About Atascadero
Atascadero is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and close to SR 41 west, which takes you through the Santa Lucia Coastal Range to meet the iconic Pacific Coast Highway in nearby Morro Bay. Next door to Paso Robles wine country and just minutes away from San Luis Obispo and the Central Coast’s best beaches, the city is a convenient stop for California travelers headed in nearly any direction. Nestled in the Coastal Range foothills at an elevation of around 800–900 feet, Atascadero is surrounded by beautiful hillsides dotted with ancient coastal oaks and even offers a hidden gem right in town, the Charles Paddock Zoo!
Climate
Atascadero has what’s known as a “hot-summer Mediterranean climate,” which accounts for the area’s strong agricultural history. This climate also serves well as wine country, and indeed, the city is surrounded by the popular Paso Robles American Viticultural Area, or AVA. Average high temperatures in the summer months tend to run in the low 90s, while average highs in the winter typically range in the 60s.