San Luis Obispo, California

The earliest human inhabitants of the local area were the Chumash people. One of the earliest villages lies south of San Luis Obispo and reflects the landscape of the early Holocene when estuaries came farther inland. The Chumash people used marine resources of the inlets and bays along the Central Coast and inhabited a network of villages, including sites at Los Osos and Morro Creek.[13] The tribal site on present-day San Luis Obispo was named tiłhini, Obispeño for "Place of the full moon".[14]

During the Spanish Empire expansion throughout the world, specifically in 1769, Franciscan Junípero Serra received orders from Spain to bring the Catholic faith to the natives of Alta California; the idea was to unify the empire under the same religion and language. Mission San Diego was the first Spanish mission founded in Alta California that same year.

On September 7, 1769, an expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá entered the San Luis Obispo area from coastal areas around today's Pismo Beach. One of the expedition's three diarists, padre Juan Crespí, recorded the name given to this area by the soldiers as Cañada de Los Osos ("cañada" translates as "valley" or "canyon"). The party traveled north along San Luis Obispo Creek, turned west through Los Osos Valley, and reached Morro Bay on September 9.[15]

In 1770, Portola established the Presidio of Monterey and Junípero Serra founded the second mission, San Carlos Borromeo, in Monterey. The mission was moved to Carmel the following year. As supplies dwindled in 1772 at the mission and Presidio, the people faced starvation. Remembering the Valley of the Bears, Presidio of Monterey commander Pedro Fages (a member of the Portolà expedition) led a hunting expedition to bring back food. Over twenty-five mule loads of dried bear meat and seed were sent north to relieve the missionaries, soldiers, and neophytes (baptized natives). The natives were impressed at the ease by which the Spaniards could take down the huge grizzlies with their weapons. Some of the bear meat was traded with the local people in exchange for edible seed. It was after this that Junípero Serra decided that La Cañada de Los Osos would be an ideal place for the fifth mission.

The area had abundant supplies of food and water, the climate was also very mild, and the local Chumash were very friendly. With soldiers, muleteers, and pack animals carrying mission supplies, Junípero Serra set out from Carmel to reach the Valley of the Bears. On September 1, 1772, Junípero Serra celebrated the first Mass with a cross erected near San Luis Creek. The very next day, he departed for San Diego leaving Fr. José Cavaller, with the difficult task of building the mission. Fr. José Cavaller, five soldiers and two neophytes began building Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (Spanish for '"St. Louis Bishop of Toulouse"') which would later become the town of San Luis Obispo.

The first mission structures were built with whatever materials could be found nearby. Later, more permanent buildings were constructed with adobe walls, wood timber roof beams and tile roofs. The completed mission compound included: the church, the priests' residence, the convento, storerooms, neophyte and visitor residences, soldiers' barracks and other structures. The mission also had a grist mill, tannery, water supply system, land for farming and pastures for livestock. The whole community of priests, natives and soldiers needed to produce goods for their own livelihood.

When the Mexican War of Independence from Spain broke out in 1810, all California missions had to become virtually self-sufficient, receiving few funds or supplies from Spanish sources. Beginning soon after Mexico won her independence from Spain in 1821, anti-Spanish feelings led to calls for expulsion of the Spanish Franciscans and secularization of the missions. Because the fledgling Mexican government had many more important problems to deal with than far-off California, actual secularization didn't happen until the mid-1830s.

The city in 1876

After 1834, the mission became an ordinary parish, and most of its huge land holdings were broken up into land grants called ranchos. The ranchos were given by Mexican land grant from 1837–1846, with the mission itself being granted in the final year. The central community, however, remained in the same location and formed the nucleus of today's city of San Luis Obispo.

After the Mexican–American War annexed California to the United States, San Luis Obispo was the first town incorporated in the newly formed San Luis Obispo County. It remained the center of the county to the present. Early in the American period, the region was well known for lawlessness.[16] It gained a reputation as "Barrio del Tigre" (or Tiger-Town) because of the endemic problem.[17] Robberies and murders that left no witnesses were carried out on along the El Camino Real and elsewhere around San Luis Obispo for several years. Finally a gang of eight men committed a robbery with three murders and a kidnapping at the Rancho San Juan Capistrano del Camote in May 1858, that uncharacteristically left two witnesses alive. This brought about the formation of a vigilance committee in the County that killed one, the suspected leader of the gang Pio Linares, and lynched six others, a total of seven men suspected of such misdeeds (the most lethal in California history).[16][17][18] Members of the committee remained influential members of the community for decades.

