Tag: San Luis Obispo

The Ultimate San Luis Obispo, CA Bucket List

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Located between the lush green peaks of mid-California lives San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short. Near the coast and with a vibrant downtown scene, SLO offers the perfect balance of outdoor and indoor activities for all. Whether you’ve lived in SLO for years or are looking to buy a home or rent an apartment here, below you’ll find a compilation of the top San Luis Obispo bucket list items. Ranging from downtown activities to cafes to hikes and bikes to restaurants, this bucket list has it all.

Photo courtesy of Cycle Central Coast

1. Check out a trendy art cafe

If you’re like many of us and you can’t start your day without being properly caffeinated, SLO has an abundance of local coffee shops to choose from. One of the more uber-cool spots is The Bunker which not only serves coffee from the Nautical Bean, another local coffee spot, but also acts as an art gallery/event space/artist studio. Even cooler, The Bunker “has a new art exhibit every month with an ‘all are welcome’ opening on the first Friday of the month and tons of live music, workshops and events during the evenings.”

Photo courtesy of The Bunker

2. Support local at the farmers market

Located on one of SLO’s more ‘happening’ streets lives the weekly Downtown Farmers’ Market. The San Luis Obispo Guide boasts of the lively event: “Every Thursday evening, Higuera Street comes alive with live music and entertainment, the friendly chatter of locals and visitors alike, and the enticing aromas of delicious BBQ, fresh local produce from over 100 vendors, gourmet treats, and artisan goods.”

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is a great way to get involved with the community and support local businesses whether you’re grabbing a bite to eat, produce, or a handmade good. Shelby, from the travel blog Sedation Vacations, claims “There’s no better way to experience the vibe of the city than by going to the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market!…[T]his bustling market spans five blocks and features over 100 local vendors starting at 6 pm every Thursday night. Whether you’re looking for fresh produce, hand-crafted goods, delectable bread and pastries, or just want to be entertained by live music while enjoying some famous Central Coast BBQ, there’s something for everyone at the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market!”

Photo Courtesy of the San Luis Obispo Guide

3. Shop ‘till you drop

A San Luis Obispo must is exploring Downtown SLO and stopping at many – if not all – the cute stores. Although not in the Downtown area, one of the best is the SLO General Store which is located inside the SLO Public Market and is a one-stop shop for local gifts. Not only do they have a variety of great gifts, but the shop was “created with the mission to provide opportunities for local artisans and makers to connect with local consumers, the SLO General Store features over 80 local artisans, growers, and makers” and is definitely worth a visit.

4. Take a trip to Morro Bay

If you’re looking for an escape to the water, Morro Bay is the perfect little trip and is only a quick 20-minute drive from SLO. The Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce recommends three main activities: the Lost Isle Adventures tour to learn about the history of the bay, Morro Bay Boat Rentals for those wanting to captain their own 10’ boat, and Morro Bay Sub Sea Tours which features a harbor cocktail cruise, glass bottom boat, and whale watching. If you time it right, you’ll get to sea (get it?) whales on the bay as “Morro Bay is on the migration pattern to two different whale species, gray whales and humpback whales.”

Photo Courtesy of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce

5. Take the scenic route—by bike!

One of the main draws of SLO is its beautiful outdoors and “access to an incredible range of roads and trails” for a nature walk, run, rollerblade, or our recommendation — a bike ride! If you don’t own a bike, Cycle Central Coast has several shops in SLO where you can rent them. Beaming about the incredible coastal views, take their “endurance cycling excursion through our Cycle Central Coast Morro Rock Descent route[or] clim[b] the dirt paths and grit-testing inland hills of the Central Coast” or range of long-distance routes. Despite bike level, there’s sure to be the perfect scenic route for everyone.

