Flying into San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is at 975 Airport Drive in San Luis Obispo. Alaska flies nonstop from Seattle, Portland and San Diego; American from Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth; United from Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Getting from SBP to campus takes a little planning. The airport says Uber and Lyft are available but can be sparse in the evening and at night, so a late arrival may call for a rental car or a booked ride. The airport lists Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz for rental cars. Central Coast Taxi asks you to book ahead at (805) 202-1370, and the airport lists Ride-On Transportation and SLO Safe Ride for shuttles.
Your student, by the way, rides SLO Transit city buses free with a valid PolyCard, according to University Housing.
Coming by train
Cal Poly's parking office calls the Pacific Surfliner the preferred route for Southern California and the Coast Starlight the preferred route north toward San Jose. An Amtrak Thruway bus picks up on campus at a stop across the street from Scout Coffee and connects to trains in San Luis Obispo and other cities. Students age 17 to 24 can get 15 percent off when they book at least a day ahead.
Driving and parking on campus
Cal Poly sits on U.S. 101, and the visit page recommends the Grand Avenue entrance. Visitors park in Structure 131 off Grand Avenue, and a permit is required. Current rates from Transportation and Parking Services:
- 1 hour: $4
- 2 hours: $8
- Daily: $8
- Weekly: $40
You can pay with ParkMobile or PayByPhone, or at pay stations around campus. Permits are enforced 7am to 10pm Monday through Thursday and 7am to 5pm on Fridays and during academic breaks. On Saturdays and Sundays permits are not required except in event lots, staff 24/7 spaces and residential areas, and short time zones like Lot G2 are always enforced. Questions go to (805) 756-6654 or parking@calpoly.edu.
For Mustang Family Weekend, each registration includes one weekend parking pass, and general parking is in lots H1, H12, H14 and H16. For the 2026 Commencement, the Commencement office said free parking was available all weekend; check its page again for 2027.
Where parents stay
Cal Poly's parent pages do not recommend specific hotels, but several campus pages name hotels, and Parent and Family Programs notes that local hotels offer exclusive Cal Poly deals throughout the year.
Monterey Street, closest to campus. Cal Poly Graphic Communication lists Quality Suites and the Apple Farm Inn as about half a mile away and suggests asking for the Cal Poly rate. Quality Suites puts itself 0.9 mile from downtown.
Around town. Cal Poly's Procure to Pay page names La Cuesta Inn, La Quinta, The Wayfarer, Hampton Inn and TownePlace Suites for university business travelers.
South side and the beaches. Embassy Suites is listed 4 to 5 miles from campus, and The Cliffs Hotel and Spa in Shell Beach about 10 miles. Parent and Family Programs notes that Avila Beach, Pismo Beach and Morro Bay are a short drive from San Luis Obispo if you want to stay near the water.
If you are coming for SLO Days orientation, note that supporter registration does not include lodging. The orientation office mentions Poly Canyon Village rooms through Cal Poly's Conference and Event Planning as one option.
Big weekends
Mustang Family Weekend in October, Open House in spring and the three day Commencement weekend in late May are the times to plan furthest ahead. Reserve as soon as Cal Poly announces the dates, and read cancellation terms closely.