aiesec san luis obispo reception guidebook
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For Potential Exchange ParticipantsTRANSCRIPT
SAN LUIS OBISPOReception Guidebook
Hello,
San Luis Obispo Chapter would like to welcome you with open arms to the beautiful lands of California! The Reception Guidebook will guide you in what to expect for your first day arrival and give you a stepping-stone to immerse yourself into the culture of this city.
We encourage you to interact with our chapter as much as possible, for it is a sure way to guarantee spontaneous tourist guides and memories that you will remember for a lifetime. There is so much to do and so little time, so soak up the sunshine, let the moments begin, and let your eager curiosity guide you to learn more about this country.
We are here as a helping hand and we hope to be in the future good friends. So don’t hesitate to contact the AIESEC Team if you need any assistance. We understand the importance of spread-ing culture and the impact AIESEC has in desiring to change the world with sending one EP at a time, but we want to ensure you feel comfortable and right at home.
Our chapter has forty strong members dedicated to the organization and attends the AIESEC general meeting at 11am on Thursdays in Building 2 at Cal Poly University. You are more than welcome to come join us!
So with our final words we congratulate you for your active leadership endeavors to qualify for this internship and be a part of striving for peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential. We hope you enjoy San Luis Obispo and we wish you the best.
Sincerely,
AIESEC San Luis Obispo Chapter
Table of Contents
Introduction: Welcome to AIESEC San Luis Obispo Chapter
Chapter 1: Useful Information For Your Stay 1.1 Before Your Arrival .................................................... 11.2 First Days In Town .................................................... 1
Chapter 2: San Luis Obispo (SLO) 2.1 Main Facts ..................................................................... 22.2 Sight Seeing and Culture ............................................. 4 2.3 About San Luis Obispo ................................................ 7 2.4 Traveling In & Around SLO ....................................... 8 2.5 Entertainment and Food Locations ........................... 8 2.6 SLO Mannerisms and Behaviors ................................ 12
Chapter 3: Important Things To Know 3.1 Emergency & Important Contacts ............................. 13 3.2 Cal Poly Campus Map ................................................. 15 3.3 San Luis Obispo In California Map............................ 16
Chapter 4: Executive Board 4.1 Members Contacts........................................................ 17
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Chapter 1: Useful Information For Your Stay In San Luis Obispo
1.1 Before Your Arrival DO YOU HAVE:
Valid passport Visa Proof of health insurance Money Medical prescription information
Good things to keep with you in your suitcase: Passport photo copies Laptop Warm clothes
1.2 First Days In Town Depending on when and where you’re arriving in SLO, someone from the Local Chapter should be able to meet you. That would need to be arranged before arriving. See contact info for the ICX Director and the EB contacts in the back of this Guidebook.
Once you arrive—things you will need
Set up a bank account Get a Social Security number Housing before your lease is signed Cell Phone
Be prepared to have a full day of integration and productivity upon arrival in SLO. Please contact a member of SLO Excutive Board or the ICX Director prior to arrival if you have any questions or concerns. Getting you situated and established here in San Luis Obispo will be our number one priority once you’re on the ground!
About meeting and other reception issues you may contact our ICX Director Andrew:
Andrew SternICX Director
Email: [email protected]
Skype: acsterno
Phone Number: 408-314-6156
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Chapter Two: San Luis Obispo
2.1 Main Facts
San Luis Obispo is one of the larger cities along the central coast of California
rivaled only by Santa Barbara and Monterrey. San Luis Obispo was first founded as a mis-
sion in 1772 when the land was still ruled by Mexico. In 1876 San Luis Obispo was made
into a city as it had been taken by the United States. There are so many things to do in San
Luis Obispo. It is a very active community with a vibrant downtown and energetic college
population. The people of San Luis Obispo are a really great and people will always be
willing to help you out if you have any questions. There is plenty of historical information
about the city here:
- http://www.ci.san-luis-obispo.ca.us/briefhistory.asp
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2.2 Culture and Sightseeing
There are plenty of fun things that you can fill each and everyday with in San Luis
Obispo. With almost year-round sunny weather, there is always something you can do
outside. There are a lot of great places to eat and great shopping downtown and it is just a
great place to walk around if you want some fresh air! Of course the biggest attraction is
our local beaches, which are absolutely beautiful.
