Cal Poly’s open house packs hotels

April 14, 2011

By KEVIN BIRMINGHAM

Cal Poly’s 18th annual open house kicks off today and is expected to bring thousands of visitors to San Luis Obispo and a welcome surge to the local economy over the weekend.

Many Central Coast hotels including San Luis Obispo’s Embassy Suites and Quality Suites, and The Cliffs in Pismo Beach say their guest rooms are booked solid for Thursday and Friday nights. Management at the Quality Suites said that reservations for this year’s open house weekend are as full as they have been in previous high demand years, even in the presence of a down economy.

Festivities start tonight at San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market and will continue through Saturday’s campus showcase. Following the opening ceremony at 10a.m. on Dexter Lawn, the list of events includes the Cal Poly tractor pull, the Cal Poly rodeo, a kids’ fair, live music, and many other activities as the university puts itself on display for students, present and future, and their families.