This Central Coast city will pay tourists cash to visit. Here’s how to score a deal
If you’ve been pondering a visit to California’s Central Coast, now might just be the time to do that.
The city of San Luis Obispo’s tourism board, Visit SLO, is literally paying people in cash to visit the city this winter.
The organization has promised $100 to anyone who books at least a two-night stay at one of several participating hotels in San Luis Obispo between January 1 and March 31.
The promotion is called “Money for a Rainy Day” and is meant to draw visitors to the region during the winter off-season, according to Visit SLO spokeswoman Jacqui Clark-Charlesworth.
“Really the genesis of this whole program is the softer season in January, February and March,” she said. “When it ramps up in the summer, we don’t typically have a hard time getting people to come here.”
One of the big draws for the area is the weather at this time of year, she said.
“It tends to be rainy in most parts of the country,” she said. “So we’re saying, ‘Come to the Central Coast, come to San Luis Obispo, where there is great weather and it’s a bit quieter.’ It’s a great time to explore the Central Coast cause you don’t have to fight the summer crowds.”
Clark-Charlesworth said this is the sixth year the city has offered the promotion. Each year before it has sold out, which led to organizers increasing the number of people who can claim the deal from 500 to 750.
The deal is often used by Cal Poly parents visiting their students, repeat visitors and people who fly in from one of the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport’s new direct flights, Clark-Charlesworth said.
“Obviously it’s a win-win for us and the hotels, because that money goes directly back into their visit in San Luis Obispo,” she said. “They’ll maybe spend that at happy hours out in town, go to a performance or just pocket the cash and be able to enjoy the area, especially with the two great luxury hotels we have that just opened.”
The promotion is paid for by the city’s tourism business improvement district.
The deal isn’t just for out-of-towners. Clark-Charlesworth noted that locals can take advantage of the deal to help pay for a “staycation” at any of the area’s 40 participating hotels.
Clark-Charlesworth said 185 people have claimed the deal so far.
How to get SLO travel deal
To qualify, you must forward your hotel booking information to info@visitslo.com and be one of the first 750 people to apply.
Once confirmed, you can stop by the city Visitor’s Center at 895 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo to pick up your cash
The deal does have some caveats. It doesn’t apply to stays during the weekends of Jan. 18-19 and Feb. 15-16, and only one entry is allowed per booking confirmation number.
For the full list of rules and restrictions, visit visitslo.com/money-for-a-rainy-day.
This story was originally published January 15, 2020 at 12:35 PM.
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