San Luis Obispo Wine Country Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

#Hiking along the coast of Avila Beach in California. While hiking in this area, BEWARE, because on your left from this spot, is the Nude Beach. Yup, it's the only nude beach that I know of that still exist in California. P.s. It was an accidental find for us, and no, we didn't go. #Waterlust #WeekendGetaway
Beautiful little hike.
The high tide tonight at Shell Beach gave us quite a show. There was a large pod of dolphins off shore and birds flying and diving into the water everywhere; the Pelicans were my favorite to watch. Usually we come here during low tide to explore the pools, but this was a different experience and one not to be missed.
For your paddleboarding adventures! Beautiful place.
Nestled in the hills of Avila we have this pretty stretch of beach. On of my favorite hangouts. Clothes optional!

Where to stay in San Luis Obispo Wine Country

Bubblegum Alley is a tourist attraction in downtown San Luis Obispo, California, known for its accumulation of used bubble gum on the walls of an alley. It is a 15-foot high and 70-foot long alley lined with chewed gum left by passers-by.

Downtown San Luis Obispo

If you're spending some time in Downtown San Luis Obispo, Downtown SLO Farmers' Market and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown San Luis Obispo
Shell Beach cliffs and Pacific Ocean at sunset. Pismo Beach area, California Coastline

Shell Beach

Visitors to Shell Beach enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Eldwayen Ocean Park is worth a stop.

Shell Beach
Beautiful colourful summer sunset behind the valley of the San Luis Obispo Bay, viewed from South Palisades Park in Pismo Beach, California

Sunset Palisades

While Sunset Palisades isn't home to many top sights, Avila Hot Springs and Avila Valley Barn are some notable places to visit nearby.

Sunset Palisades
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Old Town Historic District

While Old Town Historic District may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Downtown SLO Farmers' Market and Fremont Theater.

Old Town Historic District
Aerial view of San Luis Obispo from the hiking trail to Bishop Peak, California

Lower Higuera

While Lower Higuera isn't home to many top sights, Madonna Plaza Shopping Center and Downtown SLO Farmers' Market are some notable places to visit nearby.

Lower Higuera
Scenic View of Caliente Range Foothills, Carrizo Plain National Monument, San Luis Obispo County

Foothill

While there might not be top attractions in Foothill, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Ah Louis Store and Fremont Theater.

Foothill
Madonna Inn

Madonna Inn

3.5 out of 5
100 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo CA
The price is AU$395 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
AU$395
7 Apr - 8 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,396 reviews)
It was a lot better than I had expected. The pool is gorgeous, the steak house was amazing, and the rooms were cool. The whole place was beautiful. Will be coming back for sure.

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

Madonna Inn
Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo

Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo

3 out of 5
1631 Monterey St San Luis Obispo CA
The price is AU$280 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
AU$280
20 Apr - 21 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,377 reviews)
Staff was amazing! Room was great

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2026

Quality Suites Downtown San Luis Obispo
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown

3 out of 5
1845 Monterey St. San Luis Obispo CA
The price is AU$239 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$239
21 Apr - 22 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,911 reviews)
Nice sized room for a decent price. Comfortable bed, great shower, and walking distance to restaurants and other things to do. I especially appreciated the EV charging stations, easy to access and in working order.

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown
See all 1,871 properties in San Luis Obispo Wine Country
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground

Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground

3 out of 5
7075 Ontario Rd San Luis Obispo CA
Stay at this cabin in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Avila Hot Springs and Avila Valley Barn are ...
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
Flying Flags Avila Beach

Flying Flags Avila Beach

3 out of 5
6450 Babe Ln Avila Beach CA
Stay at this beach cottage in Avila Beach. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities and a gift shop. Popular attractions Fisherman's Beach and Old Port Beach are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (117 reviews)
I would’ve given this property five stars except for the low frequency hum heard in our room the entire time we were there. I asked about it and was told it had something to do with Coast Guard radar. When I research this, it did not seem like a probable cause. I think it might have been the refrigerator. ...

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2026

Flying Flags Avila Beach
NEW LISTING ! NEWLY REMODELED HISTORIC HOME NEAR DOWNTOWN!

NEW LISTING ! NEWLY REMODELED HISTORIC HOME NEAR DOWNTOWN!

San Luis Obispo CA
Stay at this holiday home in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum and Dallidet ...
10/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
We very much enjoyed our stay in this home in SLO. It was CLEAN, which I truly appreciate. It was well decorated and up to date. The views from the back of the home are quite peaceful and we were all quite comfortable in our rooms. The home does sit on a busy street, so there was traffic noise. It ...

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

NEW LISTING ! NEWLY REMODELED HISTORIC HOME NEAR DOWNTOWN!
See all properties in San Luis Obispo Wine Country
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

SanLuisObispo_CaliforniaPolytechnicStateUniversity_6063425_06

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Enjoy the student vibe at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo during your visit to San Luis Obispo. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Soak in the Mineral bath all day if needed. I do! Eases the stress and relived joint pain. The cool thing about this place...open year round and if you go early, the place is all yours basically.

Avila Hot Springs

Explore the great outdoors at Avila Hot Springs and enjoy the beautiful sunsets during your trip to San Luis Obispo. Wander through the beautiful beaches and seaside in this family-friendly area.

Avila Hot Springs
Sunset on the Central Coast of California, Avila

Avila Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Avila Beach during your trip to Avila Beach? Stroll along the seaside in this relaxing area or seek out the hiking trails.

Avila Beach
An amazing Art Deco preserved movie theatre. #Details

Fremont Theater

You can enjoy a show at Fremont Theater during your trip to San Luis Obispo. Wander the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.

Fremont Theater
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a Spanish mission founded in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra in the present-day city of San Luis Obispo, California.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

5/5(2 reviews)

Find out about the history of San Luis Obispo with a stop at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
PismoBeach_TheSpaatDolphinBay_553248621532639992_07

The Spa at Dolphin Bay

You can take time to visit The Spa at Dolphin Bay during your travels to Pismo Beach. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the spas in this family-friendly area.

The Spa at Dolphin Bay

Cities near San Luis Obispo Wine Country

Pismo Beach featuring general coastal views, tropical scenes and a sunset

Pismo Beach

Avila beach--a very popular whale watching destination in California, located south of San Luis Obispo and right off Pacific Coast Hwy

Avila Beach

Morro Bay

San Luis Obispo

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