Anywhere you go, there are specific activities that you HAVE to do.

When you go to Hollywood for the first time, you have to see the Walk of Fame, even though the stars are dirty and Hollywood Blvd is sketchy and the area near the Kodak Theater is always so crowded with tourists you can’t think straight.

Similarly, when you go to San Luis Obispo, there are sights you have to see. Overrated? Possibly. Uniquely entertaining? Definitely. So here we have 3 slightly overemphasized tourist attractions that that you must check out before you leave town.

1. Bubblegum Alley

Germaphobes beware: this could literally be the most unsanitary place you will go in your entire life. Located between Garden and Broad downtown, this short alley is completely covered in bubblegum from one side to the other. You can add your own mark to the walls simply by chewing a piece of gum and sticking it wherever. Or if you have time, you can create gum art. If you decide on artwork, I would suggest wearing gloves.

2. The Madonna Inn’s Waterfall Bathroom

If you get the chance to go to the restaurant at the Madonna Inn, you may have the opportunity to pee into a waterfall. Sadly, this opportunity is only available to men, as it is in the men’s restroom. However, it’s gotten to the point that it seems like anyone can walk into the bathroom to see this masterpiece of a urinal. Just make sure no one is using it when you walk in.

3. The Architecture Graveyard

For an architecture enthusiast, the Poly Canyon hike can be an educational experience. For everyone else, it’s just a giant jungle gym of fun things to climb on. There’s a giant building of squares with walls, a giant thing coming out of the ground, a hut that looks like it came straight out of Star Wars, and what looks like half of a pirate ship. I won’t ruin all the surprises though, so you’ll have to go check it out for yourself.

Go on a weekend so you don’t have to pay for parking, and park in the H4 parking lot by the North Mountain dorms. Walk up Village Dr until you see the gated dirt road on the right. If you walk for about a mile you’ll see the entry to the architecture projects on the left, through the archway.

So there you have it. Three tourist attractions in San Luis Obispo that will complete any first time vacation to the central coast. If you’ve been to or lived in SLO, what would you put on this list? Let me know in the comments below.