A fall getaway to San Luis Obispo




Drive to San Luis Obispo in the fall and you’ll know you’re getting close just by the sweet and earthy scent of apples ripening on the trees right before they transform into pies, crumbles, and jams all over town. It’s a sensory moment that hits hardest in fall, and one that Raven Lukehart, the owner and general manager of Avila Valley Barn, describes in poetic detail.
“If you walk into our fruit stand, it smells like apples, which is surprising, because fruits like peaches usually smell, right? But apples?” she says. “When you're going up the canyon, it almost smells like Oregon. It’s that vegetative earthy scent, which I always love, especially after those first rains in the fall.”

On California’s Central Coast, apples reach their peak between August and December, which means that apple-picking season in San Luis Obispo is long. But there’s something extra special about ushering in fall with a September picking sesh right before pumpkin season (which you can also pick at Avila Valley Barn).
No matter when you go to SLO, there’s always something delicious in season, thanks to the area’s more than 2,000 farms which produce avocados, berries, cauliflower, and even wines and liquors. “We have these micro-regions where you can find just about anything that you’d like,” Lukehart says. “We're foodies, so we do it all really well.”
This is from The WeekEnder series: local insider guides for new destinations throughout Southern California, delivered to your inbox twice a month. Sign up here!
Lukehart expects that you’ll want to plan a trip back to San Luis Obispo before you even leave. “A lot of people are looking for places that they can go and visit every single year,” she says. “I think people just feel warm and cozy here.”
In this edition of the WeekEnder, we’re taking you to farms, restaurants, and hotels where you can celebrate the harvest by gathering fruit, veggies, and vacation memories.
—Stacey Leasca, SoCal’s Senior WeekEnder Guide
Editor’s Note: Stay up to date on weather alerts.
Things to do
Pick produce, sip wines, and enjoy the view

Pick your own at Avila Valley Barn
Get in on the harvest at Avila Valley Barn for pick-your-own apples and fall flowers. Afterward, head to the barn’s country market to stock up on freshly baked goods, local honey, and handmade souvenirs. If you’re traveling with kiddos, the farm’s petting zoo, daily tractor rides, and seasonal events are worthy of planning an entire trip around.
Sip wine at sunset at Wolff Vineyards
Go for the award-winning wines, stay for the view. The tasting room at Wolff Vineyards opens onto an expansive patio that overlooks a 125-acre vineyard, making it the prime place for a drink while watching the sunset. Guests are also welcome to join winery tours, where they’ll learn all about sustainable winemaking, from grape to glass.
Go take a hike at Bishop Peak
Bishop Peak is one of the most prominent features of the region and comes with a seriously fun fact—it’s not just a mountain but a “volcanic plug,” which occurs when magma hardens over a volcanic vent. The peak is easily accessed via a four-mile round-trip hike, and provides awe-inspiring views that make the sweat absolutely worth it.

Taste your way through Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market
For a very San Luis Obispo night on the town, grab a bite from the best local purveyors by walking up and down this farmers market, open every Thursday starting at 6 p.m. on Higuera Street. The market spans five whole blocks and includes more than 100 vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to baked goods and delicious dishes, like BBQ, tamales, and roasted corn, all paired with live music.
Enjoy the great indoors at the Fremont Theatre
Need a rainy-day refuge or a break from the heat? Bright neon lights beckon from the historic 1942 Fremont Theatre, whose charming Art Deco exterior is matched by its mural-covered interior. Come for the latest flicks or check the live performance schedule to see which acts line up with your trip.
Leave your mark on Bubble Gum Alley
Bubble gum may not be part of the seasonal harvest, but this unofficial attraction is still worth a mention. Located off Higuera Street, this chewed-up bubble gum wall is gazed upon by thousands of visitors each year. The city estimates there are some two million pieces of gum on display. It seems only right to stick up your own.
Where to eat
Find a cornucopia of flavors at SLO’s best restaurants

Choose a donut at SLO Donut Co.
Flex those decision-making skills at SloDoCo where over 100 different kinds of donuts are served up every single day. Vegan and gluten-free options mean everyone in your group can find something to enjoy. Go with an old-fashioned maple or simple glazed, or spice things up with a mint chocolate chip, coconut strawberry, or chocolate peanut.
Devour the harvest at High Street Deli
Enjoy all the best locally sourced veggies and meats in mile-high piles between two fresh slices of bread at High Street Deli, a local and visitor fave. Choose a classic from the menu or dream up your own combo as you wait in the long-but-very-worth-it line. Eat your sandwich there, or take it with you on a hike up Bishop’s Peak for lunch with a view.

