experience art. build community.
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art brings together neighbors and friends, students and seniors, first-time guests and longtime supporters to experience world-class art through the shared lens of community-building.
Located in the heart of Downtown SLO, the museum is accessible for visitors of all ages, identities, and abilities. All are welcome to visit SLOMA.
Hours: SLOMA is open Thursday–Monday from 11 AM – 5 PM (closed Tues & Wed).
Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Open for reserved school and group tours only.
Holidays: Closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The museum closes early at 3 PM on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
2025 Special Install Days: SLOMA will be closed on Monday, June 23 and Monday, October 6, 2025 for exhibition installations.
Admission: The museum is FREE for all visitors. At SLOMA, we believe anyone should be able to experience art without having to pay an entrance fee—thanks to generous members and donors, they can.
SLOMA is located on the corner of Broad Street and Monterey Street in Downtown SLO’s Mission Plaza. Situated next to San Luis Obispo Creek, the brightly colored museum is hard to miss! Visitors can access the building through the entrance on the Mission Plaza side of the museum.
LOCATION
1010 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, California 93401
(on the west end of Mission Plaza)
Phone: (805) 543-8562
tours
SLOMA offers enriching docent-led tours to help visitors of all ages engage more deeply with our exhibitions. Public tours are held every Saturday at 11 AM, providing an insightful overview of the art on view. For schools, student groups, and organizations, private group tours can be arranged on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with advance reservations. These customized tours are ideal for educational field trips, art classes, and anyone seeking a more personalized museum experience.
tips for visiting
Parking
Metered parking is available across Broad and Monterey streets in the public lots or on surface streets. The closest public parking garage is two blocks away on Palm Street (between Chorro and Morro streets, across from the Palm Theatre). Visit slocity.org for Downtown parking information and current rates.
Please note that the City of SLO is transitioning to pay stations and parking apps throughout Downtown. Hours of enforcement are Monday – Saturday, 9 AM – 9 PM, and Sunday 1 PM – 9 PM, including holidays. Please pay attention to Famers’ Market street parking restrictions on Thursdays after 5 PM in the downtown core—don’t get towed!
The City’s pay stations are located throughout Downtown (map), including one across the street from SLOMA. And, they’re easy to use:
- Pay using coin or credit card (accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Discover). The “tap” feature is also available for credit cards.
- Enter license plate number
- Enter desired time (Posted time limits apply)
Street parking is 2 hours max if using the pay stations; you can extend your time by using the Honk app. For longer stays in Downtown SLO, there are 10-hour metered lots across from the Museum at Broad at Monterey, or another one block away at Palm and Nipomo.
Please visit the City’s street parking website for helpful links to parking FAQs, maps of parking zones, and links to download parking apps like Honk so that you’re ready to visit historic Downtown SLO.
Public Transportation
There are several public transportation options near the museum, including local buses and the historic Old SLO Trolley. For up-to-date routes, schedules, and fares, visit slotransit.org.
After Your Visit
SLOMA is located at the heart of SLO’s Cultural Corridor. Visit our friends at The History Center of SLO County, SLO Children’s Museum, historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, and SLO REP for more arts and culture.
On Thursday evenings, be sure to visit SLO’s famous Downtown Farmers’ Market (rain cancels).
With plenty of shopping and dining options near SLOMA, it’s easy to grab a bite to eat or find your home’s next treasure at a locally owned and operated business in Downtown SLO after your visit. Business directories and upcoming city-sponsored events can be found at downtownslo.com.
Banner image credit Heraldo Creative Studio