San Luis Obispo Museums

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you have to retreat from learning and culture. Downtown San Luis Obispo has several museums offering free and low-cost enrichment and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

So put on some comfy walking shoes and visit one of several museums in Downtown San Luis Obispo, CA including the History Center of San Luis Obispo County, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, and the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum.

• History Center of San Luis Obispo County
• Admission: Free
• Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm or by appointment

The Museum houses two galleries highlighting stories from the county’s past, a gift shop, and a “Kid’s Room” which has child friendly activities and displays that correspond to the exhibits. Docents are available to provide guided tours of the exhibits.

• Dallidet Adobe & Gardens
• Admission: Free
• Hours:
• Friday: Gardens Only – 10 am - 1 pm
• Winter Hours: Monthly – Second Sunday – 1 pm - 4 pm
• Memorial Day – Labor Day: Weekly – Sunday – 1 pm - 4 pm

Built by pioneer French settler and the county’s first commercial vintner Pierre Hypolite Dallidet in the 1830s, the Dallidet Adobe and Gardens offers a living museum, which can now be toured for free or rented by the general public for wedding receptions and other social events.

• San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
• Admission: Free
• Hours: July 5 through Labor Day: 11 am - 5 pm daily
• After Labor Day through July 3: 11 am - 5 pm every day except Tuesday

Emphasizing artwork by contemporary, living California artists, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art offers a variety of original, ever-changing exhibitions of painting, sculpture, fine craft, printmaking and photography. Films, events, and educational opportunities are also offered in addition to docent-led tours for groups of all ages.

• San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum
• Admission:
• $8 for adults and children
• Children 2 and under are free
• $5 for Seniors 60+
• $7 for military family Members
• FREE Moonlight Hours: Thursday June 16 from 5 - 8 pm

• Hours:
• Tuesday & Wednesday: 10 am - 3 pm
• Thursday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
• Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm
• CLOSED MONDAYS

Learn about butterflies, watch magic shows and see other mysteries unfold in the fun, interactive San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum, also available for birthday parties.