SLO named one of Outside magazine’s Best Towns Ever

San Luis Obispo — already the “happiest city in America” and the best college town — can thank its sun, surf and food for its latest national accolade.

Outside magazine in July will recognize San Luis Obispo as one of its 25 Best Towns Ever: Where to Live Now, a list that recognizes areas for “having all the adventure a traveler could ask for, while also offering drool-worthy food and drink scenes, a kid-friendly environment and a welcome mat to people of all backgrounds.”

San Luis Obispo will be named “Best Blend of Sunshine, Food, and Beaches,” according to a news release: “Set just minutes from both the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Range, San Luis Obispo is roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles — and, fortunately, is nothing like either city.”

This year, Outside enlisted the help of advisers to select the top 25 towns — the magazine asked for help from readers in the past. Three other West Coast cities will be included on the list: Bishop, California will be dubbed “Best Climbing Hamlet to Call Home Before It’s Too Late,” Bend, Oregon is to be named “Best Multi-Sport Town” and Seattle will be included as “Best Big City with Bona Fide Adventure.”

“For the past five years, our readers have chosen our list of the best adventure towns,” said Jonah Ogles, Outside associate editor, in a news release. “For the first time, we assembled a council of experts to help us pick the greatest places in America. Thrill-seekers will never have to look too far in these spots, whether mountain climbing, whitewater rafting or conquering a singletrack trail.”

This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 1:27 PM with the headline "SLO named one of Outside magazine’s Best Towns Ever."