The ranchos remained focused on cattle after the conquest of California. With the discovery of gold, the county experienced a major economic surge with the rising price of beef, with the highest prices coming in 1851. The county remained focused on cattle until 1863, when a drought left most ranchos devastated. Residents quickly turned to other venues, leading to the breaking up of many of the ranchos and a major change in the economic climate of the town, which focused less on cattle ranching and more on dairies, agriculture, and mined goods from then onward.

San Luis Obispo once had a burgeoning Chinatown in the vicinity of Palm St. and Chorro Street. Laborers were brought from China by Ah Louis in order to construct the Pacific Coast Railway, roads connecting San Luis Obispo to Paso Robles and Paso Robles to Cambria, and also the 1884 to 1894 tunneling through Cuesta Ridge for the Southern Pacific Railroad. The town's Chinatown revolved around Ah Louis Store and other Palm Street businesses owned and run by Chinese business people. Today, Mee Heng Low chop suey shop is all that remains of the culture, although a slightly Chinatown-themed commercial development has been planned. A display of some of the unearthed relics from this period can be seen on the first floor of the Palm Street parking garage, which was built over the location where Chinatown once stood. The San Luis Obispo Historical Society (adjacent to the Mission) also contains rotating historical exhibits.[19]

San Luis Obispo was also a popular stop when people are on the way to Los Angeles. U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 with the rise of car culture. Due to its popularity as a stop, it was the location of the first motel in the world, the Milestone Mo-Tel.

San Luis Obispo's largest and oldest voluntary organization is the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, which also is the oldest and largest voluntary organization in San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo has more than 180 historic buildings that have been designated as City of San Luis Obispo Historic Resources. Three of the City's designated historic resources have also been designated as California Historic Landmarks. They are: Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (CHL 325); Dallidet Adobe (CHL 720); and Ah Louis Store (CHL 802). In addition, eight of the City's designated historic resources have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). They are: Myron Angel House (NRHP 11/22/82); Pacific Coast Railway Company Grain Warehouse (NRHP 6/23/88); Robert Jack House (NRHP 4/13/92); Tribune-Republic Building (NRHP 6/24/93); San Luis Obispo Carnegie Library (NRHP 3/30/95); Ah Louis Store (NRHP 3/26/08); William Shipsey House (NRHP 3/31/10); and Monday Club of San Luis Obispo (NRHP 5/10/16). The Carnegie Library, located at 696 Monterey Street, is home to the San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum which includes a research center with information on the City's other historical resources.[20]

The City also has five designated historic districts as follows:

• Downtown Historic District – Covers 61.5 acres generally bounded by Palm Street to the north, Marsh Street to the south, Osos Street to the east, and Nipomo Street to the west, plus Dana Street in the northwest. The Downtown Historic District covers the oldest part of the City, including the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and many commercial structures from the city's boom era from the 1890s to the 1910s.[21]
• Chinatown Historic District – Covers 4.4 acres along both sides of Palm Street between Chorro and Morrow Streets. Established in 1995 to recognize the contributions of the City's Chinese community.[22]
• Old Town Historic District – Covers 86 acres generally bounded by Pacific Street on the north, Islay Street on the south, Santa Rosa Street on the east, and Beach Street on the west. Established in 1987, the district is located in the City's oldest residential neighborhoods with historic homes dating from the 1880s to the turn of the century.[23]
• Mill Street Historic District – Covers 20 acres from Peach Street on the north, Palm Street on the south, Pepper Street on the east and Toro Street on the west Established in 1987, the area consists of early 20th century homes in the Tudor Revival, Craftsman, Mission Revival, Prairie Colonial, and Shingle styles. Sometimes referred to as Fremont Heights.[24]
• Railroad Historic District – Covers 80.7 acres bounded by the railroad right-of-way on the east, Johnson Avenue on the north, Orcutt Road on the south, Leff Street on the northwest, and Broad Street on the west. Established in 1998 along the historic boundaries of the Southern Pacific rail yard. It includes residential and commercial resources constructed following the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1894.[25]

