California Official Visitor's Guide 2022 - 114

SAN LUIS OBISPO
central coast
216 " Everybody should
visit the SAN LUIS OBISPO
MISSION, " she says.
" There's a museum and gift
shop, beautiful gardens, and
you can attend mass. It's
unique among California's
missions because real
people ring the bells every
day at noon and 6 p.m. I was
a bell ringer for 10 years, and
the bells are really heavy. "
217 One famous
SLO wedding venue
is the extravagantly
pink MADONNA INN, which
has lavishly decorated
theme rooms, but Campbell
says the inn's bakery is
even more alluring. " They're
known for their pink
champagne cake, which they
make with a special pink
sugar that matches the pink
on everything else at the
Madonna Inn, " she says.
218 " My husband and I
love LINNAEA'S CAFE on
Garden Street in downtown.
They have a patio that's a
hidden gem. It's a good place
for a private spot to talk,
work, or study among the
greenery with birds chirping
all around you. "
ASK A LOCAL Renoda Campbell
As a wedding photographer in San Luis Obispo,
Renoda Campbell has a long list of passions, but
when she talks about her work, one theme stands
out: She celebrates love in every shape, size, and
color. Campbell moved to the Central Coast town
more than two decades ago, leaving behind a
career in the Los Angeles music industry. She got
a master's degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,
raised a family, and worked as a photographer at
the local high school.
" I always loved taking pictures but I never
wanted to be a wedding photographer. Then one
day someone asked me to take their wedding
photos, and I fell in love with it, " she says.
San Luis Obispo County is an ideal location
for her business, Campbell says. " We have all
these amazing venues that are perfect for hosting
weddings. There are beautiful parks, beaches,
and wineries. " Read on to learn about some of
Campbell's favorite stops around her hometown.
114 | VISITCALIFORNIA.COM
219 " THE SAN LUIS
OBISPO CHILDREN'S
MUSEUM is a great place
for kids. It's a very popular
museum with interactive
exhibits. Everything is
San Luis Obispo
Children's Museum
designed so that kids learn
by playing and doing. "
220 Another favorite spot
is BUBBLEGUM ALLEY,
a passageway covered in
chewed gum-an estimated
two million pieces. The
Instagram-famous landmark
attracts thousands of
visitors each year. " It smells
really sweet, " she says. " I love
San Luis Obispo because it's
just a little quirky. "
221 Campbell suggests
that couples visit SIDECAR,
perched alongside the
babbling creek downtown.
" It's an amazing place that
makes really great signature
drinks. I usually order a
Moscow Mule or maybe a
glass of Prosecco. It's like
dessert in a glass. "
222 " I love NITE
CREAMERY, which is
located in an old creamery
building. They mix the
ingredients right in front
of you and blast them with
liquid nitrogen-it's really
cool to see. I go with the
All Niter, which is coff ee
ice cream with chocolate
chunks and Oreo crumbs. "
Mission San Luis
Obispo de Tolosa
Madonna Inn
Nite Creamery
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California Official Visitor's Guide 2022

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