San Luis Obispo Travel Guide Spring 2023

I’ve been traveling up a storm the last two years and of all the places I’ve been, San Luis Obispo, California has to be one of the prettiest. This area has it all—huge mountains, a quaint downtown, and beautiful beaches. I’ve never seen anything quite like it! This trip was a bit different than my typical travels—I spent four incredible days exploring SLO with my influencer management agency, Lola & Ivy!

Each year they host a company trip where all of the talent managers and content creators can get together. We had brand-sponsored events, tons of networking opportunities, and so much fun. Rarely, do I go somewhere with a detailed itinerary pre-planned for me so today’s travel guide is a bit different from my usual.

Regardless I wanted to share all of the behind-the-scenes influencer fun, a few restaurant recommendations, and details of our beautiful hotel. Enjoy!

WHERE TO STAY

Our entire agency stayed at Hotel Cerro, the cutest boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo. This is in such an ideal location—steps away from some of the cutest restaurants, bars, and boutiques. Plus, this luxury hotel has an in-house spa, a beautiful rooftop pool and bar, and a restaurant!

I stayed in one of their Classic Queen Rooms and it was so spacious. Here’s a peek into the cozy bedroom.

Off of the bedroom, I had a small balcony with a view of downtown + the gorgeous countryside. I loved being able to come out here for a little bit of fresh air.

As you can see, this was one of those rooms where the bathroom is almost a part of the bedroom. Behind the bed was a huge countertop with double sinks, big mirrors, and tons of room to get ready. Additionally, this room had a large walk-in shower and a separate toilet closed off in its own space. Oh, and did I mention they had robes?! I’ve come to appreciate this small luxury over the years.

Another huge perk of staying at Hotel Cerro is that they have their own parking garage. Finding parking downtown can be quite tricky so I was very relieved to have them Valet it for the duration of this trip! All in all, I cannot say enough good things. If you’re interested in booking a stay with Hotel Cerro click here for the best rates and current availability.

WHAT WE DID 

As I said this trip had a pre-planned itinerary ready to go! Some were Lola & Ivy-specific and others were fun things you could join in on during your trip to SLO.

Welcome Party On The Rooftop 

Like I said, this trip was put on by my talent agency Lola & Ivy. They hosted an adorable pink disco-themed welcome party on Hotel Cerro’s rooftop and it was amazing. The branded details, the carefully thought-out decorations, and the gorgeous views made this special afternoon even better. Plus, everyone was all decked out in pink attire so we all coordinated perfectly.

Visit The Wineries 

You can’t go to wine country without hitting at least one winery! We had a lovely tour at Daou Winery, one of the largest in California. The views from this property were just insane, reminding me of my time in both Austria and Switzerland. We tried over ten different types of wine and nibbled on the yummiest mix of food—shrimp cocktail, cheese plates, lamb, and fresh salmon.

Of course, we were also brought down to see where the magic happens. If you get the chance to see all of the wine in barrels, you have to take advantage! Such a cool experience getting to see where the wine ages.

After five hours of sipping at Daou, we made our way over to Booker for even more wine. This was more of a sit-down vibe with plenty of room to spread out and mingle, enjoying the fire and beautiful scenery. Such a fun experience and a must if you are coming to SLO!

Sunset Boat Cruising 

This beautiful area is surrounded by so much water which makes me love it even more. I highly suggest checking out Morro Bay. We had a lovely evening sail complete with small bites, an open bar, and a gorgeous sunset. We were hosted by XXX and it was nothing short of perfection!

Regardless of the time of year you visit, this activity is a must. It may not have been a scorching hot summer day but we were on an enclosed boat, allowing us to still enjoy the water.

Visit Pismo Beach 

Pismo Beach is just a ten-minute drive from downtown SLO and an absolute must-see if you are visiting. I mean, WOW! Truly one of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen. I was amazed by the huge rock formations and gorgeous mountains in the distance. The waves were insane and although the water was much too cold for a swim, it was the perfect scenery for a morning walk.

I have to get back here in the summer to enjoy a true beach day!

