1965 Map of San Luis Obispo

About this map

The landmark Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa anchors the downtown district of this coastal valley, which is documented here during a period of significant mid-century expansion. The map details the educational and institutional landscape of the late 1960s, notably the sprawling campus of California State Polytechnic College and the specialized facilities at the California Mens Colony. Significant geological features such as Bishop Peak and Cerro San Luis Obispo frame the city, while the Southern Pacific railroad and the Pacific Coast Highway define the primary transportation corridors. Rural history is preserved through markers like the Dallidet Adobe and the Old Mission, while the northern hills show the footprint of mining activity at the Pick and Shovel Mine within the Los Padres National Forest. The presence of Laguna Lake and the various creeks draining the Los Osos Valley illustrate the complex hydrology of the region.