6. Take a hike

There’s so much gorgeous scenery to explore in SLO, and much of it can be seen on a hike. Artist Bobby of Bobby Boss Art finds much inspiration from SLO’s gorgeous landscapes and recommends finding “a hiking buddy and explor[ing] a trail like the “M Trail” on Cerro San Luis” for “amazing views of the city, and quintessential nature experience for SLO.” In fact, the M Trail is just one of the three stops of the SLO “Tri Tip Peak Challenge.” This physical challenge includes hiking the M Trail, Bishop’s Peak, and California Polytechnic University’s “P” in one day, and ends at local eatery, Firestone Grill, for a tri-tip sandwich reward.

7. Try new cuisine

If a tri-tip sandwich isn’t your cup of tea, SLO has several incredible restaurants to choose from. If you’re looking to try a new cuisine, like Ethiopian, Ebony SLO is one of the best, and is both minority- and women-owned. Created with the goal of bringing community together over food, Ebony has indoor and outdoor seating which is perfect for those sunny California days, Ethiopian music, and “[It’s] a must visit for the amazing, vegan, organic and gluten-free food cooked with love and care.” according to the place itself. If you’re looking for unique fusion food, another great restaurant option is Todo Bueno All Good Grill, a wok-seared, California-Mexican joint. This place has balcony dining with a view of the SLO Public Market and a great selection of draft beers and local wines.

Photo courtesy of Ebony SLO

8. Sample wine with a side of adventure

Speaking of wine, if you’re of age, Uncorked Wine Tours offers a unique wine tour that combines a zipline excursion and tastings of local wine. If you’re curious about the day’s itinerary, they’ve outlined it for you: “[You’ll] begin your day soaring through the picturesque landscapes on a zipline excursion over lush vineyards at Margarita Adventures. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the region’s rich viticultural heritage with wine tastings and a delectable lunch at a charming winery. Finally, unwind with handcrafted spirits and a visit to a local brewery, completing an unforgettable exploration of SLO’s vibrant culture, and natural beauty.”

9. Soaring through SLO via helicopter

If you’re in the mood for even more adventure, add flying a helicopter to your San Luis Obispo bucket list. Helipro offers an introductory flight where you take the controls (with experienced instructors of course) to experience SLO from a new perspective. Helipro says this experience is for all levels: “Whether you’re a budding aviator or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, this is your chance to elevate your senses and create lasting memories.” This unique experience provides hands-on experience for those wanting to soar through the skies and take in the picturesque SLO nature from a bird’s eye view.

10. Visit the lavender

Beyond the bay, Downtown, and the several peaks, SLO is also close by to beautiful farms. From mid-May to the end of June, luscious fields of lavender bloom at Hambly Farms. This farm features three football fields filled with various types of lavender, which is perfect for a late spring/early summer stroll. You can harvest a fresh bouquet, relax in the scent and enjoy the view, pack a picnic, visit the friendly farm animals, and check out “the farm store loaded with estate grown and crafted products like lavender essential oil and sachets and lots of treats to eat too – charcuterie boxes, gelato, and more” as Hambly Farms recommends.

Photo courtesy of Hambly Farms

11. Stop by a local bakery for a sweet little treat

If you’re in the mood for a treat after all those activities, or just have a bit of a sweet tooth, SLO is home to several tasty local bakeries. An SLO staple is SloDoCo, a donut shop featuring several flavors, seasonal specials (I love the worms n’ soil donut in the fall!), and options for different food preferences. Jackie, the gluten-free food blogger of Gluten Free Follow Me, recommends SloDoCo, especially for gluten-free eaters: “I’m gluten-free so I was excited to discover that they make GF donuts! I’ve tried the GF chocolate, lavender, vanilla, and maple donut flavors, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.”

Another great place for a treat, especially on a warmer day is The Creamery Marketplace, a marketplace located behind the intersection of Higuera and Nipomo streets. A best-kept local secret, the open-air market merges the Central Coast’s storied dairy history with a modern experience with several “diverse eateries, artisan handiwork, and a bustling culinary community – all hidden in plain sight” according to The Creamery.

