17 Amazing Day Trips from San Luis Obispo, California

Looking for a quick day trip from San Luis Obispo? Here are some amazing ideas to explore just a short drive away!

Located in Central California, there are plenty of day trips from San Luis Obispo (SLO) to choose from when you want to get away for a few hours or a full day.

Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities like hiking and beach-going, or cultural attractions such as wineries and art galleries, San Luis Obispo has so much to see!

I’ve partnered with friends to tell you about stunning cities nearby SLO so you can make the most of your time in California!

Let’s dive into the best day trips from San Luis Obispo!

🚗 The best way to take a day trip from San Luis Obispo is by renting a car. When booking your California car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals!

While you’re planning your day trip from San Luis Obispo, check out these useful road trip gifts to have the best experience on the road!

1. Avila Beach

• Recommended by Emily at Pets Around the World

Avila Beach is a magical cove tucked away from the rest of the world.  Your journey starts with the charming bustle of downtown San Luis Obispo. 

With mountains surrounding Avila on 3 sides and the expanse of the Pacific stretching out to the west, you feel like those 15 minutes teleported you to a hidden paradise.  `

Pop into all the colorful local shops and pick up what you might need for a fun day at the beach including towels, sunglasses, and buckets for the kids to make sandcastles.  

There is a nice arc of sandy beach to walk along, swim, wiggle your toes, and relax. It’s also fun to walk along the pier to get a better view and see what the local fishers are bringing in.

You can’t go wrong at any of the local restaurants, but Merseas is a special treat since the restaurant is at the end of the second pier right over the water, there are incredible ocean views, and seafood specialties are hauled in just 20 yards away.  

Work off your lunch with a round of golf at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, rent a kayak to explore the bay at Avila Beach Paddlesports, or taste a few local wines at Pier Front Wine and Brew.

After watching the sun dip behind the Pacific, head back through the woods about 5 minutes to Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort to soak for an hour in their private hillside hot tubs.

Sit back and watch the stars twinkle through the branches of the majestic oak canopy.  

Avila Beach is also dog friendly. For the duo at Pets Around the World, this area is one of their favorite places to visit. Dogs are welcome on the beach before 10 am and after 5 pm.

Almost all restaurants have outdoor dining, and there are also many other dog-friendly walking trails for the off-hours.  

Life doesn’t get much more perfect than spending a day in Avila!

---

🌴 Custom Travel Itineraries Inquiry Form 🌴

Looking for a travel expert to plan your California itinerary? As a travel enthusiast, I’ve gotcha! Fill out the form below and I’ll be in touch!

---

2. Pismo Beach

A short 15-minute drive south from SLO takes you to Pismo Beach, where you can explore the dinosaur caves and see the monarch butterflies.

When you get to Pismo beach, walk on the pier and take in the gorgeous views of the Pacific. You can bird watch while hanging out on the beach or fly a kite on the pier.

The Dinosaur Caves Park is a great spot for exploring nature. This area is also great for snapping beautiful pictures and playing in the dinosaur-themed playground.

Butterfly Grove is a sanctuary for thousands of monarch butterflies that migrate here during the winter season. It’s an incredible experience to walk among these magical creatures in the trees!

When you get hungry, try the Sunsets at Pismo which is American food served from a vintage airstream.

3. Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA)

• Recommended by Caleb at Pazook Travel Journal

The Oceano Dunes (A.K.A. Pismo Beach Sand Dunes) are the most extensive U.S. dune system south of San Francisco. The golden hills stretch 18 miles across the coast, from Oceano to Guadalupe, CA. 

Visitors enjoy hiking, surfing, tailgating on the beach, and cruising around the dunes on a rented ATV.

There are some government projects to begin limited vehicle access to the beach, but as of January 2023, you can still tailgate and ride ATVs on the Oceano Dunes. 

And if you get hungry, Pier St. Deli and Old Juan’s Cantina are two local favorites!

The Oceano Sand Dunes are about 35 minutes south of San Luis Obispo. Travelers with an AWD vehicle can drive their car directly onto the beach, then hike up to the dunes from the beach.

You can drive your vehicle onto the beach via Pier Avenue. However, going on the beach with a small car is risky, so the best alternative access point is at Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground.

🚗 When booking your California car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals!

4. Arroyo Grande

Arroyo Grande is a beautiful small town just 15 minutes away from SLO and makes for a great day trip.