San Luis Obispo experiences a cool Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csb). On average it has 50 days with measurable rain per year – mostly during winter months. Summers are generally warm and sunny, often with morning fog from the Pacific coast. Winters are generally mild, though below freezing lows may be expected four nights per year. Measurable snowfall in San Luis Obispo has not officially been recorded since records began in 1870, although photos show about 0.3 inches (0.76 cm) fell in 1922 and snow flurries were reported in both 1988 and 2006. Temperatures do, however, vary widely at any time of the year, with 80 °F (27 °C) readings in January and February not uncommon. Although heat extremes in the 110s have been recorded, the maritime moderation is generally strong due to the proximity to the cool ocean waters.

The 2010 United States Census[12] reported that San Luis Obispo had a population of 45,119. The population density was 3,489.4 people per square mile (1,347.3/km²). The racial makeup of San Luis Obispo was 38,117 (84.5%) White, 523 (1.2%) African American, 275 (0.6%) Native American, 2,350 (5.2%) Asian, 65 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 1,973 (4.4%) from other races, and 1,816 (4.0%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6,626 persons (14.7%).

The Census reported that 43,937 people (97.4% of the population) lived in households, 967 (2.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 215 (0.5%) were institutionalized.

There were 19,193 households, out of which 3,178 (16.6%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,690 (29.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,336 (7.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 586 (3.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,104 (5.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 124 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 6,213 households (32.4%) were made up of individuals, and 1,957 (10.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29. There were 7,612 families (39.7% of all households); the average family size was 2.81.

The population was spread out, with 5,522 people (12.2%) under the age of 18, 15,670 people (34.7%) aged 18 to 24, 9,630 people (21.3%) aged 25 to 44, 8,866 people (19.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 5,431 people (12.0%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.2 males.

There were 20,553 housing units at an average density of 1,589.5 per square mile (613.7/km²), of which 7,547 (39.3%) were owner-occupied, and 11,646 (60.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%. 17,225 people (38.2% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 26,712 people (59.2%) lived in rental housing units.

The city has a desired maximum population of 57,200 within the urban reserve, however with the extremely rapid growth of the area it is unknown whether this population cap will remain.[31]

As of the 2000 census,[32] there were 27, 819 people, 18,639 households, and 7,697 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,144.5 people per square mile (1,600.0/km²). There were 19,306 housing units at an average density of 1,811.3 per square mile (699.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.1% White, 5.3% Asian, 1.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.8% from other races, and 3.6% from two or more races. 11.7% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 18,639 households, out of which 17.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 31.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.7% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 14.2% under the age of 18, 33.6% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $98,977 and the median income for a family was $112,740. The median household income in San Luis Obispo County was $60,534, and the median family income was $72,327. Males had a median income of $41,915 versus $27,407 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,386. 26.6% of the population and 7.1% of families were below the poverty line, a similar number to Cleveland, Ohio. Out of the total population, 9.3% of those under the age of 18 and 4.6% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[40] the top employers in the city are:

San Luis Obispo is incorporated as a charter city. It is also the county seat of San Luis Obispo County. The city charter provides for a "Council-Mayor-City Manager" form of municipal government.[41] The City Council has five members, a mayor who is elected to two-year terms, with each mayor limited to serving no more than four consecutive terms, and four city council members who are elected to four-year terms, with each council member limited to serving no more than two consecutive terms.[42]

The fire department of San Luis Obispo was first organized in 1872 and now has 45 full-time firefighters and four fire stations (as of 2007).[43] The SLO City Fire Stations are staffed with three-man ALS engine companies and a four-man ALS Truck company. Each apparatus has at least one paramedic on duty each day. The department responds to over 4,500 calls each year. The San Luis Obispo City Fire Department also maintains a bike medic program which is used at the Farmers' Market and other special events throughout the city. Four members of the Fire Department are also on the San Luis Obispo SWAT Team as SWAT Medics and respond using Squad 1 (an ALS equipped ambulance which also carries some light rescue gear and other specialty tools) The front-line members of the department are represented by the San Luis Obispo City Firefighters' IAFF Local 3523.[43]