DowntownDowntown San Luis Obispo is a picturesque scene of a small town down-town. There are main streets, small delis, and most things are family owned. The sidewalks are extra large in San Luis Obispo because there are so many more people that walk which is very different compared to the rest of California.
PismoPismo beach is one of the famous beaches that is located next to San Luis Obispo. It is about 20 minutes south of downtown San Luis Obispo and it has a great pier and group of restaurants and shops. It also has a piece of the beach where people are allowed to drive and camp which can be a really fun thing to do for a weekend. We here at AIESEC did it for a retreat!
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Avila Avila beach is another beach community just north of Pismo Beach but it is much smaller. There are a number of cute little cafes and bed and breakfasts that line the beautiful beach. This is a wonderful place to relax for a bit with some friends and get a tan!
Morro BayMorro Bay is yet another beach community but this is situated north of San Luis Obispo off the historic Pacific Coast Highway. It is an old city with a very specific fishing town feel. It is named Mor-ro Bay after Morro Rock which is a large rock protruding out of the water. It is a great place to see tons of sea otters and other marine life!
Hearst CastleHearst Castle is a historic sight in California. The luxurious home was created by the late William Randolph Hearst, a huge newspa-per publisher in the early 1900’s. After much success he created this magnificent residence that can be toured now. When building the house he even had wild animals from Africa shipped to live next to his castle and to this day the descendants of some of the Zebra can be seen on the property!
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Madonna InnMadonna Inn is an audacious hotel filled with extravagant colors and crazy structures. Each building has its own theme so guests experience a different feel with whichever room that they stay in. It is a fun place to get dressed up and go to dinner for a night!
MissionThe mission is the oldest structure in San Luis Obispo. It was built in the 1700’s and is located in the center of the city right in downtown. It is a wonderful place to go to just relax because there is plenty of room outside the mission to walk. There are also a few restaurants outside the mission itself along the river that are quite good!
Cal Poly and the PThe P on the campus of Cal Poly is a traditional hike for students of the university. It is a common activity in the beginning of first year’s school year as it has stunning views of the campus and the rest of the city. Definitely a hike that is worth the time!
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San Luis Obispo is a gorgeous place, as you have probably noticed already! But
it is definitely more than just a good back drop; it is also a fun town with a strong
history. The land was originally populated by the Chumash Indians, who were there
almost 10,000 year ago. But then the city of San Luis Obispo was actually founded by
Father Junípero Serra in 1772 with the building of the mission and the Spanish Expan-
sion, long before America reached the west coast. Later in the late 1800’s the Chinese
population took over and had a strong influence in the city, with the help of businessman
Ah Louis. Since then the university, which was founded in 1901, has become the main
influence in the community. And thanks to the constant inflow of new students, San Luis
Obispo has stayed a young and fun town throughout the years.
Downtown is perfect for shopping and eating, but be careful, it is entirely too easy
to spend money there! Luckily the surrounding mountains provide a cheap alternative to
shopping for hikers. Those who are interested in architecture will also love the historic
buildings like the Fremont, and even one built by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Recently San Luis has been the focus of a worldwide study to find the happiest
places in certain regions, and was found to be the overall happiest city in North America.
Oprah, National Geographic and USA Today have all done stories on this and come to
the agreement that it is indeed the finest city, so congratulations on choosing the best!
The central coast of California is a beautiful piece of land that is not as crowded as the
larger cities, creating the perfect getaway. And with the endless adventures San Luis
Obispo can provide, there is never a boring moment.
2.3 About San Luis Obispo
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Because San Luis Obispo is a rather small city, biking is a popular form of transport for many of the population. There is however, an extensive bus network. Most buses run every 20 minutes, however make sure to check schedules either online athttp://www.slocity.org/publicworks/transit.asp or located at each bus stop. There are multiple fare options, including:
Single Fare: $1.2531-Day Pass: $37.00
You can purchase tickets online at http://www.rideshare.org/PurchaseYourPass.aspx or you can purchase multiple day passes on the bus, however make sure to use exact change as drivers do not carry extra cash.
SLO offers a free Downtown Access Pass for those who work downtown, call (805) 781-7531 for more eligibility information.
