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Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Explore the breathtaking campus of prestigious California Polytechnic State University, located on 9,678 acres of rolling hillside with stunning mountain and ocean vistas. The home of the nation’s top public engineering program – and the best public master’s degree in the West for 16 years running – offers intellectual treats such as the University Art Gallery, plays and recitals, and thought-provoking lectures, all open to the public.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Immerse yourself in over 250 years of history within the walls of the fifth mission founded by Father Junipero Serra. Built in 1772, the mission survived the Mexican War for Independence but fell into disrepair, was sold, and became both a jail and the first county courthouse. It was restored in the early 1930s. Today, the vibrant mission and courtyard is recognized as the center of the City of San Luis Obispo, and is often the site of concerts, fairs, and art events.
CorkStop Studios
Soak up art and creative currents that fill CorkStop Studios. This unusual workspace is home to contemporary artists from across the globe. Workshops spanning encaustic painting, digital art and printing, sculpture and photography are hosted by the studio as are on-gong peer critique groups. Locals pour into the studio during the annual open house.
Children’s Museum
Learn by doing! One of the top family attractions in San Luis Obispo, the Children’s Museum teaches kids about science, arts, and the humanities through three floors of hands-on exhibits and experiences. Preschoolers and elementary-age children will delight in peering into a volcano, building magnetic sculptures, or composing music with the Earth Organ. And don’t miss the outdoor play yard — great for running off extra energy.
Slo Walking Tours
Walk SLO - See More!
SLO Walking Tours' mission is to provide fun and informative walking tours where you get a taste of both historic and contemporary San Luis Obispo, ranging from the Mission, Old Chinatown and Bubble Gum Alley to cool galleries, theaters, cafes and restaurants frequented by SLO locals.
Bird Watching
If you like birds, you’ll love SLO County: It’s one of the top-ten bird-watching destinations in the country. Spot myriad native species ranging from hummingbirds to pelicans, as well as migratory visitors like the magnificent Bald Eagle. Attend the annual bird-watching festival to meet fellow birding enthusiasts, hike the Central Coast Birding Trail, or visit one of the many prime bird-watching locations in the county. And don’t forget your field guides!
Performing Arts Center
The Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center is a magnificent auditorium located on Cal Poly’s campus. Since its grand opening in 1996, it has become a premier venue for all types of performances from music, theatre and dance to guest speakers and family events. The City of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly teamed up to design and develop a world-class venue. In fact, the auditorium itself is an art exhibit worth checking out.
From Lyle Lovett and Kathy Griffin to the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the local symphony, the Performing Arts Center is an exceptional venue for enjoying some local and national entertainment.
Fremont Theater
A San Luis Obispo landmark, the Fremont Theater has been showing cinema since 1940. Located directly across from the original government buildings on Monterey Street, the Fremont is the visual entrance to the downtown area. Today, the Fremont still shows movies on a regular basis and is home to the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival. Occasionally, it is used for concerts. The progressive super group, Yes, decided to record an album at the Fremont and perform its album release concert in the same iconic venue.
Seating 1,100, the art moderne classic style Fremont is a great way to experience an old-fashioned theater environment.
The Palm Theater
The Palm Theater showcases the very best of independent, foreign, art house and mainstream cinema. It is also recognized as the first solar powered cinema in the USA. Their lineup changes often, so check out their site for up-to-date movie times.
Ecologic/Agricultural Tours
Want to get up close and personal with nature? There’s no better place to do it than San Luis Obispo. Take a kayak eco-tour of Morro Bay National Estuary, join the elephant seals near San Simeon, enjoy a naturalist-led hike or walk, or bike your way down the Pacific Coast Highway. For earthier adventures, visit one of the daily farmer’s markets, camp out on a cattle drive, pick berries, or hang out with an award-winning alpaca herd.
