Downtown San Luis Obispo // Photo from Brittany App
Welcome to our Santa Barbara Getaways blog series! Every week for 4 weeks, we will highlight a different getaway trip idea for Santa Barbara locals and visitors. We’ll give you an inside look at some of our favorite towns near Santa Barbara, and what makes them perfect for a day or weekend trip. This week’s getaway is San Luis Obispo, California!
San Luis Obispo, or “SLO” as it’s often abbreviated to, is a central coast city situated north of Santa Barbara and home to Cal Polytechnic State University. Surrounded by expanses of rolling fields and vineyards, SLO is renowned for their local wine and agriculture, which can be enjoyed in the many wineries and restaurants throughout the city. SLO’s thriving Downtown area boasts great shopping, museums, markets, and the historical San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Mission.
Vineyard in San Luis Obispo
Distance from Santa Barbara: 1 hour and 39 minutes
Coffee: Scout Coffee Co. will provide you with the perfect cup of coffee made from their very own roasting company, Honey Co., and delicious handmade bites from their in-house bakery.
Get Outside: There are nine volcanic mountains in SLO county known as the “Nine Sisters”. Take a hike at Bishop Peak trail and nature reserve, the tallest of the nine sisters, for panoramic views of the city.
Restaurants: Try Luna Red for tapas and Spanish fare by the historic Mission or Old Slo BBQ Co. for some classic, local barbecue cuisine.
Shopping: Junkgirls offers many unique products from vintage found objects to handmade artisan goods. SLO Public Market is a another cool spot that houses shops and food vendors.
DK Group recommended activity: Stay a night at the iconic Madonna Inn or go wine tasting to try a variety of SLO’s incredible local wine for yourself.
Our favorite SLO fact: The famous “Bubblegum Alley” landmark in Downtown SLO is an alley that is covered in chewed up gum. To this day, no one really knows the backstory behind the strange alley. Disgusting or amazing, you decide!
Madonna Inn Hotel in San Luis Obispo
Want to hear about more fun getaway ideas? Click the links below to read the other posts in our series!
