Photo Tour

San Luis Obispo - Photos

Mission San Luis Obispo from Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo California

The current mission in the center of the downtown is still a working church with daily services. The Mission Plaza in front is the main location for downtown concerts, shows and many other fun events. This Mission is actually the third mission building in the town and dates from the 1790's.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Dave Kastner

Wine Tasting Room Patio in San Luis Obispo California

What could be finer than to be in the beautiful Edna Valley wine tasting region? Sip a great wine while enjoying the incredible views and pleasant Mediterranean climate. No wonder that patios like this (taken at Wolff Vineyards during May) are popular for weddings, parties, and other wine lovers.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Creek Walk through Downtown San Luis Obispo California

You would never know that your are just steps away from the bustling downtown Of San Luis Obispo. The creekwalk starts at Mission San Luis Obispo and runs between the main streets of Higuera Street and Monterey Street. A beautiful spot for relaxing and a favorite with children. Downtown San Luis Obispo won a "Main Street" America award for its downtown, and this is one of the reasons why.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Dave Kastner

Wine County in San Luis Obispo California

Enjoy driving, biking, walking, and hiking along the beautiful wine country lanes in the county. The scenery is as delicious as the wines they produce.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Aaron Culp

Hi Tech Building at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo California

For voer 100 years, Cal Poly has been an important part of San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly is interesting to visit withh lots of interesting buildings. It also has a great student bookstore, bowling alley, and art museum open to the public.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Farmers Market in Downtown San Luis Obispo California

Still the best Farmers Market in the state. Held every Thursday evening on the blocked off Higuera Street through the heart of the city of San Lujis Obispo; farmers, BBQ's, entertainers and shoppers fill the award-winning downtown. Check "Calendar of Events" for the Farmer's Markets in other towns in the county.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Tim Olson

Quick Draw Action In San Luis Obispo California

Painters are said to hate it, but the audience loves it. Artists are given just a very few hours to paint any scene they want at Mission Plaza - while hundreds of people stroll by. Promptly at noon, the painting stops, picture frames are added, and the still-wet canvases are auctioned on the spot.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Mission Plaza in Downtown San Luis Obispo California

The Mission Plaza is the center for what's happening downtown. Wine Festivals, free concerts, childrens fairs, crafts shows... Check "Calendar of Events" for schedule. This is also the start of the local Creek Walk through downtown San Luis Obispo.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / City of San Luis Obispo

Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo California

Wine County in the county: vineyards with extinct volcanos in the background. (Islay Hill, the last of the Seven Sisters is the background peak.) Try the wines, hike the hills, attend the many cultural events, and take lots of photos. All this is just minutes from the surprisingly sophisticated delights of the small city of San Luis Obispo.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB

Biking the Wine Country in San Luis Obispo California

Every time of year provides great biking opportunities in San Luis Obispo County. The Edna Valley region near the city of San Luis Obispo is especially beautiful in Fall.

Highway 227 (where this shot was taken) is relatively busy but has a wide bike lane for most of its length. There are services along most of the road - at many great tasting rooms.

Credits: John Flaherty / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo California

Magnificent views of the coast's famous peaks and mountains abound on this links-style layout. Superb design requires thoughtful planning on each stroke from tee to final put. 18 holes, Par 71.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Dairy Creek Golf Couse

Downtown Creek Walk in San Luis Obispo California

The creek running through the heart of the downtown provide a serene nature preserve. A favorite for kids, and with several restaurants overlooking.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Forrest L. Doud

Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo CA

The Christopher Cohan Center at the Performing Arts Center is the largerst performance hall between LA and San Francisco. Located on the grounds of Cal Poly University, it is the location for many touring shows and concerts. It offers wonderful accoustics and great views of the local landscape.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB

Fremont Theatre in downtown San Luis Obispo California

The downtown Fremont Theater is a wonderful art deco extravanganza, with the original decorations inside and out. Still showing first-run movies ! Main site of the annual International Film Festival, now held in March.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB

Bubble Gum Alley In Downtown San Luis Obispo California

"Look, but don't touch!" are the words to live by when enjoying the funky delights of infamous "Bubble Gum Alley" in downtown SLO. Fascinating, gross, fun, different, unique... are all words used by visitors. Feel free to add you own piece of chewing gum to the walls!

