There’s a charming little town on California’s Central Coast that I can never stop returning to, San Luis Obispo. It’s affectionately called SLO. Years after visiting for the first time, I recently returned for another visit. And while two nights and three days aren’t enough, they’re a great intro to SLO.

What To Do with Two Nights in San Luis Obispo

Obviously, I think you should visit. Start this itinerary on a Wednesday night. By visiting during the week, you’ll save $$$ on hotel costs. And here’s what I recommend you get up to during your visit.

On day one

• Leave your car at home and ride Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner from Union Station in Los Angeles. You’ll leave in the morning and arrive in the late afternoon.
• Pick up sandwiches from High Street Deli, serving SLO since 1927.
• Head to SIP-certified Wolff Vineyards for a tasting among the vines of the Edna Valley. Look for owls, kestrels, & red-tailed hawks.
• Check into The Hotel San Luis Obispo.
• After you have unpacked, get cocktails at High Bar SLO on their roof. It’s the only rooftop bar in San Luis Obispo. Play bocce. I recommend ordering The High Bar Lemonade or the Bees On A Plane.
• Choose between dinner in the hotel at Ox & Anchor or Piadina. There, Chef Ryan Fancher serves farm-fresh fare inspired by Italy and the Central Coast. Alternatively, you could stroll down the creek trail to Novo Restaurant.

Then, on day two

• Enjoy sunrise from the Cerro San Luis trailhead. It’s just a portion of San Luis Obispo’s 54,400-acre Greenbelt & 9,500 acres of public-access lands.
• Get coffee at Linnaea’s Cafe. It’s one of the 1st second-wave coffee establishments on the West Coast. There, a Michelin-recognized pastry chef & local musician husband-wife duo still curate events for art & live music. Pick up a vegan + GF pastry on the way out.
• After breakfast, join a volunteer harvest at City Farm SLO. But know that you might become so passionate about urban farming, you won’t want to leave!
• Nourish your body & soul at Ebony. They serve organic, vegan, & gluten-free Ethiopian cuisine. After you eat, peruse their artisan goods market.
• Pop into the SLO Museum of Art. After that, walk around & enjoy the city’s 100+ unique pieces of public art. Note the *plentiful* recycling stations decorated with original art of the town.
• Shop at SLO’s many vintage, thrift, used, & fair trade stores. I like The Junk Girls, Humankind Fair Trade, & Phoenix Books.
• Grab dinner at the Downtown SLO Farmers Market on a Thursday night. It’s rated as one of the best in California. And take time to listen to one of the bands playing on the street.

Finally, on day three

• On your final morning, wake up early & walk to Sally Loos. Without a doubt, their food grown in San Luis Obispo County will nourish your body. But the art will inspire your soul.
• Grab a free bicycle from the Hotel SLO and ride the town’s plentiful bike lanes.
• Conclude your visit by helping Kind Traveler & ECOSLO plant a tree through the “Every Stay Gives Back” program.

Save These Places in San Luis Obispo

Here’s my Google Map for all things SLO and the surrounding area:

Need more ideas?

For more ideas of what to do in SLO and the surrounding area, check out my Central Coast post and search #ShareSLO everywhere there are hashtags online. Or check out the website for Visit San Luis Obispo! Finally, you should also check out Kind Traveler’s partnership with San Luis Obispo.