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San Luis Obispo Community Overview
Surrounded by majestic mountains just 10 minutes from the Pacific
Ocean, San Luis Obispo is located halfway between San Francisco and
Los Angeles on California’s Central Coast. The City boasts a beautiful
landscape and mild climate with an average annual temperature of 70.2
degrees.
With
the charm of a small town, clean air, low crime rates, excellent
schools, and no major traffic problems, San Luis Obispo is an inviting
city that promotes a healthy lifestyle. San Luis Obispo was the first
city in California to implement a non-smoking statute in all public
buildings, including restaurants and bars. San Luis Obispo’s air quality is at or below the California standard for acceptable ozone
levels every day of the year.
Because
of the City’s proximity to mountains and beaches, residents of San
Luis Obispo can find many ways to enjoy the outdoors: walking,
running, tennis, golf, surfing, horseback riding, hiking, cycling, and
even birding.
 San
Luis Obispo’s history centers around Mission San Luis Obispo de
Tolosa, founded in 1772 and located downtown in Mission Plaza Park.
Every Thursday night the main streets of downtown are filled with
pedestrians, produce, flowers, barbecues, and entertainers for our
famous Farmer’s Market. During
the rest of the week, the City’s unique shops, restaurants,
theaters, bookstores, and coffeehouses provide the opportunity for
shopping, entertainment, dining, and nighttime activities.
San
Luis Obispo is home to California Polytechnic State University. Cal
Poly is recognized internationally for its excellence in preparing
undergraduates for careers in applied technical and professional
fields. Cal Poly graduates are highly sought after to fill
architecture, agriculture, business, computer science and engineering
positions.
San
Luis Obispo is a city where success is defined beyond conventional
terms. There is a unique balance of small town friendliness, a concern
for the environment, and a willingness to work with business to ensure
a diverse and stable economy.
City Government
San
Luis Obispo is a full-service city, organized under the
council/administrative officer form of government.
Public Safety
San
Luis Obispo County ranks as one of the safest communities in the
state, according to the California Crime Index. The 83-person City
Police Department (including 57 sworn officers) helps maintain a high
quality of life and sound business environment.
Students
receive drug awareness and safety presentations in their classrooms.
In addition, city-sponsored programs – such as Neighborhood
Services, youth and adult
sports, licensed childcare, prevention and intervention youth
programs, classes and special events – are available year ’round.
Parks
San
Luis Obispo County is home to five state parks as well as the
Los Padres National Forest.
The
City of San Luis Obispo offers 21 parks totaling 440 acres. Facilities
include tennis courts, playgrounds, athletic fields, gymnasiums, a
fish and small boat lake and a 50-meter aquatic center. The City
operates Laguna Lake Golf
Course, and five regulation-length courses
are located within 15 minutes of San Luis Obispo.
A
full-service Parks and Recreation
Department, a YMCA, and nine youth
sports organizations serve the City of San Luis Obispo.
The
City’s Natural Resources Protection Program is hard at work,
preserving important scenic and natural areas. Two thousand acres of land have already been conserved.
Cultural
Activity
The
community is home to a world-class
Performing Arts Center, an opera
company, symphony orchestras, art galleries, and a civic theater.
The
Mozart Festival and International Film Festival annually attract fine
talent to San Luis Obispo.
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