Credits: Carrie Head / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in Downtown San Luis Obispo California

The Mission is in the heart of the city that it created - San Luis Obispo. Mission Plaza is at its base and is the site of countless special events. Check "Calendar" for activities during your visit.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB

Statue of Puck in Downtown San Luis Obispo California

This statue of Puck from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was created by noted sculptor Elizabeth McQueen while she was a local resident. It can be found in the "Downtown Center". San Luis Obispo County has a large arts community and many art shows through the year. The Performing Arts scene is also active.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Dave Kastner

Beautiful Botanical Gardens in San Luis Obispo California

These gardens in Cuesta park, just off Highway 1 north of the City of San Luis Obispo, are dedicated to wonderful flowers native to each of five Mediterranean climates inthe world: Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Central Coast of California.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Mountain Bike Racers in San Luis Obispo California

Racing downhill on a beautiful June Day at the 2005 Jeep, King of the Mountain Bike Race.

Credits: Dave Kastner / SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Wine Festivals in San Luis Obispo County California

The county has many popular wine festivals throughout the year. And due to the large local wine industry, many other events also have a major component invloving wiine tasting. Check the "Calendar of Events" on the toolbar for a complete listing of these and other events.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Edna Valley Vineyard

Bike the Edna Valley Wine Region in San Luis Obispo California

The Edna Valley Wine Region near the small city of San Luis Obispo is a popular biking area for visitors & locals alike. Enjoy beautiful views of hillsides, vineyards, small tasting rooms. It is possible to arrange guided bike tours of the San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles / Templeton wine regions.

Orcutt Road and Biddle Ranch Roads are relatively flat and quiet, and Highway 227 offers a wide shoulder bike lane.

Several great wine tasting rooms for services, some of which also offer food and non-alchoholic beverages.

Credits: John Flaherty / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Laguna Lake Municipal Golf Course in San Luis Obispo California

Executive length course offers a unique opportunity for the entire family. Low fees, quality maintenance & friendly staff make this an experience worth repeating. 9 holes, par 30.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Jonni Biaggini

Paintings Lined Up to Be Auctioned in San Luis Obispo California

One Saturday in early October, leading "plein air" (open air) artists from around the USA come to Mission Plaza to paint a scene injust a few hours. This "Quick Draw" event is done in full view of the public. The works are then auctioned off while still wet. It doesn't get any fresher than this!

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Biker along the Wayne Williams Bikeway / O'Connor Way in San Luis Obispo California

O'Connor Way is a short backroad of about 2 1/2 miles that connects the city of San Luis Obispo with Camp San Luis Obispo and nearby Cuesta College.

The end of the road near Camp San Luis is closed nights and weekends for Camp San Luis security reasons - providing a perfect scenic bike ride with little traffic. Also along the road is a small Benedictine Monastery, open to visitors.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Marigolds along Los Osos Valley Road in San Luis Obispo Calironia

This beautiful field of flowers was grown for their seeds - but you can enjoy their beauty just the same. SLO County offers a wide range of grown agriculturatl products - wine grapes of course, but also flowers, vegetables, fruits and nuts. You never know what you'll find just down the road a piece...

Credits: San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Botanical Gardens in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo County enjoys one of the five Mediterranean climates in the world. These gardens in Cuesta park, just off Highway 1 north of the City of San Luis Obispo, are dedicated to wonderful flowers native to each of these five areas. (Mediterranean, South Africa, Australia, Chile, Central Coast of California).

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Downhill Mountainbike Racers in San Luis Obispo California

The top male and female mountin bike racers went down the "Y" shaped course in pairs. This photo is form the 2005 Jeep, King of the Mountian Bike Race.

Credits: Dave Kastner / SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Vineyard in San Luis Obispo CA

Enjoy the many scenic vineyards in the county, and the first class wines they produce. This view is of Edna Valley and Islay Hill (a defunct volcano) in the background.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Edna Valley Vineyard

Hillside Vineyards in San Luis Obispo California

The vineyards are increasing in size as the quality of the locally produced wines has gained recognition throughout the country. Try wine tasting at their source!

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB

Tour of California 2006 Finish Line in San Luis Obispo California

The 2006 and 2007 Tour of California Bike Race finished one of their legs in downtown San Luis Obispo on beautiful February afternoons. Thousands of people turned out both times to cheer them on - just one sign of the local popularity of biking.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Biking the Edna Valley Wine Region in San Luis Obispo California

Orcutt Road, which cuts through the Edna Valley Wine Region, is a popular road for bikers and wine tasters.

The road offers beautiful hills in the distance, and several great wine tasting rooms at which to stop. Springtime brings colorful yellow mustard plants blooming amid the rows of wine grapes and alongside the road.

