When is the best time to visit San Luis Obispo? Well, it isn’t a certain season, or even a specific month. Thankfully, the best time to visit comes around quite frequently… every week to be exact. Located in Central California, just under 20 miles from the coast, you really can’t go wrong with what time of year you visit. The best time to visit San Luis Obispo is for a Midweekend getaway!
We love visiting small towns for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway. Recently, we discovered the charming town of San Luis Obispo (or shortened to ‘SLO’) in Central California and fell in love with its laid-back vibe and friendly locals. In this blog post, we’ll share our experiences and recommendations for a Midweekend getaway in SLO!
WHAT IS A MIDWEEKEND?
First, let’s define what a Midweekend is. In SLO, it refers to any stay that falls from Sunday through Thursday. As the town loves midweek guests, there are plenty of perks to visiting during this time, such as fewer crowds, more happy hours, and potential bonuses for staying midweek. Find out if there’s a deal currently going on here.
As far as we are concerned, San Luis Obispo invented the term “Midweekend”. Midweekend refers to any stay that falls during what you would consider a traditional week. Think of it as a weekend getaway, without dealing with everyone else’s weekend getaway. This small town transports you to make every day feel like a weekend day, so why not take advantage?
San Luis Obispo is one of the first towns that we have seen that love a midweek guest! They’re not going to sit back and let Friday and Saturday hog all of the attention. SLO makes sure that there’s a good time to be had every day of the week!
PERKS OF A MIDWEEKEND IN SAN LUIS OBISPO
Less crowds, more happy hours. Have you ever realized how few places do a weekend happy hour? Obviously no place needs help getting folks in the door on a Friday or Saturday. So when you plan your getaway during a Midweekend, you’re guaranteed to find a Happy Hour. This keeps a drink in your hand without taking so much out of your pocket!
You can spend that savings at one of the amazing restaurants in SLO! And since you’re not visiting on a weekend, it’ll be easier to get your favorite time slot for a reservation! You’ll get all of the tastiness without all of the waiting around.
Nothing takes the enjoyment out of wine tasting or a brewery visit like rushing through your experience to make room for the next guests. How can you take in the views or revisit your favorite brew if you can’t sit and stay awhile? Visiting during the week allows you to take your time and ensures you’ll get to soak it all in at your own pace!
On top of everything we’ve already listed, there’s MORE. Local hotels, museums, tours, and other activities have lower rates on weekdays than they do on weekends. If you plan your SLO Midweekend getaway right, you can do SO MUCH MORE in the same amount of time! Check the SLO website and you might even earn a BONUS for visiting on a Midweekend!
PLANNING YOUR MIDWEEKEND GETAWAY
For being a self-proclaimed “small town”, San Luis Obispo has no shortage of ways to spend your time – in all of the best ways possible. In this section, we’ll cover eating, drinking, outdoor activities, what to pack, and where to stay. Once you get a taste for the SLO Life, you’ll want to come back time and time again. So get out your calendar, request your time away from work, and let’s start planning!
EATING IN SAN LUIS OBISPO
SLO has an impressive dining scene for a small town, and we were impressed with the variety and quality of the food. Here are a few of our favorites:
- BLISS CAFE: This vegan cafe serves up delicious plant-based breakfast and lunch dishes, as well as coffee and smoothies. We loved the maple tempeh breakfast burrito and the creekside patio seating.
- SLO BREW: This casual brewery is a must-visit for beer lovers, but the food is also top-notch. Don’t miss the A-SLO-HA IPA, Fries with Curried Aioli, and the Sweet Brussels.
- NATE’S ON MARSH: For a more upscale meal, Nate’s on Marsh is the place to be. The intimate dining experience in a converted old house is worth the splurge. Try the Burrata + Bread or the Polpo to start, Salmon Piccata as a main, and don’t forget to ask for the specials!
- NOVO: This waterfront restaurant serves up global cuisine in a beautiful setting. The Salmon Bisque and the Thai Red Curry were amazing.
