See For Yourself
Visit the University
Explore our campus firsthand. Whether in-person or online, our tours are a perfect way to get to know Cal Poly from the inside out.
Student-led walking tour
Join a current student, one of our Poly Reps, for a 90-minute walking tour of campus. You'll visit the colleges, popular campus spots and get inside info from students who know the university inside and out. Add a housing tour and a visit to one of the academic colleges (on select days) to get a full view of all Cal Poly has to offer. Tours are popular and do fill up, so be sure to register. Limited and advance registration is required.
other ways to tour campus
Self-Guided Tour
Get your Self-Guided Walking Tour map at the Welcome Center or Admissions Office. It's a great way for prospective students and supporters, walk-ins and the general public to get to know our campus in-person and at your own pace.
Virtual Tours
Get to know our campus and learn more about Learn by Doing, student life, our individual academic colleges, housing, campus facilities and more through our series of virtual tours. Register for a virtual session or scroll down to learn more.
Group Tour
Request a date for your group of 15 to 100 students (minimum high school aged). Guided group tours begin at 1:45 p.m. on select weekdays and include a 30-minute admission presentation and a 90-minute tour.
Prepare for your tour
We are excited to welcome you to our campus! Here are some recommendations and resources to make your trip the most enjoyable.
Directions and Parking
You can easily find detailed directions to Cal Poly as well as required paid parking and permit information for your visit to the campus. We recommend parking in structure 131 (shown on the campus map) and watching the "Ways to the Welcome Center" video to learn more.
What to Wear and Bring
San Luis Obispo weather is generally pretty perfect, but temperatures can fluctuate. We recommend bringing a water bottle, a light jacket, a hat and sunscreen with you on your tour. Our campus is also hilly, so you will definitely want to have comfortable walking shoes.
Your Tour Details
Most tours begin at the Welcome Center, but you'll get full details about your tour by email. If you have questions about your visit, you can reach out to the Welcome Center staff Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (PT) at (805) 756-5934 or [email protected].
explore cal Poly without leaving home
You can't always get to San Luis Obispo to visit campus in person. Our collection of online tours are here to help you get to know Cal Poly better.
See What Makes Cal Poly Special
Discover Cal Poly through the eyes of a current student. Like our in-person tours, this virtual tour is led by our Poly Reps, the university's knowledgeable student ambassadors and ultimate tour guides.
Your guides offer valuable insights into everything from our Learn by Doing academic philosophy and the distinction between our six colleges to the exciting opportunities for undergraduate research and the state-of-the-art facilities that support our programs. You'll also get a glimpse into student life, Cal Poly traditions, and the vibrant local community.
Check Out What's New in Housing and Dining
Explore Dining
Feel like Chick-Fil-A? Or does your taste run to the healthier side? Either way, you're covered. 1901 Marketplace is an open marketplace design inspired by the Ferry Building in San Francisco, Chelsea Market in New York, and Krog Street Market in Atlanta with nine different options. Vista Grande adds another 10 venues to choose from.
Take advantage of the sunny SLO weather at our outdoor community spaces, created through a partnership with the university, ASI and the Cal Poly Partners. Each space provides Wi-Fi, shade, picnic tables, chairs and easy access to dining venues and local food trucks.
Explore Sports and Recreation Facilities
Tour Cal Poly's state-of-the-art Recreation Center which includes a 20-lane Olympic-sized lap pool, a leisure pool, rock climbing park, personal training facilities, racquetball courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, locker rooms, an indoor track, fitness studios and more.
Other Recreational Facilities
At Cal Poly, we work hard, and we play hard. In addition to the Recreation Center, our campus is home to state-of-the-art sports, exercise, and recreation facilities which serve all our community's needs.
Whether you join one of our club sports teams, stay fit with exercise classes, or unwind with recreational activities, we've got you covered. Our facilities are designed to inspire and support your physical well-being, helping you maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle throughout your academic journey.
