San Luis Obispo is almost exactly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, in a place where nine low volcanic peaks descend to the Santa Lucia Valley .This campus was sheltered just between these two peaks .Its architecture is beautiful, the cultural life is not too turbulent, but quite interesting, the surroundings are full of natural beauties, and the vineyards surrounding the city provide it (and not only) with excellent wines .Someone will find San Luis Obispo boring; But Oprah Winfrey in his show called him the happiest city in America .Perhaps, both are true .

How to get to San Luis Obispo

The city has its own airport, which accepts regular flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Phoenix. There is also a charter flight between San Luis Obispo and San Diego or Sacramento. In addition, the city can be reached by train (approximately 7 hours from San Francisco and 8 from San Diego) or by bus from Santa Barbara.

A bit of history

The city was founded in 1772 g .a Spanish Franciscan monk who came here to convert the Indians to Christianity .This year, with the forces of five soldiers and two converts, the mission of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa began to be built on this site, which then expanded to the city .In the 19th century, it was a popular stop on State Route 101 and California Highway No. 1 .And in the 20th century the city acquired a clearly youthful character: at the beginning of the century, the California Polytechnic University opened here, where today about 20 thousand .students (this number is almost half of the population of the current San Luis Obispo) .

Entertainment, excursions and attractions San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo can be proud of the carefully preserved Downtown with 19th-century buildings, in the center of which stands the restored building of the Catholic mission of the 18th century .The museum is open today, although the mission is still performing its functions .The mission building is part of the Mischon Plaza quarter, which includes several good shops and restaurants .Although in general, Downtown San Luis Obispo has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades - there have been network restaurants, shops and hotels, but it still retains the charm of a small town with narrow sidewalks between streets .

Also it is necessary to be noted in the eccentric themed hotel "Madonna Inn", even if you stop not there .The hotel looks very interesting from the outside, thanks to the delicate balustrades and steps, and inside it is even more interesting .It was opened in 1958 .Alex Madonna and today counts 40 rooms with unique interiors and memorable names: "Yahuu", "Love Nest", "Austrian Suite", "Old Mill", "Hearts and Flowers" .Drink a cup of something in the juicy red richly decorated hotel cafe .Look in the Pink Room and look at the famous waterfall in the men's dressing room ."Madonna Inn" is located to the south of the old center, and you can reach it by the same road .

In addition, a kind of city attraction can be considered the theater "Fremont", which on Monterey Street .It can be seen from afar thanks to the recognizable neon sign .The theater was built in the Art Deco style in the 40's .20th century .A beautiful theater hall is used mainly for large-scale film screenings, and in a room with a small stage it is usually twisted something more avant-garde .In another city theater, "Palm", you can always watch excellent independent tapes - including foreign films and all sorts of art-house .In addition, Palm is notable for the fact that it is one of the few that works completely on solar energy .And it is here that the annual international film festival San Luis Obispo takes place .

The city has a museum of the history of the district, located on Monterey Street. He occupies the building of the former Carnegie Library, built in 1905 and entered into the national register of historical buildings. The center is free of charge. Also curious can become a trek to the art museum, it is in the western part of Mission Square on Broad Street. You can also visit it for free. And in San Luis Obispo there is an interactive children's museum with programs for learning through the game.

Finally, the important cultural center of the city is the center of Christopher Cohen on the campus of the university. There are many places for performances of students and local artists, concert and exhibition facilities, as well as the Spanish Theater.

Events of San Luis Obispo

The international film festival of San Luis Obispo lasts five days, and its program includes both classical and modern tapes. The festival is held in the city since 1993. In addition, in July the city hosts the annual Mozart Festival. Still here on a grand scale celebrate May 5, the day of the Battle of Puebla and a great Latin American holiday.

On the first Thursday of each month, avid bicycle lovers gather at the intersection of Monterey and Horro streets and arrange a theme bicycle parade - Bike Knight - along the streets of the old city. The parade starts at 21:30. Also in the city is the cycling tour of California.

In the evening on Thursdays from 18:00 to 21:00 on the street Iguera operates a weekly market of farm products - one of the most famous in California. It is full of not only farmers, but also musicians and college students. At this time, the street is closed for traffic, and the public can freely enjoy different shows and performances.

Surroundings San Luis Obispo

The landscapes surrounding the city give the widest opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. Surrounding the city peaks Nine sisters - a great place to admire the city or the surrounding area from the height. The most popular routes are Bishop Peak (for pedestrians only) and Sero-San Luis (and for cyclists).

The Montana de Oro State Park is located about 15 km west of the city. The newspaper "Los Angeles Times" several years ago called it the most carefully kept secret of the state and with good reason. This is an amazing place for walking and active recreation, where there is the ocean and mountains, and picturesque coves with caves, and kilometers of sandy beaches and tidal ponds. There are several excellent routes, starting from the most uncomplicated ones to those that include the ascent to the steep slopes of Valencia and Oates Peaks.

Also interesting for cycling trips canyon Poli, which is to the north-east of the university campus. This is an open hilly green territory, where many students of engineering and architecture departments construct their thesis papers. On campus you can get hold of everything you need for kayaking and other sports activities. The best place for kayaking in the area is believed to be between the beaches of Shell and Pismo: there are many beautiful sea caves.

Those who are tired of active rest, you can advise to relax, going to the Edna Valley. Actually, for this it is required only to leave Broad Street from the city: almost immediately to the left will appear vineyards.

Approximately 15 km separate San Luis Obispo from the town of Pismo Beach and the beach of the same name. The beach here is remarkable in itself, and in addition, the town is on the way to an annual mass migration of butterflies. Therefore, in the winter there are full of photographers and tourists. In addition, in Pismo Beach in October, a mollusc festival is held: the city is even unofficially called the capital of mollusks.

And north of San Luis Obispo is the famous bay of Moro, also with an excellent beach and a local landmark - the same rock about 175 m high. Strange as it may seem, this small rock is actually a volcano, just asleep.