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San Luis Drive Trail

4.9 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · Running trail in San Luis Obispo, California · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from San Luis Drive Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Open 24hFlat & fastHilly

What runners say about San Luis Drive Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (8 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

This is an aggressive hike especially at the start. First 200 yards is loose and steep. There is a rope rigged on one leg of the first part. Can come down at the high school trail or continue on to the fire road above Sydney Dr. If you go to the end of the ridge it dead ends.

★★★★★ — Rw , Jun 2020

Nice trail, wonderful views of San Luis Obispo and the area. Beginning of the trail is quite steep, so I do not advise using this trail in wet weather.

★★★★☆ — Alexander , Aug 2021

Wonderful views of SLO for 360 degrees. I hiked up the trail head from San Luis Road. This was a hard vertical climb. I descended High School Trail. A safer passage. 6.5 miles round-trip from the hotel

★★★★★ — Craig , Feb 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

⛰️ Hills / elevation 6 mentions

“Beginning of the trail is quite steep, so I do not advise using this trail in wet weather.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

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Plan your run at San Luis Drive Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find San Luis Drive Trail

San Luis Dr Trail, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Get directions

Running trails near San Luis Obispo

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Terrace Hill Open Space

4.8 ★★★★★ 114 reviews

San Luis Obispo, CA

Scenic

Hilltop park with a circuitous path, offering 360-degree views of the area - popular for sunsets.

1.2 miles away

San Luis Obispo Creek Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 13 reviews

San Luis Obispo, CA

1.4 miles away

Poly Canyon

4.8 ★★★★★ 61 reviews

San Luis Obispo, CA

Scenic

On the Cal Poly campus, this hiking area features a variety of outdoor architectural structures.

2.0 miles away

Lemon Grove Loop Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 105 reviews

San Luis Obispo, CA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Mountain for hiking featuring a Christmas tree at its summit, plus views of the surrounding city.

2.0 miles away

Vulture Peak

4.7 ★★★★★ 23 reviews

San Luis Obispo, CA

Natural surfaceScenic

2.2 miles away

South Hills Open Space

4.7 ★★★★★ 155 reviews

San Luis Obispo, CA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Nature conservation site with trails & native plants & animals in a variety of habitats.

2.2 miles away

All running trails in San Luis Obispo, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.