DRINKING IN SLO
Of course, we couldn’t visit San Luis Obispo without trying some of the local libations. We tried a little bit of everything, but there’s plenty more where this came from! While we sadly couldn’t make it to every spot, here are a few we enjoyed:
CAFES
- SCOUT COFFEE: We loved stopping by Scout Coffee for a morning pick-me-up and enjoyed the ambiance. We both opted for Hot Americanos and were not disappointed! Be sure to grab a made-from-scratch pastry, too!
- BLACKHORSE COFFEE: With two locations in SLO, you can get delish quality coffee and breakfast any day of the week! We loved the breakfast burrito and poppyseed muffin alongside our coffees while we worked from this cafe!
- KRAKEN COFFEE CO.: Attention to detail in this tastefully nautical-themed coffee shop cannot go unnoticed! You’ll want to spend hours here enjoying a cup of joe and breakfast (vegan options, too!). Our only regret is finding this place on our last day in town. 10/10!
WINERIES
- SAUCELITO CANYON: Definitely a MUST visit! Enjoy a beautiful outdoor tasting on a lawn setting for a perfectly relaxing experience. Open daily, dog-friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable staff. The views, the vibes, and the wines were all fantastic.
- CLAIBORNE & CHURCHILL: With a great indoor tasting room and even better outdoor garden – you should not skip this spot! Lounge on comfy outdoor couches in front of your own gas fire pit while you sip on amazing wines! Reservations are required here, so plan ahead! Dog-friendly and open daily.
BREWERIES
- SLO BREW: In addition to great food, SLO Brew has a great selection of craft beer on tap. Get a flight of all of the IPAs to find your favorite!
- THERE DOES NOT EXIST: Tucked away in an unassuming brick building, you’ll find a sleek brewery with incredible beers. We loved the Particle Draft New England IPA and the Æ3021 West Coast IPA. They’ve also some amazing merch you’ll want to check out!
COCKTAILS
- SIDECAR: This cocktail bar has a speakeasy vibe and an impressive menu of craft cocktails. We loved the ‘Kuzco’s Poison’ Pisco, ‘Moving to Orange’ Mezcal and we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t try the ‘Homecoming King’ and an Old Fashioned. What’s truly unique about this spot is each drink has its own song, which is on a downloadable playlist!
- ROD & HAMMER’S SLO STILLS: A whiskey-lovers absolute dream! Long-time friends bonded over their love of Central California, surfing, and great whiskey. Together they created a tasting room combined with a craft cocktail bar. Try a few of the spirits or one of their incredibly crafted creations. Take a seat and enjoy the classy-yet-casual ambiance of vintage surfboards, leather couches, and even an old copper distiller.
GETTING OUTSIDE
One of the best things about San Luis Obispo is its access to the great outdoors. With something for everyone’s pace, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend most of your Midweekend outside. Here are a few ways to enjoy the beautiful scenery:
- HIKE: Bishop Peak is a popular hike in SLO with stunning views from the summit. We also enjoyed a short hike at Cerro San Luis Obispo for some exercise with the pup and amazing views!
- BEACH: Avila Beach is a short drive from SLO and is a great spot for surfing, sunbathing, or just enjoying the ocean views. We took in a beautiful sunset at Old Port Beach, as this is a dog-friendly beach after 5:00pm!
- BIKE: San Luis Obispo has a great bike trail that connects downtown with the nearby town of Pismo Beach. Rent a bike from the local bike shop and enjoy the scenery.
DOWNTOWN SLO
Downtown SLO is a pedestrian-friendly, dog-friendly, and kid-friendly area with plenty to do and see. Walk around town and you’ll notice that San Luis Obispo has a blossoming local art community. You can check out art galleries or even stop by Bubblegum Alley for a fun photo op!
And for the Midweekend getaway, be sure and stop by the Thursday Farmer’s Market right in Downtown! With performing arts, a botanical garden, and many museums – you won’t run out of unique things to do!
WHAT TO PACK & WEATHER
Layers. If you’re going anywhere in California near the coast – PACK LAYERS! For some reason people always assume every place near a beach is going to be warm. Well let us remind you that with wind and the marine layers, even in hotter months, the mornings and evenings get CHILLY.
