Best Free Things to Do in San Luis Obispo

THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in San Luis Obispo

Best Free Things to Do in San Luis Obispo

Traveller rating
Good for
29 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

What travellers are saying

  • Thapo M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Most amazing place I have been. The people are very friendly, they got cute animals, good food. The owners of the farm are so friendly and since we are vegetarian they made custom food for us. This place is beyond in hosting and taking care people. The food is fresh and one of us had best Chicken Sandwich!! Jesus Condado did amazing , we had great time !!!
    Written 17 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • carlotaTravel4fun
    california612 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What a great experience. We had been wanting to experience this Farmer's Market on Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo. Higuera Street is shut down to traffice about 5 o'clock and the market is setup and running by 6 on every Thursday. The market goes for about six blocks and has fruit, vegetables, food vendors, a few musical groups, as well as the stores and shops along the street. There were tables and chairs on a side street so you could have a place to sit and eat the food purchased at the street vendors. The particular night we were there was a Halloween activity for kids and was such fun. All the stores, shops, vendors were giving out candy to the trick or treaters who showed up in full costumes. While the Halloween activity isn't a weekly event, it was a fun surprise We parked in a parking garge on Marsh Street & Chorro Street (871 Marsh Street). You pull a ticket when you go in, and pay at the exit gate when you leave. They only take credit cards. There was a nice young woman helping drivers insert their tickets and cards. You cannot park along Higuera Street after 5 or you will be towed. The street parking is limited, and when we left around 7:30 the garage was full.
    Written 28 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TravelerfromArizona
    Mesa, AZ424 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What is not to like? Mild weather, great scenery and fun little towns to stop in. We ate a lunch in Cuyucos and stopped to see the Elephant Seals. Went off the path for some wine tasting, just a great weekend.
    Written 12 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • startwiththeendinmin
    Calgary, Canada264 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely worth a stop. Museum has lots of historical artifacts and provides a good summary of the history

    Stops by to cool off, relax and learn something.
    Written 10 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Leila A
    8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We started the trail at Brittany Circle. It's an intermediate trail as you get closer to the top with the winding trail and the large rocks. Going down was a lot more challenging than going up and since I and my husband don't usually hike, we took our time. I'm not sure if others had this experience but going down, it was more difficult to spot the trail and one of our friends tripped on loose rock and got some scrapes.
    Written 15 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Life is Good onthe CentralCoast of CA!!!
    Grover Beach, CA1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I graduated IN Social Sciences IN 1994, barely, but I have a degree

    from CP! What an important Degree to have in our current

    Global-environment +GlobalClimateEmergence;

    I often find myself saying: "Am I ever glad; I got the BS; I did!

    It relates to E.V.E.R.Ything. I knew, when I was in kindergarten at

    Morro Bay Elementary; I wanted to attend CP.

    I was no an AP student, but worked hard enough, while having fun

    in Carlsbad, CAli. When I was accepted, CP was NOT famous;

    nobody knew where it was!!! I am SUPER Tickled for her success;

    as I tell people; I graduated from there! I moved back to SLO co:

    Arroyo Grande in 2002, after I was Traumatically Brain I by a drunk

    driver! SO WonDerful to be home again; my home for 24 of my 53

    years: GO Central Coast of CAli; famous NOW ;}*

    BRAVO, LisAnne Marie Be`cotte
    Written 28 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Laurie P
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Delightful setting with outdoor seating and peacocks 🦚! We felt we were in a paradise, sipping our wine and listening to nature. The staff was so proud of their wines. We ended up buying several bottles to take home.
    Written 28 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • beth ann k
    Halstead, KS1,793 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is just a very cool area, outside of the Mission, with walking paths leading off from it. It's also the "center" of the old part of town.
    Written 17 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Scott
    San Francisco, CA5,325 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic combination of trails. the Valencia Peak Trail takes you past some amazing stratigraphic a geology. Even with some blowing fog, the views were spectacular the whole way up. When I left Paso Robles at noon it was 104 degrees. The weather all along the Valencia Peak Trail was cool and breezy, no higher than 65 degrees.

    The trip up is moderately steep, but nothing that the average hiker couldn't do. The trip down could be a bit slippery with the gravel, but if you take your time you'll be fine.

    I did a combination of Valencia peak and bluffs Trail. All in all it was around seven miles and it was fantastic. Valencia peak portion takes you to high altitudes. The bluffs portion allows you to see those high altitudes from the amazing marine terraces

    Read up on the geology of the area. Specifically, learn a little bit about marine terraces. This will make the hike even more exciting.
    Written 5 September 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Traveler76AZ
    Sierra Vista, AZ699 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    I heard about this and didn’t plan to go see it. I just happened to walk by it. Not worth making a trip to see unless you like to look at chewed gum.
    Written 6 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • traveldan21
    Culver City, CA735 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Popped in for a quick visit. Lots of interesting photographs and info on SLO history. Had a nice chat with the docent who was there on his first day!
    Written 6 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • babyoscar530
    CA743 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    After looking for a local apple farm, we could Gopher Glen. It is a bit of drive out from 101 but well worth it as there are lots of farm and winery along the way. The prices is decent as you are supporting local business and getting the freshest products. We got the fresh cider, eggs and Cal Poly cheese. They will also mix and match apples for you by the pound. It is a quint small family farm.
    Written 25 October 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ItchyFeet
    Camarillo, CA7,752 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We drove out to the Carrizo Plain National Monument, toward Soda Lake, and then onto the visitor center. After that, we continued toward Bakersfield to see that portion of the monument before driving back toward Atascadero.
    There are lots of blooming flowers at soda lake with lots of great views.
    Written 12 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • radar60
    Lompoc, CA687 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We’ve done this excellent hike before , the view of San Luis Obispo down below once you reach the top is truly breathtaking. Yesterday the trail was closed, probably with all the rain it’s too muddy and dangerous. But what drew us here was the waterfalls that we never got to see during our hikes in the dry season. They are very easy to get to, only 2 minute walk from the parking lot, you can hear them as soon as you get out of the car. A lot of water coming down on this 30 ft drop and great spot for some spectacular pictures
    Written 10 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • IlariaK
    Saratoga, CA865 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We didn't have any food, but the beers are great and the outdoor area is nice. Will go back next time we visit our son at Cal Poly..
    Written 24 December 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.