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San Luis Obispo Day Trips

With countless hidden treasures along the Central Coast, visitors are bound to want to explore. San Luis Obispo acts as the perfect adventure hub whether you’re taking a day trip to Hearst Castle or venturing down to Solvang. Explore our day trip ideas full of endless things to do in San Luis Obispo County and surrounding Central Coast locations.

AVILA BEACH

Avila Beach is a picturesque beach town with a collection of local restaurants, ice-cream shops, and wine bars. This small town offers many things to do including biking, paddle boarding, apple picking, wine tasting and more. Just a short 15-minute drive from San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach makes for the perfect day trip while visiting the Central Coast.

THINGS TO DO IN AVILA BEACH

  • Point San Luis Lighthouse: Travel back in time and explore the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse on their docent-led tours, happening every Wednesday and Saturday. You can reach the lighthouse by hopping on a docent-led hike, a classic trolley ride or by kayak.
  • Biking: Grab a bike and cruise down the Bob Jones City-to-Sea Bike Trail, a 3-mile paved path that runs from Ontario Road to the Pacific Ocean. If you didn’t bring a bike, you can rent one in town or from Pedego Electric Bikes in Avila Beach.
  • Avila Valley Barn: Stop by Avila Valley Barn, a favorite local spot featuring tasty treats, a petting zoo, and hayrides in addition to seasonal u-pick apples and pumpkins.
  • Avila Beach: Avila Beach won’t disappoint with its expansive beaches and modest waves, which make for perfect swimming, boogie boarding, and kayaking conditions. Dog lovers can also bring their furry friends to Fisherman’s Beach to roam freely off-leash.
  • Kayaking and Paddle Boarding: Avila Beach offers pristine, glassy waters for kayaking and the ever-more popular paddleboarding with rental shops nearby.
  • Central Coast Aquarium: Ideally located on Avila Beach’s promenade, the Central Coast Aquarium provides a hands-on, marine life experience with species ranging from clownfish to horn sharks.
  • Apples Galore: If you are here in the fall, apple season is in full swing on the Central Coast. Ride along the Avila Apple Trail to taste local apple varieties, sip on some hard cider and pick apples yourself.
  • Wine Taste by the Beach: With nine wineries located throughout Avila, you can experience quite a unique tasting experience as waves crash in the background.

CRUISE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY TO HEARST CASTLE

One of California’s top vacation attractions, the legendary Hearst Castle, is just 45 minutes north of San Luis Obispo on Highway 1. Make your journey as memorable as your destination with pit stops along the Pacific Coast Highway. You will certainly be in awe while cruising along the Central Coast.

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS ON THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

  • Taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, Morro Rock is a must-see natural treasure located at the entrance of Morro Bay Harbor.
  • Stop at the city of Harmony, most likely the smallest town you’ve ever visited with a mere 18-person population.
  • Spot zebras and other exotic animals roaming the grounds at Hearst Castle, which once housed the world’s largest private zoo.
  • Just past Hearst Castle, spot majestic elephant seals sunbathing at Piedras Blancas Rookery, commonly known as the Elephant Seal Rookery.
  • About 2 miles north of the elephant seals is Piedras Blancas Light Station. This pit stop provides a flashback to the past with its well-preserved lighthouse, historic park and wildlife sanctuary.

CAYUCOS

Experience Cayucos, the sleepy surf town nestled in Estero Bay right off Highway 1. This one-street town offers local restaurants, shops, and the famous Cayucos Pier, all within close walking distance. If you are in the mood for some fish tacos, stop by the popular Ruddell’s Smokehouse, which appeared on Food Network’s BBQ with Bobby Flay for its 5-star smoked seafood tacos. Don’t miss out on Brown Butter Cookie Company for their delightful melt in your mouth cookies.

CAMBRIA

Meander around the quirky town of Cambria, known for its quaint village full of art galleries, bistros, and local shops. If in need for some fresh air, stroll down Moonstone Beach’s one-mile boardwalk, weaving along the beautiful coastline, or meander through Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, offering 430-acres to explore with breathtaking views.

HEARST CASTLE CALIFORNIA

Now that you have arrived at your destination, enjoy the extravagant Hearst Castle, situated at the base of Big Sur. With an array of guided tours to choose from, experience W.R. Hearst’s world-famous estate first-hand, featuring his extensive personal art collection, mind-blowing décor, exquisite details throughout and breathtaking views of the Central Coast.

Daily tours are bound to sell out so we strongly encourage purchasing your tickets in advance.

MORRO BAY AND MONTAÑA DE ORO

Morro Bay and Montaña de Oro are a short 15-minute drive from San Luis Obispo. Morro Bay is a charming harbor town full of outdoor adventure and local treasures. Just 6 miles south of Morro Bay, Montaña de Oro State Park, commonly known as MDO, offers a wide variety of breathtaking landscapes from eucalyptus groves to sandy coastlines. With a two-for-one special, Morro Bay and Montaña de Oro make for the perfect day trip while visiting San Luis Obispo.

