Nestled at the foothills of the Santa Lucia mountains, surrounded by world-class wineries and lined with golden beaches perfect for surfing, it's no wonder San Luis Obispo is known as America's Happiest City. It's a friendly place with a laid-back pace of life, and it has a vibrant nightlife scene thanks to its student population. Road trippers should certainly make time for a stop here while driving the iconic Highway 1.
You can stay right at the heart of the action in a San Luis Obispo hostel in the Downtown area, so you'll never be far from the bars and restaurants. Hostels in San Luis Obispo include a cosy home-style place with complimentary breakfasts and fresh linen, and a contemporary one with dorms, private rooms and free coffee to kick-start your day. Meet fellow travellers in the common rooms to make the most of your hostel experience, and look for free Wi-Fi to stay connected.
Downtown San Luis Obispo is the place to go for drinking and dancing, with lots of the venues lining Higuera Street in particular. It's also where you'll find Bubblegum Alley, where decades-worth of gum line the walls. Head to the Old Town Historic District to hang out in Mitchell and Emerson Parks, where you can play basketball or bocce ball, or have a barbecue. The Railroad District is a peaceful spot just outside the hustle and bustle of Downtown. You can take a guided tour of its historical sites too.
There's plenty to do in San Luis Obispo, including hiking up the hills and biking down them. You can surf at Pismo Beach, which is a 30-minute train ride away. Take in the vibrant colours and sounds of the weekly farmers market, which has fresh fruit and veg stalls, sizzling barbecues and live music. Explore the region's history at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, a Spanish church built in 1772. There are numerous wineries and craft breweries to visit, and you can sample their produce in the city's lively bars.
San Luis Obispo is on the scenic Highway 1 route. Taking the 101 is quicker though: it's about a 3.5-hour drive from either San Francisco or Los Angeles. You can fly into San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport from San Francisco, LA, Dallas, Seattle, Denver and Phoenix. It's a 25-minute bus from there to town. The city centre is easy to get around on foot or by bike, and there's a bus service that runs within the city limits.
