Situated 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 affords the proper stability of out of doors and indoor actions for all. Whether or not you’ve lived in SLO for years or want to purchase a house or rent an apartment right here, under you’ll discover a compilation of the highest San Luis Obispo bucket listing gadgets. Starting from downtown actions to cafes to hikes and bikes to eating places, this bucket listing has all of it.
1. Try a classy artwork cafe
In the event you’re like many people and you’ll’t begin your day with out being correctly caffeinated, SLO has an abundance of native espresso retailers 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 area/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 throughout the evenings.”
2. Help native on the farmers market
Situated on one in all SLO’s extra ‘occurring’ streets lives the weekly Downtown Farmers’ Market. The San Luis Obispo Guide boasts of the energetic occasion: “Each Thursday night, Higuera Road comes alive with stay music and leisure, the pleasant chatter of locals and guests alike, and the engaging aromas of scrumptious BBQ, contemporary native produce from over 100 distributors, gourmand 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 chunk to eat, produce, or a hand-crafted good. Shelby, from the journey weblog Sedation Vacations, claims “There’s no higher method to expertise the vibe of the 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 night time. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for contemporary produce, hand-crafted items, delectable bread and pastries, or simply need 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 General Store which is positioned contained in the SLO Public Market and is a one-stop store for native presents. Not solely have they got a wide range of nice presents, however the store was “created with the mission to supply alternatives for native artisans and makers to attach with native shoppers, the SLO Common Retailer options over 80 native artisans, growers, and makers.”
4. Make a journey to Morro Bay
In the event you’re on the lookout for an escape to the water, Morro Bay is the proper little journey and is barely a fast 20-minute drive from SLO. The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce recommends three foremost actions: the Misplaced Isle Adventures tour to be taught concerning the historical past of the bay, Morro Bay Boat Leases for these eager to captain their very own 10’ boat, and Morro Bay Sub Sea Excursions which contains a harbor cocktail cruise, glass backside boat, and whale watching. In the event 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 completely different whale species, grey whales and humpback whales.”
5. Take the scenic route—by bike!
One of many foremost 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 the event you don’t personal a motorcycle, Cycle Central Coast has a number of retailers in SLO the place you possibly can hire 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 dust paths and grit-testing inland hills of the Central Coast” or vary of long-distance routes. Regardless of bike degree, there’s positive to be the proper scenic route for everybody.
6. Take a hike
There’s a lot attractive surroundings to discover in SLO, and far of it may be seen on a hike. Artist Bobby of Bobby Boss Art finds a lot inspiration from SLO’s attractive landscapes and recommends discovering “a mountain climbing buddy and explor[ing] a path just like the “M Path” on Cerro San Luis” for “wonderful views of the town, and quintessential nature expertise for SLO.” Actually, the M Path is simply one of many three stops of the SLO “Tri Tip Peak Problem.” This bodily problem consists of mountain 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. Attempt 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 the event you’re trying to strive a brand new delicacies, like Ethiopian, Ebony SLO is among the greatest, 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 wonderful, vegan, natural and gluten-free meals cooked with love and care.” in line with the place itself. In the event you’re on the lookout for distinctive fusion meals, one other nice restaurant possibility 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 a fantastic number of draft beers and native wines.
8. Pattern wine with a facet of journey
Talking of wine, in case you’re of age, Uncorked Wine Tours affords a novel wine tour that mixes a zipline tour and tastings of native wine. In the event 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 a neighborhood brewery, finishing an unforgettable exploration of SLO’s vibrant tradition, and pure magnificence.”
9. Hovering by means of SLO through helicopter
In the event you’re within the temper for much more journey, add flying a helicopter to your San Luis Obispo bucket listing. Helipro affords an introductory flight the place you are taking the controls (with skilled instructors in fact) 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 offers hands-on expertise for these eager to soar by means of the skies and take within the picturesque SLO nature from a chook’s eye view.
10. Go to the lavender
Past the bay, Downtown, and the a number of peaks, SLO can also be shut by to lovely farms. From mid-Could to the tip of June, luscious fields of lavender bloom at Hambly Farms. This farm options three soccer fields full of varied varieties of lavender, which is ideal for a late spring/early summer time stroll. You’ll be able to harvest a contemporary bouquet, loosen up 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 bins, gelato, and extra” as Hambly Farms recommends.
11. Cease by a neighborhood bakery for a candy little deal with
In the event you’re within the temper for a deal with in any case 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 really like the worms n’ soil donut within the fall!), and choices for various meals preferences. Jackie, the gluten-free meals blogger of Gluten Free Follow 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 unsuitable with any of them.”
One other good spot for a deal with, particularly on a hotter day is The Creamery Marketplace, 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 “numerous eateries, artisan handiwork, and a bustling culinary neighborhood – all hidden in plain sight” in line with The Creamery.
12. Tour the SLO coast
Moreover Morro Bay, SLO has its very personal bay with equally nice excursions. SLO Tours affords 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 accustomed to the encircling nature.
13. Expertise the native artwork scene
SLO can also 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 novel alternative to assist native artists and companies and get related with the neighborhood, however what higher method 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 in case you’re on the lookout for a particular foodie expertise, add this culinary journey to your listing. Taste of SLO – Walking Food Tour affords 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 skilled 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 also be near animal sanctuaries just like the Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary in Arroyo Grande, which is only a quick drive from Downtown SLO. That is the proper exercise for animal lovers of all ages because the farm has a wide range of animals to satisfy from miniature donkeys to goats to sheep to geese to call just a few. Since it is 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 provoking restoration tales.
16. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
The last word SLO bucket listing wouldn’t be full with no journey to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. As the primary mission based within the land of the Chumash Native People, this place is a particular piece of SLO historical past. Michael of MK Library recommends grabbing a espresso or chunk to eat downtown and taking a stroll alongside the San Luis Obispo Creek Path. “There are many spots to take a seat and revel in a little bit of greenery, with fast entry to the native and really distinctive artistically boutique retailers. In the event you time it proper, you possibly can 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 have a look at the gorgeous structure to actually take in SLO’s historic roots.
