ATASCADERO
| Population | 26,322 |
| City Government | 6500 Palma Avenue
(805) 461-5013 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Atascadero Unified School District (805) 466-0393 |
| Private Schools | Montessori School (805) 466-5068
North County Christian School (805) 466-4457 |
Atascadero, Spanish for "place of much water" was originally home to the Salinas Indians. The community of Atascadero was founded in 1913 as a planned utopian colony by E.G. Lewis, a successful publisher from the East. Incorporated in 1979, Atascadero now has over 26,000 residents and is the second largest city in San Luis Obispo County. Many of the principles that E.G. Lewis envisioned for his "dream city" are ensured through the city's general plan which includes preservation of open space, protection of trees and hillsides, the keeping of domestic animals, and large lot sizes.
Nestled among the hills of northern San Luis Obispo County, Atascadero is removed from the hustle of big cities yet has all the amenities for an unparalleled quality of life. The 23,000 acre community encompasses 24.3 square miles of gently rolling hills dotted with native California oaks; a natural 35 acre lake and seasonal streams, along with the famous Salinas River, one of the few Northern Hemisphere rivers that flow north.
Most new residents are attracted to Atascadero's beauty and non-stressful California Central Coast lifestyle because there is no smog, one of the lowest crime rates in the state, the convenient local access to US 101 and inland areas, as well as it's convenient location halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
WEBSITES: www.atascadero.org or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atascadero,_California
CAMBRIA
| Population | 5,600 |
| City Government | Unincorporated Community Services District
(805) 927-3823 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Coast Unified School District (805) 927-3880
Coast Union High School (805) 927-3889
Santa Lucia Middle School (805) 927-3693
Cambria Union Elementary School (805) 927-4400 |
| Private Schools | New Dawn Montessori School (805) 927-4958 |
WEBSITES: www.cambriachamber.org or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambria,_California
CAYUCOS
| Population | 2,960 |
| City Government | Unincorporated |
| | |
| Public Schools | Cayucos Elementary School (805) 995-3694 |
WEBSITES: www.cayucoschamber.org or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayucos,_California
GROVER BEACH
| Population | 13,001 |
| City Government | 154 S. 8th Street
(805) 473-4567 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Lucia Mar Unified School District (805) 473-4394 |
The City of Grover Beach covers 2.25 square miles and is located along the beautiful Central Coast of California, 92 miles north of Santa Barbara and 150 miles south of Monterey. Grover Beach provides for a unique quality of life for its 12,210 residents and draws tourists with its moderate coastal climate, drive-on beach, and diverse recreational opportunities. Activities such as dune hiking, fishing, clamming, golfing, horseback riding, wine tasting and off-road vehicle riding are just some of the activities Grover Beach offers.
The City is very proud of the newly constructed Multimodal Facility (train station) which is located at 150 Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Amtrak currently provides rail service with two daily stops and also provides two daily round trips of the San Diegan connecting buses to destinations in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. The train station is an important and positive step in the City's economic development efforts.
WEBSITES: www.grover.org or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grover_Beach,_California
LOS OSOS / BAYWOOD PARK
| Population | 14,377 |
| City Government | Unincorporated |
| | |
| Public Schools | San Luis Coastal Unified School District (805) 543-2010 |
| Private Schools | Covenant Christian School (805) 528-3883 |
WEBSITES: http://www.losososbaywoodpark.org/ or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Osos,_California
MORRO BAY
| Population | 10,155 |
| City Government | 595 Harbor Street
(805) 772-6200 |
| | |
| Public Schools | San Luis Coastal Unified School District (805) 543-2010 |
Anchored by the famed Morro Rock jutting out of the Pacific Ocean, the City of Morro Bay on California's coastal State Highway 1, covers 10 square miles and is located less than four hours from either Los Angeles or San Francisco and 15 minutes west of the City of San Luis Obispo. At 50-foot elevation, the seaside location assures a mild, frost-free coastal climate. The dominant feature of Morro Bay is its small craft harbor, home to an active fishing fleet, with public and private marinas, Yacht Club, Morro Bay State Park Marina, vessel haul out storage facilities and more.
Morro Bay was incorporated in 1964 as a General Law City, with a 5-person council, mayor, and city manager. The 1996 estimate of population of Morro Bay is 10,000 inside city limits and 11,000-12,000 including the surrounding rural zip code, with over a third of the population over 55 years of age. Morro Bay's stability is demonstrated with businesses showing 11 years as the average longevity and 75% of the residents living in the same house since 1988.
Scenic Highway 1 draws 5 million visitors a year, with 2 million of those headed to Hearst Castle. Taxable retail sales are close to $100 million annually. Beach tourism is one of Morro Bay's primary industries. Along the waterfront visitors find restaurants, fresh seafood, hotels, gift shops, public parks, RV parks and excursion boats, complemented by a state campground, natural history museum and prime golf course.
