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SEARCH FOR
HOMES IN SAN LUIS OBISPO
"Spectacular" is the word that
typically comes to mind when people first discover San Luis Obispo. The
land of sea breezes, glorious ocean sunsets, miles of uncrowded, inviting
sandy beaches and acres of rolling hillsides. The range of diversity is
astonishing — from
windswept sand dunes to grapevine valleys; from historic villages to quaint
beach towns. San Luis Obispo offers a truly unique blend of history, beauty,
recreation and community.
Known as "SLO" or "San
Luis" by locals, this city serves as the cultural and commercial
hub of the California Central Coast. Though the census currently
reports roughly 45,000 residents, this place to call your "new home"
has a much larger, more substantive feel. The
pleasant Mediterranean climate, breathtaking scenery, and well-preserved,
pedestrian-friendly downtown have come together to form one of the most
delightful places to live in the United States.
San Luis Obispo's location halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco
has long made it the favorite stopover of the "one-tank trips" between
Los Angeles (200 miles south) and San Francisco (230 miles north). In
fact, the word "motel" was originally coined here, when the
'Motel Inn of San Luis Obispo' was established in 1925. Since then, San
Luis has proved itself to be the "final destination" for travelers who
fell hopelessly in love with its charm.
The Pacific Ocean is to the west and
the Santa Lucia Mountains lie just east.
Highway 101 and the scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1 traverse the county
along the coast and inland.
See: San
Luis Obispo Map
San Luis Obispo is centered around one of California's historic missions, Mission
San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, named after Saint Louis, Bishop
of Toulouse, France, in 1772. It is one of the best-preserved examples
of 18th century Spanish architecture, and one of the oldest buildings
in California.
Today, San Luis Obispo
proudly calls itself, "The City with a Mission," and the mission
that started it all continues to serve as a parish church for the
many people in the area. The original padres' residence has been turned
into an extraordinary mission museum, which contains an extensive collection
of early photographs and other items, presenting a vivid picture of
the way life was in California before the turn of the century.
While San Luis Obispo grew relatively slowly during most of the 19th
century, the coming of Southern Pacific Railroad in 1894 opened up the
area to the rest of California. Its distance from major metropolitan
areas has
allowed SLO to retain its historic and scenic qualities. These qualities
contribute to the superb quality of life the residents enjoy.
The two substantial college communities,
Cal Poly and Cuesta
College,
add a fresh and intellectually fertile social structure, providing a consistent
stream of big name speakers and entertainers all year
round. Students and permanent residents alike enjoy the combination of
a high-end lifestyle and intimate atmosphere. Walking around the streets,
you can't help but feel the energy of a city on the rise.
The thriving wine industry and endless acres of picturesque vineyards
are located only minutes from downtown, and locals celebrate the
harvests of each season with world-class wines and innovative
cuisine.
The topography
of San Luis Obispo ranges from semi-flat to lush green rolling hills,
dotted with vineyards, equestrian and cattle ranches, and wide-open spaces
in which to roam. Heavy production of wine grapes, almonds, cherries, apples,
grains and dairy products are featured throughout.
"The Nine Sisters" are a string of hills that partially run though San
Luis Obispo. They are geologically noteworthy for being volcanic plugs.
Six of the nine peaks are open to the public for recreation.
At an elevation
of 721 feet above sea level, San Luis Obispo has
a Mediterranean climate that is characterized by mild winters and dry summers,
averaging 315 days of sunshine per year.
The area usually has low humidity. Rain generally falls only between November
and March, with the rainy season tapering off almost completely by the
end of April.
San Luis Obispo County:
Cities:
Arroyo Grande
Atascadero
Grover Beach
Morro Bay
Paso Robles
Pismo Beach
San Luis Obispo
Towns & Villages:
Avila Beach
Cambria
Cayucos
Creston
Los Osos/Baywood
Nipomo
Oceano
Pozo
San Simeon
Santa Margarita
Shandon
Templeton
Real Estate:
While San Luis Obispo County as a whole has sustained enormous growth over
the past two decades, San Luis Obispo itself has not. With its slow-growth
policies, the town manages to remain a great casual tourist destination as
well as a fantastic place to live. Residents say they enjoy the comfortable
size of San Luis Obispo, the perfect climate and the strong sense of community,
as well as every possible modern convenience.
San Luis Obispo is an ideal place to raise a family or
seek opportunities. Come see for yourself. Take time to stroll
through San Luis Obispo's tree-lined downtown area, full of original shops,
restaurants, cafes and artist emporiums. The countryside is gorgeous; the
idyllic California laid-back lifestyle, with its intellectual, culturally-hip
ambience; this is exactly what you've been looking for, right here in San
Luis Obispo!
Explore
the following:
Local Events:
San
Luis Obispo Upcoming Events - Updates
San
Luis Obispo Activity Calendar - Updates
San Luis Obispo Travel Guide
Attractions:
San Luis Obispo is home to 80-miles of some of the
world’s
most spectacular beaches. There are family-friendly beaches, romantic
beaches, rocky beaches and of course, golden sandy beaches. Each
beach has its own distinct personality and offerings!
