San Luis Obispo County

Explore the communities of San Luis Obispo County through local guides, resources, and photographs that preserve how the Central Coast looked in 1996.

Community guides

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Avila Beach, 1996 — photo 1

San Luis Obispo County

Avila Beach

A compact beach community with a walkable promenade, harbor views, and a deep connection to San Luis Obispo County history.

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Los Osos and Montaña de Oro, 1996 — photo 1

San Luis Obispo County

Los Osos

A bayside community beside Morro Bay and Montaña de Oro, known for open space, trails, and quiet coastal neighborhoods.

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Morro Bay, 1996 — photo 1

San Luis Obispo County

Morro Bay

A working waterfront community built around the harbor, the Embarcadero, and unmistakable Morro Rock.

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Pismo Beach, 1996 — photo 1

San Luis Obispo County

Pismo Beach

A classic Central Coast beach town with a pier, broad shoreline, downtown restaurants, and easy access to the dunes.

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San Luis Obispo, 1996 — photo 1

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo

The county seat and Cal Poly hometown, with a historic downtown, distinctive neighborhoods, and a lively weekly Farmers’ Market.

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Photo archive

120 photographs. Six local albums. One year.

See Avila Beach, Cambria and Cayucos, Morro Bay, Los Osos and Montaña de Oro, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach as they appeared in 1996.

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