Welcome to your new #SLOme

For the uninitiated, #SLOme is a popular hashtag Cal Poly students use on social media to describe their new home in San Luis Obispo. What follows are the activities that are on the top of most students’ bucket list while they’re completing their academic studies.

1) Hit the beach

Located in the middle of the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo is surrounded by multiple beaches known for their unique natural beauty. Avila Beach is one of the most popular amongst Cal Poly students and is home to the Cal Poly Pier. Be it checking out the pier during their annual open house, surfing at Morro Rock, hiking at Montaña de Oro, or simply catching the sunset, spending time on the Central Coast is one of students’ favorite activities.

2) Step outside

For the outdoors type, San Luis Obispo is a hiking heaven. Some of students’ favorite places to hike are actually on Cal Poly’s campus. By hiking to Poly Canyon, students can get inspired on a hike through Architecture Graveyard or soar over San Luis Obispo on a hike to the Serenity Swing. After your adventure, you can refuel at one of the Campus Dining venues in Poly Canyon Village, (PCV, as it is called by students).

3) Taste the “SLO” life

Every Thursday night, live music fills the streets, and the culture of downtown San Luis Obispo comes alive for the weekly Farmers’ Market. Students can enjoy local fare and fresh produce from the Central Coast including Cal Poly Farms. While you’re downtown, you can make your mark in the iconic Bubblegum Alley and drop by Cal Poly Downtown to stock up on Cal Poly student-made products.

4) Go for a ride

With Cal Poly’s commitment to sustainability and reduced parking on campus, biking is an environmentally-friendly and convenient way to get around campus. For students looking to add more adventure to their bike route, there are numerous mountain biking trails throughout San Luis Obispo. And for those looking for excitement after the sun goes down, Bike Night happens the first Thursday of every month. Cal Poly students and San Luis Obispo community members are invited to dress in wacky attire and pedal throughout downtown.

5) Take a funky class

Not all college classes mean you have to hit the books. With Cal Poly’s “Learn by Doing” approach, students have the opportunity to learn unique new skills. You can try out a fun course in chocolate-making, beekeeping, tractor-driving and bowling — to name a few. With student-made chocolates and honey sold at the University Store and the bowling alley attached to Mustang Station, classes never tasted so good.

6) Escape it all

Break away from your day-to-day routine and experience incredible new adventures through Poly Escapes. Located at the Recreation Center, Poly Escapes offers 20 student-led outdoor trips each quarter as well as daily rentals for outdoor equipment. From backpacking, to rafting, to ice climbing — there’s no shortage of opportunities to add adventure to your school year. Just don’t forget to pack a water bottle or sunscreen. You can find both in abundance at the University Store.

7) Rock out

Just steps from the dorms, the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center (PAC) showcases theater and live concerts from world-famous performers. Prefer an outdoor venue? Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) hosts weekly concerts in the University Union plaza outside of the University Store as well as the highly-anticipated Spring Stampede event, featuring high-profile artists like T-Pain and Flosstradamus.

8) Be a farmer, for an hour or two

Treat yourself to fresh seasonal fruits straight from the vine at Cal Poly Farms through “U-Pick,” which offers weekly opportunities to pick your own Cal Poly grown fruits. If you can’t make it out to the agriculture fields, don’t worry. Cal Poly produce is served at Campus Dining locations and is often available for purchase at Campus Market and Village Market.

9) Get sporty

With tortillas flying through the air and students decked out in green and gold, the Blue-Green rivalry soccer game is one of the most iconic sporting events of the year. In fact, the annual match against UCSB has been called the single greatest rivalry in NCAA soccer history. But it’s not just soccer that brings out the Mustang spirit, from football tailgates to joining an intramural sports team, there are plenty of ways to get sporty. To gear up, head into the University Store for a wide selection of Mustang spirit wear.

To get more tips and the latest news from Cal Poly Corporation delivered to your inbox, subscribe at calpolycorporation.org/news