Head to the Arroyo Grande Village–a historical district filled with unique shops and restaurants. Seek treasure at the Glance From the Past Antique Store while you’re in town.

Take a walk down Grand Avenue and explore the quaint Victorian buildings scattered throughout this part of town. Stop by the Heritage House Museum to learn more about the area’s history.

If you are visiting on a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday, then head over to Halcyon Farms to grab fresh fruit and vegetables.

You won’t want to miss out on the unique Swinging Bridge which connects Village Green Park and a residential neighborhood.

5. Nipomo

Just 10 minutes from Arroyo Grande is Nipomo, a rural community with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Known as the tallest peak of the nine sisters, Bishop Peak Trail offers amazing hikes and views. Here you can get up close to the iconic volcano-shaped peak and explore the area’s diverse flora and fauna.

For more greenery, head over to Nipomo Native Garden and walk the trails. Local volunteers come to keep the garden beautiful and thriving! As you walk, there are information kiosks around to answer any questions you have.

To get a unique experience, visit The Luffa Farm to see how louffas are made. Instead of being grown from the ocean, they’re made in greenhouses! You can tour the farm for free from Wednesdays to Sundays, 10 AM-4 PM.

When you get hungry, don’t miss out on the local Mexican food at Rancho Viejo. This family-run restaurant serves up some delicious home-style Mexican dishes!

6. Santa Maria

• Recommended by Rasika at Bae Area and Beyond

Santa Maria is a great day trip option from San Luis Obispo, California. Located just 32 miles south of San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria can be easily reached in about 30 minutes by car.

With its stunning mountain views, historical sites, and a wide array of activities to enjoy, Santa Maria offers something for everyone.

From visiting the Santa Maria Museum of Flight and learning about aviation history to exploring the interactive exhibits at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum or sipping on fine wines at the Foxen Canyon Wine Trail.

The Foxen Canyon Wine Trail has many high-quality wineries so take more than a day to enjoy the richness of the Santa Maria Valley wines.

If you chose to stay a night, book a quick night at the budget-friendly hotel Holiday Inn Santa Maria where kids can eat for free.

Whether you’re looking to drink wine or take in some local history, there are plenty of reasons to visit Santa Maria. 

🚗 When booking your car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals in California!

7. Los Osos

• Recommended by Sierra at Island and Alpine

A wonderful day trip from San Luis Obispo is to the sweet town of Los Osos. It is the home to Montana del Oro State Park and is a beautiful beach town on the central coast.

Less than a half hour away from San Luis Obispo, Los Osos is reached via Los Osos Valley Road.

Montana del Oro State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. The park has the stunning Bluff Trail that winds 4 miles along the ocean’s edge giving 360-degree views.

There are also several spots to sit and enjoy the scenery. Consider picking up a picnic from High Street Deli before beginning your hike.

Mountain biking and horseback riding trails also make their way through the park on the Valencia Peak Trail and Oats Peak Trail.

Take the time to walk down to Spooner’s Cove. This sheltered sandy area is the perfect place to explore the tidepools and sea caves and relax on the sand after a morning of hiking.

Active travelers can also start a kayak adventure from this beach.

Aside from the gorgeous oceanfront hiking trail, visitors can also visit the Sweet Springs Nature Preserve. Walking along the wooden boardwalks through the lush preserve will allow for plenty of bird sightings and beautiful views.

After working up an appetite, head to Old Alehouse for burgers and live music.

8. Lompoc

• Recommended by Francesca at Homeroom Travel

Lompoc is one of the best day trips from San Luis Obispo because it is not super well known and contains a ton of amazing wineries.

It is about a 1-hour drive from SLO. To get there, just hop on the 101 South to the 1 South. After about 50 miles you will arrive in the charming community of Lompoc. 

The big draw of Lompoc is wine tasting. There are many tasting rooms scattered around town or you can head to the actual wineries where you can get awesome views of the area. Favorite wineries include Spear, Peak Ranch, and Zotovich. 

Other fun things to do in Lompoc include the La Purisima Mission State Historic Park. This is one of the missions on the California mission trail that visitors can explore and learn the history of the area. 

If you visit Lompoc during the springtime, you can head out to the flower fields to see all the flowers in bloom. La Salle Canyon is one of the most popular spots, but check the Explore Lompoc website for the most up-to-date information. 