12. Tour the SLO coast

Besides Morro Bay, SLO has its very own bay with equally great tours. SLO Tours offers boat adventures in the San Luis Obispo Bay to “explore Fossil Point Sea Caves, Otter Town, Pelican Jetty, Sea Lion Rock, Smith Island and views of Point San Luis Lighthouse in just one tour” says owner and captain Micheal Brink. The animal sightings and beautiful views make an excursion on the bay more than worthwhile, along with a great way to get familiar with the surrounding nature.

13. Experience the local art scene

SLO is also home to a vibrant art scene with a special local tradition that occurs on the first Friday of every month and spans across several neighborhoods in SLO. Art After Dark is a self-guided art walk where “the SLO community is welcome to enjoy visual, literary, and performing art at local businesses and galleries” according to SLO County Arts. Not only is this a unique opportunity to support local artists and businesses and get connected with the community, but what better way to get immersed in SLO culture than through art?

Photo courtesy of SLO County Arts

14. Go on a food tour

SLO has proven to be a hub for great food, but if you’re looking for a special foodie experience, add this culinary journey to your list. Taste of SLO – Walking Food Tour offers a one-of-a-kind experience that takes users through Downtown SLO streets to sample foods “from locally sourced artisanal cheeses to mouthwatering farm-to-table dishes” for the ultimate taste of SLO’s thriving food scene. This tour really is for everyone whether “you’re a seasoned foodie or just discovering your palate, our expert guides will lead you to hidden gems and iconic eateries that will leave you craving more” says Taste of SLO.

15. Hang out with animals

SLO is also close to animal sanctuaries like the Greener Pastures Farm Sanctuary in Arroyo Grande, which is just a short drive from Downtown SLO. This is the perfect activity for animal lovers of all ages as the farm has a variety of animals to meet from miniature donkeys to goats to sheep to geese to name a few. Since this is a sanctuary, Greener Pastures invites the public to “meet the rescued animals up close and hear their stories of triumph and forgiveness from docents who work with them weekly.” This experience is guaranteed to warm your heart with the cute animals and inspiring recovery stories.

16. Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

The ultimate SLO bucket list wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. As the first mission founded in the land of the Chumash Native Americans, this place is a special piece of SLO history. Michael of MK Library recommends grabbing a coffee or bite to eat downtown and taking a stroll along the San Luis Obispo Creek Trail. “There are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy a bit of greenery, with quick access to the local and very unique artistically boutique shops. If you time it right, you can experience the bells from Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa” says Michael. If you want to hear the bells ring up close, we recommend visiting the Mission’s garden for an up-close look at the beautiful architecture to really absorb SLO’s historic roots.

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Darby Mulligan

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May 1, 2024
Slow-moving storm to bring heavy rain and flooding to Southern California before Christmas

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There is no snow in the forecast for Southern California this holiday season, but residents can expect heavy rain, flooding on roadways and creeks, and thunderstorms as a slow-moving winter storm system lingers over the region through Friday.

Forecasts show that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be warmer and dry.

A tightly-wound and well-defined low-pressure storm system about 300 miles off the coast of the San Francisco Bay Area is slowing making its way south, according to the National Weather Service.

Typically, winter storm systems are propelled by the Pacific jet stream, meteorologist Ryan Kittell from the National Weather Service in Oxnard said. But this holiday low-pressure system is cut off from the stream and merely wobbling its way toward Southern California in a cyclonic flow.

The National Weather Service issued a special marine weather warning for the Central Coast on Wednesday morning due to the potential for water spouts and strong winds. There is a slight chance that the current conditions will cause a tornado or water spout to form in the area between Point Conception in Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County, according to the forecast.

There is a flood watch in effect for the next two days for most of Southern California. Residents in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties should be on the lookout for debris flows, flash flooding, general flooding and overflowing rivers, the National Weather Service said.

Areas along the Santa Ynez and Santa Monica coastal ranges near isolated thunderstorms could see rainfall rates of an inch an hour Wednesday and Thursday. Other areas could expect to see 0.30 to 0.60 of an inch of rain per hour.

“It’s not a typical or classic winter storm that would drop rain for a few hours and then move along,” Kittell said.

