The Louis Vuitton Foundation is as much about the building as what’s inside. Designed by Frank Gehry, its glass sails and sweeping curves are worth the trip alone. Inside, you’ll find changing exhibitions of contemporary art from around the world, along with concerts, film screenings, and workshops.

Charles Paddock is the only zoo on the central coast. The Zoo is home to hundreds of species of animals from around the world. They are dedicated to conserving both exotic and local species of animals, from lemurs to geese.

The Capilano River Hatchery was completed in 1971 to strengthen the declining Capilano salmon population, affected by the construction of the Cleveland Dam. Beyond its ecological role, the hatchery is a major tourist attraction. The educational center is open daily, giving locals and visitors a chance to learn more about the salmon life cycle. See the Capilano River Hatchery official website for opening hours and when you can see the salmon depending on the season.

Once used for shipping in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the piers are now used for their views. The Avila Beach Pier is the first of the three piers and was first constructed in 1908 by the county of San Luis Obispo. Over two thousand local residents gathered there on April 30th, 1908 when President Teddy Roosevelt's 'Great White Fleet' anchored offshore. The Harford Pier was developed in 1873 and is now used for fishing, restaurants and commercial fishing. The last pier, the California Polytechnic State University Pier, is an educational and marine research facility.