What do you want to know? There are a couple more of us too. I hope they chime in.

Do you prefer that to SLO? It's closer to the ocean so that seems nice. What's AG like?

because I got the granny bungalow with my family. It's more ranch, agriculture and wine country than beach, but when I'm feeling my athletic oats I walk to either Pismo or Grover Beach. If you want to keep horses, chickens or farm animals, it's the place to be as most of the properties are a couple of acres, with the exception of Arroyo Grande village, which runs alongside a creek, with nice little restaurants and a coffee house tucked in there and the houses are normal lot size.

The City of SLO is very cute. It runs alongside a creek also. If you have lunch at any of the many excellent restaurants, the mission rings its bells at noon. Of course it's a college town so there a lot of bicycling and other activities not to mention college age kids all over the place. There's a rivalry between north county and south county, with north county being a little snobbish about south county,

The big warning is the nuke plant that we are trying to get rid of but is still operating here. We are sitting on two earthquake faults. The plant only has the ability to absorb a quake up to a seismic 7.2. So take that into consideration, but I'm hopeful the plant will get decommissioned soon. San Onofre down south is going and it's a matter of time before this dinosaur does. There are several websites from the various cities around here. Some have live webcams if you want to spy on people frolicking at the beach and all.

Anyway, come and take a look. If you come PM me and I will meet you and show you around what I know.

for the vivid descriptions of AG and SLO. Ranch life near the ocean sounds nice to me so I will definitely take a look a AG while I am there. Too bad about the nuke plant. I was happy to learn that they were closing the other one down. Thanks again, I really appreciate the info!

The air is clean, the climate is mild, the beaches are relatively uncrowded, recreational opportunities are terrific, there are tons of first class eating and drinking estblishments, it's halfway between SF and LA, housing costs are off the charts, and it's a good place to retire.

Grover Beach like? From the looks of it in pictures it reminds me of Venice or Manhattan Beach.

Bring money and sunblock!

I didn't ask any questions yet!

of generosity that comes standard here on the Central Coast...

I'm much obliged.

All kidding aside. You seem to be insinuating that the cost of living is high there. How does it compare to let's say, West Los Angeles?

from out of state would be. But even from LA, I think you'll notice that housing is more expensive here (depending on your tastes and locational preferences, of course). And I usually notice cheaper gas prices when I drive south, which is maybe indicative of other costs...

i love it up there. if you don't get any help i might be able to get you answers from him.

It's a beautiful city of about 45,000 people about ten miles inland from the ocean, with great weather. People are generally friendly. Years ago someone said it's the cultural center between Santa Barbara and San Jose. Lots to do outdoors. Famous for Thursday nite Farmer's Market. Nowadays there are farmers markets throughout SLO County. It's a college town with Cal Poly hugging the city limits. Cuesta Jr. College, is nearby, half way to Morro Bay. It has a downtown that is pedestrian friendly. There are free concerts downtown in Spring and Summer. You can shop for natural foods at a local coop that just expanded, or stock up at at Target or Costco. We have a local airport and Amtrak.

City of San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly
Trip Advisor for SLO
SLO Chamber of Commerce
San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party
Palm Theatre
State Parks of the SLO Coast
CCRMLS listings/SLO Real Estate
SLO Natural Foods co-op
SLO Folks Concerts
KCBX Public Radio
Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club
SLO Weather Stations
SLO County Farmer's Markets
SLO Arts Council


Could go an and on

I am very interested in Farmers Markets and live concerts. By the way, how is the live music scene? Is there one? How about live theater? Thanks for the links - looking at them all.

I've learned a lot since yesterday. My next step is to take a few trips out there and experience it for myself. I rode through there once a long time ago on a motorcycle trip and I've always wanted to go back.

If you don't mind, what is it like in terms of politics? I have associates from both sides of the isle but I'd rather live in an area that is more blue than red.

Also, I am very much into live music. Are there any good venues for rock and folk music?

City of SLO trends Dem. Politics here are pretty civil in general. There isn't the vitriol that makes the news. There's a vibrant environmental component here, so a lot of local politics is about development.

A lot of live music around town. Blues, rock, indie, folk. Much of it centered in the clubs / coffee houses downtown. Plus a wide variety of more "formal" events at Cal Poly's Cohen Performance Art Center. Downtown is basically two parallel streets, Higuera and Marsh.

General stuff - The city is laid out in an x pattern formed by two valleys that run inland 12 miles from the coast. SLO sits where they meet. The string of hills that run between the two valleys are what's left of ancient volcanoes. They're the "Seven Sisters".

