.

  • The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

    Laguna Beach Inn and Spa

    The Casa Laguna Hotel and Spa in Laguna Beach is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and has luxury rooms, a swimming pool, and real gourmet breakfasts.

  • Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

    Pacific Grove

    Pacific Grove is a small city on the California coast, next to Monterey and close to Carmel, with attractions including its historic Victorian houses.

  • Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

    Coastal California Guidebook

    Lonely Planet's Coastal California guidebook is the ideal travel guide for driving or cycling the Pacific Coast Highway from the Oregon border to Mexico.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

    Best Beaches in California

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's list of the best beaches in California with beaches in Santa Monica, Big Sur, Malibu, Carmel, Cambria, La Jolla and Coronado.

  • There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

    Santa Cruz Downtown Wine Tastings

    There are plenty of Santa Cruz downtown wine tastings including Beauregard Vineyards,Storrs Winery and Pelican Ranch Winery,all with tasting rooms.

  • Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

    Vagabond's House Inn

    Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.

  • Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

    Santa Monica, California

    Santa Monica in California is famous for its pier, and beaches, and is one of the best west coast vacation spots, with hotels, restaurants, surfing, museums.

  • Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

    Oceanside

    Oceanside is a typical southern California beach town with a surf culture and with the Pacific Coast Highway running right through it.

  • Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

    Carlsbad

    Carlsbad is a beach city north of San Diego in southern California famous for its flower fields, LEGOLAND resort and water park, surfing and SEA LIFE Aquarium.

  • Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

    Santa Monica Pier

    Santa Monica Pier is just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica near Los Angeles, with an amusement park, an aquarium and many other attractions.

  • Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

    Santa Barbara

    Standing on the Pacific Coast Highway in California, Santa Barbara is an attractive resort with a historic downtown, sandy beaches, a mission, and good museums.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

    Scenic Spots on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel's guide to the most scenic spots on the Pacific Coast Highway in California with Big Sur, Bixby Bridge and Pfeiffer Beach.

  • PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

    Best Time to Visit Mendocino

    PCH Travel picks the best time to visit Mendocino, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.

  • This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

    Visiting Hearst Castle

    This Visiting Hearst Castle page gives all the practicalities including location, types of tour, length of tours, how long to allow, and much more information.

  • La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

    La Jolla, in southern California

    La Jolla in southern California is north of San Diego off the Pacific Coast Highway and has museums, restaurants, hotels, beaches, and the Birch Aquarium.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

    Top Wildlife Spots on the California Coast

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends some of the top wildlife spots along the California coast.

  • Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

    Morro Bay

    Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Portion of PCH closed since Palisades Fire to open for essential travel only

    Feb 20, 25 10:47 AM

    Officials at the California Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced the expansion of the “soft closure” of Pacific Coast Highway to residents who need it for essential travel. A portion of…

    Read More

  2. Severe storm brings flash flood warnings, mudslides and full PCH closure in Malibu

    Feb 15, 25 11:03 AM

    The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Franklin Fire burn scar in Malibu, in effect until 8:00 PM tonight. Heavy rainfall is creating dangerous conditions, with a high r…

    Read More

  3. PCH closed again due to fears of landslides

    Feb 13, 25 11:07 AM

    Drivers who have never had an accident may be getting whiplash none-the-less this week as the Pacific Coast Highway has closed yet again. The latest development in the ongoing fiasco of accessing the…

    Read More