Railroad Bike Path and neighborhood walk, SLO

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San Luis Obispo, CA
Railroad Bike Path and neighborhood walk, SLO
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Note: The City has abandoned this path in recent years and it has a terrible drug problem. Update 2024: Now that the Boise law has been overturned, people are being arrested finally.

The Railroad Bike Path has views of the hills all around and yellow flowers in the spring. It is only a short bike path, a little over a mile, but it connects residents with other parks and trails such as the Terrace Hill short hike (views over the whole town) and Sinsheimer Park (gorgeous park with incredible playground and tall trees), which connects with Johnson Park. This is a lovely area. The bike path itself is a little deserted and plain (industrial area), but if you come with a friend you can take it. You can also explore the neighborhood streets around it, a better option. One mom saw a lady injecting herself with drugs by the side of the bike path and doesn't take her kids on it anymore- it is not safe to walk alone.
There is a lovely walk you can do. Park your car at Sinsheimer Park and admire the park, taking the path behind the tennis courts, under rows of eucalyptus trees. Then take Helena Street or Boulevard Del Campo. Turn left on San Carlos Drive. It becomes Bushnell Street. At 2269 Bushnell Street, there is a little footpath to a square between quaint houses. Take Florence Ave, Rachel Street, and then Jennifer Street. Admire the flowers galore in the landscaped gardens on these hilly streets. Cross the Jennifer Street pedestrian bridge and you come to the San Luis Obispo Railroad Station! There is a roundabout with a sculpture of the iron road pioneers. Here you will find some cafes: Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe (an excellent counter-service cafe with attractive decor, open daily 8-2), Cafe Roma, My Thai, and Bon Temps Creole Cafe, and a cute triangle park with views of Madonna Mountain. Del Monte Cafe is a little further south. This entire walk is 1.2 miles each way. 
On the south end of the bike path is Orcutt Rd. Here, find some trendy businesses in industrial-style architecture, such as KBRG Coffee Lab with wonderful seating outside under sycamore trees, Shindig Cider, El Lugar Wine Tasting, and Bunker Coffee (Nautical Bean), which features local art. It is pleasant to hang out at Bunker Coffee, enjoying a delicious fresh bagel with cream cheese. You are surrounded by plants, colorful paintings, and good music. 
Connect up with the one-mile Righetti Bike Path (halfway completed) in the south to extend your ride.
You can run 6.5 km along the Railroad Bike Path and then up into Terrace Hill Open Space, and back.

or Continue to directions...

The sign at the end of Bishop Street.

An opening at the western end of San Carlos Drive.

View of Boulevard del Campo from Bishop Street- both are streets near the bike path.

Views of hills, from Bishop St.

The Jennifer Street pedestrian bridge, as seen from Terrace Hill Open Space.

Green hills in spring, in the neighborhood near the bike path.

Cute mountains and California palm.

Lovely African flowers.

White roses in a front yard.

Desert landscaping, silvery hues.

Yellow daisies and a wall.

Hillside by the bike path.

Magenta flowers bobbing in the breeze.

An abundance of spring wildflowers.

A cute house on Bushnell Street near the bike path.

Pink roses in the neighborhood near the bike path.

The neighborhood walk that is lovely.

You can run 6.5 km along the Railroad Bike Path and then up into Terrace Hill Open Space, and back.

Railroad Bike Path is shady in spots.

It's industrial next to the bike path.

There are industrial buildings along the path.

Some shade on the bike path near Sinsheimer Park.

Some shade on the bike path, by the frisbee golf course at Sinsheimer Park.

An adorable historic house and canary palm, at 1204 Iris Street, a short walk from the northern dead end of the Railroad Bike Path.

Bushnell Street is a nice area to explore from the bike path, with views of Terrace Hil.

Cute housing complex on Bushnell Street.

A little lawn inside a cute housing complex on Bushnell Street.

Cerro San Luis looks awesome from Rachel Street.

Views of the bike path and the two morros, from Rachel Street.

Some of the houses have a Mediterranean look on Bushnell Street.

Flowers and trees on Bushnell Street.

Views of Terrace Hill on Bushnell Street.

The bike path in January.

A stretch of the bike path near Bushnell Street.

Views of the morros from the bike path at Bushnell Street.

California poppies and other flowers in a garden near the Bushnell Street bike path exit.

Frisbee golf at Sinsheimer Park, along the bike path.

The path from Blvd del Campo to Sinsheimer Park.

Delicate flowers in a garden near the Bushnell Street bike path exit.

Yellow and purple flowers in a garden near the bike path.

Pincushion flowers in a garden near the Bushnell Street bike path exit.

Pink poppies in April! On a residential street near a bike path exit.

Ancient Owl, at the far southern end of the bike path.

Ancient Owl, a popular spot to hang out, at the far southern end of the bike path.

Pretty vegetation near Florence Ave.

Directions

The Railroad bike path begins in the north at George Street. There is an opening at the dead end of Bishop Street, at the western end of San Carlos Drive, and at the end of Boulevard Del Campo. The bike path ends at Orcutt Rd in the south.

map

Click on map for interactive view

Comments

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Denis

Wed, 02 May 2018

Love it.... but trash cans are full (as of 5/1) & blowing around. Up the frequency of service!

Thanks!!!

Last Updated: Sat, 04 Oct 2025 23:56:47 GMT

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