Downtown San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA Print   Leave a comment

Description

Downtown San Luis Obispo's main charm is the youthful energy of its college students and its bounty of ornate late 19th century buildings with brick exteriors and decorative cornices. The main street, Higuera Street, is narrow and lined with trees that provide welcome shade on hot days. On the west side of the street, indoor arcades filled with shops lead to the creek that fronts the mission. Here little restaurants offer outdoor seating beside the stone wall, pine trees, and lush vegetation that lines the creek. There is a feeling of being in Europe, especially once the mission bells start chiming! Try Bliss Cafe, at a perfect spot on the creek, where you can have vegetarian cuisine such as a Baja Chipotle salad that tastes delicious.
On the side streets are lovely coffee shops and cafes. Bowl'd offers acai bowls piled with fresh fruit, and fermented tea called kombucha. Scout Coffee is one of the prettiest coffee shops I've ever seen. To sit here looking out the huge picture windows is a true delight. Another delicious place to eat, a little off the main strip, is House of Bread bakery, on your right as you exit the freeway on Marsh St. Try their raspberry and chocolate chip muffins- you can taste the real butter and honey.
San Luis Obispo has a progressive government that discourages fast food restaurants and banned drive-thru restaurants. It was the first place in the world to ban smoking in bars, restaurants, and public places, which led to bans in other places (yay for San Luis Obispo and fresh air!)
The San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Mission is right in downtown on the corner of Chorro and Monterey Streets and fronts a square filled with gorgeous yellow eucalyptus. The square is the town's focal point for festivals. In spring, check out the giant roses in the garden behind the mission. On Friday nights in summer it's super fun to come here for free live music- you can also buy beer to enjoy. At Christmastime, come at night: the square is filled with a santa house and a fast carousel- very fun!
An upmarket area where Cal Poly college students hang out is Downtown Center Mall at 893 Higuera Street, where there is an open-air pedestrian-only area. You can eat at casual Solo's Pizza, which has some yummy and interesting twists on standard pizza recipes. There's a California Pizza Kitchen and Starbucks Coffee. Barnes and Noble Booksellers has two levels and a colorful kids section.
Half a block north is another outdoor mall called Court Street Mall. Sit at one of the tables in the alley and you feel like you're in Europe on a blissful summer's day. There's a coffee shop, cute candy shop, frozen yogurt shop with a zillion toppings, Italian sidewalk cafe, Thai restaurant, and popular chain stores.
If you're looking for a very lively scene, check out the Farmer's Market on Thursday nights from 6-9pm. It is on Higuera Street, the six blocks from Osos to Nipomo Street. Under big tents, all kinds of foods are cooked- ribs, moroccan wraps, you name it. There are also vegetable stands, flower stands, a balloon-bending man, activists educating anyone who will listen, and musicians. The street is closed to traffic which makes it nice to stroll along.
Around 733 Higuera Street, you will pass the bubblegum alley, where people have been sticking their gum for years and there are many layers of the nasty stuff collecting there! In this same spot is the happening Blast 825 Taproom, where you can get delicious pizza and beer.
For history-lovers, head one block north of the mission, to 800 Palm Street, and you will see the historic Ah Louis store, a Chinese merchandise store from 1874 which served as a bank and post office for the Chinese immigrants who dug the eight tunnels through the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in the late 19th century. Notice its large bell outside. Or walk over to the Fremont Theatre at 1025 Monterey Street and enjoy its art deco exterior.
Walk over to the awesome San Luis Obispo Children's Museum and let your kids have a fantastic time in imaginary play. Or walk over to Emerson Park, just one block east of the main strip, where you'll find a small but cute playground and some nice views of historic homes. While in the area, drive your kids to the fun playground at Santa Rosa Park.
There are homeless people on Marsh Street and in the square that fronts the mission.
While in SLO, don't miss out on the most amazing playground you'll ever see, at Sinsheimer Park.

Photo Gallery

The lovely rolling hills that surround the small town of San Luis Obispo, as seen from Monterey Street.	The yellow trunks of eucalyptus beside the mission.	Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
The historic Ah Louis Store, with its huge bell adjacent.	Ornate buildings on Higuera Street.	Farmer's Market on Higuera Street, the main drag in downtown San Luis Obispo.
Bridge over the creek, on the corner of Higuera St and Nipomo Street.	Indoor plaza that leads from the 700 block of Higuera Street to the creek that fronts the mission.	Lush area behind the stores on Higuera Street- accessed through one of the cute plazas that lead from Higuera Street to the mission and creek.
Walking the path to the mission.	Looking way down to the creek between Higuera Street and the mission.	San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Mission- California missions are always lovely.
The spacious plaza in front of the mission, and the historic buildings on Chorro St.	Statue of bears and a Chumash indian hunting for salmon, in front of the mission. San Luis Obispo used to be an area with an abundance of bears.	Handsome building at the 800 block of Marsh Street.
The masonic building on Marsh Street.	Interesting architecture on Higuera Street.	The tree-lined streets of San Luis Obispo.
Tables by the creek, at Bliss Cafe.	Cute red building on Nipomo St.	Bridge over the creek which runs parallel to Higuera St.
Bar overlooking the creek.	Creekside dining.	Magical atmosphere at a restaurant overlooking the creek.
The creek at night.	Lush plants and sweet lighting at a restaurant over the creek.	Awesome band from Memphis playing at the Thursday night farmer's market on Higuera Street.
Thursday night farmer's market on Higuera Street.	Higuera Street is so cute.	Higuera Street with its great shady trees.
Exciting view of the street from Natural Cafe.	Follow Your Bliss sign, at Bliss Cafe, and lovely redwood trees overhead.	Amphitheater by the creek.
Rose by the mission.	The Pinho house, on Marsh St, built in 1887.	Scout Coffee is in a beautiful space.
Back patio over the creek at Creeky Tiki.	Beautiful vegetation above the creek, as seen from Bliss Cafe.	The lovely trees by the Follow Your Bliss sign. I love this spot!
Table overlooking the creek at Bliss Cafe.	Jack House, on Marsh Street.	Tom's Toys, on Higuera Street. Fun for kids!
Shady side street off Higuera.	Bubblegum Alley, at 733 Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo. Yuck!	Lights strung outside Scout Coffee.
The mission at night.	Christmas carousel in the mission plaza.	Pretty day in San Luis Obispo.

Directions

Exit Highway 101 at Marsh Street. Turn left on Chorro Street. Park along this street or any of the side streets. The parking is metered and all you need is a credit card.
Bliss Cafe, 778 Higuera St, SLO CA 93401, call (805) 547-0108.
Scout Coffee, 1130 Garden St, SLO CA 93401, call (805) 439-2175.

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Overall Visitor Rating:

Bev 05/13/2016 16:08	Keep it a secret! It is the most beautiful, great weather place in the world. Why do you think one of the most wealthiest men in the WORLD chose this coast line to build his castle?
Joestone 10/05/2015 05:53	San Luis Obispo is one of the, if not the nicest town in California. San Luis is a magical place.
Shawn 10/01/2009 14:19	I think I have memories of the place, kind of cloudy though- Cal Poly SLO '98
Gerrie 09/06/2009 21:53	SLO is the most beautiful town in California. I miss it.