235 years ago when Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 5th in a family of 21 California missions, was founded by Father Junipero Serra, the town was born. The Mission Church is still used for daily religious services. Because of its location in the heart of the city many events take place in its Sycamore shaded Plaza. San Luis Creek meanders through the Plaza creating many perfect spots to relax, dine or view the public art generated by the Art in Public Places project.

Downtown, tree-lined streets provide shade, welcoming visitors to a remarkably walkable shopping district of high end retailers, boutiques, independent shops, galleries, outdoor cafés, unique local eateries, vintners tasting room and coffee houses - tucked into restored historical buildings.

Exploring SLO history on a walking self guided tour is easy - a map of 21 sites is available free at the Visitors Information Center. For 25 years the Thursday Farmers Market has been filling many blocks of Higuera Street with booths lining the street, intermingling arts and crafts, just-picked fresh local produce, barbecue specialties from local restaurants, balloon sculpture, face painting, ever-changing entertainment and public services information. Famous/infamous Bubble Gum Alley is mid-way on Higuera Street and open to view. Families and friends out for an evening are guaranteed enjoyment.

The endless Pacific coastline is close by, as are warm lakes, sparkling streams, verdant coastal forests and acres of grapevine covered valleys. Driving north along the coast you'll view people wrestling the waves, surfing, sunning and generally enjoying the white sand beaches. Several small towns just off the main road - are worthy of a hour or two of exploration - for lunch, antiquing, shopping. In San Simeon the 250,000 acre Hearst Castle - one man's vision - never fails to amaze for its extravagance of riches, views and landscape. At days end there are many choices - spa treatment, live theatre, film, music, dancing, wine tasting or outstanding cuisine at a local restaurant.

Nestled in lush rolling hills and shadowed by hikeable ancient volcanic peaks - SLO has remarkable weather - blue, blue skies - 315 days of sunshine a year - the Pacific's marine influence results in mild summers and warm fall - a long growing season. This is a great get-away any time of the year - for as long as you have - day, weekend or month - suitable for every age group, from youngsters to oldsters - families, couples or singles. Various types of lodging - luxe to budget - are available. Throughout the year, SLO hosts a variety of festivals, events, and celebrations - visitors always have an event or two to select from during their stay. Many visitors return year after year for their favorite events.

Here's how we spent two very enjoyable SLO getaway/discovery days.

Drove to San Luis Obispo (SLO) from San Francisco but
also available is bus or AMTRAK to San Luis Obispo from points north or south

Noon arrived San Luis Obispo (SLO) go
Orientation drive through town - very walkable - free trolley service on weekends

1-3 pm checked into and enjoyed Quality Suites hotel go
Easy access from freeway, close to downtown, on trolley route - an all suites property - pool/hot tub - web access - full breakfast - morning newpaper - afternoon wine/beer tasting for guests in the lounge. Well furnished, large screen TV in bedroom. Refrigerator, party sink, 2nd large screen TV, ample seating in the front room. All rooms have view of the pool. Settled in, swam/refreshed in pool/hot tub had drinks/refreshments at pool patio.

4-6 pm attended welcome reception at Petit Soleil B&B go
Stepping into the cobblestone courtyard, we were instantly transported to rustic, charming Provence. Innkeepers John and Dianne Conner created a feeling of European comfort and ease blended with delightful touches of whimsy. In the inviting dining room - local and French wines were poured - paired with house made appetizers - and we learned about SLO while socializing with locals, the innkeepers and visiting guests. This is a small property -15 rooms - each unique. Freshly brewed coffee and a full gastronome breakfast is served each morning on the sunny patio - colorful with flowers. Conveniently located, only 5 blocks from downtown. photos

7-10 pm had dinner at NOVO Restaurant go
Novo, a downtown restaurant and local favorite is celebrated for its innovative global cuisine - indoor or outdoor dining available. The heated patio overlooking the creek - complete with croaking frogs - was our dining venue of choice. We sampled several first courses - enjoyed a main course of our choosing - paired with local wines - lingered over coffee and desserts until the heaters no longer kept us warm. photos

stay Quality Suites go
night swim/refresh in pool/hot tub photos

Day 2

breakfast: Quality Suites go
Rates include an outstanding "made to order" breakfast - range of choice can be simple or multi layered - hot/cold cereal, fresh fruit, eggs to order, meats, breakfast burrito, pancakes, waffles, fresh baked muffins, bagels, coffee/tea/juice - served in the hotel's large airy breakfast room with the morning paper and view of the pool.

