Accepted to Cal Poly? What now?
Get the scoop on what life is ACTUALLY like at Cal Poly and plan your visit with our two-day tour itinerary.
Congratulations, You’re Accepted to Cal Poly! Now What?
You (or your child) got accepted to California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo (SLO). One of the many prestigious and high-ranking colleges and universities in the California Higher Education system.
But what now? You probably got multiple acceptances, so how do you actually choose? We’ll give you the scoop on what life is ACTUALLY like at Cal Poly. And we’ll include a two day itinerary that hits all the popular student hang out spots for an authentic Cal Poly student tour. Think of this as your college confidential cal poly insider report.
**Disclaimer**
The businesses and events highlighted are in no way a “Best Of…” list. They are simply places and activities our Savvy Cali Girl contributors have deemed worthy of a shout out. If you want us to tell our readers about your favorite place, tag us with #scgplacestogo and we’ll catch you next time we come through town!
Savvy Tip! There is a school for everyone. I promise. College is what YOU make of it. The right school for you or your student has nothing to do with said school’s ranking, or prestige. The right college is the one that has the features that you or your family need to thrive in the academic, social, and financial environment that is right for you.
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
Join Us On Our Journey to Cal Poly
How accurate is this guide, you may wonder? It’s written by the Mom of a current Cal Poly student. This guide to life at Cal Poly SLO isn’t sanctioned by the school and makes every attempt to accurately portray the good AND the bad features of student life. That being said, it is OUR experience. We wrote this well into a successful year at Cal Poly. Learn why we feel it was a great choice for our family and our student.
2019’s Incoming Freshman
Class Statistics
GPA 3.96-4.25
ACT 26-32
SAT 1280-1470
Acceptance Rate 29%
About Cal Poly
Cal Poly is one of the more academically rigorous California State Universities. With an acceptance rate of 29%, this school is not a “safety” school for the majority of applicants.
It is a well-rounded school, known as much for agriculture programs as it is for the engineering school. It’s also located in an area of the central coast that is equally diverse. Recognized world-wide for having first-class vineyards and outdoor activities, San Luis Obispo County is also praised for its more urban attributes like art, cuisine, and culture. Somehow San Luis Obispo, and Cal Poly, both make these extremes work. Oprah once called SLO “The Happiest Place in America”. Maybe this is why?
Campus Details
Originally (and still) an agriculture school, there are parts of the Cal Poly campus where the wind will blow and you will most definitely smell manure. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is some kind of rural college for farm kids. We’re talking high-tech agricultural methods that will be pioneering the way as we experience more and more extreme weather.
It’s also pretty fun to see the animals. Once, horses escaped and made it all the way to the grassy courtyard at the center of the dorms. There were lots of pics sent home to mom & dad that day! Another bonus is that Cal Poly has both wine and ice cream that are made, sold, and shipped by students. You can purchase both on campus (in the market for ice cream and the bookstore for wine).
Over 20,000 students call the 9,000 acre campus home. The campus is hilly – not surprising since it’s nestled into the side of a mountain! It’s the second largest campus in the Cal State/UC system. A lot of students leave their bikes at home and elect to walk the campus. Just know that if you do bring a bike, you will want a mountain bike, not a beach cruiser. Hiking and mountain biking are very popular student activities.
Weather
How is the weather in SLO? Simply put, it’s gorgeous. Except for the first 3-4 weeks of school in September when it’s usually quite toasty, and the last couple weeks of school before summer when it’s also starting to get pretty warm. There is no air conditioning in any of the dorms (normal for most residences in the area). However most of the academic buildings and offices have A/C.
The majority of the year the high’s are in the 70’s and 80’s and the lows are in the 40’s-50’s. It is possible to get a light dusting of snow in the winter, but very rare. You will want to bring fans, but also a winter coat!
Week of Welcome (WOW), A Nationally Recognized Cal Poly Program
Like the University of California system, Cal Poly runs on quarters rather than semesters. This accelerated pace is quite an adjustment for most Freshman. In order to make new students feel as welcome and at home as quickly as possible, Cal Poly pioneered a nationally recognized program called “Week Of Welcome” (WOW Week as the kids call it).
