Starting a Business in SLO

San Luis Obispo is one of the most welcoming cities in California for entrepreneurs. Whether you’re opening your first storefront, launching a service-based business remotely, or building the next Central Coast tech company, the City has a dedicated Business Navigator ready to walk you through every step.

Growing Your Business in SLO

SLO’s Economic Development team is built for growth. When you’re ready to scale, we bring the site selection expertise, permit navigation, workforce connections, and a network of local partners to help you move quickly and confidently.

Relocating Your Business to San Luis Obispo

Companies that relocate to SLO don’t just change their address, they adopt the SLO Life. Surrounded by a vibrant college town, charming downtown, and incredible scenery, a healthy work-life balance is easy to adopt here.

Why Companies Choose SLO

• Midpoint location: Situated halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the 101, SLO offers Central Coast accessibility without big-city costs
• SLO County Airport offers commercial service to major hubs
• Commercial real estate at a significant discount compared to Bay Area and LA markets
• One of the highest concentrations of STEM and business graduates per capita in California, anchored by Cal Poly
• A City government that actively supports business: a dedicated Business Navigator and a streamlined development review process
• Arts, culture, culinary, and outdoor recreation characteristics that make SLO competitive for talent attraction and retention