The City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department can trace its lineage back to 1872 when plans were made to provide the city with safe drinking water.[44] Currently the Utilities Department operates a water treatment plant designed to treat 16 million gallons a day, the Whale Rock Reservoir located in Cayucos, CA, a water distribution system including 15 pressure zones and 150 miles of water mains.[45] The Water Resource Recovery Facility treats 4.5 million gallons per day and is currently undergoing a plant upgrade expected to be completed in 2021.[46]

In June 1990 City Councilman Jerry Reiss proposed a city ordinance to ban smoking in all indoor public areas. Following a failed effort by R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company to defeat the ordinance, the City Council voted 4–1 in favor on June 19, 1990 with only Mayor Ron Dunin dissenting. As a result, on August 2, 1990, San Luis Obispo became the first municipality in the world to ban smoking in all public buildings, including bars and restaurants. This statute has been a catalyst worldwide in anti-smoking legislation.[47][48][49] In April, 2010, San Luis Obispo strengthened its anti-smoking legislation, making smoking in public, excepting for certain conditions, a citable offense beginning on June 20, 2010.[50]

In 1982, following public hearings, the City Council approved an ordinance forbidding the construction of "drive-through" businesses.[51] In-N-Out Burger opened a restaurant in the nearby town of Atascadero because of the ban.[52] In 2008 the City Council voted 3–2 to keep the ban.[53][54]

In 1982 a city ordinance was passed that prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages at any business selling gasoline, with the exception of one Mobil (now Union 76) service station on South Higuera Street that was grandfathered in prior to the ordinance. The city council voted 3–2 to abolish the ordinance in 2004.[55]

In April 2010, an "unruly gathering" ordinance passed with a vote of 4–1. This ordinance poses a fine of $700 for the hosts of gatherings with more than 20 people on private property which create a substantial disturbance in a significant amount of the neighborhood. Unlawful conduct includes excessive noise; public drunkenness; serving alcohol to minors; fighting; urinating in public; crowds overflowing into yards, sidewalks, or streets; or similar unlawful behaviors.[56][57]

In the California State Legislature, San Luis Obispo is in the 17th Senate District, represented by Democrat John Laird, and in the 35th Assembly District, represented by Republican Jordan Cunningham.[58]

In the United States House of Representatives, San Luis Obispo is in California's 24th congressional district, represented by Democrat Salud Carbajal.[59]

The following TV stations broadcast in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria Television Market Area:

• KEYT 3, a dual ABC/CBS television affiliate based in Santa Barbara; seen on K31KE-D Channel 31 in San Luis Obispo
• KSBY 6, a NBC television affiliate; licensed to and broadcast from San Luis Obispo
• KCOY 12, a Dabl television affiliate; broadcast from Santa Maria
• K16FC-D 16, repeater of non-commercial independent KCET Los Angeles
• KKFX 24, a FOX television affiliate; licensed to San Luis Obispo studios broadcast from KCOY in Santa Maria. Also seen on cable channel 11.
• KTAS 33, a Telemundo affiliate; broadcast from San Luis Obispo
• KPMR 38, a Univision affiliate; broadcast from Santa Barbara
• KOCE 50, a PBS member station from Los Angeles; seen locally on Dish and Directv Only.
• KQED 9, a PBS member station from San Francisco. Cable only on Spectrum Channel 8.

