San Luis Obispo

This walkable California town with a dense food-and-drink scene, vineyards in the surrounding area, and hiking terrain on its doorstep — including Cerro San Luis Obispo, part of the volcanic chain known as the Nine Sisters, which draws hikers, joggers, and mountain bikers. A large wooden stage sits on a plateau below the peak's west side, and a white "M" marks the east face, a landmark from Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School.

• Population47,339
• Nearest water from center 0.2 km0.1 mi
• Nearest mountain from center 1.3 km0.8 mi