Enjoy date night at Ember
A romantic dining room lit by glittering bistro lights sets the scene at Michelin-guide all-star Ember. Adding to this atmosphere is the open kitchen turning out wood-fired cuisine. Choose from high-end entrees like filet mignon, incredible wood-fired pizzas, and classy small plates meant for sharing. Albacore crudo, anyone? Whatever you order, you can be sure it’ll be locally sourced and seasonal.
Try a classic at Old San Luis BBQ
Balance Michelin dining with down-home eats at Old SLO BBQ, which serves family recipes that date back more than 100 years. Chef and founder Matt Pearce relies on hand-trimmed tri-tip, artisanal sausages, and Angus beef, which are all cooked over a red-oak-wood fire alongside organic veggies grown on the Central Coast. Pair it with craft beer, refillable from a self-pour tap wall.
Grab a nightcap at Novo Restaurant & Lounge
End an evening out in San Luis Obispo with a visit to Novo, a creek-side restaurant and lounge with a fairy-lit patio and a stellar drink menu. Try local beers and wine, or choose from their incredible craft cocktails. We’re partial to the California Dove made with blanco tequila, grapefruit, lime, california peaches, green chile, and sparkling wine. Or go alcohol-free with delicious house-made sodas like Peach-Mint or Pineapple Passion.
Places to stay
The cream-of-the-crop, hotel-wise

For affordable charm, Apple Farm Inn
This budget-friendly country-style inn features rooms decked out in antique furnishings, plush four-poster beds, and massive picture windows overlooking the pretty farmland. The inn’s Apple Farm Restaurant has an extensive brunch menu with classics like buttermilk pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and fried chicken and waffles. The best part? You can find hotel rooms mid-week starting at $99 per night.
For a central escape, Hotel San Luis Obispo
With its incredible location in the heart of downtown, Hotel San Luis Obispo would be a winner, whatever their rooms. But it delivers on that, too. The hotel offers sleek, modern rooms and excellent amenities like a rooftop bar with bocce ball, on-site restaurants, a spa, and an outdoor pool lined in loungers.

For an iconic getaway, Madonna Inn
This hotel is a Barbie-pink fantasyland with 110 rooms decked out in unique decor, such as the Insta-worthy Madonna Suite, an all-pink room with a rock wall shower. The amenities are whimsical, too: think hot-pink tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts and a hot-pink steakhouse that’s as glam as it is kitsch. Plus, there's horseback riding trails, an outdoor pool, and an on-site bakery where the Champagne Cake is the star of the show.
For an art-filled vacation, Granada Hotel And Bistro
Yes, the Granada Hotel and Bistro has elegant rooms and exceptional service, but its standout feature hangs on every wall. The hotel displays gorgeous contemporary photography and original art curated from local and international artists, including photos by Ken Schles and outdoor sculptures by Stephen and Carol Paulson. Its 17 charming rooms feature exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, and antique details. Amenities include a beloved farm-to-table bistro with a stellar craft cocktail menu and free-to-borrow bikes.
For a home away from home, Garden Street Inn
Situated in a 1887 Victorian home in the heart of SLO, this B&B is equal parts stylish and cozy. Boutique rooms and suites—some with parlor rooms or fireplaces—combine modern style with antique details. Start with breakfast in the sun-filled Morning Room, browse the books in the Goldtree Library (complete with stocked shelves and a wooden library ladder), then explore the city right outside the front door.