For more than 100 years, the small city of Atascadero, CA has stood as a small family-oriented suburb about 18 miles north of San Luis Obispo. It is a quiet town with plenty of charm and fun activities to do in and around its borders.
As more people are moving to Atascadero, it is gradually gaining popularity as both a bedroom community for commuters as well as a safe place to raise young children.
Is Atascadero, CA a good place to live? What is it known for? Learn all of these interesting things about Atascadero and much more by reading through these key details!
1. People of Atascadero, CA – Population & Demographics
While Atascadero was founded back in 1913, the city saw most of its growth during the 1980s and 1990s. That growth has since slowed over the past couple of decades with a current Atascadero population of about 29,797 people. Hosting a median age of 38 years old, the area is home to a wide range of young families as well as senior citizens who enjoy the quiet atmosphere.
Atascadero demographics show slight signs of diversity with about 77% of the locals being Caucasian and about 17% of Hispanic or Latino history. There is however almost a perfect split between the gender ratio, with 49.62% female and 50.38% male.
2. Fun Things to Do in Atascadero
Looking for the best activities in Atascadero before you move there? If you ask other residents living in Atascadero, most would highly recommend you visit the Charles Paddock Zoo. As one of the top things to do in Atascadero, you’ll have the opportunity to see hundreds of animals from all over the world including:
- Tigers
- Red Pandas
- Lemurs
- Tortoises
- Flamingos
- Owls
- Monkeys
- Alligators
- Porcupines
- And many more
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Charles Paddock Zoo, 9100 Morro Rd, Atascadero, CA 93422
Next on your list of enjoyable amenities nearby is the popular Atascadero Lake Park. A favorite among many locals, visitors can kayak on the lake, enjoy the playground, and walk, bike, or jog along the lakeside trails. Among the top things to do in Atascadero for families, it’s also a great place for a picnic.
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Atascadero Lake Park, 9305 Pismo Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422
3. Great Restaurants in Atascadero
Want to know about a couple of the best places to eat in Atascadero? For a great bistro and wine bar, head over to Marston’s 101 and enjoy everything from burgers and tacos to prime rib and fish ‘n’ chips. Among the top Atascadero restaurants, this place is highly rated by pretty much everyone who has been there.
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Marston’s 101, 9006 W Front Rd, Atascadero, CA 93422
Another great spot worth a visit is the Guest House Grill. As one of the most popular restaurants in Atascadero, they offer a menu filled with ravioli, bolognese, stroganoff, steaks, salads, and much more. Make sure you try one of their draft beers or house specialties for a refreshing drink with your meal.
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Guest House Grill, 8783 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
4. Atascadero, CA Cost of Living
One of the most important things to know about any city before moving there is how much you should expect to pay for standard expenses. The cost of living in Atascadero is nearly 10% less than the California average thanks to a more affordable housing market and lower local transportation costs.
Thinking about buying a house in the area? The average price of a home in Atascadero is currently $536,935, which is consistently rising about 2% year after year. As you search through Atascadero, CA homes for sale, you’ll see a great variety ranging from small single-family homes up to large properties on massive plots of land.
Nearly 40% of the Atascadero population rent their homes or apartments. At this time, the average price of rent in Atascadero is about $1,930 per month for a two-bedroom up to $2,470 per month for a four-bedroom house.
5. Open Atascadero Neighborhoods
Spanning more than 26 square miles, neighborhoods in Atascadero offer plenty of open space and room to enjoy privacy. These safe communities are the perfect place to either raise a family or settle down for your retirement.
Looking through the potential options, a few of the top Atascadero neighborhoods are:
- Oakhaven Village
- Santa Lucia
- River Oaks
Atascadero is located near the center of San Luis Obispo County. Residents living in Atascadero have one of two zip codes: 93422 or 93465. If you’re planning to get a local phone number once you arrive, you can expect an area code of either 805 or 820.
Before moving to Atascadero, you’ll probably want to make sure there are good places to go shopping. The area offers a handful of dependable options such as the Adobe Plaza, Kmart, Big Lots, Walgreens, and a Vons Supermarket.
6. Strong Schools in Atascadero
Making up more than 15% of the local population, there are about 4,571 children between the ages of 5 and 17 currently living in Atascadero. These students and any newcomers are able to attend schools within the Atascadero Unified School District and the great standards held there.
A few of the top Atascadero schools include:
- Monterey Road Elementary School
- San Benito Elementary School
- Fine Arts Academy
- Atascadero Middle School
- Atascadero High School
- West Mall Alternative School
For college students or recent high school graduates seeking out local secondary schools, there are a few good options close by. You can choose from a variety of programs at either Laurus College or the California Polytechnic State University campus nearby in San Luis Obispo.
7. Atascadero Jobs in and Around Town
Looking for the best jobs in Atascadero? While you’ll have plenty of options with a quick 18-mile commute from Atascadero to San Luis Obispo, CA, there are also a handful of great employment opportunities here in town as well. The median household income in Atascadero is $72240, which makes for a comfortable lifestyle based on the cost of living mentioned above.
Some of the top employers in Atascadero are Atascadero Mutual Water Co, the Atascadero State Hospital, Avila Construction, and the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. These are only a few of the great Atascadero jobs you’ll have to choose from before moving there.
8. Atascadero Weather Follows California Norms
Less than 18 miles from the nearest beach along the Pacific coastline, people moving to Atascadero can expect the standard California climate that locals have come to know and love. The envy of most other states across the country, Atascadero weather boasts summer temperatures between the low 50s and low 90s. Winters bring cool temps that range from the occasional low 30s to barely over 60°F.
And with only about 21 inches of annual rainfall, you’ll experience sunshine nearly all year long. Thanks to the great weather in Atascadero, you can constantly spend time outside at local places like the Three Bridges Oak Preserve Trailhead, the Sunken Gardens, and of course, Atascadero Lake Park mentioned above.
Tips for Moving to Atascadero
- Join a great community of people who love living in Atascadero.
- Plan on visiting top local places like the Charles Paddock Zoo as soon as you can.
- Head over to great restaurants such as Marston’s 101 and the Guest House Grill.
- Look through the neighborhoods and local schools to find the best place for you.
- Prepare for great weather that lasts from January to December.
Does relocating to Atascadero sound like the right move for you? The dependable crew of Atascadero movers here at Mentors Moving & Storage would love to help with your upcoming transition! Call today at (480) 376-1009 or fill out the Request a Quote form at the top of this page!