WOW Week at Cal Poly is unique. If there’s another program like it in the California university system I haven’t heard about it. Other schools may have a program with a similar name, but Cal Poly’s WOW Week is extensive and crazy fun.
When
WOW Week for Freshman starts one week before Fall classes begin. This gives the new Freshman time to move in and get settled before upperclassmen move in and classes start. All Freshman are assigned a WOW group.
Who
Each WOW group has two WOW leaders who are current Cal Poly students. These leaders are all VOLUNTEERS! They spend weeks training and countless hours of their own time just to show new Freshman how amazing Cal Poly is. WOW leaders plan activities on and off campus from morning till night for 5 days straight beginning the day after move-in.
What
Freshman and their WOW leaders explore the campus and the city of SLO with their groups, participating in activities like the campus rock climbing wall, trivia nights, painting parties, dinner in SLO, kayaking in Morro Bay, bonfires on the beach, and hiking to Bishops Peak.
Why
The new students are so busy with their groups they forget to be homesick or worried, and by the end of the week they know how to get around, where to go, and have already made new friends. Very few of the WOW activities are mandatory (some of the training sessions put on by the college are), but students are highly encouraged to attend at least some of the activities.
The thing that parents will want to know about WOW Week is that not only will your student have a total blast, but they will exit WOW Week having been exposed to where and how to get help for almost any issue that could possibly come up during their time at Cal Poly. Awesome, right? Even more importantly, Poly has seen a dramatic decrease in Freshman being seen at local urgent cares and ER’s for drinking and drug related incidents since implementing the program. An unfortunate thing that every college campus has to deal with.
Cal Poly Academics
Learn By Doing is Cal Poly’s motto, and it’s not just a saying. Freshman are required to declare a major when they apply, and thus are able to start taking classes in their field of study starting their very first quarter!
For example, Cal Poly Engineering & Art/Design students partner with sister school Cal Poly Pomona to produce a joint float in the Rose Parade every year. Architecture, Landscape Design, and Urban Planning students helped re-imagine the town of Paradise after the devastating fire. And Cal Poly Journalism and Communications students run the campus newspaper and radio station.
There is literally a way to experience Learn By Doing for every single major at Cal Poly. An amazing 93% of Cal Poly graduates are employed or attending Graduate School within 9 months of graduating. Obviously, the Learn by Doing method makes Cal Poly graduates popular with hiring companies because they know that these students have real life experience in addition to book knowledge.
Athletics At Cal Poly
Interested in volleyball? Cal Poly’s Beach Volleyball teams start playing on the new sand (see picture) this year after years of having a home court located in Pismo Beach. The new courts open just in time for the women’s team that led Cal Poly to its first ever Big West Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance last year to start their season.
Diversity
Let’s address this issue head on. You may have heard about Cal Poly’s lack of diversity. The kids all talk about it, and like any “reputation” it started with a small truth and became a huge issue.
While Cal Poly is not the most culturally diverse college in California, neither is San Luis Obispo. Or the central coast in general. Which is why, despite Cal Poly’s valid and ongoing attempts at increasing diversity, changes are painstakingly slow.
They are NOT, however, non-existent. Increased efforts to recruit more culturally diverse students and faculty are slowly beginning to pay off. The school is providing students who choose Cal Poly with clubs, special activities, and support systems to make their time at Cal Poly both culturally familiar and rewarding at the same time.
San Luis Obispo (SLO)
About SLO
San Luis Obispo is a town of about 47,000. Historically it’s known as the halfway point between Los Angeles and San Francisco. More recently, Oprah’s proclamation naming SLO the Happiest Place in America spurred a huge growth in tourism to the entire central coast area and SLO in particular.
SLO is definitely a college town, and the school is a huge part of its economy. However, like Sacramento, SLO is taking full advantage of the farm to fork movement and its booming wine industry. Hip new restaurants, an amazing art scene (see our post about Bruce Munro’s Field of Light at Sensorio immersive art installation), and endless amounts of outdoor recreation from beaches to mountains make Cal Poly a great mix for on and off-campus life.
Getting To/From Cal Poly & San Luis Obispo
With its own airport, San Luis Obispo is still small but growing by leaps and bounds. They just recently added direct flights from San Diego and Portland, OR. You can also fly directly from LA, and San Francisco. There are buses, trains, and ride-share options all up and down the state.
