About San Luis Obispo County
Far enough from San Francisco and Los Angeles to avoid the congestion yet close enough to make a trip to either when necessary, San Luis Obispo County boasts a little of everything the Golden State has to offer, from an attractive coastline to pristine forests to majestic mountain scenery. Combine this with a number of small but culture-filled cities, and it’s easy to see that there’s something for everyone here.
About a quarter-of-a-million people call San Luis Obispo County home. Most of them work within the county limits as well since employment opportunities in a wealth of fields are available, including technology, agriculture, viticulture, tourism, and education.
The city of San Luis Obispo is the county seat of San Luis Obispo County and is home to a campus of the California Polytechnic State University and its 18,000 students, making it the quintessential college town. The Santa Lucia Mountains are located just east of the city and the Pacific Ocean is just 12 miles away, so San Luis Obispo is the ideal place from which to enjoy a variety of activities. Father Junipero Serra’s fifth Mission is located here in the city of San Luis Obispo as well, founded in 1772, and just outside the city, guests can head to Santa Margarita Lake for boating and fishing.
The Nine Sisters (also known as The Morros), a chain of volcanic peaks, are located between the city and nearby Morro Bay and are popular with climbers as well as photographers. The highest is Bishop Peak, at 1, 559 feet. Morro Bay is also home to a small Museum of Natural History.
Visitors who prefer the coast to the mountains will enjoy a number of eclectic towns. Pismo Beach, for example, is the “clam capital of the world” and is an excellent place to fish and gather sea shells. From October through February, it’s also home to thousands of colorful Monarch butterflies!
Nearby Grover Beach is the entrance to Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, where visitors can rent 4WD vehicles and ride the dunes or drive along the coastline. The town is also the host of the Stone Soup Ethnic Music Faire, held annually at the Ramona Garden Park.
Travel a few miles north and you’ll reach Avila Beach, touted as the warmest and sunniest beach in San Luis Obispo County. From October through March, whale watching tours depart from nearby Port San Luis and take visitors on a search for these marvelous marine animals.
Surfers find their way to Cayucos, long a favorite spot of those who enjoy tackling the waves of the Pacific. The town is also known for its many antique shops and hosts a number of antique fairs each year.
Further north, the town of Cambria is where “the pines meet the sea.” This charming artist’s colony is worth a stop and is home to many galleries, specialty shops, and a host of restaurants. Visitors can search for semi-precious agate and jasper stones on Cambria’s rugged beach.
The northernmost coastal town of San Simeon has long been known as the location of the grand Hearst Castle – though the castle is actually five miles away atop the Enchanted Hill in the Santa Lucia Mountains. Home to the Hearst family of publishing fame, Hearst Castle boasts 165 rooms on 127 acres and can be toured by the general public year-round. The town itself, however, is fun to explore and has become a major migrating place for elephant seals. Be sure to make a stop at Ragged Point for an amazing view of the ocean!
Inland along Highway 101, the town of Atascadero is located in San Luis Obispo’s up-and-coming wine country. Atascadero Lake provides opportunities for water sports such as paddle boating and fishing and nearby Los Padres National Forest is popular with hikers and cyclists.
The rural community of Templeton has become one of the county’s top wine-producing regions and hence the area is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. An abundance of apples, cherries, and almonds are grown here as well.
North of Templeton is the city of Paso Robles. More than 60 wineries and 250 vineyards call the Paso Robles area home and the city’s annual Paso Robles Wine Festival draws visitors from far and wide. The city also serves as the gateway to Lake Nacimiento, where guests can partake of a variety of activities, including boating, water skiing, fishing, and camping.
Finally, the northern city of San Miguel is home to the 16th Mission on the El Camino Real Trail, Mission San Miguel Archangel. Built in 1797, guests can explore the grounds and shop at the museum store. (Earthquake damage has closed the Mission itself indefinitely.)
