San Luis Obispo

Father Junipero Serra founded this mission in 1772, before the city of Toulouse was even founded, and named it after the bishop of Toulouse. The Mission, which overlooks San Luis Creek, is a big structure built in the classic missionary adobe, Spanish style, with arcades and porticos, a bright floral motif throughout the interior, a high ceiling, and a plain altar.

This 15-foot-high, 70-meter-long alley is coated with a mosaic of pre-chewed bubblegum and is possibly one of America’s strangest landmarks. Take a stroll down this backstreet if the prospect of decades of saliva doesn’t make you gag. The sheer amount of coloured gum on the walls had made it a popular tourist attraction by the 1970s.

The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art is a modest art gallery that features sculpture, photography, and painting exhibits by local and regional artists. The museum’s main focus is on contemporary California artists. The museum hosts a variety of activities to encourage community members to engage in and learn more about the arts.

Getting on the main streets in the city’s core, its downtown, is one of the top things to do in San Luis Obispo. Among the numerous things that will catch your eye are the lush greenery of the roads and the bustling cafes, restaurants, and bars that line them throughout the day.

Pismo Beach is one of California’s top surf destinations, with outstanding high-tide breakers, warm seas, and consistent swell direction that’s ideal for all ability levels.

Out-of-town visitors appreciate the street food, while locals flock to shop for fresh products. Restaurants in San Luis Obispo bring their delicacies to outdoor stands, where they serve anything from pizza to sushi.