Amtrak operates a Pacific Surfliner train that runs along the coast from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. Additionally, Cal Poly students have a robust ride-share Facebook Group page (not run by the school itself) and it’s a very popular option for students going home for breaks.
Transportation in San Luis Obispo Earns An A+ For Cal Poly Students
Concerned with transportation? The local San Luis Obispo transit system is outstanding, and students ride free with their Cal Poly ID. Buses stop at different points on campus and loop through San Luis Obispo making it a great way for students to get around.
We bypassed renting a car when scoping out the places on our Cal Poly Tour itinerary, and either walked or took the bus the entire time. It was safe, clean, and full of students and professionals. So if you’re used to living in a city where nobody takes the bus, it really is a popular choice amongst students and residents.
Parking
Like many California cities, parking is an issue. Freshman are not allowed to bring cars and will not be issued a parking permit. Parking passes for upperclassmen are issued by lottery and are several hundred dollars for the school year. Even parking spaces at many off-campus apartment complexes require purchasing a spot.
The city has worked hard to make it easy to NOT have a car in an effort to minimize the impact 20,000 college students have on the full-time residents of SLO.
Medical Facilities
You’re sending your kid off on their own for the first time, so of course you want to make sure they’re safe!
On the Cal Poly Campus
There is an excellent Student Health & Wellness Center at Cal Poly. The facility supports students with both physical and mental illness. HOWEVER, the facilities and staff are designed for urgent care type situations. If you have long-term physical or mental health support needs, you’re going to have to find them off campus.
Off Campus
San Luis Obispo has two excellent hospitals, French Hospital and Sierra Vista Hospital. There are also two urgent care facilities in town if the Health Center is closed. These are all great options in an emergency.
Here’s something you won’t learn until you get there. Regular medical care for a long-term health situation can be a problem in San Luis Obispo County. It is a high cost of living area, and to be quite frank, many doctors in SLO simply don’t accept health insurance. At all. Like, it’s cash out of pocket if you want to see them.
I’m not sure why this area is so unique or how this situation has developed, but it has. And it can be a problem. If you’re dealing with any chronic health issues I’d caution you to at least do your research before you commit.
The Cal Poly Tour Itinerary
Okay, so now that you know a little about Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo, let’s plan your visit!
Getting To Cal Poly
We elected to take Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train for our visit. And seriously, can you beat that view???
We wanted to experience what life at Cal Poly and in San Luis Obispo in general would be like from a student’s perspective.
You can read all about that and get detailed info on finding your way from the SLO Train Station to Cal Poly in THIS POST.
Day 1: On-Campus At Cal Poly
We’re not going to give you a whole itinerary for the on-campus portion of your visit. Above all, Cal Poly does a great job preparing you to visit and has lots of options to choose from. Fun tip! Eat on campus while you’re here.
I encourage you to somehow find a way to visit any school (if you’ve been admitted and are seriously considering it) during the week while classes are in session. Not just for Cal Poly, but every school you’re really actually choosing between.
The “vibe” on campus is kind of important, and some campuses can feel very different when students aren’t around. We first saw Cal Poly on a summer college road trip. Our trip took 4 days, driving the coast from UC Santa Cruz to Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, Cal State Long Beach, and San Diego State along the way. Cal Poly made the bottom of her list after that trip. She went back again senior year by herself to tour the Journalism school while classes were in session. She came home and declared “that’s the school.”
Find A Student Guide In Your Major
That brings up another good suggestion. You’ve probably already done the general Intro to Cal Poly tour, but call up the administrative offices of your intended major and see if they offer tours. Most do, and meeting a student tour guide who’s majoring in the same field as you and hearing about the school from their perspective is SO valuable. Make every effort to do this if you can.
Dinner & Hotel Near Cal Poly
So you’re done with your day on campus, and you’re beat. It’s a lot of walking (and remember – hills!) The hotel we recommend is a 5 minute walk from the Grand Street campus entrance (right next to the new dorms) down Grand Street. You can walk, bus, or Uber/Lyft depending on how tired you are. If you elect to walk it’s all sidewalks and a pretty easy stroll.