When looking for places to eat, head to La Botte Italian Restaurant or Toro Loco for delicious Mexican food. No matter what you decide to do in Lompoc, it makes for a fun day trip or weekend away!

9. Los Olivos

Head south towards Santa Barbara to explore the cute little town of Los Olivos. It’s home to some incredible wineries, restaurants, and shops.

Visit the numerous wineries for some delicious local wines and views of the vineyards. Each tasting room has a variety of reds, whites, and blends to choose from–from Coquelicot Estate Vineyards to Demetria Estate Winery!

Clairmont Farms is also a place to visit for its lavender farms! You can buy lavender-everything: soaps, oils, lotions, and honey!

Stop off at Los Olivos Cafe & Wine Merchant for an amazing meal–they serve up some of the best and freshest dishes! Be sure to call and make a reservation before you head out or order dinner online!

10. Solvang

• Recommended by Dhara at Roadtripping California

Solvang, CA, is a very charming little town located in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley, just a little bit inland from the California Central Coast.

Solvang is famous for its Danish-themed architecture, allowing you to enjoy a little bit of Europe right in California.

Wandering the streets of downtown Solvang, sampling Danish pastries at one of several bakeries is one of the best things to do in the town.

Spend some time in one of the little museums, shop for souvenirs, taste local wines, and snap photos of the cute facades and windmills in town.

Also in Solvang, you can visit Old Mission Santa Ines, one of the missions built in California by Spanish missionaries when they first colonized the New World.

Solvang is about 71 miles southeast of San Luis Obispo. The best way to arrive is to drive yourself. In normal traffic, the drive should take about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

You can visit Solvang year-round, but it is especially worth visiting during the holidays when there are several Christmas-themed events to enjoy.

🚗 The best way to take a day trip from San Luis Obispo is by renting a car. When booking your California car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals!

11. Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

Just 10 miles north of Santa Barbara is the Cachuma Lake Recreation Area. This area is a great spot for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and picnicking.

This clear lake is also popular for waterskiing, boating, and swimming! You can even take a guided tour to explore the nearby wetlands or rent a kayak or paddleboard to get out on the water.

For hiking, there are 6 trails to choose from. You can birdwatch as you hike the Sweetwater Trail, stop to fish on the Mohawk Loop or challenge yourself with the strenuous Tequepis Trail.

Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to have while you hang out by the lake all day. However, you can also purchase lunch at the Hook’d Bar & Grill which serves delicious food like the Tri-Tip Sandwich or the Classic Cachuma Burger.

12. Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is known for its laid-back vibes and stunning ocean views. Just a 1.5-hour drive from SLO, Santa Barbara makes a great day trip from San Luis Obispo.

Visit Stearns Wharf, the city’s oldest pier, to catch some amazing sunsets. Get to the wharf in the morning if you’d like to get some of the freshest catch here. There’s also a touch aquarium and restaurants to get breakfast.

Take a stroll down State Street to check out all the shops, restaurants, and art galleries. You can also do the self-guided Red-Tile Walking Tour that starts and end at the Santa Barbara courthouse, which is a stunning Spanish-Moorish building that’s also free to visit.

Here you can explore several beautiful courtyards and gardens or take a tour of the unique architecture.

To get more nature, hike to Inspiration Point and get an overhead view of Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands. You’ll start at Tunnel Trail on a paved path and then it goes into a steeper trail.

Head to Santa Barbara Public Market for your choice of food–it’s more like a food hall of restaurants rather than just one. For a fancy meal, try Sama Sama for southeast Asia!

13. Isla Vista

Isla Vista is a great spot for some beach vibes and fun activities. It’s located just south of Santa Barbara and has plenty of beaches to explore!

Spend the day lounging on the soft golden sands of Campus Point Beach or take a dip in the clear waves of Devereux Beach.

You can also go for a stroll along the picturesque bluffs of Isla Vista, which offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

When you get hungry, head over to Freebirds World Burrito for some delicious burritos and tacos. Or grab an ice cream from Scoop N Dough–they have plenty of unique flavors that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

14. Cayucos

Located just 21 miles north of SLO, Cayucos is an excellent getaway for a day trip from San Luis Obispo. It’s known for its laidback beach vibes and small-town feel!

Though it is small, there is plenty to explore in Cayucos! Head to Cayucos Pier to see if you can spot a whale or throw in a fishing line for a catch.

You can then relax a Cayucos Beach–lounge in the sunshine or fly a kite across this stretch of beach. Though the Pacific will be freezing cold, wear a wetsuit and go out to catch some waves.

