Page 61 - SLO Visitor's Guide - Winter 2023

Atascadero Outdoor activities abound
The city of Atascadero, originally founded by E.G. Lewis in the early 1900s as a utopian community, is a popular location for shopping, dining and strolls along the lake shore. Home to the Charles Paddock Zoo, the town has a large selection of restaurants offering a range of cuisine from rib-sticking American style to Asian, Mediterranean and more. Breweries, wine tasting, bakeries, antique stores, specialty shops, boutiques and art galleries are tucked away in locations along the main El Camino Real and
on side streets around the Sunken Gardens. Popular area wineries are only a short drive from downtown and any of the town’s several hotels.
Attractions
Atascadero Lake Park
A 1.3-mile easy walk path circles the lake in the park providing views of the lake, the many varieties of
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birds that frequent the lake and other visiting wildlife. Bring binoculars; more than 48 species of birds have been sighted at the lake and recorded on ebirds.org. Leashed dogs are allowed and the path is also a favorite place for cyclists. The park has restrooms, small barbecue and recreation areas. The Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial occupies the edge of the park facing Morro Road and is well worth a visit. The park is located at 9305 Pismo Ave, Atascadero just off of Morro Road (Highway 41).
Charles Paddock Zoo
The zoo is one of only 211 zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, this zoo was founded in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a county park ranger who nursed injured wild animals back to health. Today, the zoo covers more than
five acres. Many of the zoo residents are part of a world-wide program to
preserve animals and their habitats. Some of these rare and endangered animals include the American Alligator and endangered owls and the Greater Roadrunner native to California. The zoo is located at 9100 Morro Rd, Atascadero. For hours and more information call (805) 461-5080 or visit charlespaddockzoo.org.
Golfing
Atascadero and North San Luis Obispo County has several challenging golf courses. Contact any of these
golf courses directly for tee times and more information: Chalk Mountain Golf Course, Links Golf Course of Paso Robles, Paso Robles Golf Club, Hunter Ranch Golf Course and River Oaks Golf Course.
Historic City Hall
Atascadero’s historic city hall is probably the city’s best known historic building. Located at 6500 Palma Ave.
and gracing the back of the Sunken Gardens, the double-domed Italian Renaissance building was originally constructed in 1914 as the Atascadero Administration Building. After founder E.G. Lewis declared bankruptcy
the building was purchased in
1927 and, over the years, served
as three different private schools
and a bank. It became the Veterans Memorial Building when acquired
by the County of San Luis Obispo in 1954, and served as a community building. When the City of Atascadero incorporated in 1979, government offices occupied the building until it suffered major damage in the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake. After years of reconstruction and restoration, Historic City Hall opened again in 2013.
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