The brunt of the storm is forecast to hit San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to the National Weather Service. Los Angeles County will also see heavy rainfall, but forecasters are a bit uncertain if the area will get the same drenching as is expected for the counties further north and west.

The storm is expected to bring flooding for most of the region through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, which cautioned drivers to avoid driving on roads that appear to be under water.

“Rain may be locally heavy at times, & numerous floods are likely,” the National Weather Service said in their social media channels. “Flash & urban flooding are expected, & debris/mud flows will be possible. Turn around, don’t drown!”

Southern California residents can expect showers throughout Friday, which will give way to gusty winds on Saturday and slightly warmer temperatures by Sunday, according to the forecast.

The slow-moving storm is also a bit warmer than average, Kittell said, dashing any hopes for snow below the 7,500-foot mark.

“It’s going to be cold, but not terribly cold,” Kittell said.

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Nathan Solis

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December 20, 2023
The Disappearance of Kristin Smart

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The Disappearance of Kristin Smart – CBS News

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A college student attends a party and is never seen again. A fellow student is long suspected of her murder. 26 years later – a jury speaks. “48 Hours” contributor Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

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July 16, 2023
Search resumes for boy missing in deadly California floods

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Search resumes for boy missing in deadly California floods – CBS News

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A search entered its third day Wednesday for missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan, who was swept away from his mother’s arms by powerful flood waters near San Luis Obispo, California, on Monday. Most of California has received 600% of its normal rainfall in the past two weeks, according to the National Weather Service, as residents battle deadly flooding which has submerged homes and created sinkholes and landslides amid a series of powerful storms driven by atmospheric rivers. Carter Evans has the latest.

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January 11, 2023
Father says ‘no joy’ in Kristin Smart murder conviction

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LOS ANGELES — The father of Kristin Smart, the California Central Coast college student who vanished from campus 26 years ago, says a murder conviction hasn’t ended the “agonizingly long journey” to find the truth about his daughter.

“Without Kristin, there’s no joy or happiness in this verdict,” Smart’s father, Stan Smart, said at a news conference after a jury on Tuesday found Paul Flores — the last man seen with Smart — guilty of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors contended that Flores killed Smart, then 19, while trying to rape her in his dormitory room at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where they were first-year students. His attorney argued that prosecutors used an outlandish conspiracy theory and “junk science” to accuse him and his father, who was charged with concealing Smart’s body to hide the crime.

Flores, who is 45, could face 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 9. His attorney, Robert Sanger, declined to comment on the verdict Tuesday.

A day earlier, a separate jury acquitted Ruben Flores, 81, who was accused by prosecutors of burying Smart’s body under the deck of his house in the nearby community of Arroyo Grande for years but later digging up and moving it.

Her body has never been found.

Both verdicts were announced Tuesday.

“After 26 years, with today’s split verdict, we learned that our quest for justice for Kristin will continue,” Smart’s father said. “This has been an agonizingly long journey, with more downs than ups.”

However, he also thanked both juries for their diligence and said his faith in the justice system “has been renewed.”

“Know that your spirit lives on in each and every one of us, everyday,” he said of his daughter. “Not a single day goes by that you aren’t missed, remembered, loved and celebrated.”

Smart disappeared from campus over Memorial Day weekend in 1996. The father and son weren’t arrested until 2021. Their attorneys had suggested that someone else killed her or even that she may still be alive, although Smart was legally declared dead in 2002.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson told reporters that the search for Smart’s remains will continue.

“This case will not be over until Kristin is returned home, and we have committed to that from the beginning,” he said. “We don’t take a breath. We do not put this aside.”

Paul Flores was seen with Smart on May 25, 1996. The defense said Flores was seen helping Smart walk to her dorm after she became drunk at an off-campus party. Prosecutors suggested she may have been drugged and that Flores took her to his own room where he killed her during an attempted rape.

Paul Flores had long been considered a suspect in the killing. He had a black eye when investigators interviewed him. He told them he got it playing basketball with friends, who denied his account, according to court records. He later changed his story to say he bumped his head while working on his car.

