
Visitor's Magazine
Plan Your Adventure Today
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SLO CAL is known for its gorgeous vineyards, pristine coastline, undulating hills and majestic oaks. That said, all you have to do is look up to see the biggest star of all: the gloriously clear night sky packed with billions of glittering stars. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of big city life, SLO CAL is the perfect place to cozy up under the deep, dark night sky all year long. The Milky Way, constellations and shooting stars are the only distractions you're sure to find.
Just south of Atascadero lies a hidden gem of San Luis Obispo County. Santa Margarita is a quaint little town with one road passing through it but just beyond the main town area, you’ll find rolling hills, oak trees and fields just beckoning for you to lie down and count the constellations. Santa Margarita Lake offers plenty of wildlife and open space to enjoy while you await sunset. Cast your line for trout, catfish or bluegill, hike or bike while you take in views from the surrounding mountains or set up camp for the night. Come sundown, find the perfect spot at the individual picnic sites and wrap up under the stars.
Venture out a bit further from Santa Margarita and you’ll be on your way to Pozo, a rural wonderland awash with wildflowers. Drive a few miles east on Highway 58 toward Pozo and stop when you get to Shell Creek Road. As summer sets in, the bold blooms populating this famous wildflower-sight-seeing spot will give way to fields of stunning gold. Don’t fret—a true interstellar show will truly blossom overhead. If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, hike up the Rinconada Trail. Not only will you be atop the Santa Lucia Wilderness, but you’ll have wide open views of the night sky.
When life gets hectic, go out and snag some “me time.” Self-care soars to new heights when you roam outside of cell reception in Cholame. Located along the James Dean Memorial stretch of highway, Cholame Valley Road is perfect for stargazing solo surrounded by rural ranchland. This small town has more to offer than meets the eye including family-owned wineries and Shandon’s Chapel Hill, a stunning private sanctuary. Catch Festival Mozaic’s annual classical concert, hosted at the chapel every summer for a historic open-air venue that’s perfect for stargazing.
When the sun sinks into the Pacific and the birds settle in for the night, Montaña de Oro State Park lights up with a spectacular after-hours display. On nights where the fog isn’t obscuring the sky overhead, you’ll see the full splendor of the Milky Way bolstered by the fortifying scent of eucalyptus leaves and salty sea air. Nearby in Morro Bay, witness a view like no other: The Milky Way as a backdrop for Morro Rock. Photographers and stargazers alike love when these two put on a show of epic proportions. Book a room at the Baywood Inn and plan to hike coastal bluffs or horseback ride along the coast come sunrise.
If you thought a starry night over the Pacific Ocean was breathtaking, take it to new levels in wine country. Glistening stars twinkle above rolling acres of vineyards in Paso Robles and you don’t have to go far from downtown to find them either. Eastside Paso Robles, in particular, is known for its velvety blue skies and twinkling stars creating an air of romance amidst the lush vineyards. Grab dinner in downtown Paso Robles, then drive east to where the stars are the brightest. Pick your spot and watch the night sky light up.
Along SLO CAL’s South Coast, you’ll find plenty of stargazing spots to behold. Hike up the Avila Ridge Trail in Avila Beach and sit atop the hill to view stars as they dance over the Pacific Ocean. Bring a blanket, some hot cocoa and snuggle up because this hilltop can get chilly. Further south, spend the night camping on the Oceano Dunes and count the stars by the glow of a campfire. With huge sand dunes for you to perch on, you’re sure to find a perfect spot that’ll allow your inner Galileo to come out.
Nothing compliments the Nine Sisters Mountain Range of San Luis Obispo more than a twinkling blanket of stars above. Hike up Islay Hill or Cerro San Luis for a moderately challenging hike with the intensely rewarding view of an unobscured night sky. If night hiking isn’t your vibe, drive out on Prefumo Canyon Road to sit at the top of the hill with a bird’s eye view of the coast. On a clear night, you might even be able to see Morro Rock!