Location: San Luis Obispo
Top Things to do in San Luis Obispo
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in San Luis Obispo, California (CA)
Halfway between San Francisco and L.A., San Luis Obispo can be a relaxing getaway or a buzz of activity. For serenity, pack a lunch and head to one of dozens of wineries or take a drive to the beach for a leisurely swim. For a dose of history, visit the heart of the city at the beautiful Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Kids will love the Children’s Museum or Skate Park. Be sure to stroll along the creek downtown, where there are breweries, wine bars, restaurants and shopping for all tastes.
Restaurants in San Luis Obispo
1. Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 87 reviews
The Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo is world-class venue, showcasing sweeping musicals and cutting-edge music. Recently updated with a state-of-art sound system, lighting and seating, the PAC has not only harnessed the transformative power of performance, but has also become the hub of the community. Located on the beautiful Central Coast of California on the Cal Poly campus, the PAC has two main venues. The majestic 1,286-seat Harold Miossi Hall and the nearly 500 seat Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre. Captivating audiences for decades, the PAC transcends all boundaries to enrich the cultural lives of theatre goers, including offering a free, community-sponsored, matinee program for local students across the several counties. This opportunity has given thousands of school-age children a chance to experience artistic greatness, first-hand. From electrifying onstage artistry to fostering intellectual growth, it’s no wonder the PAC is considered one of the region’s crown jewels.
Reviewed By misopiso88 - Seattle, United States
Wonderful line up of shows at the PAC SLO. We were visiting and bought tickets to return next month for a dance performance . Highly recommend!
2. 101 Wine Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 273 reviews
Experience the Central Coast Wine Country, from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara, in a, luxury 11 passenger Mercedes Sprinter bus, 14 passenger Transit, or our newest 5 passenger Volkswagon Atlas. We will create a tailor-made, personal tour and transport you to stunning wineries in this award winning region of California. Behind the scenes winemaker tastings can be arranged along with artisan picnics. 101 Wine Tours is your connection to the wine country! All tours planned by Certified Wine Sommelier, Wine Specialist.
3. Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum
4. Highway 1 Discovery Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 156 reviews
Roam this 101-mile stretch of Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) where you'll find 10 uncrowded beaches, 12 state parks, Hearst Castle, three bountiful wine regions, farm-to-table cuisine, and unique wildlife habitats. Wherever you roam along the Highway 1 Discovery Route, you will find the best of Highway 1!
Reviewed By D4283UWwendyh
This is a wonderful road that for many mikes is along the Pacific coast. Do not use it as a freeway, it is not. Great scenic drive with lots to see and do along the way. Most is one lane in each direction, but the scenery is not something that you will want to speed past.
5. Puzzle Effect
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Now offering Virtual Escape Games! What if your favorite board game came to life? Imagine a completely immersive room filled with puzzles, clues, and riddles, and one hour on the clock. No phones, no distractions. Just unexpected twists, scenery that transports you, and that feeling of accomplishment when you solve a puzzle (or maybe the whole room!). Puzzle Effect is your new entertainment obsession. Escape rooms are perfect for new friends, old friends, family, date nights, birthday celebrations, and even team building. Book your adventure today!
Reviewed By ScorpionCommmander - San Luis Obispo, United States
I love Puzzle Effect! My wife and I have done four rooms--they always have three and every nine months rotate in a new one. Puzzle Effect provides an exciting, intellectually-stimulating hour: fun for families, amusing for friends, revealing for dates, and bonding for teams. I always leave admiring the creativeness of the room creators. I've lived in downtown SLO for seven years. My big criticism of downtown is there's not much to do downtown--just a bunch of restaurants and clothing stores with a couple good, but lilliputian museums.
6. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
Founded on September 1, 1772, this is considered one of the most beautiful missions in California and still serves as an active church in the community.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
It is a Spanish mission founded in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra in San Luis Obispo, California. Named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse, the mission is the namesake of San Luis Obispo. It offers tours of the beautiful church, gardens, school and small museum that holds a collection of its artifacts. It is open to the public every day of the year. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this place, when in the area.
7. Fremont Theater
8. San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Preschool through elementary-age children learn about health, history, safety, science, nature and the arts through a series of innovate hands-on activities and exhibits.
Reviewed By deborabQ4619MG
recommend this place to drop off your kid to play. a good place for the kids to stay entertained while adults recoup their energy lol
9. San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Unforgettable Characters. Extraordinary Stories.Live Theatre on the Central Coast since 1947.San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre is a professional, nonprofit, regional theatre providing year-round entertainment for our community and its visitors.
Reviewed By mariposa67 - Arroyo Grande, United States
This is the first year we have purchased tickets in advance for Plays throughout the year. We have not been disappointed. We love the theater, parking is very easy and you can see everything from the small theater set up. We have had excellent seats I guess because we have an annual pass now and I would recommend this to anyone. We look forward to all the rest of the plays during 2020. They always offer wine,beer, cookies, coffee available and a small patio to sit on if it is a warmer evening. Great following of loyal patrons here.
10. Niven Family Wine Estates
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By yoga_always - Riverside, United States
Amber did a great job of calibrating my taste to the wines of Baileyanna and Tangent. I absolutely fell in love with the sauv blanc she recommended. But let me dial back the time machine. The Web site said reservations were required and if coming within 48 hours to call. I did the online request and left two messages. Because there was a nearby winery I also was happy to visit, I thought to stop by on spec, either to make a reservation or to sit. They did have room for us that moment (not long after they had opened). They were happy mid-week for us bring our picnic to the table. On weekends, they have food trucks. Anyway, Amber had made our experience a great one. Then a gust landed an umbrella from another table onto ours, tipping over our table. Luckily the glasses were empty, so no waste except from the water carafe and the four glasses we were buying to take home. A man, manager?, I didn’t get his name, comped us those glasses plus two more, plus a lovely True Myth red blend, his favorite of the three.
