One of my favorite place to visit in California Pacific Coast. The city is so quaint, quiet ,…read morerelaxing to visit. Lots of shops, cafes, restaurants, gardens and creeks to walk by. The serene atmosphere of the trees, creek and stream of waters made it so soothing to just savor the moment. The Mission plaza si nice to explore. The church, gardens and museum are very beautiful close to each other.

Quiet and unassuming hangout spot in SLO…read more I think Mission Plaza is the center of this college town with proximity to the coast and the area vineyards. The plaza sits on the doorsteps of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, which hosts an active parish, and has a museum and its own outdoor quad, where you can sit and enjoy the shadows of the mountains. If you want to sit and chill at in the plaza, you can do so, there are plenty of places nearby to grab an ice cream, a gelato, or a drink, and just chill here. There are some covered tables, and quick access to restaurants and stores - so, the plaza is a great meetup spot, where you can launch your tour of SLO.

Ewww, but it's something to see!…read more There even is a smell wafting the corridor. Almost like a community work of art/sculpture. Watch out when walking, one just might miss it.

It's basically what the name is. A small alleyway full of people's left over chewing gum and stuck…read moreto the walls. Guess something that crazy could make a big impact to have a spot in the city. It's similar to the one in Seattle's. Same concept obviously. It's right in the heart of SLO Town where it's among all the shops, restaurants and bars. Not big at all but decent. When we stopped by, it wasn't to crazy busy but people were starting to work their way there. All for pictures and to check out what the fuss was all about. Like anything, it's just some weird thing that happened to make a name for itself. Don't know how it all started but it left a lasting impression for it to be known in town. You literally can walk through it in 10 seconds or so. PS, just don't lick....lol...

Madison was extremely helpful with planning the event. She was there for the event to help with…read moretechnical issues. The facility is very scenic and will equipped.

The Octagon Barn of San Luis Obispo is a historical and cultural structure. Built in 1906, it…read moreserved as a dairy operation until the 1950s. In 1997, the Land Conservatory of San Luis Obispo County began to restore the barn for public use. As of this review, the restoration of the barn is almost complete. The barn (approximately 5000 sq. ft.) is made of redwood timbers and has a new, custom shingled replacement redwood roof. There is a cupola on top reaching over 40 feet above the floor. Cupolas are often used to provide a look out or to admit light and air into a structure. There are two additional buildings on the property. The barn is important for 4 reasons: history & culture, architecture, recreation & education, and in December 2013, the barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This iconic landmark on South Higuera is one of only two octagonal barns left in California. The octagon barn will be a community gathering place to promote history, agriculture, recreation, and sustainability. It will host fundraisers, performances, and private events such as weddings.

Chinatown San Luis Obispo is a lovely small shop that truly left a lasting impression on me. I…read morearrived right as they were closing (around 5 pm, if I'm not mistaken), and since it was Christmas, I really wanted to buy some ornaments before leaving town early the next morning. When I explained my situation, the owner kindly let me in anyway. I will never forget that thoughtful gesture. It meant so much and showed the heart behind this small business. If you're visiting San Luis Obispo, this is definitely a place worth supporting!

Ah Louise aka On Wong Store in San Luis Obispo Chinatown was started in 1870, and 1874 it was the…read morefirst Chinese store that sold merchandise and groceries, he also open a bank, a post office, a Chinese pharmacy and a brickyard for contractor in 1940 much of the very first Chinatown in California was torn down. Ah Louise building is still standing today as a Historical Landmark and operating today as a knick knacks store selling lot's of cute Items, I was able to talk to the now store keeper, the stated to me that the family still own the building, there is also a few Chinese building still standing as well

I have had the chance to visit this lighthouse many times when I was younger and love the views of…read morethe harbor from there. Lighthouses like this one are historically significant as a beacon for boaters. The lighthouse lens is no longer in the building as the local museum if I recall houses it now. Anyhow, there is a lot of wildlife there. I have seen foxes there more than once.

Really wonderfully maintained lighthouse that is available for tours. The docents are informative…read moreand engaging with their knowledge of the area and it's significance. It's a beautiful ride to the lighthouse and some nice views all around. Order tickets online as they do sell out.