San Luis Obispo is quintessentially low-key in all of the best ways. This means that any and all styles are welcome. You won’t have to dress it up or play it down in San Luis Obispo. Of course, any town by the coast will always have more people in flip-flops and hoodies than anything else.
Based on the temperature chart, it’s best to pack for San Luis Obispo with the intention of dressing in layers all year round. This means bringing clothing items such as t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, and jackets. It’s also a good idea to pack a scarf and/or hat, as well as closed-toe shoes for the chillier mornings and evenings. Don’t forget to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes for exploring the town and nearby hiking trails.
For the warmer months, pack shorts and sunglasses, but still have a light jacket or sweater on hand for when the sun goes down. Remember to bring a swimsuit if you plan on going to the beach or taking a dip in a nearby pool. Overall, packing versatile clothing items that can be layered and mixed and matched is key for a comfortable and enjoyable trip to San Luis Obispo.
SAN LUIS OBISPO WEATHER BY MONTH
| Month | Average High Temperature (°F) | Average Low Temperature (°F) | Days of Sun | Average Rainfall (inches) |
| January | 64 | 41 | 7 | 4.92 |
| February | 66 | 43 | 8 | 4.50 |
| March | 66 | 45 | 10 | 3.51 |
| April | 69 | 46 | 11 | 1.21 |
| May | 71 | 49 | 12 | 0.45 |
| June | 75 | 53 | 12 | 0.10 |
| July | 78 | 56 | 12 | 0.01 |
| August | 79 | 57 | 12 | 0.01 |
| September | 78 | 54 | 12 | 0.24 |
| October | 74 | 49 | 11 | 1.16 |
| November | 68 | 43 | 8 | 2.87 |
| December | 64 | 40 | 6 | 4.21 |
WHERE TO STAY IN SLO
There are PLENTY of options for places to stay in San Luis Obispo for your Midweekend getaway! With locations spread throughout town, you can find the perfect fit for your style, preference, and budget. SLO has every type of accommodation from boutique to historic to unique to pet-friendly. Truly something for everyone!
If you’re planning to visit the restaurant and cocktail scene or take in the art galleries and museums, we’d recommend staying downtown. Being such a walkable town will make it easy to get around and not have to worry about finding parking or moving your car every couple of hours at parking meters.
And if your itinerary has more hiking, beach, or winery adventures, you might prefer to stay a little outside of downtown to make getting in and out of your hotel easier. Driving around on downtown streets can be tricky and not always what you want to do after a full day of activities.
The good news is, you cannot go wrong in which area you stay, because there’s no bad part of San Luis Obispo! Most importantly, be sure to check for Midweekend deals on your booking! Here are a few that are worth looking to:
- UNIQUE: Madonna Inn
- PET-FRIENDLY: Hotel San Luis Obispo
- BED & BREAKFAST: Casa San Miguelito
- BUDGET: Hampton Inn & Suites San Luis Obispo
- DOWNTOWN: Hotel Cerro
A MIDWEEKEND GETAWAY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO
We have no doubt that you will instantly be won over by the charm of this incredible small town in Central California. You will quickly find out that one visit to San Luis Obispo just isn’t enough, and you’ll want to come back for more!
San Luis Obispo has so much to offer no matter what you’re looking for. Speakeasy cocktail bars, upscale restaurants, hiking, wine tasting with mountain vistas, and so so much more. And if you plan your getaway between Sunday-Thursday, you’ll find less crowds and more deals, meaning you can fit that much more into your visit!
Get out those flipflops, grab a sweatshirt, pack your bags and prepare to enjoy the SLO life… because now you have the secret of the best time to visit San Luis Obispo – The Midweekend!
Let us know what you thought of this, if we missed anything, and if you plan on spending a Midweekend in San Luis Obispo, down below in our comments!
And if you’re looking for some other California inspiration, check out some of our other articles:
- 12 TOWNS TO VISIT ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST
- A WEEKEND IN MORGAN HILL CALIFORNIA
- 10 THINGS TO DO NEAR SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA
- 9 WAYS TO VIEW GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
- A PERFECT DAY AT CARMEL VALLEY RANCH
- A PERFECT DAY AT VENTANA BIG SUR
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Thanks for stopping by!
Ryan & Katy