Mediterranean climate - temperate winters, mild & clear summers. A handful of days late summer hit 100 degrees, a handful of nights have frosts / freezes in winter. Like much of CA coast the hills around town, save for the oaks, are brown ~ 7 months of the year. Depending on rainfall, spring is vibrant emerald green. A beautifully stunning change. The South County is cooler with a strong marine layer. North County hotter, the marine layer doesn't make it over the hills.

The city is pedestrian and bike friendly. By car little is farther than ~ 10-15 minutes away. To the coast is 12 - 15 miles. The South County (Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Oceano) is ~ 20 miles. North County (Santa Margarita, Templeton, Atascadero, Paso Robles, San Miguel) a little farther and more spread out.

101 runs through North County, SLO, South County. Rte. 1 runs on the coast, Morro Bay - Big Sur, etc. and through coastal towns in the South County.

Housing is expensive, in SLO at least. Both rental and homeowner properties. Other areas of the county are less costly.

(aside) Visited family here in '82 "for the winter", never went back. Hope this helps.

Last edited Tue Jul 16, 2013, 08:35 PM - Edit history (3)

Pinto has given a good overview of SLO. SLO has a music scene. From house concerts to bigger venues like the PAC at Cal Poly or outdoor concerts in Avila Beach. Most towns have free outdoor concerts during the Spring and Summer with folk, blues, jazz and rock. A number of wineries have concerts. You can find more about them at KCBX's events calendar. Or check out the free New Times weekly newspaper when you're in the area. I've heard some world class musicians here, some are studio musicians from L.A. who live in the area. There are many small venues like house concerts or wineries it takes a while to get clued in to. The music scene is wide spread and not heavily oriented to one club/bar or venue. With our Mediterranean climate many concerts are held outdoors in spring, summer and early fall.

Central Coast Rocks has upcoming concert listings by date, town/city, links to local bands, and concert reviews. A newly discovered website doing research for links here.
SLO Blues Society blues dance concerts in SLO
SLO Brew events calendar Downtown SLO bar/restaurant
Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast] check out their jams and gigs page for more info.
Castoro Cellars events page Templeton area winery that has a nearly year round concert schedule
PAC SLO events calendar Performing Arts center on the campus of Cal Poly, SLO
Cal Poly Arts calendar
Cal Poly has a wide variety of performances.
Cuesta College has plays and concerts, with a strong jazz and vocal jazz program.
Stynberg Gallery SLO art gallery and coffee shop events page
Red Barn Community Music Series in Los Osos good music and pot lucks too
Painted Skys Studios concerts at a recording studio, Harmony, CA
Vino Robles (outdoor) amphitheater in Paso Robles just opened up this summer. Bringing in headliner shows.
Pozo Saloon a historic rural saloon with outdoor concerts
SLO Jazz summer concerts free concerts in downtown SLO
SLO Botanical Garden Concert Series
Concerts-In-The-Plaza Free Friday dance concerts in downtown San Luis Obispo
Song Writers At Play Live music showcases by musician/song writers. Several locations in SLO County.
The Clark Center For The Performing Arts - Arroyo Grande upcoming schedule of plays and concerts
Jazz in Cambria

We are getting more local music festivals like the Live Oak Music Festival which celebrated its 25th year of weekend camping and musical fun north of Santa Barbara.
A new festival Seven Sisters Festival that began this summer.
Just found Beavertock that is coming up with Dave Mason, Tower of Power, The Duhks, Joe craven, and more being put on by Castoro Cellars Winery...which has a beautiful outdoor garden setting

Enjoy. This is Far from a complete listing for local musical venues. Part of the fun is that there is too much to choose from and so many enjoyable locations to explore. Very few are expensive "Ticketron" events. Many local cities, including Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Templeton, and Paso Robles have free outdoor summer concerts that are family friendly. Many wineries host bands/concerts. Local coffee shops, bars and restaurants do too.

Forget the name, some local music club, it's a restaurant now. Great show.

When I first moved here, transplants were usually friends or family who relocated here like I, retirees from the valley (in those days that meant the San Joaquin Valley), or Cal Poly grads who established a life here. Over time, folks from the San Fernando Valley started moving here and more Cal Poly students came from SoCal. One marker - "the 101".

The freeway terminology wasn't common here. It's use was a distinctive Southern California thing, south of Santa Barbara. "The 101, the 405, etc." We just said "101". And, of course, locals took note. SoCal visitors and new residents used the term. Now, it's ubiquitous. It's "the 101".

Minor stuff, but an interesting tidbit, imo.