From family-friendly attractions and downtown hotels to hiking, dining and more, here’s how to plan a San Luis Obispo getaway with kids.

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A century ago, Motel Inn opened as the world’s first motor hotel off Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo. As the halfway point between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it hosted travelers on their way to and from these major cities with novel amenities such as in-room showers and central heating. Then, it shuttered in 1991, and over the years, the motel’s birthplace has bloomed into a Central Coast destination worthy of more than just a pitstop.

Today, an excellent wine scene, easy access to hiking and biking trails, fun activities for families and hotels that offer a design-minded home base to explore all that SLO offers are just some of the reasons to rethink just passing through. 

Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo

A 20th-Century Boutique Gem

The screenless, 17-room Granada Hotel & Bistro initially opened its doors in 1922. Today’s version retains its original brick building, steel windows and hardwood floors and makes a compelling case for an analog-inspired family vacay — or kid-free or solo getaway.

Personally, I didn’t mind the slight unevenness of the dark hardwood as I padded over to our plush bed after an afternoon of wine tasting last fall, nor that it took a few seconds longer to turn the tasseled key each time we locked and unlocked our door.

The hotel’s cocktail bar, Nightcap, feels like a delicious secret. With its low-mirrored ceiling and dim, atmospheric lighting, it’s a classy place for deep conversations and sipping cocktails next to locals. You can even make your own as part of its seasonal cocktail making classes. Whip up a margarita in August and a negroni in September. 

On a Thursday evening, my family and I sank into striped cushions on the hotel’s leafy terrace with our farmers market spoils and watched the evening unfold below. Along the blocked-off streets, a crowd of people gathered in an intersection for a high school band performance. Others browsed for fresh local produce or lined up for everything from sushi to BBQ. 

From our perch on the second floor of the hotel, just a block away from the popular market, we enjoyed an eclectic and tasty mix of spam onigiri, chicken tamales with salsa verde, crispy spring rolls with sweet-and-sour dipping sauce and a steamy cup of clam chowder.

A Rooftop Pool Deck and Mountain Views

Hotel Cerro is what happens when you plop a sleek rooftop pool atop restored early 20^th-century buildings that most recently housed the original location of locally loved taproom and concert venue, SLO Brew. (Find it on Higuera Street today.)

The pool deck features views of SLO’s surrounding (and hikeable) Madonna Mountain or Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve. Several cabanas partially shade padded seating areas and a couple of them can be reserved ahead. Its bar, Headwaters, serves finger-friendly bites, from ceviche to short-rib sliders.

Hotel Cerro’s downtown location on picturesque Garden Street places you steps away from Scout, a bright little coffee shop bustling with morning caffeinators, plus sweet and savory housemade pastries. Make sure to peruse Finders Keepers, a consignment boutique of previously loved Louis Vuitton purses and Rag & Bone jeans. Similarly, thrifting enthusiasts can hunt for treasures along Higuera Street’s handful of thrift and vintage shops.

Linneas Cafe is also a short stroll away. Its long, narrow interior leads out into a lush garden patio filled with students and families chatting over breakfast burritos and lattes. 

The Michelin-Keyed Coastal Farmhouse Lodge

San Luis Creek Lodge, a Michelin Key hotel, is a quick five-minute drive from Downtown SLO. It welcomes guests to its Tudor-style property across three buildings and bright, coastal farmhouse interiors. Breakfast is delivered to your door by 8 a.m. every day. 

What to Do in San Luis Obispo with Kids

After fueling up on local coffee and pastries, spend an afternoon at the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum. The museum offers many opportunities for families to play and learn together, such as its Amazing Airmaze, an open-ended interactive exhibit where kids can make predictions and test theories about the power of air as colorful scarves and balls whoosh through clear tubes. An outdoor play area and themed craft activities are also offered.

Every quarter, the museum hosts complimentary sensory nights for neurodivergent guests and their families. Adjustments to overhead lighting and dedicated quiet spaces are considered for a comfortable, inclusive guest experience.  

What’s New and Upcoming in San Luis Obispo

More recent developments include the SLO Ranch shopping center and event venue. Opened in 2025, it’s stocked with locally owned and operated restaurants, bakeries and retail shops, including Vintage Cheese Company’s build-your-own charcuterie box bar. Its robust activity calendar includes weekly group play dates for kids under 5, live music on weekends and backgammon nights. Edna, a new winery, is scheduled to open later this year and will host four local producers, a restaurant and retail market.

How to Get to San Luis Obispo from Los Angeles

Earlier this summer, Amtrak launched three-times-a-day rail service from Los Angeles. Families who register with SLO Car Free can receive a discount code for 20% off Amtrak tickets.

Ligaya Malones grew up in Kauai, Hawaii and is a San Diego-based writer covering the intersection of travel, food, and culture. Her work has been featured in Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, New York Magazine, Food52 and more.