Hammocks are a versatile contraption. They can be a bed to sleep in on a camping trip, a secluded space to chill out and read a book and relax, or just a place to breathe in the fresh air with friends on a sunny day. And there’s definitely no shortage of incredible places to set up a hammock right here in the San Luis Obispo area. From the sturdy posts of local beach piers, to the man-made engineered architecture of student’s senior project structures, here’s a few of our favorite places to just hang out and enjoy the outdoors…

Pismo Beach Pier

Getting horizontal: These piers are the perfect place to set up your cinches and settle down to embrace the sound of the crashing waves. The pier conveniently has enough space for multiple friends to hang their hammocks to make it a more social gathering.

Avila Ridge Hike and Hang

Here’s hang that you’ve gotta earn! Hike up the famously steep Avila Ridge trail on the edge of Pismo Beach up to its ocean view swing. Instead, create a swing of your own by hitching up your hammock between the two trees at the top. Optional life reflection will ensue with this vista of the entire Pismo and Grover beach in the distance.

Cuesta Ridge Botanical Area

Panoramic views of inland and ocean lined Central Coast including SLO’s Seven Sisters are seen from the top of Cuesta Ridge’s botanical area… It’s the perfect place to hang a hammock and take in the sights. With the combination of Sargent cypress trees which can grow up to 50 feet tall towering overhead, and blue views all the way to the water on a clear day, it’s a spectacular place to appreciate nature.

Montana de Oro Eucalyptus Grove

The eucalyptus grove in Montana de Oro is a magically secluded place of soft lighted tranquility. Hang out here for a while in silence to reconnect with yourself in peace on what feels like a different planet (it’s also a great place to do some light reading). There are an abundance of trees to be able to hang out here in a group as well and enjoy the space together.

Architecture Graveyard (Poly Canyon Design Village)

The Poly Canyon Design Village, commonly known as the Architecture Graveyard, is located on the Cal Poly campus and is a hammock lover’s dream. There are an abundance of structures here to dangle from which were engineered by the fifth year architecture students of Cal Poly.

Rodman Hill Swing

Tips of the Trade

Whenever you’re setting up, remember to make sure that the area is safe for hammocks and won’t damage the environment. Be respectful to wildlife and the creators of the structures you are using to hang from. Also remember to be smart when it comes to safety, check the tightness of your carabiners and cinches before getting into the hammock… don’t hang too high or over another person. And most of all, enjoy the moment!