The Kinney SLO
Where do you stay? Our pick for overnight stays is the Kinney SLO for several reasons. First, it’s perfect for an introduction to Cal Poly because it’s completely collegiate themed. Take a look at the menu in the on-site restaurant. You’ll find the Appetizer section is “PreReqs”. The Main Course is “General Eds”, and the Desserts are “Capstones”. Cute, right?
Second, it’s located exactly halfway between Cal Poly and Downtown SLO. You can walk to either location in 5-10 minutes in pedestrian friendly areas. Sidewalks and lighted crosswalks the entire way. Since we didn’t rent a car, walkability ad safety was important for us. Also, it freed up a little extra money to spend on a nice hotel.
Third, it’s clean. I mean, super clean. And friendly. The food’s good (at least breakfast and dessert were!). And they have bikes you can use if you want to. What more is there to say? Booked!
Pepe Delgados
When you cross Monterey Street and walk down a half block to this cute little Mexican Cantina for dinner. Their famous margaritas will surely hit the spot after a day walking around on campus. Enjoy a casual yet authentic meal and let your thoughts from the day digest.
Day 2: Exploring SLO
If you walk directly down Monterey Street from The Kinney SLO you will end up in the heart of downtown. Downtown SLO is a very hip, pedestrian friendly, upscale adventure. True to SLO’s dichotomy though, it’s also the place for the super popular Thursday night Farmers Market, and free concerts in the plaza in front of the Mission.
The Kinney SLO provides in room Starbucks coffee, but if you want a specialty coffee to walk with, pop into any of the coffee shops on Monterey Street. There are at least three that I can think of.
Popular Breakfast Spots With Cal Poly Students
If you ask any Cal Poly student where to get breakfast in SLO, they’ll name one of three places. SloDoCo (San Luis Obispo Donut Company), Splash Cafe, or Louisa’s Place. 8 out of 10 times it will be Louisa’s. And I can guarantee with 100% certainty you will not finish WOW Week without hitting one of these three spots if you decide to make Cal Poly your home away from home.
Image Used With Permission From SloDoCo
San Luis Obispo Donut Company
SloDoCo is over in the Foothill Area near the opposite end of campus. Bus or Uber if donuts are your jam. SloDoCo does have gluten-free donuts, but they are the last to be made every day so either call ahead or don’t go till after 9am if you’re wanting to score some.
Splash Cafe
A second breakfast option is Splash Cafe located on Monterey Street just past Pepe Delgados. It’s a great choice and very close. It also has gluten-free options (mostly gf bread for sandwiches).
Image Used With Permission From Louisa’s Place
Louisa’s Place, A Cal Poly Favorite
Last not not least, Louisa’s Place is one street south of Monterey on Higuera. If you want to truly get the real Cal Poly experience this is where you’ll have breakfast. Gluten-free options include gf bread for toast, gf pancakes, and gf french toast.
It is also where you will wait in a REALLY long line if it’s the weekend or any kind of special occasion for Cal Poly (Move-in, Graduation, Family Weekend…). So be prepared and bring a coffee while you wait, or have a back up plan.
P.S. If you decide to wait, it’s totally worth it.
P.P.S. Try the coffee cake.
Downtown SLO
After breakfast, take the morning to walk around downtown. There are some really interesting shops, galleries, and restaurants. Spend some time window shopping and soaking in the SLOCal vibe. Here are some popular downtown activities…
SLO Farmers Market
On Thursday evenings, the SLO Farmers Market shuts down Higuera Street from Nipomo to Osos Streets from 6pm – 9pm (weather permitting). It’s a popular student activity, not only for the delicious food, but the free concerts as well. The downtown Trolley runs every 15-20 minutes on a continuous loop Thursday nights between 5pm and 9pm. There is also free bike valet service on Morro Street sponsored by San Luis Ranch and operated by Bike SLO County.
Mission Plaza
Where Monterey Street ends at Choro, you’ll find the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. The Mission itself is open every day (and has a gift shop!), with guided tours most afternoons. In front of the Mission is a large open air plaza that is the heart of the downtown community.
This year is the 25th season of free Concerts in the Plaza, which takes place every Friday from 4:30pm – 8pm from June to September. This happens to be the most well-known event for Mission Plaza, but there seems to always be something going on.
