Atascadero is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, about equidistant from Los Angeles and San Francisco on U.S. Route 101.
Atascadero is part of the San Luis Obispo - Atascadero - Paso Robles metropolitan area.
Atascadero is farther inland than most other cities in the county, and as a result, usually experiences warmer, drier summers, and cooler winters than other nearby cities such as San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach.
The main freeway through town is the US 101. The nearby State Routes 41 and 46 provide access to the Pacific Coast and the California Central Valley.
Founded by E.G. Lewis in 1913, the city grew to 29,096 people as of 2013.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.1 sq mi (68 km2), of which, 25.6 sq mi (66 km2) is land and 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) or 1.87 percent is water.
Atascadero is geographically the largest city in San Luis Obispo County.
Atascadero experiences a warm summer Mediterranean (csb) climate.
The 2010 United States Census reported that Atascadero had a population of 28,310. The population density was 1,083.5 people per square mile (418.3/km²).
The racial makeup of Atascadero was 24,457 (86.4%) White, 585 (2.1%) African American, 295 (1.0%) Native American, 685 (2.4%) Asian, 57 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 1,205 (4.3%) from other races, and 1,026 (3.6%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4,429 persons (15.6%).
The Census reported that 26,986 people 95.3% of the population lived in households, 224 (0.8%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 1,100 (3.9%) were institutionalized.
There were 10,737 households, out of which 3,428 (31.9%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 5,681 (52.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,185 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 538 (5.0%) had a male householder with no wife present.
There were 661 (6.2%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 112 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships.
2,497 households (23.3%) were made up of individuals and 879 (8.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51.
There were 7,404 families 69.0% of all households; the average family size was 2.94.
The population was spread out with 6,068 people (21.4%) under the age of 18, 2,280 people (8.1%) aged 18 to 24, 7,244 people (25.6%) aged 25 to 44, 9,032 people (31.9%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,686 people (13.0%) who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 41.0 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.
There were 11,505 housing units at an average density of 440.3 per square mile (170.0/km²), of which 6,827 (63.6%) were owner-occupied, and 3,910 (36.4%) were occupied by renters.
The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.2%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%. 17,470 people 61.7% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 9,516 people (33.6%) lived in rental housing units.
According to the 2000 census, there were 26,411 people, 9,531 households, and 6,814 families residing in the city. The population density was 987.8 per square mile (381.4/km²).
There were 9,848 housing units at an average density of 368.3 per square mile (142.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.79% White, 2.36% African American, 0.94% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 3.19% from other races, and 3.34% from two or more races.
Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.54% of the population.
There were 9,531 households, of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families.
22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city, the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older.
The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,725, and the median income for a family was $55,009. Males had a median income of $41,692 versus $29,740 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,029.
About 6.9% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.
Downtown Atascadero is home to art galleries, restaurants, micro-breweries, wine bars, and a movie theater.
There are many redevelopment projects underway and planned in downtown including the rebuilding of Colony Square the downtown entertainment district.
Atascadero Annual Events
- Sweetheart Stroll, Downtown on Saturday before Valentine's Day in February
- Wildflower Bike Ride in April
- Central Coast Cinco de Mayo on Saturday before May 5
- Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival at Atascadero Lakeside Park, Saturday in June
- Tuesday's in the Park Community BBQ at Atascadero Lakeside Park in June to August.
- Saturday in the Park Summer Concert Series at Atascadero Lakeside park in June to August
- Ice Cream Zoofari at the Zoo in July
- Movies in the Gardens at Sunken Gardens in August
- Hot El Camino Cruise Night at Huge Car Cruise on Friday evening in August
- Mid-State Cruizers Car Show at Atascadero Lakeside Park on Saturday in August
- Colony Days Parade & Celebration, Downtown on Third Saturday in October
- Halloween ZooBoo at the Zoo in October
- Holiday Boutique at the Pavilion on the Lake on Third Saturday in November
- Atascadero's Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony on First Friday December
- Downtown Winter Wonderland, Downtown on Second Friday in December
- Zoo Holiday Magic at the Charles Paddock Zoo on Third Saturday December
Atascadero is at the major Ground Transport intersection of the Freeway U.S. 101 and the CA SR 41 exactly halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the U.S. 101 with direct eastbound access to the San Joaquin Valley and Interstate 5 and the Yosemite Freeway.
Atascadero is currently serviced by 1 Freeway and 1 Highway:
US 101 (1961 cutout).svg U.S. Route 101, is the most frequented and largest road-transportation arterial for the city of Atascadero and serves as its North-South Gateway.
