SLO County is experiencing record-high temperatures. Here’s how to beat the heat
Much of California is experiencing a heat wave with temperatures reaching into the 90s.
San Luis Obispo County has broken multiple high temperature records — with Paso Robles hitting 93 degrees on Tuesday, March 17, and 95 degrees on Wednesday, March 18, according to the National Weather Service.
Meanwhile, the temperature at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport reached 97 degrees on Tuesday and Thursday, March 19, shattering records.
Parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties were under a heat advisory as of Friday, March 20.
The advisory affects communities including SLO, Arroyo Grande, Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Nipomo and Pismo Beach.
In the North County, the weather service issued a separate heat advisory for communities including Atascadero, Creston, Paso Robles, San Miguel and Shandon. Both advisories will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.
Temperatures could reach unsafe levels for sensitive populations including “the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning and those active outdoors,” the weather service warned.
Here’s how to stay cool as temperatures climb:
Go to the beach
SLO County is home to some beautiful beaches that are perfect for anyone looking to cool off.
Pack your sunscreen and snacks and hit one of these sandy spots:
Avila Beach: Protected and south-facing, Avila Beach is a good option for a beach day. You can take a swim, build sandcastles and watch for marine life. Plus, the beach is just steps away from plenty of waterfront restaurants and shops, as well as the Central Coast Aquarium.
Pismo Beach: Pismo Beach is another good option for families looking to staying cool. Take a walk along the Pismo Beach Pier before heading down to the sand.
Other good beach options in SLO County include Morro Strand, Cayucos and Moonstone Beach.
Head to a lake
SLO County lakes offer plentiful options for boating, fishing, swimming and recreating on the shore.
Lake Nacimiento: Lake Nacimiento is a great option for North County residents. The lake northwest of Paso Robles offers boat, paddleboard and fishing pole rentals. Plus, swimming is permitted. A Lake Nacimiento day use pass costs $19 per vehicle.
Lopez Lake Recreation Area: Lopez Lake is about 10 miles east of Arroyo Grande, making it a convenient option for SLO County folks. The lake is open for fishing and swimming, with an average water temperature of 70 degrees, its website says. A day-use pass for Lopez Lake costs $12 per car.
Cool off at a swimming pool
Swimming pools are another great way to cool off — and SLO County has a few options to chose from.
SLO Swim Center: Nestled against Sinsheimer Park in San Luis Obispo, the SLO Swim Center at 902 Southwood Drive offers an Olympic-sized pool with diving boards plus a heated therapy pool, according to its website. Admission costs $4.75, or $4.25 for seniors and youth.
Avila Hot Springs: Another swimming option is the Avila Hot Springs, 250 Avila Beach Drive in Avila Beach. Day passes cost $29, or $26 for children and seniors. Half-day passes cost $18.
Several public pools in SLO County were closed for the season as of Thursday, including Templeton Pool, Atascadero High School Pool and Paso Robles Centennial Pool.
The Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles and Mustang Waterpark in Arroyo Grande will reopen in May.
Get a sweet treat
Ice cream and other frozen treats can help you cool off after a long day under the sun.
Luckily, SLO County is home to several local spots offering a range of ice-cold desserts.
Negranti Creamery: Negranti Creamery, which has several locations across SLO County, makes its ice cream from sheep’s milk. Cow’s milk flavors and dairy-free options are also available, its website says. Its Atascadero shop is nestled next to Ancient Owl Beer Garden, while its Tin City location is close to several other food and drink options. Negranti also has San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles locations.
Fosters Freeze: Fosters Freeze, 801 Piney Way in Morro Bay, is a classic spot serving up soft-serve cones, milkshakes and sundaes in addition to food. The fast food restaurant is just a short distance from Morro Rock and the waterfront.
Hula Hut: Hula Hut, 380 Front St. in Avila Beach, sits right along the waterfront, making it a good escape for folks who want to enjoy a beach day, too. The eatery offers ice cream, smoothies, candy and fudge as well as food.
Hubbalicious Sweet Shoppe: Hubbalicous Sweet Shoppe, 110 East Branch St. in the historic Village of Arroyo Grande, not only sells fudge and candy — it also serves a selection of Rosa Brothers ice cream and milkshakes.
The city of San Luis Obispo has several options for folks craving something cold and sweet, including:
- McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream
- Splendor Ice Cream
- SLO à La Mode
- Nite Creamery
- Tifa Chocolate and Gelato
- Gemlato
- Perfect Scoop
See local options for indoor activities
SLO County also has plenty of indoor activities available for families who’d prefer to stay out of the sun.
SLO County museums: San Luis Obispo County is home to a multitude of museums for all ages and interests. Explore the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art at 1010 Broad St., or head to the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History at 20 State Park Road to learn more about local habitats and the impact of nature in the area. Admission for the Morro Bay museum is $3; kids get in free.
SLO County libraries: Families can also escape the heat by exploring one of SLO County’s many library locations. Library cards are free for SLO County residents within the libraries’ service area. The county has library locations in Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Cambria, Cayucos, Creston, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Oceano, SLO, San Miguel, Santa Margarita, Shandon and Shell Beach. Paso Robles residents are served exclusively by the Paso Robles City Library.
Movie theaters: If you want to enjoy air conditioning for a couple hours, a matinee at a local movie theater could fit the bill. SLO County has a variety of options from Regal Cinemas in Arroyo Grande and Downtown Centre Cinemas in San Luis Obispo to Colony Cinemas in Atascadero and Park Cinemas in Paso Robles.
Head to a cooling center
40 Prado Homeless Service Center, 40 Prado Road in San Luis Obispo, activates its cooling center during high temperatures. The cooling center will close Friday, March 20.
Cooling centers at ECHO shelters in Atascadero and Paso Robles were closed as of Thursday and will only open if the temperature reaches 95 degrees or higher, according to staff.
How to stay safe during hot weather
According to the National Weather Service, you should follow these tips to stay safe during hot weather:
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol.
- Stay in an air-conditioned room.
- Stay out of the sun.
- Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.
- Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
- Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Take a cool bath or shower.
“Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries,” the weather service said. “Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.”
However, you should avoid directing air flow from portable electric fans toward you if the room temperature is hotter than 90 degrees, the weather service said, noting that “the dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health”
The California Department of Public Health also recommends wearing sunscreen to protect your sun against direct sunlight, ideally with a sun protection factor of be 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours.
If someone is experiencing heat stroke — exhibiting symptoms of confusion, hot and dry skin and loss of consciousness — you should call 911 immediately.
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