Plaza Mayor, the city's main square, is the heart of civic life in Ciudad Real, a lively open space surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. When the weather is nice throngs of visitors and local residents flock to the square, making it the best place in town for people watching, as well as the best place to go for food, shopping and nightlife.

One of the largest and most interesting museums in the world, the British Museum is home to some of the most treasured historical artefacts ever found. The extensive exhibition includes the Rosetta Stone, Assyrian treasures, Egyptian mummies and the museum's spectacularly illuminated Great Court, where you can find the museum's new restaurant. This restaurant is an ideal spot for taking afternoon tea under the court's spectacular roof. Free tours of the museum and guides are also available. The tours are led by knowledgeable experts in their field of study — don't miss this amazing learning opportunity.

The U.S. National Archives is located close to the National Mall. The original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are exhibited to the public in the main chamber of the building. When entering the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom — the main chamber — you can take a look at the most important documents of the United States of America.

Once used for shipping in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the piers are now used for their views. The Avila Beach Pier is the first of the three piers and was first constructed in 1908 by the county of San Luis Obispo. Over two thousand local residents gathered there on April 30th, 1908 when President Teddy Roosevelt's 'Great White Fleet' anchored offshore. The Harford Pier was developed in 1873 and is now used for fishing, restaurants and commercial fishing. The last pier, the California Polytechnic State University Pier, is an educational and marine research facility.