Our friends at the San Luis Obispo chapter of United Way have made volunteering easier, more rewarding, and even funner! Yesterday they introduced us to VolunteerSLO.org. 

This social network allows people seeking volunteer opportunities in the county, to be connected with the perfect organization to volunteer for. Not only are there companies seeking individuals, but groups of people will also find a way to contribute. This comes in handy for clubs or organizations such as fraternities or sororities, or even the local high-school club with a mind toward community service.

We had a couple staff go through the process of signing up, and we all had the same reaction, "that was so easy". In order to begin surfing through San Luis Obispo volunteer jobs, we simply completed 5 steps. After that, we had our own "wall" created for us (slighlty reminiscent of FaceBook circa 2005). The "wall" displays our updates, and hours worked (which can auto-populate, depending on the listing you respond to. 

After poking around for a bit, we noticed perhaps the feature with the widest appeal/need in our community. You are able to add more details on your profile, which will enable you to help out in a major crisis. The details they ask for, will be added to a database, which is accessed in an emergency. This is in order to quickly bring together residents with particualr skills that may be in need. There is more than just "are you a doctor or a mechanic?" type of question about your skills. Everyone from cooks, to executives, teachers and landscapers can find a way to be included in this vital list of designated volunteers.

If you want to know more, you can read the United Way's press release, or simply head on over to VolunteerSLO.org to get started helping out in our community right away! Volunteering is aNOTHER perfect way to embrace San Luis Obispo County's motto - "NOT FOR OURSELVES ALONE"

What are your plans for Saturday, December 6th? We hope to see you at the inaugural SLO YMCA Moonlight 5K fun-run. Participants are asked to sign up prior to November 30. This race is sure to be a great time for people of all skill levels and anyone over 6 years old! Dads and Moms, feel free to bring your strollers.....but leave your four-footed, furry kids at home (no dogs).

The race itself will begin just after sunset (around 5pm). Upon completion, participants will be invited to stick around to enjoy the sense of community only the San Luis Obispo YMCA can bring together. Dancing, food, dancing, music....you know, a good time! Your entry fee helps San Luis Obispo YMCA, but also includes glow sticks, glow paint stick, a raffle ticket, snacks, and a glowing event T-shirt!!

For $35 ($30 for current SLO YMCA members) you can help a great cause, get a little exercise on one of San Luis Obispo County's best trails/golf courses, and walk away with a shirt to remember all the fun. Get a group of friends together (contact the YMCA for a group discount) and head out to Avila Beach on Dec 6 for the SAN LUIS OBISPO YMCA 5K FUN RUN!!


find the San Luis Obispo YMCA on social media @sloymca

As far as historic American highways go, the Pacific Coast Highway is second only to historic Route 66.

Originally started in the 1930’s, the Pacific Coast Highway extends from the tip of Baja, California to the 

Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Since its completion, the Pacific Coast Highway has become a favorite 

destination for RVers, and photographers alike. 

Along its trek from southern California to northern Washington, the Highway winds along the coast. 

There are 21 California Spanish Missions that reach from San Diego to north of San Francisco, 

each with a unique story to tell. These missions represent the first contact the California Native 

Americans had with Europeans and are a living history of the struggles and triumphs that each 

culture experienced hundreds of years ago. The missions were all established as churches and 

some are still active with mass held regularly since their founding. Others have become part of the 

California State Park system. The buildings started as humble rooms and grew to the stately adobe 

structures that are still standing today. They were started by the Franciscan order with the first one 

in 1769 and the last in 1833. The El Camino Real, or The Royal Road, still links the missions from 

San Diego to Sonoma, although it follows modern highways today. Each mission has a fascinating 

founding story that is steeped in history and the politics of Spain at the particular time that they were 

built. Some of the most interesting ones to visit today are:

California is a state full of amazing sites, natural wonders and history, so it's actually pretty difficult 

to decide what you do when you get there, or even if you live there. Today though, I thought I would 

ignore the more commercial attractions and look at the historic natural and man-made attractions 

that are nearby.


Redwood National Park

3 hours north of San Luis Obispo is the Redwood National park. This park is full of trees (of course) as well

Heading from the Village of Arroyo Grande toward Lopez Lake, you will surely pass a road sign that leaves you scratching your head. "Who-as-na?", "Hue-snay?", "Oh-Susanna?"....

Huasna (wah'-znah) Road is a 

Each time I travel from my home in Slo County, to Las Vegas, I take Highway 58 all the way to I15. We go to Las Vegas A LOT (I know what you're thinking, but I don't have a problem....I have an Italian wife. Her grandfather's company built all the old hotels). Each one of these trips, we come to a sign (just after the solar farms these days)  that says "Carrizo Plains National Monument - Soda 

I figured I'd start this website, the same place I start every day....(Guadalupe-Nipomo) Dunes. The dunes are my backyard, and are one of the most beautiful natural wonders Slo County has to offer.

Located just south of Pismo Beach, The dunes in Oceano offer the only