San Luis Obispo district, California, United States

Places to visit near Shandon

Shandon is a town in San Luis Obispo district, California, United States, home to about 1,295 people. Within 50 km by road there are 61 places to visit — 41 hill stations & viewpoints, 3 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 2 wildlife, forests & gardens and 2 parks. The must-see places are Polonio Pass (23 km), Long Canyon (31 km) and Paso Robles Veterans Park (32 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Shandon on the map

Shandon, California
Shandon, San Luis Obispo district, California, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Shandon at a glance

Location
San Luis Obispo district, California, United States
Population
about 1,295
Coordinates
35.6553° N, 120.3754° W
Places within 50 km
61 (16 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks

Top places to visit near Shandon

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Shandon: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Shandon

Things to see near Shandon, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Shandon

150 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Shandon. The closest is Pfost Gulch (3 km); the best-known is Polonio Pass (23 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Shandon

20 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Shandon. The closest is Berrenda Mesa 1051 Dam (40 km); the best-known is Atascadero Lake Park (42 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in California →

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Shandon

18 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Shandon. The closest is Los Padres National Forest (35 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Parks near Shandon

12 parks within 100 km of Shandon. The closest is Rios-Caledonia Adobe (38 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Forts & heritage near Shandon

10 forts & heritage within 100 km of Shandon. The closest is White Mine (36 km). Best time: october to february.

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Beaches & coast near Shandon

10 beaches & coast within 100 km of Shandon. The closest is Cayucos State Beach (66 km); the best-known is Point San Luis Lighthouse (81 km). Best time: october to march.

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A one-day trip from Shandon

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 62 km on the road.

  1. Start in Shandon
  2. 3 km Pfost Gulch · viewpoint, San Luis Obispo
  3. 8 km McDonald Canyon · viewpoint, San Luis Obispo
  4. 6 km Slocum Canyon · viewpoint, San Luis Obispo
  5. 4 km Tucker Canyon · viewpoint, San Luis Obispo
  6. 18 km Polonio Pass · viewpoint, San Luis Obispo
  7. 23 km Back to Shandon

Plan a longer trip from Shandon — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Shandon

No traveller has reported from around Shandon yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Shandon

    All places near Shandon by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Shandon by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints41150Pfost Gulch (3 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs320Berrenda Mesa 1051 Dam (40 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens218Los Padres National Forest (35 km)
    Other attractions616Ellings Spring (21 km)
    Parks212Rios-Caledonia Adobe (38 km)
    Forts & heritage110White Mine (36 km)
    Beaches & coast010Cayucos State Beach (66 km)
    Churches28Paso Robles Veterans Park (32 km)
    Museums27Estrella Warbird Museum (28 km)
    Waterfalls17Falls Canyon (45 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves02Black Rock (69 km)
    Caves02Dinosaur Caves Park (77 km)
    Treks11California Coastal Trail (35 km)

    Shandon: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Shandon?

    Polonio Pass (viewpoint, about 23 km), Pfost Gulch (viewpoint, about 3 km), Slocum Canyon (viewpoint, about 6 km), Tucker Canyon (viewpoint, about 8 km), McDonald Canyon (viewpoint, about 9 km), Long Canyon (viewpoint, about 31 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Shandon?

    61 places on Spotwander: 41 hill stations & viewpoints, 3 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 2 wildlife, forests & gardens, 6 other attractions, 2 parks.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Shandon?

    Pfost Gulch, about 3 km by road; Slocum Canyon (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Shandon?

    Berrenda Mesa 1051 Dam, about 40 km by road; Atascadero Lake Park (42 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Shandon?

    Los Padres National Forest, about 35 km by road; Charles Paddock Zoo (42 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Shandon?

    Start in Shandon, visit Pfost Gulch, then McDonald Canyon, then Slocum Canyon, then Tucker Canyon, then Polonio Pass, and drive back — about 62 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Shandon?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks.

    Towns near Shandon

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Shandon’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Shandon on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.