When you think of San Luis Obispo, the first things that come to mind are its charming downtown, picturesque beaches, expansive Caly Poly Campus, and scenic hikes through the coastal hills. When planning our trip to SLO, we concentrated on relaxing at Pismo Beach, driving dune buggies at Oceano Dunes, shopping downtown, and visiting Hearst Castle.
But hidden back in Poly Canyon, there’s a lesser-known, sort of creepy yet captivating gem that’s a must-see for anyone interested in quirky, unconventional architecture and odd experience: the Cal Poly Architecture Graveyard.
The Architecture Graveyard isn’t a typical graveyard. In fact, it’s not a graveyard at all! It’s 9-acre Experimental Structures Facility officially called the Poly Canyon Design Village. So, instead of tombstones, you’ll find an eclectic mix of abstract, unique, head-scratching architectural experiments.
Since the 1970s, Cal Poly College of Architecture and Environmental Design students have used Poly Canyon as an outdoor test room to experiment with new constructions.
Design Village is technically a competition hosted by Cal Poly’s Architecture program. The Design Village competition has a long history and has become one of the most anticipated events of the year for the College of Architecture & Environmental Design (CAED). This means Design Village is still used by the university and the installations will change over time, but now, several of the old houses are dilapidated, run down, and showing signs of graffiti and vandalism.
Hiking To The Architecture Graveyard
This kid-friendly 2.5 mile hike offers up a blend of nature and architectural and engineering projects, each one more intriguing than the last.
The first 0.5 mile of dirt-paved trail is pretty flat. After that, you begin to wind up Poly Canyon alongside Brizziolari Creek to a picnic area and the entrance to the Design Village. Pass beneath a whimsical stone arch, and you’re in the realm of the Architecture Graveyard. Here, the trail is lined by short stone walls and crosses a concrete bridge before opening up to a hillside dotted with student constructions.
Highlights of the Design Village include odd architectural buildings, built between 1963 and 2009, that pushed the boundaries of design and integration with the environment. You’ll find Shell House, Blade Structure, Bridge House, the Cantilever Deck, Stick Structure, Fratessa Tower, and Underground House – rumored to have been designed by Dr. Seuss himself — as well as a mini amphitheater nestled along the creek under an open Geodesic Dome.
Whether you’re a local resident or just passing through San Luis Obispo, the Cal Poly Architecture Graveyard is a destination worth adding to your itinerary. It’s an adventure for anyone with a curious mind and a love for the unusual.
Know Before You Go
- The Cal Poly Graveyard trail, also called the Poly Canyon Design Village trail, is an easy 2.5-mile round trip hike, with 300 feet of elevation gain, that follows the Brizziolari Creek up Poly Canyon. The trailhead address is Poly Canyon Road, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93405.
- To park during the week, you’ll need a Cal Poly parking permit. If you’re visiting on a weekend, parking is free and no permit is required.
- There are no trash cans or bathrooms along the trail. Pack out everything you bring in. Respect the campus and leave no trace.
- Dogs are welcome. Bikes are allowed on Poly Canyon Road but not within the village.
