Today I’m sharing a list of 10 things to do in San Luis Obispo with kids.
We just spent a week in SLO (as the locals call it) and had such a fabulous time.
San Luis Obispo holds a very special place in our hearts because Tyler and I both went to Cal Poly. It’s where we met and fell in love, and it also happens to be one of the most overwhelmingly pleasant places to visit in California, if you ask us or just about anyone who lives there.
Nestled smack dab between LA and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is the jewel of the Central Coast and the down-to-earth counterpart of glitzy Santa Barbara.
We have visited SLO many times since we graduated over 10 years ago, but our visits are always jam-packed with weddings, events, etc.
This last visit was the first time we’ve visited for more than a couple of nights with almost no agenda whatsoever. It was so much fun to visit with the girls at these ages too (4 and 6). We were able to hike and explore at our own pace.
10 Things to do in San Luis Obispo with Kids
San Luis Obispo is a great place to travel with kids. The weather is mostly agreeable, especially if you stick to late spring, summer, or early fall. And since SLO is full of young families, there are tons of parks and family-friendly amenities. The atmosphere is as laid back as a college town can be, and there are countless hikes, nature walks, and areas to explore.
In this post, I thought I’d share a family-focused travel guide for SLO. I’m sharing a few parks, some easy walks/hikes/areas to explore, and, of course, our favorite coffee shops for a midday pick me up.
Check out our list of things to do in San Luis Obispo with kids.
Sally Loo’s + Terrace Hill hike
This little breakfast + hike combo is one of my favorite ways to start the day in SLO. Head to Sally Loo’s (ideally early-they get busy!) and order a bite to eat–and a coffee for mom and dad, of course. I loved the Turkish Eggs the last time we were there, but you can’t go wrong.
After breakfast, head up towards the train station and use the bridge to go over the tracks. Your kids will get a kick out of this. Once you get to the bottom of the stairs or ramp on the other side, head up Jennifer Street and then follow it to the left (you’ll pass Ella Street first). At the end of Jennifer Street, you’ll see a path leading to the big hill behind the neighborhood. Follow the path up the hill for a gorgeous view of SLO and beyond. The path is steep but short and just takes a few minutes to get to the top. This is a great thing to do on your first day in SLO to help orient yourselves and show your little ones where everything is situated. It’s windy at the top, so dress accordingly!
Horses + Architecture Graveyard at Cal Poly
You might not think of a college campus being kid friendly, but our kids LOVED walking around Cal Poly. They thought it was the craziest thing and had so many questions for us. Stop at see the horses here and then make your way to the path that leads out to Poly Canyon. About a mile down the road (it’s mostly flat all the way back!), you’ll find the famous “Architecture Graveyard” where they store old architecture projects out on the hills.
Back on campus, is a big gift shop and lots of places to eat at the “UU” which is the central hub of campus and a fun spot to sit and people watch.
Scout Coffee + hike to the swing on Madonna Mountain
Scout Coffee has become an institution in San Luis Obispo–they even have one on campus now! For the purposes of today’s itinerary, you’ll head to the Scout Coffee location on Foothill. Order a latte and a savory scone, and then head to this trailhead in the neighborhood below Madonna Mountain.
Follow the path up the hillside–I dare you to not hum the Sound of Music–and keep going as the trail winds up the mountain. At a certain point, you’ll head under tree cover. When you get to the trees, look to your right, and you’ll see a wooden rope swing and a makeshift treehouse precariously secured to the stately oak tree. Our kids about had a heart attack when they saw this setup.
When you’re done swinging, you can either head back down the mountain or keep following the trail through the trees. The trail will keep winding up the mountain, and it’s a choose-your-own-adventure situation from there with tons of trail options.
Catch a movie at Sunset Drive-in
One of the few classic drive-in movie theaters left in California, Sunset is a SLO landmark and a great way to spend an evening.
Avila Sea Cave walk
This is one of my favorite little lookout points in the area and less than a 15 minute drive from downtown SLO. Park in this lot and follow the path that heads south down along the ridge. You’ll follow this until you get to a fork. The path to the left will lead you down to Pirate’s Cove which is a famous nude beach, lol, so maybe avoid if you have kids with you. BUT, the path to the right will lead you up to a really cool cave lookout point. If you have small kids, I suggest a carrier for this part since there is no protective railing on the cliff.
Spend an evening at SLO Ranch Farms
San Luis Ranch is a really nice new development in SLO, and our friends raved about the SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace area. There are farm animals and tons of space for kids to play and run around while mom and dad take a *moment* to have a bite to eat.
Play and walk at Laguna Lake
This was one of my favorite areas to run in college. Laguna Lake has a big playground and a bunch of beautiful walking trails. For a nice walk/hike, follow the lake side trail until you see the turn that will take you up the hill and down to the access road that leads to the Madonna Inn. That’s about a mile and a half. Stop for a slice of pink champagne cake at the Madonna Inn and then make your way back down Madonna Road and back to the lake.
Visit the SLO Children’s Museum
This is another item on our list for next time. We have heard such great things about the SLO Children’s Museum. If you’re feeling generous, grab some ice cream at McConnell’s after (my favorite is the mint chip!).
Walk the Bob Jones trail + stop for pizza
I have never hiked on the Bob Jones trail (or least not in my memory!), but I want to do this the next time we go with the girls. Stop off on your walk at the Secret Garden at the Sycamore Springs Spa for woodfired pizzas.
Explore Point Buchan at Montana de Oro
No trip to San Luis Obispo can be complete with a morning or afternoon at Montana de Oro. This is one of my favorite areas to explore on the Central Coast, and it’s even more jaw-dropping in the spring. Head to the Point Buchan trailhead. The full hike is about six and a half miles, but you can keep it short and sweet if you have kids with you and still get the same effect.
Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo with Kids
My favorite hotel in SLO is the Hotel Cerro (check out my review here!). They do have double queen rooms that would work for a family, but if you want more space, I do think Airbnb is the way to go. On this last visit, we actually stayed out in Avila Beach because we wanted to be close to the coast. Avila is less than 15 minutes from downtown SLO and is such a cute little beach town. Our girls loved playing in the sand in the afternoons, and there is a great playground near the boardwalk.
Thank you for checking out my list of things to do in San Luis Obispo with kids! I hope this guide was helpful and that you have the best time.
For more family travel tips and itinerary inspo, click here.
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