History & Culture Tours

Delve deeper into history with a tour at many of SLO CAL’s historic attractions and museums. Travel back in time with behind-the-scenes details that make history come alive.
 
Put on your walking shoes, and get a street-level view of San Luis Obispo history through a downloadable podcast that highlights the city’s historic buildings and the stories behind them. The tour, which starts at the History Center’s Carnegie Library Museum, takes about 90 minutes to complete. It pairs audio and video to guide travelers through each stop and introduces them to characters from the past.
 
Also available in downtown San Luis Obispo is the docent-led tour of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Docents lead visitors on guided tours and discuss everything from why the mission was built in stages to the centuries-old art that still hangs on the mission’s walls.
 
Hearst Castle in San Simeon provides a multitude of tours to satisfy every interest. The Grand Rooms Tour, recommended for first-time tourists, highlights what it was like to be a guest at this exquisite estate. Other tours include The Evening Tour, Holiday Twilight Tour, Upstairs Suites Tour, Art of San Simeon Tour and more.
 
If it’s the outdoors you’re after, check out San Luis Obispo County Parks and the nonprofit organization, ECOSLO, which both offer many guided hikes through SLO CAL’s open space.