Past Meets High-Tech Present in San Luis Obispo’s New Historical Tour Podcast

90-Minute Multimedia Walking Tour Explores Rich Roots of “Happiest” USA Destination

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (January 03, 2011) -- People around the world recently learned of San Luis Obispo, CA thanks to its new, highly publicized designations as the “Happiest Place in the US” (Thrive, National Geographic: 2010) and one of the top ten “Best Places to Retire” (Wall Street Journal, October 2010); but the idyllic destination, perfectly poised halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, has enjoyed a long, rich history of popularity. The city celebrates this well-preserved and peopled past with the introduction of the first of three, 90-minute multimedia walking tour podcasts of historic downtown San Luis Obispo.

Combining audio narrative with visual archival photos, the podcast can be downloaded for free from iTunes onto any of several hand-held devices, such as iPads, iPods, or most “smart phones,” giving users a richly detailed and multi-layered look at the city’s history (iPods are also available for rental from the History Center of San Luis Obispo, the starting point of the tour; history buffs can take the tour virtually and remotely via the internet). 

Enhanced with then-and-now photos, the tour gives an historic perspective of modern-day monuments such as the recently renovated Wineman Hotel, the longstanding JP Andrews Building, and Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, while revealing the site where bullfights were once held and giving first-hand accounts of the many public hangings once conducted by the Vigilance Committee.

Funded by the City of San Luis Obispo’s Promotional Coordinating Committee (PCC), the podcast promises to preserve and grant access to the city’s past for the growing numbers of technologically advanced visitors and residents. PCC Chair Marco Rizzo says, “Living and visiting in San Luis Obispo, a city so rich in history and lore, it is imperative we share this knowledge in a way for everyone to enjoy.” 
 

Two more podcast tours are scheduled to be completed by July 2011 — one for the Railroad District of the city, and one that takes walkers through the little-known “underground” landmarks of the Prohibition Era. To download the currently available free tour, click here.

San Luis Obispo, CA is the cultural hub of the scenic Central Coast of California. The city’s over 30 downtown hotels—including B&Bs, boutique inns, larger chain hotels and economy lodges—provide the ideal home base for day trips and excursions to city, county and region-wide pristine beaches, premier wine country, breathtaking state parks and one-of-a-kind attractions like Hearst Castle, Mission San Luis Obispo, and the world-famous Thursday Evening Farmer’s Market.