San Luis Obispo, CA

Known for its beautiful vineyards, fun outdoor places, amazing weather, and friendly neighbors, San Luis Obispo is often referred to as the happiest city in the country.

The college town of San Luis Obispo, which is home to California Polytechnic University, is deemed to be a significant factor in the happiness of the community since it attracts thinkers and visionaries who seek a balance between work and leisure as well as a high degree of civic engagement.

The average home price in San Luis Obispo, CA, is approximately $939,832. According to real estate experts, home values have increased by 7.8% over the past year. A typical house sells after 60 days of being on the housing market.

Most San Luis Obispo residents rent homes instead of owning one. A studio apartment typically costs $2,242 per month to rent while a one-bedroom apartment rent is around $1,800 per month. The average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is close to $2,475.

City highlights

Known for its historic Spanish mission, historic architecture, vineyards, scenic beauty, hiking trails, museums, art galleries, lively downtown, great eateries, wine and craft beer tasting rooms, and most importantly hospitality and a long history of laidback vibes, San Luis Obispo is a joy for locals and visitors alike. All these contribute to the notion that San Luis Obispo is indeed one of the happiest places in America.

Geographic location

San Luis Obispo is located on the country’s West Coast. It lies on the Central Coast of California. The Pacific Ocean is to the west of San Luis Obispo at a distance of about 11 miles and you can find the Santa Lucia Mountains just to the east.

The city has a total area of 13.25 square miles, of which, 13.1 square miles is land and 0.15 square miles is water.

The place has more than 80 miles of coastline – a boon for beach lovers.

Climate

The weather in San Luis Obispo is Mediterranean-like. The winters are cold, damp, and partly cloudy, whereas the summers are warm, arid, and clear. The average annual temperature ranges between 41°F and 78°F, rarely falling below 33°F or rising above 89°F.

There are around 315 days of sunshine and 50 days of rain every year.

Demography

There are about 269,000 people living in San Luis Obispo County, and 47,000 of them reside in the city.

The major ethnic groups in San Luis Obispo County include 67.3% White, 23.2% Hispanic, and 3.9% of people from other ethnicities.

Cost of Living

Living in San Luis Obispo can be quite expensive, even by California standards. The city’s cost of living is 64% higher than the national average while California’s cost of living is 50% higher than the U.S. average.

The median household income in San Luis Obispo is $82,514.

Transportation

You don’t need a car to enjoy the beautiful rolling hills of San Luis Obispo. You can explore the city on foot, by biking, using public transit services
(SLO Transit), or by using taxi services. San Luis Obispo offers good space for both car drivers and pedestrians. Downtown San Luis Obispo, especially, has well-lit streets and broad sidewalks and is pedestrian-friendly.

Schools

There are 83 public schools serving the entire San Luis Obispo County, CA. Most schools have an average ranking of 9/10 and are considered in the top 20% bracket of all California public schools.

San Luis Obispo city has 13 public schools and 16 private schools. Some of the best public schools in San Luis Obispo include Teach Elementary School, Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter, Los Ranchos Elementary School, Laguna Middle School, San Luis Obispo High School, and Pacific Beach High School.

San Luis Obispo is home to the famous California Polytechnic State University and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa which offer some of the best educational courses to students.

What is the city like?

One of the best places to live in California is San Luis Obispo, located in San Luis Obispo County. Residents enjoy a carefree suburban vibe, a smaller town charm, that’s undeniable. That said, the city provides all amenities to its residents – including cafes, restaurants, bars, and parks.

All in all, San Luis Obispo offers an amazing quality of life and is a friendly place to live in. Plus, the area is surrounded by beautiful hills, a rural landscape, and sandy beaches. And, the weather all year long is wonderful. You can enjoy strolling along the tree-lined streets, have a picnic beside a babbling brook, or visit the local farmer’s market for some fresh produce.

Although San Luis Obispo has a crime rate higher than the national average, it’s generally a safe city with quiet residential neighborhoods and walkable urban communities.