Looking for budget stays in San Luis Obispo? This section is designed to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. We've got insider tips to help you find affordable hostels and the cheapest places to stay in San Luis Obispo.
San Luis Obispo is a small beach town located on California's central coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The city is more often referred to as "SLO" being known for it's small businesses and laid back (or SLO) lifestyle. It won't take long to notice that hardly anyone will be over the age of 24, this is because a majority of the town's population attends the prestigious Cal Poly State University or Cuesta Community College. Notable Cal Poly alumni include John Madden, Peter Oppenheimer, and 'Weird Al' Yankovank.
Your San Luis Obispo hostel options are limited, but you should be able to get a bed without a problem if you book ahead. Because the town is relatively small, just about everything you need is within walking distance from the Hostel Obispo. There is a small shopping center on Foothill Blvd., that has an Albertson's, RiteAid Pharmacy. Higuera Street, which intersects Santa Rosa, is the heart of downtown. There are many interesting boutiques, quirky restaurants, and bars literally door-to-door. Check the Mustang Daily, Cal Poly's newspaper, for the happy hour deal of the night. Passports are not considered to be sufficient for buying alcohol at Albertson's but should work for pub admission.
Every Thursday night, Higurea Street shuts down and hosts California’s largest farmer’s market from 7 PM to 9 PM, so you might want to book your Obispo hostel during that part of the week if that's something that would interest you. Farmers hail from as far as Bakersfield with generous deals of the freshest produce. Due to fierce competition, you'll likely to be able to haggle a good deal. Most of the local businesses also have stands open selling food, clothing, and crafts.
Almost all businesses in this area are family owned and have been around for years. While corporate franchises are around, take some time to visit, chat, and support the locals that give SLO its charm.