San Luis Obispo & Pismo Beach

 

     The two cities of San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach are located just about 12 miles apart in one of the most beautiful parts of Central California. While San Luis Obispo is located about 8 miles from the ocean, Pismo Beach is located right on the ocean front. Both cities are located almost right in between San Francisco and Los Angeles - so if you are traveling down the coast, this is a great place to stop along your journey.

      San Luis Obispo is a college town (CalPoly) with an extremely charming downtown area filled with a variety of charming shops, restaurants and cafes. There is a lot of energy in town but still a really relaxed feel. Pismo Beach has a much quieter downtown area but is home to some beautiful hotel properties with tremendous, unobstructed ocean views in a very peaceful environment. 

      No matter which town you stay in, you have quick access to the wine country, great restaurants, beaches and a wide variety of activities for couples to enjoy. One of the most talked about activities is the farmers market in downtown San Luis Obispo on Thursday nights (covers several city blocks). 

     If you are looking for a nice, quiet getaway as well as a good base for traveling out for romantic activities (hiking, biking, horseback riding, wine tasting) with rates that tend to be much more affordable then the larger cities, this part of the California Central Coast is the perfect place to stay.