With the infamous battle between Northern and Southern California, the Central Coast is often forgotten about. Probably because no one knows that the Central Coast has all the best features of California and is the perfect mix of Nor Cal and So Cal! Don’t believe us? Continue reading for eight reasons why the Central Coast is the best coast.
The Location
SLO is basically smack dab in the middle of California. It’s about three and a half hours from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, which means you can get the best of both worlds in terms of weekend trips. This makes it easy to drive to friends going to school in Northern and Southern California, and if you’re a California native, you usually don’t have to travel too far to get home. Also, Santa Barbara is only an hour and a half drive away if you ever want to get your shopping fix in on State Street. Not to mention all the cool little towns within the Central Coast, such as San Luis Obispo, which has the best hikes and access to beaches like the ones in, Cayucos, aka the cutest little beach town ever, and Solvang, which is a Danish village that has fun shops and the best Danish pastries around!
The Beach is Always a Short Drive
Is there anything that a trip to the beach can’t fix? Whether you’re looking for a place to study (…or nap, let’s be real) the beach is only a ten minute drive away! There’s also tons of options. You can kayak in Morro Bay, tan and eat acai bowls in Avila, or have a bonfire at Grover Beach! The opportunities are endless, and so is our love for central coast beaches. The best part? With perfect weather year round, laying in the sand and soaking up the sun is a year-round activity.
There are Plenty of State Parks to Choose From
If you’re into the outdoors, SLO is the perfect place to be. You can find your way to Bishop Peak for a solid day of hiking with a beautiful view overlooking the town. Now if you really like to hike and you’re up for a challenge, you can hike the Cal Poly P, Cerro San Luis Obispo (Madonna), and Bishop Peak in one day as the tri-tip challenge; before heading downtown to Firestone for one of the best tri-tip sandwiches in town, of course. For a quick drive South, you can even find yourself at Carrizo Plain, Montaña de Oro, or the Chumash Painted Cave in Santa Barbara to go explore the opportunities the Central Coast has to show you. If you heard anything about a super bloom last year, think your stereotypical picture posed among a field of bright yellow flowers – that was the super bloom of Carrizo Plain last spring. There’s something outdoorsy for everyone here, so give it a chance and you’re guaranteed to find something you’d like to discover!
You Can Always Find Something Fun to Do
While staying in bed and watching Netflix is a tempting way to spend your evenings, SLO has dozens of events for a fun night on campus or downtown. Fremont Theatre has lineups featuring local up-and-coming artists and big names, such as Cage the Elephant, JoJo, and City and Colour that will have you dancing all night. Cal Poly also has the ever popular line dancing on campus that is a must try for all students. And clear your schedule for Thursday nights, as the farmers market shuts down streets in SLO to offer yummy veggies, sushi and sake samples, and live music to visitors.
The San Luis Obispo Community
It is no joke when people refer to SLO as the happiest place to be. This small town creates a cozy community vibe and makes it easy to feel at home even if you are far away from home. The town welcomes you with open arms and embraces the many college students. SLO is a definite college town with many Cal Poly banners surrounding downtown. The community is accepting, loving, and radiates happiness. This town makes it normal for you to smile and wave at strangers walking by. Your mood will always stay positive while walking along the beautiful and positive downtown of San Luis Obispo.
The Weather
The Central Coast is known for its mild weather, and SLO is no exception! With sunny and 75 weather year round, it’s no wonder San Luis Obispo is one of the happiest cities in America. Not only is the weather consistently perfect, it also means you will always be able to go to the beach, go on a hike, or even just walk around downtown.
Plenty of Bars or Vineyards
If you’re 21+, then San Luis Obispo is the place to be. Surrounded by countless wineries, you can take a trip to Paso Robles or Edna Valley if you fancy wine tasting with your family and/or friends. Some of our favorites are J. Lohr Winery & Vineyard in Paso Robles with its views of rolling hills in every direction and Eberle Winery in Edna Valley, which has bocce ball and an underground cave tour! If wine isn’t your thing, then cruise to Downtown San Luis Obispo and stop into one (or all) of the bars that SLO has to offer! If you’re feeling more like kicking back, stop into Frog & Peach Pub to enjoy a beer (or two… or three) or kick back Black Sheep Bar & Grill’s patio while you sip on your favorite cocktail. If you want to experience something a little more lively, then take yourself to Marston’s Bar & Grill and dance on the tables with your best friends! Whichever option you choose, you’re sure to have a good time being of age in San Luis Obispo!
Shopping Unique to SLO
Downtown SLO is home to countless family-owned boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops that you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re getting breakfast at Louisa’s Place, late night burritos at Tonita’s or shopping at Lulu Luxe, you’ll never be disappointed by San Luis Obispo’s unique spots throughout its community. It will definitely take more than four years of college to check out all the best places.
There’s no wondering why SLO is such a popular town for tourism, students and community. After living and going to school here, we have yet to find a flaw with the central coast!