Easy Day Trips from SLO
So, here you are. You鈥檝e finally gotten a little time off from work and are ready to explore the Central Coast. No bosses. No timesheets. No instant messages popping up every two minutes. This is your time, and you鈥檝e chosen to spend in the most charming place in California: San Luis 91制片厂.
But, where to go? What to do? There鈥檚 SLO much going on here that you could easily spend a multi-day vacation exploring San Luis 91制片厂 itself. After all, the weekly Thursday night Downtown SLO Farmers鈥 Market is a true SLO classic, featuring local produce and live entertainment in a chic, urban setting. Don鈥檛 forget about our world-class art galleries, hopping nightlife scene and eclectic dining options featuring the freshest farm-to-table options around.
Still, you may have enough time here that you鈥檇 like to do a little regional exploration. There鈥檚 nothing like going a bit further afield to get a real taste for the area, and here in SLO, day trips are abundant, affordable and well worth it. Here鈥檚 a look at a few of our personal favorites.
Take the PCH to Hearst Castle
C鈥檓on, you know you鈥檝e always wanted to see Hearst Castle up close, and not just from the highway. A visit to SLO is the opportune time to head up the Pacific Coast Highway for 45 minutes to publishing magnate William Randolph Heart鈥檚 鈥渞anch at San Simeon,鈥 which 鈥 trust us 鈥 looks a lot more like a European castle than a cozy little ranch along the coast.
While there, take a guided tour of the estate鈥檚 impressive 127 acres and the 60,645-square-foot residence. The castle鈥檚 ornate Neptune pool may have been built in 1947, but it remains one of the state鈥檚 most Insta-worthy photo opps.
Learn more about San Simeon and Hearst Castle here.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay is so close to SLO that you can even make a morning or afternoon of it. Just 15 minutes away from downtown, this scenic beach town features the photogenic Morro Rock, also known as the West Coast鈥檚 answer to the Rock of Gibraltar. It鈥檚 a rounded volcanic peak (don鈥檛 worry, it鈥檚 extinct) that serves as the centerpiece of the town. With beaches, gentle bay kayaking and plenty of places to eat, Morro Bay and Montana de Oro State Park are can鈥檛-miss diversions for your next SLO trip.
While here, drop in on the Morro Bay Maritime Museum and the Museum of Natural History to learn more about the region鈥檚 geographic and natural history. Dig into a bowl of local clam chowder, sample some saltwater taffy, hike Black Hill, fly a kite on the beach or do some whale-watching to knock another item off your bucket list!
Solvang
Whether you鈥檝e been to Denmark or just dreamed of visiting, Solvang is the perfect place to get a taste of Danish culture without leaving the States. With adorable cottages and a fairytale feel, this town is just an hour south of San Luis 91制片厂 down Highway 101. Along the way, you鈥檒l find loads of photo opps as you drive the coast. Shop local boutique stores, taste local wines, see the town鈥檚 and ride the trolley. Solvang delivers a little something for everyone in your group.
Pismo Beach
A day on the beach sounds pretty good right about now, doesn鈥檛 it? Just 15 minutes down Highway 101 South, you鈥檒l find an area with tidepools, surfing and plenty of volleyball nets for you and your buddies to re-enact the infamous scene from the original 鈥淭op Gun.鈥 A highlight of the area is , where you can kick back along the shore, build a campfire and take your pups for a stroll (yep, it鈥檚 dog friendly!) While there, check out the Oceano Dunes District Visitor Center to get your bearings and pick up some maps to help find your way around.
Monarch Butterfly Grove
If you happen to be in Pismo Beach any time between October to February, get yourself to the ASAP. Each year, tens of thousands of monarch butterflies descend on the area as they migrate south for winter. Find them among the many Eucalyptus trees that dot the coast; the butterfly grove is located at the south end of the PCH outside of Pismo.
Avila Beach
Home to concerts and all the golf you can imagine, Avila Beach is a mere 14-minute drive down the 101 from Downtown SLO. A day trip to Avila Beach could include a visit to the Central Coast Aquarium, a hike along the Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail or a dip in the local hot springs. Don鈥檛 miss the chance to get in a little stand-up-paddleboarding action and be sure to check out the Point San Luis Lighthouse.
Nipomo and Guadalupe Dunes
There are sand dunes and then there are sand dunes. The ones you find at Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes have a special claim to fame: this area is home to the world鈥檚 largest coastal dune system, spreading out across 18 miles of shoreline. Hike for the day in these picturesque dunes, then visit the local art gallery where you鈥檒l discover the area鈥檚 natural history along with its ties to the early days of Hollywood.
Find Nipomo 27 minutes south of San Luis 91制片厂 via Highway 101 South.
When you do visit us, please be sure to tag your photos and videos with #ShareSLO on social media so the whole world can see how great it is to get away to SLO!