Arroyo Grande is a Spanish name that translates into multiple meanings like “Big Gulch”, “Muddy Creek” and “Big Ditch”. Take an adventurous walk across its Landmark circa -1875 Swinging Bridge, suspended 40 feet above the Arroyo Grande Creek. With its unique historic charm, you can enjoy a walkable downtown area with many dining options and dozens of antique/specialty shops. Visiting the South County Historical Society will allow you to meet the interesting characters who settled in this area. The surrounding countryside is classic Central Coast with rolling hills offering some distant ocean and valley views while just minutes from the beaches. Visit Arroyo Grande’s Tourism website at www.arroyogrande.org

Atascadero, with its population of nearly 30,000 people, became an incorporated city in 1979. Sitting further inland than other coastal communities, the weather tends to be hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter. Get an up-close look at the Animal Kingdom at Charles Paddock Zoo, the only zoo on the Central Coast. Visit the Historic Atascadero City Hall and visit the Atascadero Historical Society Museum. The Society owns an original 1919 Colony Home and maintains the Hattie Prather Rose Garden. To the north, you’ll find the famed Paso Robles Wine Country. And just a short 30-minute drive southwest will have you in Morro Bay at the Pacific Ocean.

Avila Beach, with its south facing beach, offers warmer and sunnier days than other local beaches along the Central Coast. Avila Beach is unique for having a working Port, the Port of San Luis. The charming village area offers shopping, dining and entertainment. Spend the day at the beach fishing, kayaking or whale watching. This is the beach that many locals bring their younger children to swim and bogie board. Visit the historical Point San Luis Lighthouse for truly breathtaking ocean views. Many locals, as well as tourists, enjoy the beauty of jogging, hiking and riding bikes along the Bob Jones Trail. Discover charming beach bungalows and homes with magnificent canyon and ocean views. Visit http://www.visitavilabeach.com to find out more!

Amongst Monterey Pines, midway between Los Angles and San Francisco, you’ll find the seaside village of Cambria. Cambria is the Latin name for the country of Wales which was chosen for the town in 1869. The downtown area has unique stores featuring antiques, art, boutiques, gifts/souvenirs and other specialty shops. Just minutes away you’ll find Moonstone Beach and its one-mile-long boardwalk with views of rocky bluffs and brown sandy coves. There are even hotels situated right on the ocean with amazing views of the Pacific and the calming sound of the perpetual surf. Just to the north, you’ll find elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas Rookery, Piedras Blancas Light Station and Hearst Castle.

Located just off Highway One between Cambria and Morro Bay, you’ll find the small surf town of Cayucos. Enjoy fishing from the pier at Cass Wharf or in the surf of Estero Bay. Calm waters make swimming, surfing, and sea kayaking popular pastimes and quaint shops and local restaurants are close by. Cayucos State Beach is a day-use beach featuring picnic tables, play equipment, outside showers, and restrooms. Tourism plays a big role in the downtown Cayucos economy. The Cayucos Pier is a popular surf spot and one of the best in the county, attracting many beach-goers. Many people find this little town an ideal resort for summer and winter vacations. Why not live where others come to get away from it all?

Grover Beach, with its warm Mediterranean climate, can be filled with exciting adventures from ATVs on the sand dunes to surfing the perfect wave. Enjoy a simple stroll to explore the Monarch Butterfly Grove or hop aboard Amtrak’s Surfliner at nearby Grover Beach Train Station for a new adventure! Nights offer casual dining, dancing, sunset strolls along the water’s edge or relaxing in front of a bonfire with friends and family. Grover Beach homes offer diversity from smaller beach cottages to larger custom homes. If you are craving a lovely view of the beach and ocean or just want to be close by, you may find just what you are looking for here, in Grover Beach!

Los Osos, Spanish for “The Bears” is located along the Pacific Coast 11 miles northwest of San Luis Obispo. There is a small business district but most of the town is almost entirely residential serving as a bedroom community of San Luis Obispo. As home to Montaña de Oro and Morro Bay State Park, there is plenty of hiking and ways to enjoy these natural resources. Also of interest is the El Moro Elfin Forest Natural Area. The name “Elfin Forest” comes from the short stature of the California Live Oaks, which grow as tall as 50 feet elsewhere in Los Osos. Here they are stunted by the local environment, and despite being centuries old, range from a high of 20 feet in sheltered areas to a low of 4 feet near the tallest ridge line. The weather features dry, warm summers and wet, mild winters.

