| EXPERIENCE Signature Attractions Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove <strong>San</strong> <strong>Luis</strong> <strong>Obispo</strong> County bubbles with outdoor adventure, laid-back beaches, culinary delights and urbane shopping, but make sure to reserve some space in your itinerary for these iconic, uniquely SLO experiences. Mission Plaza With the historic Mission <strong>San</strong> <strong>Luis</strong> <strong>Obispo</strong> de Tolosa as a backdrop, this community gathering spot has taken on new life with plenty <strong>of</strong> seating to enjoy a c<strong>of</strong>fee, ice cream or take-out from one <strong>of</strong> downtown’s many eateries and Instagram-ready installations that evolve with the seasons. Check downtownslo.com for the latest. Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market The long-time Thursday night street fair is back after a year-long hiatus and once again the go-to spot for fresh-from-the-farm produce and artisan goods. Check downtownslo.com for updates on live music and entertainment. Bubblegum Alley One <strong>of</strong> Downtown <strong>San</strong> <strong>Luis</strong> <strong>Obispo</strong>’s quirkiest features is a 15-foot-high, 70-foot-long alleyway on Higuera Street covered in decades’ worth <strong>of</strong> chewed bubblegum left by passers-by. Bubblegum Alley has, over the years, attracted the attention <strong>of</strong> national media, including The Tonight Show, MTV and Ripley’s Believe It or Not to name a few. Beaches From the craggy cliffs <strong>of</strong> Ragged Point south to the sandy Oceano Dunes, <strong>San</strong> <strong>Luis</strong> <strong>Obispo</strong> County <strong>of</strong>fers 90 miles <strong>of</strong> coast to comb. Watch the waves from a bed and breakfast along Cambria’s Moonstone Beach, surf with Morro Rock as a backdrop, walk the pier in Cayucos, <strong>San</strong> Simeon, Pismo or Avila Beach, or poke around the tide pools <strong>of</strong> Montaña de Oro. Wine Country A variety <strong>of</strong> wine experiences, from downtown tasting rooms and vineyard tours to bottle service overlooking the vines, await visitors to Paso Robles and <strong>San</strong> <strong>Luis</strong> <strong>Obispo</strong>’s Edna Valley. The region boasts more than 300 friendly, world-class wineries—just be sure to call ahead or book reservations online before heading out. Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove From November through March, Pismo Beach attracts a different kind <strong>of</strong> visitor, when thousands <strong>of</strong> monarch butterflies gather in the Eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach. The photo-friendly spot just steps from the beach <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>of</strong>fers the chance to get a closer look at the colorful insects through strategically placed telescopes. | monarchbutterfly.org Elephant Seals The Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, about seven miles north <strong>of</strong> <strong>San</strong> Simeon along Highway 1, is home to more than 15,000 elephant seals. <strong>Visitors</strong> come from around the world to view the mammoth marine mammals. Viewing platforms are open, free <strong>of</strong> charge, every day <strong>of</strong> the year. | elephantseal.org Light at Sensorio Through January 2, experience an ethereal stroll through rolling hillsides illuminated with thousands <strong>of</strong> color-changing fiber optic bulbs at artist Bruce Munro’s Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles. New to the installation are towers lighting 17,000 wine bottles to a musical score. | sensoriopaso.com 16 | slochamber.org | DISCOVER SLO <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong>
Moondoggies’ Randy Adler Catch the Wave 40 WORLD CLASS & LOCALLY OWNED BRANDS IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN SAN LUIS OBISPO Court Street • Monterey Street • Downtown Centre PLUS URBAN OUTFITTERS BLUE MERCURY VICTORIA’S SECRET MOONDOGGIES BEACH CLUB SHOE PALACE DISCOVER SLO <strong>2021</strong>/<strong>2022</strong> | slochamber.org | 17
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