Immensely
involved in environmental protection matters, SLO's field station
of the Marine
Mammal Center supports sea rescue and beach-stranding rescue operations
for this section of the California coast.
Friends of the Elephant Seal
The Official site of the award-winning
group of local Central Coast volunteers shepherding the Elephant Seals
of San Luis Obispo. Close to 1,800 pups are born here annually.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
It stretches offshore, from
Marin County (just north of San Francisco) all the way south just past
Cambria, San Simeon and Castle Country. Supporting one of the world's
most diverse marine ecosystems, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
is home to numerous mammals, seabirds, fishes, invertebrates and plants
in a remarkably productive coastal environment.
California State Parks
The Official guide to the Golden State's pristine
parks. Find out more about Elephant Seals, San Simeon State Park, and
other Central Coast park places.
Morro Bay Natural History Museum
Bones, dinosaurs, sea critters, a
kids' cinema and more, located at Morro Bay State Park, across from
the golf course on Morro State Park Road.
Farmers
Market
One of the most popular attractions in the area is SLO's
weekly, the Farmers Market takes place on six downtown blocks of Higuera
between Osos and
Nipomo streets. Each weekend (except Thanksgiving), residents
and visitors alike shop for the county's freshest produce and flowers, devour
delicious ribs and sandwiches, browse through local shops, and enjoy assortments
of live entertainment as the sun goes down.
Many of San Luis Obispo's regional
gourmet specialties include: sourdough
bread, locally roasted coffees, handmade natural preserves, award-winning
ice cream, micro-breweries for some amazing beer and ale, freshly pressed
apple cider, handmade chocolates and, of course, the highly-acclaimed
local wines.
The Madonna Inn A
landmark on California’s Central Coast for over forty-five years.
The world-renowned Madonna Inn is located in the heart of San Luis Obispo
and offers 109 rooms, uniquely decorated with a special theme and color
scheme, each one entirely unique. Established by Alex
Madonna in 1958, the inn is a famously eccentric building known for
its generous helping of pink, wildly kitschy decor, themed guest rooms.
Just 43 miles to the north
is the famous Hearst Castle, the creation of two extraordinary
individuals, William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan. They
transformed an informal hilltop campsite into the world-famous La
Cuesta Encantada, "The Enchanted Hill" — including a
magnificent 115-room main house, plus guesthouses, pools, and 8 acres
of cultivated gardens.
Friends of
Hearst Castle
More about the Castle and fundraising activities put on by this non-profit group
- such as their annual autumn dinner at the castle.
San Luis Obispo has been home of several other events, including a
stop of the Olympic Flame Relay,
the Tour
of California bicycle
race, Cinco de Mayo celebrations, as well as a long-standing Christmas
Parade.
And if you want to experience one of the more unconventional attractions
in the San Luis Obispo, stroll down
the famed Bubble
Gum Alley. Since about 1960,
people have been sticking their chewed gum on the walls of this alley
located on Higuera Street, between Broad and Garden streets. Bubble
Gum Alley is occasionally featured on national television!
The Fremont
Theater is a historic Art Deco theater from the 1940's.
It has appeared in many movies, including My
Blue Heaven. The theater is now a four-plex, built by carefully
adding to the original structure to preserve its historic value.
The
Fremont Theater plays host to the San
Luis Obispo International Film Festival and has been operated at
different times by Fox, National General, Mann, and then Edwards Cinemas.
Cal Poly Performing Arts Center A
brand new beautiful 1,300-seat concert hall on the Cal Poly campus that
hosts comedians like Bill Cosby, performances like CATS and Stomp, performers
like Faith Hill, David Crosby and more.
Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo Periodic performances throughout the
year, plus a great, kid-friendly "Nutcracker" every December
at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center.
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum
Aims to fill
the great demand for a high-quality, child-centered informal learning destination
on the California Central Coast. A wonderful place choc-full of stuff for preschoolers
and primary graders, and parents too.
Mission San Luis Obispo
Learn more about the history of Mission San
Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the heart of San Luis Obispo, at this educational
site hosted by the state school system.
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
A series of vintage movies,
documentaries, workshops, and fun film-related events held in late October.
San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival
A series of summertime concerts performed
by professional musicians from around the globe in a variety of great
settings - plus Opera. Held in July.
San Luis Obispo Symphony
Hometown musicians do classical, and do it
well.
San Luis
Obispo County Farmers' Market Association
Provides several market places for family owned
and operated farms, and fresh quality products directly to
consumers. Currently, SLOFMA operates five weekly markets throughout
the county.
House
of Bread Some of the best-tasting and most-nutritious bakery products
available.
Allocco's Go here for delicious
breads, pretzels and sweets!
San Luis Obispo Wineries
The third largest wine region in California, San Luis Obispo boasts
of two distinct wine regions, with over 64 wineries that attract worldwide
acclaim.
Situated between the towering Los
Padres National Forest on one side, and the Pacific
Ocean on the other, the diverse geography of the area creates specific
micro-climates that provide ideal conditions for growing premium wine
grapes. Most famous for the most highly regarded, rich, buttery Chardonnay
grapes in the Nation. Also famous for it high quality, elegant Pinot
Noirs, the region continues to gain increased recognition for its Syrah,
Grenache, and white Rhone varieties.
