Your Best Vacation Guide For
San Luis Obispo County

ESCAPE TO THE CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COAST FOR YEAR ROUND FUN! San Luis Obispo County is a county located along the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. The county's distance from the large metro areas of San Francisco and Los Angeles has helped it to retain its rural character and reminders of old California abound. Commonly referred to as "the Central Coast," the area is more rural and agricultural than many other coastal regions in California. The small size of the county's communities, scattered along the beaches, coastal hills, and mountains of the Santa Lucia range, provides a wide variety of coastal and inland hill ecologies to support many kinds of fishing, agriculture, and tourist activities. The town of San Simeon is located at the foot of the hill where newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst built the famed Hearst Castle. Other coastal towns include Cambria, Morro Bay and Cayucos to the north of San Luis Obispo city, and Avila Beach and the Five Cities to the south: Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach and Shell Beach. Nipomo, just south of the Five Cities, borders northern Santa Barbara County. Inland, the cities of Paso Robles, Templeton, and Atascadero lie along the Salinas River, near the Paso Robles wine region. Please enjoy San Luis Obispo area photography by Bruce Woodworth ©.

Getting To San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County is located on the scenic California Central Coast and is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco - about 250 miles either way - about 4 - 5 hours driving time on State Highway 101 - depending on traffic. The small size of the county's communities and the way they are scattered along the beaches, coastal hills, and in the mountains of the Santa Lucia range, provides a wide variety of coastal and inland hill ecologies to support many kinds of fishing, agriculture and visitor activities.

Located just south of the City of San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport serves areas as far north as Southern Monterey County and as far south as Northern Santa Barbara County. The airport offers convenient access to and from the Central Coast. Residents and visitors have the choice of two commercial airlines with flights to Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. The airport is also home to full service general aviation and corporate facilities.

San Luis Obispo County Air Service providers include U S Airways - (800) 235-9292 and United Express (800) 864-8331.

Amtrak offers daily service in the City of San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles in North San Luis Obispo County. Amtrak may be contacted at 800-872-7245.

Greyhound Bus Service offers bus stops within all San Luis Obispo County cities and may be contacted at 800-231-2222. Local bus services are handled county wide by Central Coast Area Transit which may be reached at 805-541-2228.

Discover world class wineries, search San Luis Obispo real estate listings, fine dining, golf courses, hot springs, fishing, surfing, kayaking, whale watching and Hearst Castle or simply explore miles and miles of scenic coastal and inland roads. San Luis Obispo County has something for everyone.

San Luis Obispo (called "SLO" or "San Luis" by locals) is the heart of California's Central Coast, one of the most diverse regions in the state. The city serves as an ideal home base for a vacation spent exploring beaches and back roads, lush hillsides and secluded lakes.

Paso Robles prides itself on its culture and early California heritage. The Downtown City Park plays a graceful host to a number of entertainment events throughout the year. Enjoyable wine festivals, relaxing summer concerts and art expositions highlight the local artisan talent of the quaint Paso Robles region. Paso Robles now boasts over 26,000 acres of wine grapes, 170 wineries, and more than 100 tasting rooms.

Morro Bay offers outstanding accommodations and has become reknown for its seafood restaurants. Everyone enjoys Saturday night Fishermen & Farmers Market which offers the freshest seafood and locally grown vegetables and fruits.

Cayucos offers a relaxed atmosphere with wonderful unspoiled beaches, a popular beachside boardwalk and a pier for fishing and enjoying the sunsets.

Cambria is a magical seaside village tucked among towering pines on Scenic Highway 1. Best known as an artist hideaway, the village center offers a nice variety of art galleries, craft shops, boutiques, gift shops and excellent restaurants. Cambria offers a fine variety of beach area hotels, motels and fine bed and breakfast Inns for every travelers budget.

San Simeon means the site of the famous Hearst Castle, but this coastal town offers much more to anyone willing to spend some time uncovering its treasures. Whether you're a traveler taking your first trip, or an adventuring local on a repeat visit, this stretch of Highway 1 is sure to enrich your spirit and engage your imagination.

Pismo Beach is the Clam Capital of California. The city holds the "Clam Festival" every October, complete with clam chowder competitions and a clam-themed parade.