1940s Maps of San Luis Obispo, California

Explore 4 historic maps of San Luis Obispo from the 1940s. These maps offer a rare glimpse into what life looked like during the 1940s — showing old roads, neighborhoods, homes, and landmarks that have changed or disappeared over time.

Whether you're researching your family's past, planning a metal detecting trip, or studying how San Luis Obispo's landscape evolved across the 1940s, these high-resolution maps are a powerful tool for exploring the history of this region.

  • Focus on a specific era: All maps on this page are from the 1940s, giving you a focused view of this time period.
  • See what’s changed: Compare century-old streets, trails, and buildings to today's modern landscape using overlays and satellite layers.
  • Research with precision: Use these maps for genealogy, historical research, land use analysis, or educational projects.
  • View, download, or print: Maps are fully viewable online in high resolution, and can be downloaded or printed for your own records.

Start exploring San Luis Obispo's history through authentic maps from the 1940s. This is your window into the past.


San Luis Obispo, CA maps

(4)
  1. 1942 Map of San Luis Obispo
    1942 Map of San Luis Obispo
    1942 San Luis Obispo
    1942 Print · USGS
    San Luis Obispo and the surrounding Santa Lucia Range are captured here just before the mid-century expansion, centered on the Southern Pacific rail line. Researchers can trace early campus boundaries at the California Polytechnic School and find rural landmarks like Stowe Sch and Eagle Ranch.
    2 unique versions available

  2. 1942 Map of Arroyo Grande
    1942 Map of Arroyo Grande
    1942 Arroyo Grande
    1942 Print · USGS
    The San Luis Obispo coastline and the fertile Cienega Valley are shown here in the early 1940s, as steam and narrow-gage rails still shaped the local economy. Genealogists can locate vanished schools like Belleview Sch and trace the paths of the Pacific Coast Railway and Southern Pacific Railroad through Oceano and Edna.
    3 unique versions available

  3. 1947 Map of San Luis Obispo, 1948 Print
    1947 Map of San Luis Obispo, 1948 Print
    1947 San Luis Obispo
    1948 Print · USGS
    Coastal California at the dawn of the Cold War reveals a landscape of massive military reservations and quiet seaside towns. Genealogists and researchers can trace the Southern Pacific rail line, old mining sites like Los Burros Mine, and local landmarks from Point Buchon to the Carrizo Plain.

  4. 1948 Map of San Luis Obispo
    1948 Map of San Luis Obispo
    1948 San Luis Obispo
    1948 Print · USGS
    Central Coast life in the late 1940s is centered on the Southern Pacific rail line and expanding military bases. Genealogists can trace early rural life through Union School and local operations like the Klau Mine or Buena Vista Mine.

End of results
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Frequently asked questions

  • What are the different types of historical maps available for San Luis Obispo?
  • What is the oldest map of San Luis Obispo?
  • Where can I purchase historical maps of San Luis Obispo for my home or office?
  • Where can I download high-res historical maps of San Luis Obispo?
  • Are there historical topographic maps available for San Luis Obispo?
  • Is there historical aerial imagery available for San Luis Obispo?
  • Where are historical maps of San Luis Obispo sourced from?