Night Out Downtown 

San Luis Obispo is home to Cal Polly, one of the largest colleges in California. That being said, this is essentially a college town which is music to my twenty-something ears. After full days of events, we made our way to the dumpy college dive bars and had ourselves a night. Nothing beats a cheap drink and a little karaoke.

WHERE TO EAT

We had some amazing event-based meals and a few that we picked up on our own! Sharing all the details here.

Brunch By The Siss Kiss at Hotel Cerro

Menu // Directions

We had an incredible brunch at Hotel Cerro’s restaurant, Brasserie. This meal was hosted by The Siss Kiss, a Cleveland based jewelry brand. We had the most amazing place settings full of personalized teacups and adorable necklaces. We had custom jewlery made on the spot and incredible decor throughout. It was truly one of the coolest events I’ve been to—each detail so carefully thought out.

We had a special menu available to us and I enjoyed the quiche which was a mix of egg, cheese, and a few greens. The potatoes and salsa here were to die for! Highly suggest popping up here for a little brunch-time action. Bonus points if you get one of their specialty mimosas—the raspberry puree was definitely my favorite!

LTK Lunch at The Carissa 

Menu // Directions

Another amazing event was brought together at the cutest brewery, The Carissa. I loved the rustic vibe of this restaurant. It had a huge bar, complete with Like To Know It themed drink-making stations at every corner. We had the entire space to ourselves where we got to hear from guest speakers and other LTK members.

The Carissa had an incredible food spread. Their chicken and flank steak were both amazing, especially when paired with the green goddess dressing. I enjoyed a much-needed veggie + grains plate as well as an adorable drink courtesy of our bobblehead drink stirrers. Too cute!

Breakie at The Cliffs Hotel 

Menu // Directions

I had to enjoy those Pismo Beach views a little while longer. We enjoyed a beautiful waterfront breakfast at Marisol, the restaurant inside of The Cliffs Hotel. I got their eggs benedict and I have to admit, it was a little disappointing. It certainly photographed well but I was underwhelmed by the flavor of their hollandaise and the ham that was mixed with the poached eggs. Oops!

Dinner at Eureka

Menu // Directions

We came to Eureka for a late dinner after a day full of drinking. I ordered their chicken sandwich with cheese, bacon, and tomato and it certainly did not disappoint. The fries hit just the spot and their mac and cheese bites had enough spice to “spice” things up.

SLO PACKING LIST

Not sure what to wear during your spring trip to San Luis Obispo? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with several outfit ideas in this outfit guide. Sharing a few must-pack items for your trip!

• Lots of Layers: The climate here is very different compared to other parts of California. While it’s nice and sunny during the day, temperatures surely cool down in the evening so I suggest bringing lots of layers! I ended up bringing a few lightweight long sleeves to wear under sweaters and leggings so that I could double up on bottoms.
• A Good Denim Jacket: I suggest bringing a jacket—it doesn’t have to be your heaviest puffer, in fact, a good trusty denim jacket will do just the trick. The perfect thing to throw over a sundress during the day but still fits a sweater underneath in the evenings! I ended up bringing this with me everywhere “just in case!”.
• A Cute Crossbody: You know how some destinations are tote places and others are crossbody places? This is one of those areas where all I needed was a small little bag for my keys, phone, and wallet. No need for something crazy here! I brought two Polene bags and swapped them out to match each outfit!
• Your Favorite Hat: If you’re thinking about visiting a winery, I suggest wearing your favorite hat. It gets quite windy in wine country, especially at some of the spots we visited. My hair and the wind don’t get along very well so I was grateful to have a cute felt hat with me to keep my hair from running wild!
• Comfy Shoes: There is lots to do and see in SLO. The good news is lots of it is within walking distance! Don’t forget a comfy pair of shoes. I wore Dolce Vitas all weekend long and they certainly did not disappoint.

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Everyone in my life who knew about this trip kept telling me how much I would love San Luis Obispo—I’m happy to report they were more than right! Truly one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Plus, nothing’s more fun than a quaint college town with young, fun energy! I know I’ll be back soon. Stay tuned for part two… 😉

With love, McKenz

Latest Post: What To Wear In San Luis Obispo, California This Spring
Related Post: Los Angeles Travel Guide February 2022
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