San Luis Obispo

• PRINT
• EMAIL

San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the famous Spanish mission of San Luis Obispo. (National Archives)

San Luis Obispo (1990 pop., 41,958), the seat of San Luis Obispo County in southwestern California, is located at the base of Santa Lucia Mountain on San Luis Obispo Creek. It is famed for its Spanish mission, San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, which was founded by Father JunÃ?Â?Ã?Â?Ã?Â?Ã?­pero Serra in 1772 and named for Saint Louis, bishop of Toulouse (1274–97). One of the most elegant of the old California missions, it is still used as a Catholic parish church. The economy of the city is largely based on oil that is pumped and refined locally and shipped through Port San Luis on the Pacific Coast. Light manufacturing, wineries, printing, and tourism are also important.

The city, founded in 1850, developed as a farming community around the mission but grew rapidly after 1894 when the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived. Educational institutions include California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo College (1901), and Cuesta College (1963). Situated about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo was a natural stopover for motorists traveling between the two cities in the days before the freeways. In 1925 the Milestone Motel opened there; the first motel in the country, it survives as the Motel Inn.

• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  USA Explorer Teacher Pack In this program, students track down clues from coast to coast on a mysterious mission to deliver a secret package. They make maps, learn state capitals and discover the people, places, and past times of the fabulous 50 states. Along their journey, students snap travel photos, collect facts on over 100 landmarks, track and predict weather all around the country, and find more cross-country activities. $49.95 CD-ROM | Grades K-3

  
  USA Explorer Teacher Pack
  Grades K-3 $49.95
  
• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors! Bible Character Masks Promote a love of favorite Bible stories and encourage confidence in your young learners with these delightful Bible Character Masks and Play Kits! Perfect for emergent readers. Kit includes 4 masks with handles, a reproducible read-along story and play, and an 8-page teaching guide. Masks measure approximately 8 1/2" x 14". Includes: <4 masks with handles (Joseph, Judah, Reuben, and Jacob) reproducible, read-along story and play 8-page teaching guide $11.99 Dress-Up | Grades Pre-K-5

  
  Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors! Bible Character Masks
  Grades Pre-K-5 $11.99
  

Carmel
Gives a brief description and history of the city of Carmel, California, including its ties to Spanish missionaries.

San Juan Capistrano
Provides historical and geographical data on the City of San Juan Capistrano in southwestern California.

San Diego
Provides a history of the discovery and settlement of San Diego, California and goes on to discuss its present economy and demographics.