Atascadero, California

Atascadero is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, about equidistant from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Atascadero is farther inland than most other San Luis Obispo County cities, and as a result, usually experiences warmer, drier summers and cooler winters than neighboring cities such as San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. The current population is around 28,000.

Atascadero is primarily a residential and commercial community. The city has a somewhat rural character too, and it has many residential lots from 0.5 acres (2,000 m2) to about 5 acres (20,000 m2) in size. Some city residents keep livestock or grow agricultural crops on their property. The city's largest employer with approximately 1,800 employees is the Atascadero State Hospital, an all-male, accredited, maximum-security California state facility for the treatment of men with psychiatric illnesses, who have been convicted of a crime or have been found incompetent to stand trial. It was previously the only facility in the state penal system that dealt with sexually violent predators, but nearly all have now been assigned to the newer Coalinga State Hospital. Other significant employers include retailers and the municipal government.

Atascadero features some community-wide events, including Colony Days, an annual celebration of city heritage featuring an extensive parade, a Wine Festival, and the Hot El Camino Cruise Nite.

The city is home to the Charles Paddock Zoo at Atascadero Lake Park, which is the only zoo in the Central Coast area. The zoo is home to a variety of wild animals which can be seen for a nominal fee.

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