On Becoming a "Local" and not merely another "Just-Arrived"

“Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.” Thus observed Mark Twain. And one might deduce that he had experienced our Central Coast after writing, “In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

So many people seek to move to the Central Coast primarily because of our climate. What some don’t understand is, use of the word “climate” in the singular is incorrect. In truth, depending upon the season, one might very be able to experience Twain’s 136 different kinds of weather in a single day  all without leaving San Luis Obispo County.

Unlike, say, the San Joaquin Valley to the east where one could travel hundreds of miles without any discernable change in temperature or weather conditions, the Central Coast provides us numerous unique microclimates within short proximity to each other. Don’t like the weather where you are? No problem. Just drive a short distance (or sometimes even just walk a short distance) and you can experience different weather.

There are three major climate regions: the north and south counties which are separated by the Cuesta Grade north of San Luis Obispo and the swath of coast running the length of the county. Whereas it is unusual for temperatures to drop below freezing or above the 70’s in the south county, winter freezes and summer days bypassing 100 are common in the north. The coast is backwards. During the summer when other places are sunny and hot, our coastline is apt to have morning fog or, occasionally, fog all day. On those rare occasions when coastal temperatures have us sweltering in the 90’s during the day, however, we know that, as soon as the sun dips the coastal influence will cool us down dramatically.

Along the coast one might find different microclimates within as near as ½ mile. Pismo Beach may be apt to have summer fog yet just a couple of miles up the coast Avila Beach could be sunny and warm. The north end of Shell Beach could be sunny yet ½ mile down the road in the village of Shell Beach the fog could be dense. One might expect to find a comparable condition between more sunny Cayucos and less sunny Morro Bay though they’re only separated by a few miles.

So remember, when we talk about the weather around here we have to be sure that both conversationalists  are talking about the same place.