Morro Bay sits on the California Central Coast and is known best for Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic mound at the end of Morro Rock Beach. The rock sits within Morro Bay State Park. The area features an abundance of outdoor year-round activities that include kayaking, boating, surfing, golfing, biking and hiking. There is a plethora of restaurants located along the waterfront Embarcadero serving locally caught seafood and other wonderful dishes. Morro Bay is a natural embayment with an artificial harbor constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is the only all-weather small craft commercial and recreational harbor between Santa Barbara and Monterey. Morro Bay has a mild Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters due to its location on the Pacific Ocean.

Nipomo was one of the first and largest of the Mexican land grants in San Luis Obispo County and history can still be explored by visiting the Dana Adobe & Cultural Center. With it’s warm, dry Mediterranean climate, there are plenty of perfect days for golfing, horseback riding and gardening. This is an area where you can find homes on acreage yet still be close to major shopping and health care. If you do enjoy gardening, you can gain knowledge and inspiration by visiting the Nipomo Native Garden. Want to experience legendary Santa Maria style BBQ? Check out historic Jaco’s Steakhouse. Looking for great Central Coast golfing? Look no further than Blacklake Golf Resort or Monarch Dunes. All this and still just minutes from the Pacific Ocean beaches with surfing, off-roading on the dunes and camping.

Oceano is an exciting area for adventure and a relaxing place to live. It is home to the Oceano Dunes State Park, the only state park in California where visitors may drive vehicles on the beach. Beach activities include riding the sand dunes on all-terrain vehicles, swimming, camping, surfing, and bird watching. Catch the thrill of a lifetime with a ride in a Biplane from Oceano Airport.  A tradition enjoyed by visitors or locals is a live performance at the wonderful and truly unique Great American Melodrama. Old Juan’s Cantina is a favorite among locals looking to enjoy Mexican fare. Homes vary from tiny bungalows to larger ocean view homes. Oceano is an unincorporated town in San Luis Obispo County that’s known as a great vacation destination for those wishing to experience the magic of the Central Coast!

Pismo Beach is a wonderful and classic beach town with so much to do! Beyond the iconic downtown area are rolling hills, canyons, and excellent hiking trails. Homes are often built on hillsides known for outstanding ocean views or tucked back into the canyons with warm and inviting city light views. Pismo Beach is also known for its festivals and fireworks, but few know about the jaw-dropping view from Boosinger Park situated in the Pismo Heights area. This is the perfect elevated photo opportunity to shoot the pier, town and surrounding area. And if you haven’t visited the Pismo Beach Pier lately, you’ll be amazed at it’s recent renovation. Why not live where others only dream of vacationing? Go to https://www.experiencepismobeach.com to see this little slice of paradise!

San Luis Obispo is steeped in history, young with college vibes and quickly moving forward in the tech industry. California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) – San Luis Obispo has one of the largest college campuses in the United States and is most noted for Agricultural Sciences and Architecture. The city has a cooler Mediterranean climate. Both locals and tourists enjoy the weekly Farmer’s Market, hiking, biking and wineries throughout the year. Here you can find homes varying from Historical, Spanish and Classic Victorian, to Modern Homes situated in well-thought-out planned developments with the convenience of the newly remodeled San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. Whatever your home style, you can probably find it here in San Luis Obispo.

Santa Maria, Spanish for “St. Mary”, is located approximately 65 miles northwest of Santa Barbara. It is most notable for its wine industry and Santa Maria-style barbecue. The weather is a cool Mediterranean climate which is mostly sunny with an occasional ocean breeze. Santa Maria-style barbecue is a culinary tradition that started in the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County on the Central Coast of California. Santa Maria-style barbecue uses beef tri-tip, seasoned with black pepper, salt, and garlic before grilling over coals of native “red oak” wood. The Santa Maria Valley is one of the nation’s largest wine-producing regions known as Santa Barbara Wine Country.

The town of Templeton is located five miles to the north of Atascadero and five miles to the south of Paso Robles. It is known for good schools and as a bedroom community for San Luis Obispo. With a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild winters and hot summers, the area usually has low humidity and a short rainy season from November to March. The economy is driven by local agriculture, ranching, and, most significantly, medical care and the Twin Cities Hospital. A quaint downtown business district along Main Street features local shops and restaurants. You’ll also find numerous wineries and breweries to explore and enjoy! Visit the Templeton Chamber of Commerce for more information!