THINGS TO DO IN MORRO BAY

  • Clam Chowder: Known for their fresh seafood, Morro Bay has outstanding clam chowder and seafood restaurants located on the bay with a front-row seat to the bustling harbor.
  • Salt Water Taffy: Test out all varieties of locally made saltwater taffy from vanilla to banana split.
  • Morro Rock: Momentous in size, Morro Rock is a must-see natural gem created by a volcanic plug over 23 million years ago.
  • Black Hill: A quick 0.6-mile hike to the summit, Black Hill is the perfect spot to start your day, taking less than 30 minutes to reach the top with panoramic views of Morro Bay.
  • Museum of Natural History: Located at the base of Black Hill is the Museum of Natural History at the Morro Bay State Park. You can experience interactive ecology exhibits, costing only $3 for those over 16 years old.
  • Morro Bay Skateboard Museum: See a complete history of skateboarding at Morro Bay Skateboard Museum, open daily with free admission.
  • Morro Bay Strand: The Strand is a family-friendly beach nearby Morro Rock and Harbor, busy with activity from kite flying to surfing.
  • Kayaking, Whale Watching, and Boat Tours in Morro Bay: Hop on a guided kayak tour, chartered boat cruise or whale watching tour and view Morro Bay by water. With an active marine life in the Morro Bay Estuary, you are bound to see sea otters, harbor seals or even whales.

THINGS TO DO IN MONTAÑA DE ORO STATE PARK

  • Hiking: Endless hiking trails run throughout Montaña de Oro State Park with the most popular including the Bluff Trail, Valencia Peak, and Oats Peak.
  • Biking: With designated trails for mountain bikers, MDO is a slice of heaven with spectacular views and technical biking trails.
  • Horseback Riding: Montaña de Oro’s main staging area for horses is Hazard Canyon Parking Area. Enjoy riding through eucalyptus groves and along the bluffs on MDO’s Dune Trail.
  • Beach: With 7 miles of shoreline, MDO has tons of secluded beaches just a quick hike over the sand dunes, making it perfect for a relaxing picnic and experienced surfers alike.

SOUTH SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

Just south of San Luis Obispo are many more fun-filled activities. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker looking to reach new heights on ATVs or ready to explore the iconic Monarch Butterfly Grove, your options are endless.

  • Dinosaur Caves Park: This 11-acre, ocean-view park is situated right off Highway 101. Popular with dog lovers, families, walkers and photographers, Dinosaur Caves Park is equipped with grassy lawns, playgrounds, lunch tables, and walking paths.
  • Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville: Located in Oceano, this theatre has been bringing live performances and entertainment to the Central Coast since 1976. Fun for the whole family, the Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville typically performs comedies, musicals, and spoofs.
  • Lopez Lake: Just 25-minutes from San Luis Obispo, Lopez Lake offers laid-back fun for all ages with endless things to do such as fishing, boating, zip-lining, mountain biking and more.
  • Monarch Butterfly Grove: This eucalyptus filled grove draws thousands of vibrant Monarch butterflies from late October to February, situated along the Pismo State Beach. It’s quite a memorable experience, to say the least!
  • Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area: Along the coast of Pismo Beach and Oceano lies the Oceano Dunes SVRA, attracting off-roaders and ATV-riders to cruise the coastline. Reserve your ATVs and dune nature tours in advance to secure your spot.  

SOLVANG

Known as “Little Denmark,” Solvang is a quaint village town full of thatched cottages, spinning windmills and rich Danish culture. Solvang is located just an hour south of San Luis Obispo on Highway 101, offering a leisurely drive along the Central Coast, ideal for a day trip. While traveling there, don’t miss out on a cup of split pea soup from the famous Andersen’s Pea Soup in Buellton. Once you arrive at your destination, enjoy perusing the streets of Solvang, feeling as if you have traveled back in time.

THINGS TO DO IN SOLVANG

  • Boutique Shopping: Solvang is perfect for souvenir shopping with over 150 one-of-a-kind boutique shops throughout the village. Be sure to check out their cuckoo clock stores, one of Solvang’s treasures!
  • Wine Country: Visit these local wineries and tasting rooms in the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country year-round to try their unique varieties!
  • Old Mission Santa Inés: Known as the “hidden gem” of the California Missions, Mission Santa Inés was originally built in 1804. The mission is open daily for self-guided and docent-led tours of the museum, church, and gardens.
  • Museums: If you are a history buff, you will adore the wide array of museums that Solvang has from Danish heritage to motorcycles.
  • Festival Theater: Solvang showcases numerous live performances at their 700-seat open-air, Elizabethan styled Festival Theater. Since its creation in 1974, the theater has hosted nearly 200 productions by Pacific Conservatory Theatre in addition to many other concerts and events.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN SOLVANG

  • Solvang Trolley: Tour around the village on the Solvang Trolley, a horse-drawn streetcar. All ages will enjoy cruising in this 1915 replica “Honen” as the Danish like to call it.
  • Ostrich Feeding: Ready for quite a unique experience? Ostrich Land is a 33-acre breeding farm where you can feed over 100 ostriches and emus. Make sure these feathered friends don’t nibble on your fingers!
  • Miniature Horses: Explore Quicksilver Miniature Horse Ranch, a breeding facility for under 34-inch horses, and view these fascinating creatures yourself for free.

Traveling from LA? Explore our guide to the best weekend trips from Los Angeles.