During Paul Flores’ trial, the prosecution also told jurors that four cadaver dogs had alerted to the “smell of death on his mattress” but Sanger called it “junk science” and noted there wasn’t any forensic evidence of Smart having been in the room.

“This case was not prosecuted for all these years because there’s no evidence,” Sanger said during closing arguments. “It’s sad Kristin Smart disappeared, and she may have gone out on her own, but who knows?”

Investigators conducted dozens of fruitless searches for Smart’s body over two decades. In the past two years they turned their attention to Ruben Flores’ home.

Behind latticework beneath the deck of his large house on a dead end street, archaeologists working for police in March 2021 found a soil disturbance about the size of a casket and the presence of human blood, prosecutors said. The blood was too degraded to extract a DNA sample.

After Tuesday’s verdict, Ruben Flores maintained that both he and his son are innocent and said he feels badly that Smart’s family will never have a resolution. He said the case was about feelings, not facts.

“We don’t know what happened to their daughter,” he told reporters.

“They’ve had searches and everything,” he said. “They come to my house and say she was buried here, and that’s a surprise to me.”

“He should have never been charged,” said his attorney, Harold Mesick. “It would be nice if the community would actually honor the presumption of innocence. There is so much animosity toward this man and his family.”

The trial was held in Salinas, 110 miles (177 kilometers) north of San Luis Obispo. A judge agreed to move it after the defense argued that it was unlikely the Floreses could receive a fair trial with so much notoriety in the city of about 47,000 people.

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October 19, 2022
Man convicted of killing missing California college student

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LOS ANGELES — The last man seen with Kristin Smart was convicted Tuesday of killing the college freshman, who vanished from a California campus more than 25 years ago, but his father was acquitted of helping him conceal the crime.

Jurors unanimously found Paul Flores guilty of first-degree murder. He could face 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced.

In an email, his attorney, Robert Sanger, declined to comment on the verdict because “the matter is still pending.”

A jury in a separate trial found his father, Ruben Flores, not guilty of charges of being an accessory to murder after the fact. The conflicting verdicts were read moments apart in the same courtroom.

“Without Kristin, there’s no joy or happiness in this verdict,” Smart’s father, Stan Smart, said at a news conference after the hearing. “After 26 years, with today’s split verdict, we learned that our quest for justice for Kristin will continue.”

He described the case as a long, agonizing journey and said he was grateful to the two juries for their diligence.

Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University on the state’s scenic central coast over Memorial Day weekend in 1996. Her remains have never been found. The father and son weren’t arrested until 2021.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson told reporters at a news conference that the investigation won’t end until Smart’s remains are found.

“This case will not be over until Kristin is returned home, and we have committed to that from the beginning,” he said. “We don’t take a breath. We do not put this aside.”

Prosecutors maintained the younger Flores, now 45, killed the 19-year-old during an attempted rape on May 25, 1996, in his dorm room at Cal Poly, where both were first-year students. He was the last person seen with Smart as he walked her home from an off-campus party where she became intoxicated.

His father, now 81, was accused of helping bury the slain student behind his home in the nearby community of Arroyo Grande and later digging up the remains and moving them.

Outside the courthouse, Ruben Flores maintained that his son is innocent and said he feels badly that Smart’s family will never have a resolution. He said the case was about feelings, not facts.

“We don’t know what happened to their daughter,” he told reporters.

Sanger had tried to pin the killing on someone else — noting that Scott Peterson, who was later convicted at a sensational trial of killing his pregnant wife and the fetus she was carrying — was also a student at the campus about 200 miles (320 kilometers) up the coast from Los Angeles.

During his closing arguments, Sanger said no attempted rape occurred and he cast doubt on testimony from witnesses, including a student who was in Smart’s dorm who testified to seeing Paul Flores in Smart’s room.

He also referred to forensic evidence offered by the prosecution as “junk science.”

“This case was not prosecuted for all these years because there’s no evidence,” Sanger said. “It’s sad Kristin Smart disappeared, and she may have gone out on her own, but who knows?”

