San Luis Obispo was founded in 1772 as a mission in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains on California's Central Coast. The city that grew from a rustic pueblo, with its scattering of adobe buildings, today has a wealth of architectural styles. From the simple barns of the outlying farm community, to the grand hotels and lively saloons kept busy by the Southern Pacific Railroad depot, and back full circle to the Mission Revival style edifices...

"In and around San Luis Obispo takes the reader on a quick tour of the Central Coast, providing behind-the-scenes glimpses into this region's many locations, sight and attractions."--P. [4] of cover.

"California was a wild and lawless place in the 1850s, and San Luis Obispo County was no exception. Outlaws and bandits passed along the El Camino Real, now Highway 101, leaving a trail of victims. Despite attempts to stem the tide of crime with a vigilante committee and a string of executions, notorious men continued to be drawn to the central coast well into the next century. The James brothers, the Daltons and even Al Capone made their mark here,...

Provides "... a systematic look at the architectural legacy of the county. Ten distinct periods of architectural expression between 1500 and 2010 are examined and compared."--Jacket.