How to Find Hotels In San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo is located in the middle of the central coast area of California. Visit Hearst Castle in nearby Cambria while you're here, or check out some of the area beach towns like Pismo and Morro Bay.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with Internet access

Know Your Destination

1. Prepare to get active. Popular activities for visitors to San Luis Obispo are wine tasting, hiking and beach-going.
2. Bring a light jacket. The coastal climate is temperate with occasional fog. Evenings get cool, even in the summer.
3. Visit the mission. The town was built around one of the original California missions, San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.

Get to San Luis Obispo, California

4. Fly into Los Angeles or San Francisco. San Luis Obispo is located about halfway between these two major California cities (about 200 miles from each). San Luis Obispo County also has a regional airport (McChesney Field).
5. Drive into San Luis Obispo. Driving along California's beautiful central coast is a vacation activity in itself. Take Highway 1 for the scenery. You can also take Highway 101 into San Luis Obispo. The two highways conjoin in San Luis Obispo.
6. Walk around. Once you get to San Luis Obispo, you may be surprised by how easy it is to get around the downtown area by foot. The city also has free trolley service on the weekends that can take you from your downtown hotel to area shops and restaurants.

Get Accommodations in San Luis Obispo, California

7. To book accommodations, contact San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).
8. Stay in a hotel or motel. The San Luis Obispo area abounds with small and medium size hotels with generally affordable rates. There are also a few larger and more luxurious hotels in the area.
9. Stay outside the city. There are at least 150 hotels and motels within about an hour of San Luis Obispo. Check for accommodations throughout the surrounding areas for best value and range of choice.
10. Consider an RV or camping tour. One of the pleasures of California is exploring up and down the central coast. There are 17 campgrounds and RV parks in the central coast area around San Luis Obispo, so you won't lack for accommodations choices. Make reservations early for the summer, though.

Tips & Warnings

• Check out the Madonna Inn. The Madonna Inn is famous (or notorious) for its dedication to the color pink and kitsch decorating, with elaborately themed rooms and a men's restroom with a waterfall. Even if you don't stay here, it's worth stopping by for a look.