Arrival Information

Guest Parking and Transportation

We're excited you're joining us for our 30th Annual Open House! This page features some additional information on how to get to campus, where to park, and other transportation options available for guests, including a shuttle service. To learn more, keep reading below, or feel free to reach out to us if you still have further questions.

Please note: on campus parking for Friday and Saturday (April 14–15) is prepaid only. You can purchase your permit for Friday online at the following link: https://calpoly.pmreserve.com/venue.

Parking on campus is extremely limited as classes will be in session on Cal Poly’s campus as well as other major university events. No oversized vehicles will be allowed on campus. For visitors staying in select San Luis Obispo hotels, there will be shuttle service to campus provided on Friday and Saturday to and from campus. Further shuttle info below.

Please download Guidebook app and search for the “New Mustang Guide” for updated arrival information, driving and walking directions, schedule, and more!

On Campus Parking

Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 - prepaid preferred

Due to classes, Open House, Poly Royal Rodeo, and athletic events, campus parking will be very limited. Guests are encouraged to utilizing shuttles when arriving to campus.
 
Please note that guests should purchase and print their parkmobile permits before they arrive on campus. Printed permits need to be displayed on the car’s dashboard upon arrival. Transportation and Parking Services staff will be scanning permits at the entrance of each lot.

Anyone that arrives without a pre-purchased parkmobile permit will be charged for an event permit on the spot (no cash). Parking attendants will provide paper permit as a form of a "Receipt".
 
Purchase your permit for Friday and Saturday online at the following link: https://calpoly.pmreserve.com/venue.
 
For those with Zone 1 (Grand and Structure 131) prepaid parking permits, enter only through Grand Avenue. For those with Zone 2 (H12, H14, H16 Parking Lots) and Zone 3 (H-1 Parking Lot) prepaid parking permits, enter only through Highland Drive. Please follow Open House signage and Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) direction on where to park for your designated zone.
 

Parkmobile Instructions

• Go to: https://calpoly.pmreserve.com/ and select "Cal Poly Events"

• Find your event on the list and click “Find Parking”

• Select the parking option you would like from the list and “Add to Cart”

• Please note, the “quantity” dropdown should be 1. You can only purchase a permit for 1 vehicle at a time. If you would like to purchase a permit for more than 1 vehicle you will need to do separate transactions for each vehicle.

• This will bring you to the Shopping Cart, click “Continue Checkout”

• This will bring you to the "Finalize Order" page.

• Fill out Billing Information, Vehicle information and Payment Information.

• Check “Terms & Conditions” and Security Question “I am not a robot”

• Click Complete Purchase

Shuttles and Bus Info

Friday, April 14 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shuttles for Open House guests staying in select San Luis Obispo hotels will be provided to and from campus on Friday and Saturday. The pick up locations are listed below and all shuttles drop off at the Performing Arts Center on Cal Poly's campus.

Three shuttle routes run during The Weekend serving different areas of San Luis Obispo. 

• Grand Ave/North Highway 101 area
• Madonna Inn and Madonna Road area
• Los Osos Valley Road/South Highway 101 area

For up-to-date information on shuttle routes and arrival information, download the Guidebook app and search for the ”Open House” guide.

Shuttle Routes

Grand Ave/North Highway 101 area

Please meet at the bus stop on Mill Street and Grand Ave. Shuttles will be running every 10 minutes to and from campus. This shuttle does not stop at specific hotels. Pick up and drop off is located at Mill Street and Grand Ave.

Servicing the following hotels in the area

Apple Farm

Holiday Inn Express San Luis Obispo

Inn at San Luis Obispo

La Cuesta Inn

Lamplighter Inn & Suites

Lexington Inn

Peach Tree Inn

Quality Suites

San Luis Creek Lodge

Sands Inn & Suites

Sunbeam Motel

Super 8 San Luis Obispo

Travelodge San Luis Obispo

Madonna Inn and Madonna Road area

Please wait in front of your hotel’s lobby to be picked up and brought to campus. Shuttles will be running every 30 minutes. 

Servicing the following hotels

Best Western

Embassy Suites

Madonna Inn

Vagabond Inn

Los Osos Valley Road/South Highway 101 area

Please wait in front of your hotel’s lobby (unless specified) to be picked up and brought to campus. Shuttles will be running every 30 minutes. 

Servicing the following hotels:

Courtyard San Luis Obispo

Hampton Inn & Suites

Motel 6 – North

Motel 6 – South (walk to Courtyard San Luis Obispo lobby)

Accessibility During the Weekend

ADA/Accessible Parking

ADA accessible parking will be available for guests. Please see below: Purchase your parking permit for Friday and Saturday here https://calpoly.pmreserve.com/venue before you arrive. Please follow Open House signage and TAPS staff to park. ADA spaces will be available in all lots. A disabled placard is required to park in accessible lots.

Wheelchairs and Accessible Seating

While most Cal Poly facilities are wheelchair accessible please be aware there is significant distance between campus buildings and parking areas, with many campus pathways and roads being sloped.

Open House guests are encouraged to bring their own wheelchair if it is available to them. A limited amount of manual wheelchairs will be available for check-out for no charge at Open House Info Booths (Friday: Mustang Way, Saturday: Dexter Lawn). At all Open House events accessible seating will be available with campus staff present to assist with accessible seating.

ADA transit Open House Service

We will have one ADA transit shuttle running from our designated hotel shuttle routes. We will have one shuttle running for ADA transit on campus. This van service will be wheelchair accessible for guest in need of shuttling and one additional guest. Pick up times vary based on demand. The need-based shuttle on call at 805-305-8245.

Further Accommodations

Accommodations such as sign language interpreters, printed materials in accessible format, and other special accommodations will also be available. For these special accommodations, please email orientation@calpoly.edu or call New Student & Transition Programs at 805-756-2400.