US-101 runs in a North-South direction and bisects the city along with the Salinas River, into the western and eastern portions of the city.
Traveling northward from the city, US-101 North runs up to San Jose, San Francisco, and continues on along the coast up through Northern California, Oregon, and finally ends near Olympia in Washington state.
Traveling southward from the city, the "101" South heads down to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and on to Los Angeles where its south terminus is.
California 41.svg State Route 41 (CA SR-41), is one of the main east-west arterial for the State of California. SR 41 is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System. CA-41 runs in an East-West direction.
Traveling westward, CA-41 West leaves the city and gradually climbs up and over the Santa Lucia Coastal Range, where it then quickly descends and meets the Pacific Ocean, right into the city of Morro Bay, CA at its westernmost terminus when it meets Highway 1, better known as the Pacific Coast Highway.
Traveling eastward, CA-41 East leaves the city and crosses over the CA-229. after traveling through rolling countryside for about 25 miles (40 km).
It climbs up the Temblor Range and San Andreas Fault,and crosses over the CA-46, then 25 miles (40 km) later, crosses CA-33 and Interstate 5 and continues on as the Yosemite Freeway.
Atascadero has a railway going right through it. Most commonly, the Amtrak passengers and Union Pacific freights go through.
Atascadero is close to San Luis Obispo's airport. San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, also known as McChesney Field, is an airport located in San Luis Obispo, California serving San Luis Obispo County.
The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by three commercial airlines.
Located just south of the City of San Luis Obispo, the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport serves areas as far north as Southern Monterey County and as far south as Northern Santa Barbara County.
The airport offers convenient access to and from the Central Coast. Residents and visitors have the choice of two commercial airlines with flights to Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon.
The airport is also home to full service general aviation and corporate facilities.
Atascadero offers its residents and visitors cycling, hiking, golfing, tennis, swimming, and much more.
Lake Nacimiento is an 18-mile (29 km)-long lake located about 23 miles (37 km) north-east of the city up in the Santa Lucia Range.
The lake provides ample room for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jetskiing, and other water-related activities, in addition to fishing and swimming.
Parks in Atascadero
- Apple Valley Park
- Colony Park
- Atascadero Lake Park
- Paloma Creek Park
- A-town Skate and BMX Park
- Stadium Park
- Sunken Gardens
- Heilmann Regional Park
- Chalk Mt. park and Golf course
The nearest airport is San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, which provides flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix.
The Regional Transit Authority runs a route from San Miguel to San Luis Obispo. Greyhound stops in San Luis Obispo.
Amtrak stops in San Luis Obispo.
Highway 101 comes from the north and south. Travels times to the Bay Area and Los Angeles are about four hours each way. Highway 41 goes to Morro Bay in the west and Shandon/Fresno in the east.
A limited transit system run Monday through Saturday around the city.
A car is the best way to get around the city.
Walking is not advised to the distances involved
Charles Paddock Zoo, Lago Avenue. Open 7 days a week Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas April 1 – October 31 10:00 am to 5:00 pm November 1 – March 31 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Charles Paddock Zoo is a fully accredited Zoo, exhibiting over 100 animals on 5 park-like acres within Atascadero Lake Park.
Adults 12 & over $5.00 Children 3 to 11 $4.00 Seniors 65+ $4.25 Children 2 years and under FREE Members FREE.
Atascadero Historical Museum, 6600 Lewis Ave. Wednesday, Saturday 1pm to 4pm.
Sunken Gardens right next to city hall downtown.
There is a small lake on the western side of the city. It is too small for big craft like motorboats and too unsanitary for swimming.
However there is a park, zoo, pool and paddle boat rentals all on the north-western shore of the lake.
Fig Good Food, 5945 Traffic Way. Monday, Saturday 11:00am-3:00pm Tuesday—Friday 11:00am-8:30pm Sunday Closed.
El Taco De Mexico, 8075 El Camino Real.
Best Western Colony Inn, 3600 El Camino Real.
Motel 6, 9400 El Camino Real.
Carlton Hotel, 6005 El Camino Real. checkin: 4:00 PM; checkout: 11:00 AM. Most expensive hotel in town. $130 minimum.
San Luis Obispo to the south, the largest city in the county, has more attractions than Atascadero.
Routes through Atascadero
Salinas ← Paso Robles ← N noframe S → Junction CA-58.png E → San Luis Obispo
END ← Morro Bay ← SW noframe NE → Kettleman City → Fresno
Tourism Observer
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