How to Tour the Mission at San Luis Obispo, California
One of the best preserved of California’s mission system, this mission, built along the San Luis Obispo River, is very popular among those visiting the central coast. Involving an entire city block, the mission represents the original town. Across the river, Higuera Street and the downtown business district are filled with high-end department stores, quaint retro shops and Bohemian taverns and eateries. The town grows northward into the foothills where the California Polytechnic Institute is located--a university of choice for many Californians. The mission as an institution, was to convert the natives to Christianity. Those converted at San Luis were the Chumash Indians.
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Instructions
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Plan the trip in the spring or summer when the weather begins to warm. Visitors in the fall will experience colorful foliage along the river. Winters are foggy and unpredictable. There are plenty of hotel options within the city and anywhere along the central coast.
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Use the map of California and locate San Luis Obispo (SLO), about 200 miles northwest of Los Angeles on U.S. Highway 101.
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Arrive in San Luis Obispo and visit the mission around mid-afternoon. Even in the summer, the coastal air and fog can make the mornings cool and even chilly. The mission is located on an eastern rise above the river, which the sun warms quickly.
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Enter the sanctuary through the ornate wooden doors. You'll be standing in the original structure, with its high, wood-beamed ceiling and well placed windows. Notice how the natural light fills the room; the brightness is enhanced with white stucco walls.
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Climb the stairs into the balcony. Notice the pipe organ placed along the back wall and from the banister, experience great views of the altar. Note that the mission is still an active Catholic parish.
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Observe the simple pews, the colorful artwork throughout and the paintings of the saints. Whether religious or not, you should respect the altar and tabernacle area.
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Note that anything built beyond this room was added in subsequent years. The addendum to the right of the sanctuary was built later to accommodate a growing number of parishioners.
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Tour the grounds of the mission. Outbuildings were added there as the priest and his parishioners realized a kitchen, storage area, and sleeping chambers were needed. Other structures were built as necessity dictated.
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Visit the garden. The original sanctuary and the added buildings formed two sides of what is now a city block. These structures, at a right angle, prompted the design of a beautiful courtyard and garden area. Notice the garden statues, the wishing well and the fountain. Appreciate the arched trellises supporting grapevines.
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Visit the gift shop area before leaving. After leaving the mission, cross the river via a footbridge, locate a café patio and relax until sunset. After dark, the well-lit mission is simply breathtaking.
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Tips & Warnings
Visit the beach cities of Pismo or Morro Bay, or take a wine tasting tour anywhere between San Luis and Paso Robles.
Resources
- Photo Credit James Barnett
