Going Slow in SLO
Posted on October 07, 2011 By Joseph
On your mark, get set -- relax.
Four hours north of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County offers beaches, vineyards, art colonies and the quiet pleasures of small-town life. Although it is one of the fastest growing counties in California, the dramatic coastline, rolling hills and forested canyons make you want to slow down and take it easy.
The only problem with that is that there’s so much to do. From Hearst Castle in San Simeon to the sandy dunes of Pismo Beach, the county is crammed full of adventures. This year Julie and I celebrated our fifth anniversary by traveling to San Luis Obispo County and shooting our California Coast episode for our PBS television show, Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope. The show will be air beginning June 2012 as part of Season 6 and become one of the seventy-sight half-hour travel episodes we have produced.
San Luis Obispo, the oldest city in the county, is an easygoing town where life goes on without the big city rush. “We’re somewhere between Big Sur and Santa Barbara in style and location,” said a local businessman. It all began with the founding of the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa in 1772. Today the mission church, museum and grounds are open for free self-guided tours. Mission Plaza is a pleasant downtown park. Footbridges over San Luis Creek lead to shops and restaurants. Take the time to sit awhile on a bench along the creek. Overcome by the music of birds and water, tensions drop off and become a memory.
Despite the small-town atmosphere, San Luis has its fair share of pubs, clubs and restaurants. At Novo restaurant and lounge you get international flavors and a creek side ambience. Dishes run the gamut from fresh Shrimp Avocado Spring Rolls to Piqillo Chile & Cheese Empanadas and Korean Short Ribs. With their fresh baked goods, breakfast can’t be beat at the Apple Farm Inn on Monterey Street where a visit to their unique gift shop is a must-do SLO experience.
An abundance of everything is evident every Thursday night on Higuera Street. That’s when they close off the street and throw a block party. Trucks roll into town with the county’s bounty: nuts, squashes, oranges, eggs, lettuce, flowers, apples and more. Restaurants like F. McLintock’s barbecue slabs of ribs accompanied by the delightful repartee between the cooks. The street fills with smoke and laughter. The many faces of San Luis come together, student and yuppie, businessman and retiree, farmer and banker. Ear-to-ear grins tell you everyone’s having a grand time.
There’s much, much more in San Luis Obispo County – dude ranches and horse farms, historic museums, elegant Victorians, university tours, festivals and fairs. Why, you’d have to live there to have the time to experience all the joys of San Luis Obispo County.
Hmmm…Now, there’s a good idea!
For more on San Luis Obispo County contact the Visitors & Convention Bureau at http://www.SanLuisObispoCounty.com. For things to do in the City of San Luis Obispo, go to http://www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com.
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