Several of the winery tasting rooms offer some food and services. There is not much shade along the road, but the temperature is fairly moderate year round.

Credits: John Flaherty / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Bubble Gum Alley In the City of San Luis Obispo California

Dating from sometime in the 1950's, (in)famous "Bubblegum Alley" in downtown San Luis Obispo has been a cause of wonder since. Feel free to add you own piece of chewing gum to the wall, or just lean back and admire(?) the unique scene. How did they get it so high on the walls? How many pieces are there? What were people trying to spell out with their gum? One thing for sure - Look, but DON'T touch!

Credits: Carrie Head / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Mountain Bike Racers on Two Moguls in San Luis Obispo California

The specially built Y-shaped course was built with many exciting challenges. This photo is from the 2005 Jeep, King of the Mountain Bike Race.

Credits: Dave Kastner / SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Wine Region in San Luis Obispo California

Enjoy the many scenic vineyards in San Luis Obispo County and the first-class wines they produce. San Luis Obispo County has two major wine regions: one near San Luis Obispo and one near Paso Robles. Enjoy days of wine tasting in either or both of them. Note: the peak in the background is Islay Hill, the last of the "Seven Sisters" of defunct volcanoes that start about 20 miles away with Morro Rock in Morro Bay.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Edna Valley Vineyard

Public Art in Downtown San Luis Obispo California

Public Art is important in San Luis Obispo. This sculpture is located near the Art Center, which has been in operation in the downtown for almost 40 years.

Pacific Coast Trail near San Luis Obispo California

The Pacific Coast Trail runs near Avila Beach along Ontario Road, which was part of the original Highway 1. Ontario Road is now a quiet road parallel to the newer Highway 101 near the city of San Luis Obispo.

There is a large parking lot with rest rooms at the intersection of the Bob Jones Bike Trail in Avila Beach and this Pacific Trail. Perfect for starting and ending your loop.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Winners Interview in San Luis Obispo California

The mountain bikers were interviewed for the one-hour show that resulted. This photo is form the 2005 Jeep, King of the Mountain Bike Race.

Credits: Dave Kastner / SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Islay Hill Park in San Luis Obispo California

Islay Park, located near the intersection of Orcutt and Tank Farm Roads, is one of the many quality parks in the county. Let the kids play on the equipment, jog, stroll, play tennis... It's also a great place to start your hike up nearby Islay Hill, the last of the Seven Sisters of defunct volcanoes that have helped give the county its dramatic scenery.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / City of San Luis Obispo

Mountainbike Racers & Winners in San Luis Obispo California

Not everybody won, but all were cheered on by the enthusiastic local audience numbering in the thousands at the 2005 Jeep, King of the Mountain Bike Race.

Credits: Dave Kastner / SLO County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Waterfall in San Luis Obispo CA

This waterfall is the largest one known in San Luis Obispo County. Located in the Reservoir Canyon Park, just north of the city of San Luis Obispo. Reservoir Canyon was the site of the original reservoir for the city of SLO, until the Santa Margarita Reservoir was built during WW2 to provide water to the nearby major training base of Camp San Lius Obispo. The park offers great hiking, but do dress appropriately for hiking through brush.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Mission - Chinese Style House in San Luis Obispo California

This beautiful house is located near downtown San luis Obispo. An interesting mixture of classic and locally popular Mission style architecture, it also has a charming Chinese flair with its roof lines.

Credits: Dave Kastner / San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conference Bureau

Street Shot of Downtown San Luis Obispo California

This photo is near the center of downtown SLO, near the Mission Plaza and the intersection of Monterey and Chorro Streets. Downtown has many mature trees, which provide a charming ambiance and great shade, even during the peak summer months.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / City of San Luis Obispo

Childrens Museum in San Luis Obispo California

The Childrens Museum creates a fun learning experience for young children. Located in the downtown near stores, art galleries and the "Creek Walk" - a paved footpath.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Eric Meter

Wine Grapes in San Luis Obispo California

Good wines come from happy grapes, and how can the grapes not be happy in this beautiful county? Enjoy the scenic vineyards and the first class wines while visiting us.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Edna Valley Vineyard

Car Show on Higuera Street in Downtown San Luis Obispo California

There are many delightful car shows in the county. Many of them are held in downtown locations in the many towns.
Check the "Calendar of Events" on the toolbar for dates. This "Wheels of SLO" is held annually in August.

Credits: San Luis Obispo County VCB / Tim Olson

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