San Luis Obispo
A mission town under the volcanic peaks, a short drive from the coast
About San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo is the county's inland hub: a college town with a lively, walkable downtown, set among green (or golden, depending on the season) hills and the rocky volcanic peaks that run from here to Morro Rock. It isn't on the ocean, but it is a short drive from Avila Beach, Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, which makes it an easy base for the whole stretch of coast.
The town grew up around Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and downtown still centers on it. Below the mission, Mission Plaza follows San Luis Obispo Creek through the middle of town, and a few blocks away Higuera Street fills up every Thursday evening with the Downtown SLO Farmers' Market.
Essential stops in and around San Luis Obispo:
- Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa — the fifth California mission, founded in 1772 (see below).
- Downtown SLO Farmers' Market — every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. on five blocks of Higuera Street (hours can be shorter in winter); parking inside the market area closes at 5 p.m.
- Bubblegum Alley — a 70-foot downtown alley at 733 Higuera Street with walls covered in chewed gum; strange, sticky and very photographed.
- Bishop Peak — the rocky 1,546-foot summit on the edge of town and the city's best-known hike; city trails close after rain, so check their status first.
- Bob Jones City to the Sea Trail — a trail from the Ontario Road trailhead south of town down to the beach at Avila.
Bishop Peak is one of the nine peaks, often called the Nine Sisters, that line up between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. The climb to the rocky summit looks out over the city and the chain of peaks. Start early on hot days, bring water, and stay on the marked trail.
For the coast, the nearest NOAA tide station is Port San Luis near Avila Beach. Check the tide calendar before a beach afternoon, especially if you plan to explore rocks or tide pools.
Top Pick: Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded on September 1, 1772, by Father Junípero Serra, the fifth of California's missions. It is still an active parish church, and the town of San Luis Obispo took its name from it.
The church is open every day. The mission museum and gift shop are open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the museum is free (donations are welcome).
Afterward, walk down the steps to Mission Plaza, the city's park along San Luis Obispo Creek. By tradition, Serra hung a bell from a sycamore beside the creek to call people to the founding Mass. The plaza is the starting point for a downtown walk: Higuera Street, Bubblegum Alley and, on Thursdays, the Farmers' Market are all a few minutes away.