Running along Cayucos beach is Ocean Blvd where you can grab brunch at the Hidden Kitchen or get seafood takeout at Duckies! Be sure to stop by the Brown Sugar Cookie Company for a sweet treat!

15. Cambria

Head north on Highway 1 from SLO to reach Cambria for a day trip from San Luis Obispo, another small town with beautiful beaches and plenty of hiking trails.

One of the best things to do in Cambria is Moonstone Beach where you can explore the tide pools that fill with seawater at low tide. You can also find sea creatures like anemones, starfish, and crabs.

Cambria is also home to Nitt Witt Ridge, a roadside attraction made up of buildings and sculptures made from trash. It’s also coined the poor man’s Hearst Castle. Explore this junkyard wonderland on your day trip here!

You can also discover the unique shops, galleries, and restaurants that line the main street in Cambria. Visit Linn’s Easy as Pie Bakery for some delicious baked goods–you cannot miss out on the special olallieberry pie!

16. Paso Robles

• Recommended by Denise at Chef Denise

About a half-hour drive north of San Louis Obispo, Paso Robles makes a great day trip.

This small town is so close to SLO yet so different. At the center of it is a large town square called the Downtown City Park: a place to picnic, meet friends, take a walk, or just chill.

The streets surrounding the square house have charming boutiques, eclectic restaurants, and top-notch wine-tasting rooms.

The best way to sample wine in Paso (as the locals call it) is to visit some of the local wineries.

Wine tasting is also a great way to see the gorgeous countryside of rolling hills lined vineyards. Paso Robles is not Napa Valley but much larger than the Malibu wine region.

Justin ranks as the area’s most prestigious winery, and also one of the most expensive. Eberle Winery, Vina Robles Vineyards, and Daou Vineyards & Winery are all nearby and worth a few sips. 

Some of the wineries offer dining options. Justin’s restaurant just earned a Michelin star.

But downtown Paso Robles also has an abundance of excellent restaurants like Il Cortile Ristorante, The Hatch Rotisserie & Bar, and La Cosecha Bar and Restaurant.

🚗 When booking your California car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals!

17. Monterey

• Recommended by Rebecca at Veggies Abroad

If you’re considering visiting California’s central coast, there is no better town to visit than Monterey. The maritime town is about 2 hours from San Luis Obispo by taking Hwy 101 (you could take the scenic route along Hwy 1, but it will take much longer).

You’ll find historic Cannery Row and plenty of unique shops, but what you can’t miss is enjoying the abundant wildlife and beautiful Monterey Bay views.

If you’re visiting between March – November, head to the Fisherman’s Wharf and reserve a whale-watching tour with a naturalist.

During this time, lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of migrating humpback whales who have made their way from the warm waters of Mexico to feed on Monterey’s abundant krill population.

Another spot to catch a glimpse of sea life is along the pier near the Fisherman’s Wharf. Here, boisterous sea lions like to congregate and sunbathe — it’s likely that you’ll hear them before you see them.

After sea lion and whale watching, head back to town for dinner. If you love Mexican food, don’t miss El Cantoro — it’s one of the best vegan restaurants in Monterey.

After, treat yourself to a giant ice cream cone at the local creamery, Revival.

Final Thoughts: Day trips from San Luis Obispo

Day trips from San Luis Obispo are the perfect way to explore the surrounding cities while getting away for a few hours or a full day.

🚗 The best way to take a day trip from San Luis Obispo is by renting a car. When booking your California car rental online, I recommend using Discover Cars. They provide the best deals for car rentals!

From crystal blue beaches to gorgeous castles, San Luis Obispo has so much to offer! Whether you want to explore nature, visit historical sites, or check out local eateries and shops, these are the best day trips from San Luis Obispo.

Are you ready to head out? Check out these road trip essentials to make the car ride more fun!

---

More California-Related Posts

• Is Sonora Worth Visiting? (And 17 Incredible Things to Do)
• One Day in Yosemite National Park: Must-See Sights for First-Time Visitors!
• Monterey and Big Sur Itinerary: Plan the Perfect Road Trip
• 17 Fun Things to do in Santa Rosa, California
• 18 Spectacular Things to do in Cayucos, California
• 17 Charming Things to do in Cambria, California
• 20 Incredible Things to do in Petaluma, California

Liked what you read? Share it on Pinterest!