WEBSITES: www.morro-bay.ca.us or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morro_Bay,_California
NIPOMO
| Population | 7,109 |
| City Government | Unincorporated Community Services District
(805) 929-1133 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Lucia Mar Unified School District (805) 473-4394 |
WEBSITES: www.nipomochamber.org or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipomo,_California
OCEANO
| Population | 6,169 |
| City Government | Unincorporated Community Services District
(805) 481-6703 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Lucia Mar Unified School District (805) 473-4394 |
WEBSITE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceano,_California
PASO ROBLES
| Population | 23,549 |
| City Government | 1000 Spring Street
(805) 237-3888 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Paso Robles Joint Union High School (805) 238-2222
Paso Robles Union Elementary (805) 238-2222 |
| Private Schools | Advanced Christian Training (805) 239-0707
St. Rose Elementary (805) 238-0304
Trinity Lutheran Elementary (805) 238-0335 |
Paso Robles is located in the heart of California's beautiful Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles at the crossroads of Highways 101 and 46 East. With a population of about 22,000, Paso Robles is reminiscent of another unhurried time. The "Pass of the Oaks", Paso Robles' English-language equivalent, speaks of the strength and serenity enjoyed here, symbolized by the magnificent oak trees which dot the landscape. Drive along the scenic country roads en route to friendly, family-owned wineries. With over 36 wineries to choose from, sip world class wines in a casual, comfortable setting. Fine dining, shopping, lodging, golfing and camping are all part of the Paso Robles experience. From water skiing to hot-air ballooning, wild boar hunting and eagle watching to equestrian events, it's all happening right here in Paso Robles! Within a 30 minute drive, you can tour historic Hearst Castle, visit the quaint community of Harmony, and stroll the waterfront in the village of Morro Bay.
Presently there are two major commercial centers recently developed which house
Wal-Mart, Target, Big 5 Sporting Goods, J.C. Penney's and Staples, to name a few. The construction of a multiplex theater complex designed to house nine screens has been completed, and a multi-modal transportation center which serves Amtrak, regional bus systems, local fixed-route transit, and City dial-a-ride services. Paso Robles also has a City-owned airport, located at Highway 46 East and Airport Road (just east off Highway 101), which consists of 1,231 city-owned acres and is classified as a General Aviation-Transport Airport.
Cuesta College recently opened a North County located on Buena Vista Drive, just north of Highway 46 East. This community resource has been a welcome addition to the area, providing education and career opportunities for North County residents.
WEBSITES: www.pasorobleschamber.com/city or www.prcity.com or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paso_Robles,_California
PISMO BEACH
| Population | 8,829 |
| City Government | 760 Mattie Road
(805) 773-4657 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Lucia Mar Unified School District (805) 473-4394
San Luis Coastal Unified School District (805) 543-2010 |
Pismo Beach is part of the original 8,838 acre Rancho Pismo and today has the Council/Manager type of government. Pismo Beach is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, with the cities of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach to the south. Located along US Highway 101, State Highway 1 branches off the 101 to provide access to the colorful downtown and pier area before continuing inland.
Pismo Beach is primarily known for having one of California's longest and widest stretches of beach, and is a popular vacation destination with over 40 restaurants and 32 hotels with more than 2,000 rooms, many located along the beach and cliffs with spectacular ocean views. Golfing is also a popular activity with three area golf courses.
Pismo Beach hosts many annual events including a Custom Car Show, 4th of July Fireworks, Western Days, Clam Festival, and is home to two Jazz Festivals.
Pismo Beach is served by a modern hospital, and is well represented by numerous physician specialties. Lucia Mar Unified School District covers nearly 550 square miles and serves over 10,000 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Compared to countywide figures, Pismo Beach has fewer low-income households, some middle-income and a large proportion of higher-income households.
WEBSITES: www.pismobeach.org or www.classiccalifornia.com or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pismo_Beach,_California
SAN LUIS OBISPO
| Population | 43,385 |
| City Government | 990 Palm Street
(805) 781-7100 |
| | |
| Public Schools | San Luis Coastal Unified School District (805) 543-2010 |
| Private Schools | Bellvue Santa Fe Charter School (805) 595-7169
Private Schools: Mission College Prep (805) 543-2131
Old Mission School (805) 543-6019
Laureate School (805) 544-2141
Montessori School (805) 544-6691
Royal Priesthood (805) 541-8412
San Luis Obispo Christian School (805) 543-1146 |
The City of San Luis Obispo is located on the Central Coast of California 200 miles north of Los Angeles and 235 miles south of San Francisco. At an elevation of 315 feet, San Luis Obispo is only 10 minutes from the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. With small-town charm and sophisticated residents, this vital city is the County seat and home to California Polytechnic State University. San Luis Obispo is a full service city, organized under the Council/Administrator form of government with strong City Police Department, Fire Department and Emergency services.
San Luis Obispo is a leader in promoting a healthy lifestyle. It was the first city in California to implement a non-smoking statute in all public buildings. With its proximity to mountains and beaches, there are endless opportunities for family-oriented activities such as hiking, rock-climbing, biking, camping, boating and water-skiing in the surrounding rural environment.
Historic Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa graces downtown Mission Plaza Park, overlooking San Luis Creek. In addition to great shopping, dining, and nightlife, every Thursday night a Farmers Market with local bounty transforms downtown to a community block party.
San Luis Obispo's forward-looking spirit is attributable in part to the influence of Cuesta College and Cal Poly, recognized internationally for excellence in applied technical and professional education and now home to the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, bringing world renowned performers to San Luis Obispo.
WEBSITES: http://ci.san-luis-obispo.ca.us or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Luis_Obispo,_California
TEMPLETON
| Population | 2,887 |
| City Government | Unincorporated Community Services District
(805) 434-4900 |
| | |
| Public Schools | Templeton Unified School District (805) 434-1445 |
| Private Schools | Santa Lucia School (805) 434-2217
Templeton Hills (805) 434-1638
Cornerstone Private School (805) 434-0216 |
WEBSITES: www.templetonchamber.com or www.templeton-ca.us or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templeton,_California
* Source: Population & Median Home Price: UCSB Economic Outlook 2001