New students might not know much about San Luis Obispo besides Cal Poly. This simple guide is a good starting point for getting off campus without going too far:
SLO Art Center:
If it’s the traditional art gallery setting you crave, check out the San Luis Obispo Art Center on Broad Street. They have a permanent collection of work from artists on the Central Coast and feature a wide variety of exhibits from sculptures to collections of artifacts to community-oriented works of art.
San Luis Creek:
Located behind the Art Center is the San Luis Obispo Creek. It is filled with outdoor artwork along its banks. Next time you find yourself wandering around downtown, take a stroll along the walkway on the creek and enjoy the public
displays of creativity.
Fremont Theater:
This art-deco theater located in downtown San Luis Obispo was built in 1942 and boasts a ceiling filled with swirling patterns of color and neon lights. The decorations along with the spacious interior provide quite the pleasant setting to sit back and enjoy the latest blockbuster on the big-screen.
West End Espresso & Tea:
Coffee and art seem to go hand-in-hand and that relationship is ever present in this downtown coffee shop. West End features photographs and paintings on its walls, all for sale by local artists.
Farmer’s Market:
Not only can you buy dinner and get your dreams interpreted at the Farmer’s Market, but you can find booths filled with handmade, local trinkets and jewelry for relatively cheap. It’s a fun way to support the local economy and update your personal art collection.