9 am Departed for Hearst Castle. Breathtaking coastal drive north past the extinct volcanic peaks, the green hills, white sand beaches, Pacific waves. photos

10 am-Noon Toured Hearst Castle - A visit to La Cuesta Encantada - Hearst Castle - is the cornerstone of a visit to SLO. Located above San Simeon (45 minutes north of San Luis Obispo), William Randolph Hearst's creation still awes and inspires visitors decades after it was designed and built by Julia Morgan. A well informed entertaining guide led our group through a labyrinth of patios, flowering gardens replete with ancient sculpture, fountains, and pools before leading us to the main house, the largest of four buildings - which has an astounding 155 bedrooms. The scale and opulence of this grand home is inspiring but the art and antiquities collected from around the world are the real treasures. Paintings, ceramics, statuary, furniture, oriental carpets, carved and painted ceilings, altars, entire rooms imported from far away- chosen by Hearst - to decorate this home. Attention to detail and workmanship are exquisite. photos + California State Park Hearst Castle 50th Anniversary photos

1-2 pm lunch Apple Farm Inn and tour - Here we found the ambiance of a turn of the century Victorian Inn with the luxury of a fine hotel. The combo offered genuine hospitality, elegance, an inviting atmosphere, attention to detail, and friendliness. The 104 guest rooms, a restaurant serving gourmet comfort food, a full service bakery, two gift shops, pool, spa and an operating grist mill are located in a flower filled landscape giving vacationers a respite from "standard" accommodations. We enjoyed their "box lunch" on one of the flower filled patios adjacent to the Millhouse. photos

2-4 pm Tasted wine in Edna Valley - a designated American Viticultural Area - and visited one of the best wineries in SLO Edna Valley - Claiborne and Churchill - a small premium family winery started in 1983 - whose signature wines are a Dry Reisling and Gewurztraminer - handcrafted with minimal manipulation in the Alsace style, recognized for outstanding qualities - many gold medals at national and international competitions. Some wines are produced in tiny quantities - they include Pino Grigio, Dry Muscat, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. Clay Thompson presided over our unhurried tasting - introduced some limited production wines and a delicious dessert wine. Picnic area has mountain views. photos

returned to Quality Suites for recovery swim in pool, dip in hot tub

5-7 pm Returned to the historic mission for the Roll Out the Barrels Celebration go - an annual weekend of events put on by the SLO Vintners Association to celebrate local winemakers and their wine. This years party was the 19th Roll Out the Barrels - held in the Mission Plaza - featured many booths - wine, food, information - with music by local entertainers. Personal favorite booth was Sunridge Nurseries - which gave small premium grapevine plants so we might start our own vineyards. Ours are doing well in the San Francisco area. We sampled goat sausage, oysters, fresh veggies, chocolates, many wines, met CalPoly student winemakers and had a great time.

7-9 pm Time to enjoy Thursday Night Farmers’ Market so we hustled ourselves down to Higuera Street where things were happening. Already crowded when we arrived - wonderful kid and people watching. Freshly picked produce of every sort - fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts - casual foods and drinks - mingled with clowns, balloons sculptors, give aways, spinning wheels, games. Most people had dinner right on the street at the market! We walked the entire Fair ending at an outdoor patio for sit-down American street food adventure - fried chicken, burgers, fries, salad. Yummy! photos + morephotos

stay Quality Suites go
night swim/refresh in pool/hot tub photos

breakfast: Quality Suites go

9-10 am SLO Chamber of Commerce briefing

10-11:30 am Met David Garth, President/CEO of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, who gave us a “Behind the Scenes” tour at the Visitor Information Center. On a guided history walk tour of Downtown SLO we saw landmarks and architectural evidence of the diverse cultures that shaped SLO history - native Chumash, Spanish settlers, European immigrants, Chinese laborers, Victorian merchants and 20th Century entrepreneurs.

Factoid: In the 50's newly mobile Americans needed a new type of lodging when travelling - the "motel" concept was innovated here in SLO - launching a new US industry. Motel is gone, but signage remains. Saw the History Museum, Art Center, a small Julia Morgan building - the Monday Club - old Movie House - Government buildings - historic train station and water tower, Victorians and cottages of a by-gone era. Still so much to do and see but now time to head home. photos

lunch local SLO restaurant - many to choose from:
The SLO city area has many restaurants and informal dining choices - residents all mention/recommend their personal favorites. Dining outside downtown SLO is also popular.

Left unexplored : campus tour of CalPoly - the Arboretum - Rose Garden - Shakespeare Press Museum - SLO History museum, the beaches, hiking - roaming the sand dunes on an ATV, antiquing, First Friday Art Walk.

We drove back home
but you could
drive to other vacation destination(s)
or
catch Amtrak to another location