<p>My mom and I are planning on visiting San Luis Obispo June 28- July 1st because my mom cannot make it to SOAR and she really wants to see the area and the campus. We will be driving up from Orange County, so it is about a 4-hour drive. We are planning on going to the farmer’s market thursday night. On friday we are taking a general campus tour at cal poly at 11am, followed by an admissions presentation at 1pm. Also, since I will be working with the horses on campus, we will be given a tour of the equine center at 3pm. Saturday we have a whole day to do whatever and then Sunday morning we head back to Orange County.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any recommendations as to what I should do on that Saturday? I want my mom to get a real feel for the town. We were thinking of going to Avila beach…also is there anything on campus you recommend my mom and I check out while we’re there or anything in the town? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>On campus, you can check out Poly Canyon trail and the architecture graveyard. There’s also always Bishop’s peak if you like hiking. Avila is nice, and you can also go a little further south to Pismo, or north to Morro Bay. Definitely go downtown if you haven’t already to see the Mission and Bubblegum Alley. There’s also a lot of good places to eat downtown, especially Firestone.</p>
<p>If you are going with your Mom, spend an afternoon at the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort [Sycamore</a> Springs Resort and Spa - An Integrative Resort Retreat on California Central Coast](<a href=“http://www.sycamoresprings.com/]Sycamore”>http://www.sycamoresprings.com/) They have spa day passes and it is really, really nice. Then go to the Old Customhouse Restaurant in Avila Beach [Old</a> Custom House | Our Central Coast beach-side location holds beautiful views with a casual atmosphere.](<a href=“Old Custom House – Our Central Coast beach-side location holds beautiful views with a casual atmosphere.”>http://www.oldcustomhouse.com/) for dinner afterwards. Both are very reasonable in price and your Mom will fall in love with the area. Definitely climb Bishop’s Peak but be careful not to brush up against the poison oak on the summit. Morro Rock is very cool at Morro Bay. For those that are not hikers, check out the amazing ocean views at Montana de Oro state park [Image</a> Search Results for montana de oro central coast](<a href=“Yahoo Image Search”>Yahoo Image Search) Shockingly amazing views with little effort other than driving. Downtown SLO is great I also recommend Firestone.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the suggestions, guys! These are great. Ya my mom definitely isn’t an active “hiking” kind of person, she is much more of a spa person LOL. I’m planning on making reservations to the Sycamore Springs Resort Spa. I think we will also check out the mission. I would love to go to morrow bay, but my mom wants to stay in the city for our trip. If you think of anything else, please share! Thanks again!</p>
<p>Stroll along the river walk downtown. It’s across from the San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum at 696 Monterey Ave. The mission is right down the street. There’s a little park across from the museum with paths leading down to the river walk. I just love strolling down there! You can even walk in the shallow stream or on the rocks on a warm day.</p>
<p>With Montana de Oro, make sure that you take the winding road to the end parking spot and then take the trail (absolutely flat with no rise in elevation) about 100 yards or so until you get to the ocean. It is kind of like the Grand Canyon in so much as you have no idea what you are about to experience until you get to the edge and then it’s “Whoa…this is incredible.” So, you have to get to the edge where the land drops off and you are right at the ocean. The ocean is raw and powerful and rocks below are formed in amazing shapes. There are a few “blow holes” in the side of the cliffs where the ocean comes rolling in and water and spray shoot way up into the air. Cool stuff – It is an amazing place to go for a sunset. Great place for lazy nature lovers. All the benefits of a remote hike with none of the effort other than driving. It take about 20-30 min drive from the heart of campus. The tourist office in downtown SLO can probably give you all the directions you need. Also, if you are willing to drive about 45 minutes or so, go to the Hearst Castle. Worth the trip and don’t forget to go to the free IMAX movie after the tour.</p>
<p>Thank you so much Osakadad!</p>
<p>Good luck! My kid came home today after his last final. He is no longer a Freshman!</p>