Paul Flores had long been considered a suspect in the killing. He had a black eye when investigators interviewed him. He told them he got it playing basketball with friends, who denied his account, according to court records. He later changed his story to say he bumped his head while working on his car.

Investigators conducted dozens of fruitless searches for Smart’s body over two decades. In the past two years they turned their attention to Ruben Flores’ home about 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Cal Poly in the community of Arroyo Grande.

Behind latticework beneath the deck of his large house on a dead end street, archaeologists working for police in March 2021 found a soil disturbance about the size of a casket and the presence of human blood, prosecutors said. The blood was too degraded to extract a DNA sample.

The trial was held in Salinas, 110 miles (177 kilometers) north of San Luis Obispo. A judge agreed to move it after the defense argued that it was unlikely the Floreses could receive a fair trial with so much much notoriety in the city of about 47,000 people.

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October 18, 2022
Paul Flores found guilty of first-degree murder in the 1996 disappearance and death of Kristin Smart

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The last man seen with Kristin Smart was convicted Tuesday of killing the college freshman, who vanished from a California campus 26 years ago.

Jurors unanimously found Paul Flores guilty of first-degree murder, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported. A jury in a separate trial found his father, Ruben Flores, not guilty of charges of being accessory to murder after the fact for allegedly helping to conceal the crime.

The conflicting verdicts were read moments apart in the same courtroom.

Kristin Smart (The Record)

Smart disappeared from California Polytechnic State University over Memorial Day weekend in 1996. Her remains were never found.

Prosecutors maintain the younger Flores, now 45, killed the 19-year-old during an attempted rape on May 25, 1996, in his dorm room at Cal Poly, where both were first-year students. He was the last person seen with Smart as he walked her home from an off-campus party where she became intoxicated.

His father, now 81, was accused of helping to bury the slain student behind his home in the nearby community of Arroyo Grande and later digging up the remains and moving them.

Monterey County Superior Court Judge Jennifer O’Keefe thanked the jurors for their service after the guilty verdict in the murder case was announced.

“I wish to express to you the appreciation and that of the parties for your service in this case,” she said. “It is a great personal sacrifice to serve as a juror. … You have been very attentive and conscientious throughout this case.”

The son’s defense attorney, Robert Sanger, had tried to pin the killing on someone else — noting that Scott Peterson, who was later convicted at a sensational trial of killing his pregnant wife and the fetus she was carrying — was also a Cal Poly student at the time.

Paul Flores listens during his murder trial in Monterey County Superior Court in Salinas, Calif., Monday, July 18, 2022.

Daniel Dreifuss / AP

During his closing arguments, the son’s defense attorney, Robert Sanger, told jurors that no attempted rape occurred and he cast doubt on testimony from witnesses, including a student who was in Smart’s dorm who testified to seeing Flores in Smart’s room.

He also referred to forensic evidence offered by the prosecution as “junk science.”

“This case was not prosecuted for all these years because there’s no evidence,” Sanger said. “It’s sad Kristin Smart disappeared, and she may have gone out on her own, but who knows?”

Paul Flores had long been considered a suspect in the killing. He had a black eye when investigators interviewed him. He told them he got it playing basketball with friends, who denied his account, according to court records. He later changed his story to say he bumped his head while working on his car.

However, the father and son were only arrested in 2021 after the case was revived.

Investigators conducted dozens of fruitless searches for Smart’s body over two decades but in the past two years they turned their attention to Ruben Flores’ home about 12 miles south of Cal Poly in the community of Arroyo Grande.

Behind latticework beneath the deck of his large house on a dead end street, archaeologists working for police in March 2021 found a soil disturbance about the size of a casket and the presence of human blood, prosecutors said. The blood was too degraded to extract a DNA sample.

The trial was held in Salinas, 110 miles north of San Luis Obispo, after a judge granted a defense request to move it. The defense argued that it was unlikely the Flores’ could receive a fair trial with so much much notoriety in the city of about 47,000 people.

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October 18, 2022