Bubblegum Alley
If disgusting, germ-filled hotbeds of disease are your thing (haha) then you’ll love Bubblegum Alley.
Locals are totally bummed that this alley filled with millions of chewed up pieces of bubblegum is one of the most recognizable spots in beautiful San Luis Obispo, but it’s a fact!
Don’t go home without seeing it, or sticking your own contribution to the wall if you dare. You can find this gem off of Higuera Street between Garden and Broad.
Lunch
Keep walking down Higuera Street back toward The Kinney SLO to grab some lunch before we hit the beach. If you want to eat where the cool kids eat, you need to head to Firestone and the best BBQ in San Luis Obispo.
Image Used With Permission From Firestone Grill
Firestone Grill
Award winning Tri-Tip BBQ and Burgers are what you’ll find at Firestone. It’s a casual atmosphere, order at the window and grab a table kind of place.
On a typical day the outdoor patio will be the primo spot to grab a table. Even when it’s a little chilly they have patio heaters that do a pretty good job of making it comfortable. They do have seating inside as well.
We tried the Tri-Tip Taco, the ½ Chicken, and the Firestone Salad. All were perfectly cooked, not at all dry, and really delicious.
The Beach
Meanwhile, you didn’t think we’d skip the beach did you? Come on…we’re talking college kids here!
There are two central coast beaches that are most popular with the students at Cal Poly. Morro Bay (which is the closest to SLO), and Avila Beach. We’re going to suggest Morro Bay for this itinerary, but read about Avila Beach in the post Avila Beach, California: A Breath of Fresh Salt Air On The Central Coast.
Morro Bay
The small beach town of Morro Bay is famous for one main thing – Morro Rock. Featured in many California Instagram feeds, this giant rock is not just fun to look at! The rock creates a killer surf spot on one side and a smooth bay for kayaking on the other. Drive out to the rock and park for free. Parking in town along the embarcadero is metered and can be difficult to find.
There is a boardwalk that runs along the bay side if you feel like doing some more walking. Or plant yourself on the sand for a while and watch the surfers while soaking in the sunshine.
Back in town along the embarcadero you can watch commercial fishermen hauling in catch, stroll among the art galleries and cute shops, and grab a snack.
The Salt Water Taffy store on the north end of the embarcadero is a must visit spot for our family!
Dinner
Head back to San Luis Obispo for the evening and maybe stop at The Kinney SLO for a quick nap? When you’re rested up, get those walking shoes back on and head back to downtown. We’ve got Italian to try!
Giuseppe’s Cucina Rustica
One of the best meals I’ve had in SLO was at Giuseppe’s.
With everything from traditional pasta and pizza to rustic italian seafood (including gluten-free pasta), Giuseppe’s is a little upscale for most college students. But it’s a super popular spot when parents are in town and paying!
This is a great place to sit with the family, enjoy a glass of wine and a fabulous dinner. Kick back, soak in the ambience and talk about what you’ve seen so far.
Image Used With Permission From Nite Creamery
Nite Creamery
One last spot to cap off your tour of SLO with dessert. Do you have room? All that walking pays off when visiting SLO – so you can eat more! Nite Creamery is located in the Creamery Marketplace – an old working creamery that was turned into shops and restaurants off of Higuera Street.
Have you had nitrogen ice cream? I can’t explain the science, but apparently the ice cream ingredients are flash frozen using nitrogen so that each scoop is made as you order. The process makes for the creamiest ice cream you’ve ever had.
The featured flavors change often and are usually a mix of solid traditional favorites and some wacky new combos. Since SLO is a college town, a popular mix-in is cereal (Captain Crunch to be specific). I have never been here when the line isn’t out the door. Even when temperatures are in the 40’s.
The End
That’s the end of our Cal Poly tour. Hopefully you got a great feel for what life would be like at Cal Poly, and in San Luis Obispo so that your college decision can be a little less stressful. Please feel free to add your comments if you have been to this school or San Luis Obispo. The best decisions are informed decisions. Best of luck in your quest to find the home away from home that’s best for you!
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Love this! I go to Cal Poly Slo and am a blogger as well and this was an amazing post and very inspiring and informative about my school!
Thanks Emily! We tried very hard to be impartial, but it’s definitely a special school. Good luck with your Spring classes! #ridehigh