Once you check out the creatively eccentric Madonna Inn, you’ll be tickled pink — and want to check in. 
The Avila Beach Pier at Port San Luis basks in the sunset. 
Bubblegum Alley chews up a lot of scenery in downtown San Luis Obispo. 
The views are endless from atop Bishop Peak. 
Motor on over to the Sunset Drive-In. (@timmossholder) 
Either take your kid or rediscover you inner child at the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum. 
The Art Deco atmosphere rules at the historic Fremont Theater. 
An Amtrak passenger train rolls across San Luis Obispo County, some of the most picturesque territory on the West Coast. 
The Oasis Hike Group pauses on the way up Cerro San Luis Obispo. 
Rugged Pismo Beach is mesmerizing. 
Beat the heat at Lopez Lake Recreation Area near Arroyo Grande. 
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was founded in 1772 — 14 years before the Santa Barbara Mission. 
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art focuses on contemporary pieces.
Friends often ask me where they should go and what they should do while visiting different areas of the Central Coast. Well, my website, Keys 2 the Coast, is always on the go, exploring great places to wine, dine and explore. And our blog is a treasure trove of great information on hot spots in every city in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.
Most recently we decided to feature the best of San Luis Obispo for all ages. Situated between Pismo Beach and Morro Bay, SLO is the unofficial center of the Central Coastal, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Experience hiking, wineries, breweries, shopping and a charming downtown district. It’s a pleasant mix of beach culture, some of the country’s best farmland and metropolitan sensibilities.
San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities, yet there’s always something new and exciting going on. Whether you’re in town for a day or several weeks, there is an adventure waiting for you.
Get Sticky in Bubblegum Alley
Bubblegum Alley is a 70-foot, narrow alley lined with an estimated 2 million pieces of chewed gum on walls 15 feet tall. Located in the 700 block of Higuera Street in the charming downtown district, the gum wall is an ever-changing organism, with hundreds of pieces added daily.
Although — let’s face it — a wall of masticated gum is pretty appalling, it’s also one of the things you must see in San Luis Obispo.
And don’t worry: If you don’t have any gum, there’s a gumball machine conveniently standing at the alley’s entrance.
Hike Bishop Peak
Popular for hiking and climbing, Bishop Peak is a 1,546-foot volcanic plug whose summit provides breathtaking, panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. Bishop Peak is the tallest of the Morros, a chain of nine similar peaks — known as the Nine Sisters — that stretch to Morro Bay. You can reach the top by way of a 3½-mile roundtrip hiking trail, or if you have the skill and equipment, you can climb to the peak.
Trailheads are located on Highland Drive and Patricia Drive.
Catch a Flick at Sunset Drive-In
Looking for a family-friendly thing to do in San Luis Obispo? Sunset Drive-In, at 255 Elks Lane, shows two current movie releases each night. Bring munchies from home, or purchase some from the drive-in’s concession stand. Grab your pillows, blankets and a comfortable camping chair, and bring your family and friends for a night of fun and films.
Discover the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum
If you have kids, don’t miss the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum, which seeks to inspire learning through play. With a host of permanent and temporary exhibits ranging from space to dinosaurs, under the ocean, and many things in between, your children will love the interactive, hands-on exhibits at the museum, located at 1010 Nipomo St.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Catch a Live Show at the Fremont Theater
Located at 1035 Monterey St. downtown, the Fremont Theater is an Art Deco movie house that draws locals and tourists alike for classic and contemporary films. The theater, which was built in 1942, has live music and showings on a daily basis.
But those aren’t the only draws for visitors. Boasting a retro pink exterior, hand-painted ceilings and walls, and vintage palm carpet, the theater’s exterior almost steals the show.
Check Out the Choo Choos in SLO
The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum, at 1940 Santa Barbara Ave., was founded to preserve and present the history of railroads in California, specifically the Central Coast. The museum houses a collection of rolling stock and other railroad equipment. There’s also a gift shop that sells railroad-related memorabilia.
If you love trains, the railroad museum should absolutely be on your “things to do in SLO” list. It’s open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday.
Soak In the Sights at Cerro San Luis Obispo
Cerro San Luis Obispo is a 1,292-foot volcanic mountain and is another of the Nine Sisters. The steep terrain makes it popular among hikers, joggers and mountain bikers. The loop trail is 3.9 miles and boasts beautiful wildflowers and sweeping views of the surrounding area from the summit. Since there is only an elevation gain of 500 feet, the trail is considered moderate in difficulty.
The trailhead is located at 1183 Fernandez Road, west of downtown.
Play at Pismo Beach
Iconic Pismo Beach is just 15 minutes away from San Luis Obispo. A popular surf destination with 17 miles of shoreline, sun-dappled cliffs and warm-ish water, even if you’re not a surfer, Pismo Beach is one of the most popular places to go near SLO. After hanging out on the shore, take a stroll along the picturesque pier.
Book a Stay at the Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn, at 100 Madonna Road alongside Highway 101, is one of the world’s most unconventional hotels. A pink-and-white paradise with more than 100 uniquely themed rooms, the Madonna Inn is not just a hotel, it’s an experience. There’s a scenic pool, a hot pink tennis court, trail rides, live theater, an all-pink steakhouse and other wildly eccentric touches.
There’s even an expo center that doubles as a dance hall for concerts.
Cool Off in Lopez Lake
Catch some reprieve from the summer heat at Lopez Lake Recreation Area east of Arroyo Grande. Boasting 22 miles of shoreline and 4,200 acres of wildlife, hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic spots, visiting Lopez Lake is one of the best things to do if you want to experience the outdoors. You can fish, jet ski, windsurf or kayak during the day, and at night, you can get comfortable at one of the more than 350 campsites around the sprawling lake.
Step Back in Time at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, California’s fifth-oldest mission, was founded in 1772 — 14 years before the Santa Barbara Mission — and served as home for natives, missionaries and soldiers. Today, you can travel back in time and check out the antique-laden rooms that are furnished and laid out in much the same way as they would have been when California was entering a new era several centuries ago. In addition to the mission, the grounds have extensive gardens with century-old vineyards, rose bushes, oak trees, cacti, citrus trees and more.
The mission is located at 751 Palm St. and is an active Catholic parish as part of the Diocese of Monterey.
Culture Time at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
You can get to know California through its artists when you visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, at 1010 Broad St. Focusing on contemporary pieces, the museum has paintings, sculptures, prints, film and photography that speak of California’s past and present. Enjoy a phone-audio or docent-led tour, or just browse the galleries at your own pace.
Whether you’re visiting for the scenic beauty, the art, the culture or something else, there are tons of things to do in San Luis Obispo, and they’re awaiting your discovery.
— Donna Polizzi is a travel writer and founder of Keys 2 the Coast, a trusted travel resource for the Central Coast and beyond, including sharing favorite places to “Wine, Dine and Explore.” She can be contacted at news@noozhawk.com. Connect with Keys 2 the Coast on Facebook. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are her own.