1 Day of Wonders in San Luis Obispo

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by Michael

May 8, 2024 · 1 min read

San Luis Obispo County 1 Day Itinerary

Embark on a one-day adventure through the stunning landscapes of San Luis Obispo County, where nature's majesty meets human history. Begin your journey at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, where you'll spend an hour marveling at these magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat. Witness the elephant seals bask on the sun-kissed shores and play in the surf, creating a truly unique wildlife experience. Next, step back in time with a two-hour visit to the opulent Hearst Castle, an architectural masterpiece that offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of media mogul William Randolph Hearst. Explore the grand rooms, lush gardens, and admire the castle's impressive art collection. Conclude your day in the charming small town of Morro Bay. Spend the remainder of your day soaking in the quaint atmosphere, exploring boutique shops, and enjoying fresh seafood by the waterfront. With its iconic Morro Rock and serene harbor, Morro Bay provides the perfect ending to your San Luis Obispo County day trip.

Top 6 Hotels in San Luis Obispo County
TOP 1
Holiday Inn Express Grover Beach-Pismo Beach Area
Holiday Inn Express Grover Beach-Pismo Beach Area
hotelStar
2/5
103 reviews
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TOP 2
Hampton Inn by Hilton Morro Bay
Hampton Inn by Hilton Morro Bay
hotelStar
3/5
94 reviews
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TOP 3
Best Western Casa Grande Inn
Best Western Casa Grande Inn
hotelStar
2/5
109 reviews
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Luis Obispo Downtown
hotelStar
3/5
104 reviews
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Avila Lighthouse Suites
Avila Lighthouse Suites
hotelStar
3/5
100 reviews
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Hampton Inn & Suites Arroyo Grande/Pismo Beach Area
Hampton Inn & Suites Arroyo Grande/Pismo Beach Area
hotelStar
2/5
105 reviews
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1 Day in San Luis Obispo County Itinerary: Day 1

1

Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery

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Begin your San Luis Obispo adventure with a visit to the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, where the majestic elephant seals bask in their natural habitat. Just a short drive along the picturesque coast from San Simeon, this unique wildlife viewing spot offers an hour of awe-inspiring observation. Witness the seals' fascinating behaviors up close as they lounge on the sandy shores, spar in the surf, and care for their young, all set against the backdrop of the stunning Pacific Ocean.

Attraction Info

  • San Simeon, CA 93452, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open from 10:00am-4:00pm
42 min,21.6 km
2

Hearst Castle

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Next on your itinerary, a mere stone's throw from the rookery, stands the grand Hearst Castle. Allocate a good two hours to explore this opulent mansion that once belonged to newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. The castle's impressive architecture, lavish rooms, and art collections are a testament to the magnificence of early 20th-century design. Roam through the grandiose halls, marvel at the ornate pools, and stroll through the lush gardens that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Attraction Info

  • 750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon, CA 93452, United States
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 9:00am-4:00pm,Open at 9:00 am every day, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.
1 h 11 min,62.95 km
3

Morro Bay

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Conclude your day with the quaint charm of Morro Bay, a small coastal town that promises a serene end to an eventful day. Spend your time here wandering through the streets, enjoying fresh seafood, and taking in the sights of the iconic Morro Rock. The town's friendly atmosphere and picturesque setting make it an ideal spot to relax and reflect on the day's experiences. With a full day to immerse yourself in Morro Bay's allure, you'll find plenty of opportunities to connect with local culture, nature, and the calming rhythm of the sea.

Attraction Info

  • California, USA
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 day

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Dutchman's Seafood House
Dutchman's Seafood House
/5 · 0 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Thai Bounty
Thai Bounty
/5 · 0 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
McDonald's
McDonald's
/5 · 0 reviews
0.7 km from attraction
Blue Sky Bistro on the Bay
Blue Sky Bistro on the Bay
/5 · 0 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar‎
The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar‎
/5 · 0 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
STAX Wine Bar & Bistro
STAX Wine Bar & Bistro
/5 · 0 reviews
0.5 km from attraction
3.7/5103 Reviews
3.7/5103 Reviews
Morro Bay
|0.08km from Morro Bay
3.8/5100 Reviews
3.8/5100 Reviews
Morro Bay
|0.11km from Morro Bay

Top Things to Do in San Luis Obispo County-2024

TOP 1
Hearst Castle
Hearst Castle
4.5/5 · 114 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 6,970 review
Highlights:
Hearst Castle is located on the San Simeon waterfront in central California. 1. The main building of Hearst Castle, which was built for 26 years but not completed, is commonly known as the "big house", with 115 rooms and a construction area of 6,400 square meters. It is marked by the bell towers of the two Spanish Catholic churches. In addition to the main building, there are three annex buildings with 50 rooms named after the sea, the mountain and the sun. 2. Visiting routes There are several visiting routes in the old castle, each with its own emphasis, namely GrandRoomsMuseumTour, UpstairsSuitesTour, Cottages&KitchenTour and EveningTour. After purchasing the ticket, take the shuttle bus up the mountain at the passenger bus waiting area at the entrance. 3. Tour guide On the way up the mountain, visitors can look out at the Hearst Castle on the top of the mountain through the car window. When you come to the downstairs of the main building, you can see the beautifully carved outer wall of the main building and the tall clock towers on both sides. The balcony on the second floor is the balcony of Hearst's bedroom. , The stone carvings on the outer frame of the gate are statues of Spanish Goths in the 15th century. Exquisitely carved stone carvings can be seen everywhere in the living room, 17th-century Italian wooden ceilings in the dining room, and the swimming pool of the "Poseidon Pool" in front of the main building undoubtedly reveal the luxurious atmosphere of this private castle.
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TOP 2
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
4.4/5 · 33 review
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 741 review
Highlights:
This is one of the mating places for elephant seals, so many seals will gather here, which are very cute. The seals are very lazy, huddled together to sleep, and the fat ones gathered together, basking in the sun as if they were enjoying themselves, and occasionally making noises. Just by the roadside, there is a viewing platform, and hundreds of elephant seals lie on the beach, looking at the darkness from a distance. In addition, there will be volunteers here to introduce you to the habits of elephant seals and popularize knowledge. This is one of the mating places for elephant seals, so many seals will gather here, which are very cute. The seals are very lazy, huddled together to sleep, and the fat ones gathered together, basking in the sun as if they were enjoying themselves, and occasionally making noises. Just by the roadside, there is a viewing platform, and hundreds of elephant seals lie on the beach, looking at the darkness from a distance. In addition, there will be volunteers here to introduce you to the habits of elephant seals and popularize knowledge.
View More
TOP 3
Morro Bay
Morro Bay
4.7/5 · 11 review
Highlights:
Morro Bay is a serene bay. Although the sea is pounding on the shore, the bay is still as serene as an inland lake. That circular hill is called Morro Rock. Morro Bay is named after it. Morro means round hill in Spanish. Morro Rock was formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago and is a 176-meter-high volcanic boulder.
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TOP 4
Elephant Seal Vista Point
Elephant Seal Vista Point
taCommentInfo-imageBased on 73 review
TOP 5
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo
4.6/5 · 7 review
Highlights:
San Luis Obispo is located on the Pacific coast of California, USA. It has a very livable climate and a very low crime rate, so people who live here are lucky, and many tourists come here for outdoor sports. One of the top three livable cities in North America. The city is also a major producer of California wine, with a large number of wineries nearby. This is one of the must-visit attractions in Southern California. Along the coastline of California, you can experience the beautiful European style, which is very worth visiting.
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* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

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San Luis Obispo County 1 Day Itinerary