San Luis Obispo wineries welcome visitors to sample prize-winning selections
and current releases. In addition to year-round tasting, many wineries
offer wine-lovers special dinners, concerts, harvest parties, and other
events, and some offer tours explaining the wine-making process in detail.
San Luis Obispo Vintners & Growers
Association
Here you will find lists of wineries and vineyards, visitors' directory,
wine maps, annual events, and membership information. Promotes the
vineyards and wines of Edna, Arroyo Grande, Avila valleys, and Nipomo,
in San Luis Obispo County.
SLO Brewing Company
The first micro-brewery in San Luis Obispo, the SLO Brewing Company
produces a nice variety of ales & stouts, plus offering a restaurant
and nifty upstairs dining room with a view to tree-lined Garden Street.
The SLO Brewing Company welcomes families and children for lunch
and dinner. Entertainment at evening is aimed at the music-and-beer
loving crowd.
San Luis Obispo Schools
San Luis Obispo is fortunate to have superior educational institutions and facilities consisting of the San Luis Obispo Coastal Unified School District for K-12, Cuesta Community College and California Polytechnic State University. All of our schools are progressive, safe and have excellent faculty and facilities.
San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) is a K-12 school district with 15 schools, 425 teachers, 320 support staff and 36 management staff honored to serve approximately 7,400 students. The District is proud that several schools have been recipients of the Blue Ribbon Schools and California Distinguished Schools award programs.
San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
Promotes student success by providing countywide leadership, supporting
the work of local school districts, delivering specialized educational services
and programs, fostering community partnerships, and demonstrating unyielding
advocacy for the diverse needs of all children.
San Luis Coastal Unified School District
Aims to educate students to become self-sufficient individuals who are capable
of making significant contributions to society and managing change in the
culturally diverse world community. Provides
the highest quality programs and services which will give all individuals
the opportunity to realize their full intellectual, physical, creative,
emotional, and social potential.
San Luis Obispo High School
San Luis Obispo High School annually ranks among the top academic high
schools in California. In addition to a challenging core academic program,
SLOHS also offers a wide array of elective classes designed to help
students prepare for their chosen career paths while still in high school.
Skilled teachers, motivated students and supportive parents guarantee
that San Luis Obispo High School will continue to excel now and in the
future.
Students also enjoy a multitude of athletic, extracurricular and co-curricular
activities. Committed to the health and well being of the whole child,
SLOHS provides extensive counseling services that help meet the social
and emotional needs of our students. San Luis Obispo High School is
a dynamic community of teachers, learners, parents and service providers
dedicated to preparing youth for life beyond high school, while at the
same time meeting the challenges of today.
San Luis Obispo Colleges
Roughly one-third of San Luis Obispo's population are college age or attending
college, giving the city a youthful energy and vitality. The Cal Poly campus
is rapidly growing, featuring newly constructed buildings and more advanced
technology.
Cuesta
College
A community college
in the truest sense of the word, Cuesta College gives residents
of San Luis Obispo the opportunity to pursue higher education close
to home and employment. Unique among California community colleges,
Cuesta College was established almost exclusively with private
gift support and prides itself in a tradition of excellence. Cuesta
College is highly regarded throughout the state for its excellent
educational programs, responsive student services and exceptional faculty
and staff. In 1996 the college received a Silver Medal Eureka Award for
Quality and Service Excellence. Cuesta has 151 full-time and 324 part-time
faculty, 61 degree programs and 70 certificate programs.
California
Polytechnic State
'Cal Poly' or 'Poly' for short, California Polytechnic State
University enrolls approximately 18,500 students. Cal Poly's
courses include Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Design,
Agriculture, Science and Math, Business, and Liberal Arts. Cal
Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public
university located nearby in San Luis Obispo California. The emphasis
of the University is a "learn
by doing" educational
experience for its more than 18,000+ students. Many students seek
admission to Cal Poly not only because of its excellent academic
reputation, but also because the 6,000-acre main campus is located
just minutes from California's Central Coast beaches.
Cal Poly Arts
The artistic branch of Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, this non-profit arts organization brings a ton of performers to San Luis Obispo annually, usually for shows at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center.
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San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce
This is a comprehensive web site devoted to San Luis Obispo.
You'll find the latest business news, community information, a searchable
directory of San Luis Obispo businesses, and information about
the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, nationally known as one of
the most progressive and dynamic Chambers in the county.
City of San Luis Obispo
City of San Luis Obispo provides comprehensive information about the City, its history, services, organization, major projects, policies and plans.
San Luis Obispo Fire Department
This is the fire department's desire to provide education to assist in prevention of fire and injuries of our citizens.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
The San Luis Obispo Police Department consists of 87 employees, 61 of which are sworn police officers. The Department is divided into two bureaus, with a Police Captain commanding each.
San Luis Obispo Pilots Association
SLOPA is a non-profit corporation formed in 1955 by San Luis Obispo County
pilots to promote, increase, and improve the enjoyment and benefits
of aviation to its members and to the general public.
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805-459-0675