AM frequency

• 890 KIHC "Immaculate Heart Radio" Catholic Radio
• 920 KVEC "News/Talk"
• 1030 KJDJ "Radio Vida Abundante" "Spanish Christian"
• 1280 KXTK "ESPN Radio" Sports
• 1340 KYNS "Alt 93.7" Alternative
• 1400 KKJL "K-Jewell" Adult Standards

FM frequency

• 88.5 KARQ "Air1" Contemporary Christian
• 89.3 KLFF "Family Life Radio" Christian Radio
• 90.1 KCBX NPR "Central Coast Public Radio"
• 91.3 KCPR "Cal Poly Radio" California Polytechnic State University
• 92.5 KKAL "The Krush" AAA
• 93.3 KZOZ Classic Rock
• 94.9 KPYG "KPIG" AAA
• 95.3 KXTZ "The Beach" Adult Hits
• 96.1 KSLY "K-LOVE" Contemporary Christian
• 98.1 KKJG "K-JUG" Country
• 99.7 KESC Classical Rebroadcast of KUSC 91.5 Los Angeles
• 100.5 KXDZ "The Beach" Adult Hits Repeats KXTZ 95.3 FM
• 101.3 KERW "Eclectic 24" Eclectic Repeats KCRW 89.9 Los Angeles
• 103.1 KLUN "Radio Lazer" Regional Mexican
• 103.5 KTEA "K-TEA" Classic Hits
• 104.5 KSTT "Coast 104.5" Adult Contemporary
• 105.3 KCJZ "Bob FM" Adult Hits
• 106.1 KWWV "Wild 106.1" CHR-Rhythmic
• 107.3 KMLM "La M" Regional Mexican

• Ed Brown, professional football quarterback
• Kathie Browne, actress
• Vern Burke, football player
• Les Cain, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Heidi Cruz, investment banker; married to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
• John Darnielle, musician (The Mountain Goats)[81]
• Zac Efron, actor[82]
• Chuck Estrada, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Wolfgang Gartner, house music producer and DJ
• William Hockey, entrepreneur and engineer
• Robert Hunter, lyricist for the Grateful Dead[83]
• Tim Kennedy, UFC fighter
• Greg Kumparak, editor of TechCrunch
• Jim Lonborg, Major League Baseball pitcher
• MAKJ, house music producer and DJ
• Miss Fame, drag queen and makeup artist
• Arron Oberholser, golfer
• Bud Ogden, basketball player
• Chris Pontius, daredevil entertainer (Jackass)[84]
• Paul Rachubka, soccer player
• Loren Roberts, golfer
• Chris Seitz, soccer player
• Najahe Sherman, television news anchor and reporter
• Stephanie Brown Trafton, Olympic athlete
• Dean Treanor, manager of the Indianapolis Indians and former MILB pitcher[85]
• William H. Young, labor union leader
• Sandy Oceguera, professional women's soccer center [86]

• Jon Anderson, musician (Yes)
• Chase McBride, singer, musician, and visual artist
• Ernie Ball, guitarist and entrepreneur
• John Barbata, musician
• Peter Buck, musician (R.E.M.)
• Ronnie Bucknum, racing driver
• Casey Candaele, former Major League Baseball player[87]
• Ron Capps (racing driver), NHRA race car driver
• Rich Ferguson, magician
• Allen Fox, tennis player and coach
• Blake Irving, businessman[88]
• Jack Kerouac, writer[89]
• Mike Krukow, former Major League Baseball pitcher and sportscaster
• Chuck Liddell, former UFC light-heavyweight champion mixed martial artist
• Scott Lighty, mixed martial artist
• Ah Louis, Chinese American pioneer and businessman
• Hannah Marks, actress[90]
• Judith McNaught, novelist
• Lee Michaels, musician
• Frances Margaret Milne, librarian, writer
• The Pendragons, magicians
• Gene Romero, motorcycle racer
• Jerry Scott, cartoonist
• G. D. Spradlin, actor
• John Sturges, film director
• Robin Ventura, baseball player[91]
• Jason Von Flue, UFC and Ultimate Fighter season II veteran mixed martial artist

• Deeds of Flesh, death metal band
• Double Take, teen pop duo
• Fialta, indie pop band
• Lakes, indie rock band
• Little Wings, indie folk band
• Night Riots, alternative rock band
• The Honey Trees, dream pop band
• The Revels, 1960s surf rock band
• Scissors for Lefty, indie rock band
• The Sentinals, 1960s surf band
• Sherwood, indie rock band
• Still Time, indie rock band
• Watashi Wa, pop rock band
• Weird Al Yankovic, comedy musician