Spotlight on the

Central Coast:
SAN LUIS OBISPO
Story By Clare Geraghty
ALL PHOTOS BY BRADY TEUFEL

San Luis Obispo (Spanish for St. Louis, the Bishop)

is a city in California, located roughly midway between
San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast.
The city, referred to locally as SLO or “San Luis,” is the
county seat of San Luis Obispo County and is adjacent to
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). As of
the 2000 census, the city population was 44,174.
The city is home to San Luis Obispo County Re-
gional Airport which offers private and commercial air
service to several major cities in the west. Amtrak pro-
vides daily rail service here as the terminus of the Pacific
Surfliner line and a stop on the Coast Starlight line. Grey-
hound also maintains a bus terminal in San Luis Obispo.
Public transportation includes the city-wide SLO Transit
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 generous helping of Street, between Broad north) and Santa Ynez entertainment is fea-
pink, wildly kitschy and Garden streets. (70 miles south). tured and local farm-
decor, themed guest Bubble Gum Alley A field station of ers and vendors sell
rooms, and a waterfall has even appeared on the Marine Mammal goods and produce.
urinal in a men’s rest- national television. Center is located in The Farmers’
room. Another big at- San Luis Obispo to Market was created
The Fremont The- traction is the de- support sea rescue and in 1983 to make use
ater is a historic Art velopment of Edna beach stranding res- of downtown streets
Deco theater from the Valley into a well- cue operations for this blocked off to end a
1940s. It has appeared known wine region. section of the Califor- tradition of teen/colle-
in many movies in- Just south of the city, nia coast. giate cruising. Farm-
cluding a three sec- people can spend an One of the main ers and vendors were
ond clip in My Blue afternoon wine tast- draws is the Farmers’ allowed to set up be-
Heaven. ing several wineries Market, a large fes- tween barricades as a
Tree-lined streets add to the charming, small-town feel of San Luis Obispo. The relaxed energy of
One famous tour- in the area with a very tival held downtown way to bring people
the city led it be to nicknamed “SLOtown.”
ist destination is Bub- short drive. Some of on Higuera Street ev- back to the downtown
ble Gum Alley. Since these wineries have ery Thursday evening area. Later, all traf-
about 1960, people won awards and ac- year-round from 6 fic was blocked off,
have been sticking claim for their vintag- p.m. to 9 p.m.. About making the down-
bus lines as well as the tion. The city pro- the word motel was nia. Its bells are unique their chewed gum on es. The wine region three-quarters of a town Farmers’ Mar-
county-wide SLO Re- vides parking in three coined here when the in that, unlike other the walls of this alley extends north beyond mile of the street is ket one long “mall,”
gional Transit system. multistory parking Motel Inn of San Luis California missions, located on Higuera Paso Robles (30 miles closed to cars. Live even rerouting part of
Rideshare encourages structures throughout Obispo was estab- the bell ringer stands
the use of the local downtown at: Chor- lished in 1925. Since in the bellroom with
public transit, as well ro and Marsh street then, the pleasant the bells when ring-
as carpooling and bik- intersection; Palm year-round climate, ing the cadences. The Beautiful beaches line the Central Coast. Avila Beach, Pismo Beach and Grover Beach are among
ing. Street between Chorro pretty scenery, and downtown area also the most popular for visitors, all a short drive from the city of San Luis Obispo.
Cycling is oc- and Morro streets; on well-preserved, walk- boasts many eclectic
casionally used as a Palm Street between able downtown have shops and boutiques.
mode of transportation Chorro and Osos made the city a tourist Another big tour-
in San Luis Obispo. streets. Street parking destination in itself. ist attraction is Hearst
Bike lanes are main- downtown is metered. Downtown San Castle, the vast estate
tained on a few of the The structures are Luis Obispo is cen- of publishing magnate
streets and the number free for the first hour tered around the care- William Randolph
of bike stands are in- and 75 cents per hour fully restored Mis- Hearst, 43 miles to
creasing, especially in thereafter. sion San Luis Obispo the north of San Luis
the downtown area. Because of San de Tolosa, originally Obispo. The Madonna
Parking in the Luis Obispo’s loca- built in 1772. It is one Inn is another famous
downtown area can be tion halfway between of the best preserved local landmark. Es-
a challenge for those Los Angeles and San examples of Spanish tablished by Alex Ma-
interested in finding a Francisco, it has long Mission architecture donna in 1958, the inn
spot directly in front been a stopping point and among the oldest is a famously eccentric
of their final destina- for travelers. In fact, buildings in Califor- building known for its
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 has been fraught with a state highway to ac- hoods and the busi- founded in this town.
difficulties related to commodate the street ness district. The uni- Formerly called Juice
crowd control and al- closures. The Farm- versity cancelled the Club, Jamba Juice is
cohol consumption. ers’ Market brought a event for several years now a national chain.
Debate about the cost great deal of revenue before reintroducing Although Juice Club
of the parade, and the and has become inter- a scaled-down Open was not a Cal Poly
associated crowd con- nationally known. House. While Poly senior project as some
trol, continues. San Luis Obispo Royal welcomed the claim, three of the co-
Mardi Gras has has been home of community for hikes, founders, Joe Vergara,
not been the only local several other events, carnivals, “magic” Kevin Peters, and Lin-
event reined in after including a stop on shows put on by the da Olds did graduate
gaining acceptance. the way of the Olym- Chemistry Depart- from the university.
Cal Poly’s open house, pic Torch, the Tour ment, and other pub- City ordinance
Poly Royal, was held of California bicycle lic performances, the prevents businesses
every April until a race, Cinco de Mayo revamped version is of any sort from con-
1990 riot of drunken celebrations, as well designed for students structing new drive-up
revellers, many visi- as a long-standing and parents. or drive-through win-
tors to town, caused Christmas Parade. A Jamba Juice, fa- dows or services. Two
damage throughout Mardi Gras parade mous for its fruit branches of a bank are
residential neighbor- that was well attended smoothies, was the only locations in
the city with drive-up
service; their drive-up
service existed before
Agriculture is the leading industry on the Central Coast, according to the the ordinance became
U.S. Department of Agriculture. Locally grown fresh produce can be pur-
law.
chased at the Farmers’ Market in downtown San Luis Obispo.
The medical of-
fice on the corner of
Santa Rosa and Pacif-
ic streets is one of few
commercial buildings
designed by Frank
Lloyd Wright.
A horse race on
turf named the San
Luis Obispo Handi-
cap is run at the Santa
Anita Park in honor of
this city.
San Luis Obispo
was the first American
town to ban indoor
smoking in all loca-
tions, including bars
and restaurants.
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