Top Things to do in San Luis Obispo County
Top Hotels in San Luis Obispo County
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What to do and see in San Luis Obispo County, San Luis Obispo County: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in San Luis Obispo County, United States including Montana de Oro State Park, Piedras Blancas, Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop, Highway 1 Discovery Route, Moonstone Beach, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, Morro Bay State Park, Hearst Castle, Museum of Natural History.
Restaurants in San Luis Obispo County
1. Montana de Oro State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 556 reviews
A great network of biking trails make this state park a perfect destination for expert and beginner bikers alike.
Reviewed By theadventurebuddies - Manhattan Beach, United States
The Adventure Buddies went hiking at Montana de Oro and it was so incredibly beautiful. The cliffs with caves, tide pools, beaches, wildlife.. what a wonderful surprise it was for us to be able to capture incredible photos of the landscape and central coast cliffs. There were tons of sea otters in the waves playing. Nice to walk, explore, and stop at a beautiful picnic bench with spectacular breathtaking views. We highly recommend!
2. Piedras Blancas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 722 reviews
Reviewed By DePere - De Pere, United States
We visited the elephant seal rookery of Piedras Blancas in mid-April. We learned while we were there that the large males (5000 pounds) with the extended noses (proboscis ) would not be on the beach at this time of the year. The elephant seals on the beach would be females and adolescents using the beach as a place to molt. This was a great experience. We visited the boardwalk during the evening and then returned to the same area in the morning. We witnessed more activity in the morning session. The boardwalks extend both north and south of the parking lot. There were seals in the water, seals on the beach, seals sleeping, seals climbing over each other, and seals sparring with each other. This was just a great experience, especially for a person from the Midwest. The area has great signage on the road so a person can easily find the rookery, located a few miles north of San Simeon. Brochures and informational bulletin boards provides you with education about these sea mammals. No fee associated with parking or accessing the viewing area.
3. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 370 reviews
Reviewed By cvcalifornia
What a find! We've been going to Cambria for several years and I don't know how we missed this. BEAUTIFUL trails with whimsical benches. Can't wait to go back. You can meander along the cliff trail and return on the upper trail.....or save one for another day. We brought a little snack and watched the waves. Easy easy walk for any age.
4. Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,096 reviews
The Elephant Seal Viewing area and the Friends of the Elephant Seal Visitor Center and Gift Shop (250 San Simeon Ave, Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA) are two separate locations. They are 7.2 miles apart. Please plan to visit both while you are in the area. Directions to both locations: https://elephantseal.org/locations/ The Friends of the Elephant Seal docents (guides) provide education for visitors to the Elephant Seal Viewing area at Piedras Blancas, every morning and afternoon, 365 days a year. Long boardwalks provide wonderful, up-close viewing opportunities. Look for docents in the blue jackets! Viewing Area is located 4 miles north of the Hearst Castle. Find us here: Put these coordinates into any map program: 35° 39' 48" N, 121° 15' 28" W Or use this link for the accurate location of the viewing area: https://goo.gl/maps/fzfACKBqNgcwurjf9
Reviewed By timohteee - Delaware, United States
My wife and I actually drove passed this stop and turned around to go back because we noticed a large group of people. We are glad we decided to turn around! When we got there around 6PM, there were a couple dozen elephant seals basking in the sun on the beach. Every now and then, you’ll catch one get up and stretch or another scooting across the sand to a new spot. It was surprisingly amazing to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat and was definitely a highlight for us both on our trip.
5. Highway 1 Discovery Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 156 reviews
Roam this 101-mile stretch of Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) where you'll find 10 uncrowded beaches, 12 state parks, Hearst Castle, three bountiful wine regions, farm-to-table cuisine, and unique wildlife habitats. Wherever you roam along the Highway 1 Discovery Route, you will find the best of Highway 1!
Reviewed By D4283UWwendyh
This is a wonderful road that for many mikes is along the Pacific coast. Do not use it as a freeway, it is not. Great scenic drive with lots to see and do along the way. Most is one lane in each direction, but the scenery is not something that you will want to speed past.
6. Moonstone Beach
7. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
Founded on September 1, 1772, this is considered one of the most beautiful missions in California and still serves as an active church in the community.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
It is a Spanish mission founded in 1772 by Father Junípero Serra in San Luis Obispo, California. Named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse, the mission is the namesake of San Luis Obispo. It offers tours of the beautiful church, gardens, school and small museum that holds a collection of its artifacts. It is open to the public every day of the year. Certainly would very highly recommend visiting this place, when in the area.
8. Morro Bay State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 469 reviews
This beautiful state park campground is across the road from the beach.
Reviewed By LB1_FJ - Long Beach, United States
So we camped two nights at the State Park, it was great! Easy 3 minute walk to the preserve. The campsite was nice, had power and water hook ups, quick drive to the one dump station. The site has bathrooms and pay to use showers (terrible shower tho haha, idk how to the hot water worked and I froze). The campsite had a lot of dirt and we managed to track in the RV, so maybe bring a rug or dirt trapper. The sites all had fire rings, nice picnic tables and stone bbq's (separate from the fire ring). Like I said the preserve was a very short walk away, they have a couple trails and wood deck walk ways that lead up to the bay and magnificent sunset views. There is a little harbor with boats and a harbor side cafe, with awesome nachos, chicken tenders and MUD PIE (yummm). Super easy 20 minute walk to the wharf. Lots of shops and restaurants. We stopped in for wine tasting and also got a beer at the brewery. Super cute town. I would definitely highly recommend the state park and also camping. Keep in mind we were here in December and it got COLD over night. Make sure you bring warm clothes and that your heater works if you're in a RV. There is a camp host onsite and they sell fire wood.
9. Hearst Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,807 reviews
It took 28 years to complete William Randolph Hearst's lavish estate, which includes 165 rooms on 125 acres.
Reviewed By JavyNZ
I totally recommend this tour as it provides a stunning glimpse into the private luxury of Hearst in a much more intimate detail than what is evident on the Grand Rooms tour. Wanted to go to the kitchen tour but it was sold out. Maybe next time.
10. Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
The emphasis is on interactive and hands-on learning exhibits that provide scientific information regarding tidal forces, geology, erosion and environmental issues.
Reviewed By michaellK4243CD - Nipomo, United States
This place is certainly a 'must-see', with changing exhibits and an intense focus on local natural history, I would rate this as one of the 2 best museums on the Central Coast.