Local Eval: Little did I know, that as a kid staying with my mom in a rustic dive motel in…read morePennsylvania, that 3,000 miles away, in the little town of SLO, was it's first ancestor....and that 1/2 century later, I would call the SLO/Pismo area home. The "Milestone Mo-Tel Inn" was built in 1925 [closed in 1991] & the main building is a historic landmark, which is possibly owned by next doors "Apple Inn". While there were plans to rehab this area, is still not redeveloped yet & is not open to the public. But one can still stop, just before the N101 ramp, & marvel at these testaments to early visionaries of what we have long taken for granted, for almost a century. While there are numerous local and national accounts, I do favor the one done by Smithsonian Magazine in DECEMBER 12, 2016, as follows: "The World's First Motel Was a Luxury Establishment, Not a Dive The first motel was supposed to turn into a chain, but it was quickly overtaken by cheaper competitors. By Kat Eschner SMITHSONIANMAG.COM The year was 1925. Across the country, thousands were touring in their cars. Auto travel was becoming normal. But on this day in San Luis Obispo, a town roughly between Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, something totally new was happening. An architect and developer named Arthur Heineman had spotted a niche in the market. His response: the Milestone Mo-Tel Inn. Heineman created a hotel designed specifically for drivers, writes Eric Zorn for the Chicago Tribune. It had small garages next to several dozen bungalows. Use of one cost a motorist $1.25 per night, about $17.00 in today's money. Heineman shortened "motor hotel" down to "Mo-Tel," and a term was born. It was luxurious for the 1920s, wrote Kristin Jackson for the The Seattle Times two years after the motel closed in 1991. "It cost $80,000 to build in its ornate Spanish-mission style, with a three-tiered bell tower, white pillars, and a tree-fringed courtyard," she wrote. "In those days most American car travelers still were staying in campgrounds or tiny wood cabins (some about the size and style of chicken coops) that were clustered by a gas station or general store." Up to 160 people could stay at the motel. According to David Middlecamp of the Tribune, units had modern conveniences like showers, central heating and carpet, he writes, and there were even rooms for chauffeurs. Jackson spoke to Marcella Faust, who as a young woman was one of the establishment's first waitresses. Faust described how the waitresses were dressed--"Spanish-style," including a vest and a "big hat with roses on it"--and their varied tasks, which included handing out brochures at the roadside. "We'd stand out there on the road in our big hats," she said. "My girlfriend would work the cars going north, I'd work the ones going south. They were Model A's and Model T's back then, so they'd have to go pretty slow up the steep hill there. We'd just stand there and wave and hand them the booklets as they went past." It wasn't long before the Milestone had competition from other motels. Heineman had originally planned to open a chain with 18 California locations, Jackson wrote, but he wasn't successful. The Great Depression meant that motel chains opted for less luxe styling, Zorn writes. The Milestone, eventually renamed the Motel Inn, closed in 1991 and then the site fell into disrepair. Even the word "motel" has been slipping out of favor, he writes. But across the country, motels remain part of American road culture. "Motels opened up the American road to those who were neither rugged enough for car camping nor wealthy enough to stay in 'real' hotels," Zorn writes. "In a way that's largely unsung, they aided our transformation to a mobile culture." Hopefully, one day, this wonderful landmark will be rehabbed into a fascinating & historic place to stay, minus Model T cars and chauffeurs!

As far as I am concerned, this is the best place to have a wedding in San Luis Obispo ... ever. In…read morefact (if you didn't guess) this is where my husband and I got married. This is why I loved it, and why all my family is still talking about how ours was the best wedding they had ever been to: 1 - Really beautiful garden, and it is SLO, so you know the weather is going to be beautiful. There are lots of pretty benches and places to take photos. 2 - None of this dumb "all included package" junk, so you can have whatever you want! We had friend's as the musicians, DJ, photographers, bartender, officiant, and Mo's catered. Mmmmm .... Mo's. 3 - CHEAP. It is a city park, so you go pay a relatively small fee at the Parks and Rec. department to rent the area (I think it was $600ish), and then a $99 one day liquor license. 4 - It is roughly across the street from the Travelodge on Marsh, so you can reserve a block of rooms for your guests, and they can WALK to your wedding. And if not ... there is ample parking. 5 - It is close enough to downtown to go to bars and stuff after, but far enough away that there is little noise from traffic. So yeah, maybe it isn't great if you have a HUGE family (ours was about 130 people, which was just right), and you do have to get all the tables, linens, your cake, and everything there and set up ... but really ... grab a few friends, and family members. We started at 8 am and had the place set up by 9:30or 10, which left plenty of time to get ready for our 3 o'clock ceremony. I wouldn't have changed anything about the day. Everything was perfect, and we didn't spend tens of thousands of dollars.

Those interested in local history will find this Victorian home - constructed circa 1880 and filled…read morewith many of its original furnishings, artwork, kitchen utensils, dishes, family keepsakes, and a library housing more than two thousand volumes, including a number of valuable first editions and many of the Harvard Classics - of interest. Although their fame didn't extend much beyond the Central California coast, the Jacks were active enough in ranching, politics, travel, banking, and land development to inspire the city of San Luis Obispo to restore and maintain their estate as a tourist attraction. Every Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00pm, guided tours of the interior and immaculately-landscaped gardens are conducted by volunteer docents; adults $2.00, children free.

Crystal clear view of SLO and Morro Bay. Stunning! Difficult bike ride to the top but the view was…read moreworth the sore legs!

An amazing drive. I took it back and forth just to soak it all in. You can get wine and apple cider…read moreat the See Canyon end. You're also close to the beach on that side. I'd advise going early so you can look at the vistas and then head to the beach. At the end of the day head back so you can get some drinks for the evening. https://www.youtube.com/@artsyfartsy7036/videos

Great experience! The price for admission and snacks were very reasonable. Because of that, it…read moremakes me want to attend movie theatres again. I wish other theatres understood that paying about $30 dollars per person for a movie and snack is not worth it. Yes, this theatre is older and a little worn, but I'd rather give my business to this place than some others. I thought it was cool that they showed the most popular movie at the time and indie and older stuff. Very cool place!

Unique and unusual movies shown. Very popular. Staff is very friendly. Popcorn is good.read more

The Motel Inn is the world's very first motel, one of San Luis Obispo's most iconic and forgotten…read morelandmarks built in 1925 and closed due to disrepair in 1991. What a grand opportunity to draw increased tourism to the Central Coast! By simply offering up a few postcards and perhaps a book or two, along with the DVD of Huell Howser's visit in 1991, cities along this section of the coast could gain immensely.

This is the site of the world's first motel. Most of the Motel Inn was demolished years ago. If you…read moreare in the area, it is worth stopping by if you are into historic sites. Otherwise, there is not much to see and not worth a special trip.