Taxi ServicesSLO SafeRide
2.4 Traveling in and around SLO
2.5 Entertainment and Food Locations
While San Luis Obispo may be a small California town, it has no shortage of charming sights. The city is often referred to by residents as San Luis, or SLO and was chosen as “the happiest city in America” by Oprah Winfrey.
In the beautiful sunshine that covers SLO for most of the year, you will have many opportunities to explore the more natural beauties that the city offers, such as hiking Bishop’s Peak or enjoying one of the many beaches within 15 miles of the city center with a nice drink in your hand. The restaurants here all have excellent choices on their menu and the nightlife is young and overflowing with excitement.
For information on upcoming events around the city, check out http://visitslo.com/ .
We also recommend looking at http://www.ci.san-luis-obispo.ca.us/visit.asp for more information regarding special events, bus schedules, and hiking trail maps.
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Bishop’s PeakOn a sunny day, it would be great to go on a hike anywhere around SLO, but Bishop’s Peak is certainly a local delight. It is the tallest of the “9 sisters,” a series of mountains stretched around the SLO area. There are multiple hiking trails, ranging in difficulty, so don’t hesi-tate to ask some locals which ones they recommend, they’ll be glad to assist you!
Bubblegum AlleyHiguera at BroadLocated in the heart of downtown, Bubblegum Alley is a must see landmark in SLO. Visitors are encouraged to add to the wall with their own gum, as this 40 yearalleyway continues to add to San Luis’ artistic senses.
Fremont TheaterMarsh StreetThe Fremont is a historical site in it-self, however it is also a great place for a movie night with friends. The theater often shows current movies as well as “Golden Oldies,” so make sure to check the showings online before heading to a surely great night out.
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Firestone Grill – 1001 Higuera St. phone: 805.783.1001http://firestonegrill.com/
Located in the center of downtown San Luis Obispo, Firestone Grill is the heart of San Luis Obispo’s abundant BBQ-style food, with world famous Tri-Tip sandwiches and glorious burgers. Don’t be scared by the long lines, they move quickly, and either way it’s worth the wait. This is also a great venue to grab a beer and watch a sports game with friends, since there are over ten TV screens playing all sorts of sporting events throughout the day.
High Street Deli – 350 High St. phone: 805.541.4738http://www.highstdeli.com/
Built in the 1930’s, High Street Deli is one of SLO’s most notable landmarks and delis. With a funky feel and vibrantly decorated interior, High St. Deli is as much about the food as the experience. Large sandwiches, great food, and welcoming staff make High St. Deli a can’t-miss eat during your time here. It is also conveniently located near the entrance trails to Madonna Mountain, so on a sunny day you couldn’t go wrong grabbing a sandwich before partaking on a lovely hike up the relatively easy Mt. Madonna. Even if High St. isn’t your kind of sandwich, there are numerous other sandwich shops around SLO – depending on your love of sandwiches you might want to complete the “SLO Deli Challenge” and go to each and every one in the SLO area!
Farmers’ MarketHiguera Street Every Thursday, downtown San Luis Obispo hosts an extraordinary market filled with fresh local fruits and vegetables, as well as numerous barbeque stands. Take a stroll down the market during the warm summer evenings, and look for the extrava-gant “Electric Cello Guy” playing contemporary songs while standing in front of the markets sipping on fresh leomnade.
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SLO Brewing Company – 1119 Garden St. phone 805.543.1843 http://www.slobrewingco.com/
Referred to by SLOcals as SLO Brew or its former name, Downtown Brew (DTB), you certainly will be getting a great SLO experience by attending this bar on any weekend evening. Constantly having concerts, SLO Brew has live music downstairs and a more traditional bar experience upstairs, including a few billiards and shuffleboard tables in the back. Tuesday night is known as “pint night,” with $1-$3 house brewed beers – so take a midweek break and make sure to attend this popular night out.
Mother’s Tavern – 725 Higuera St.phone 805.541.8733 http://www.motherstavern.com/
Great as a restaurant and a bar, “Mo Tav” is a classic night out in SLO. Known for its great music and dancing, this is as close as you’ll get to a club in downtown San Luis. Every Wednesday night is TOT Night, with cheap beers and tater tots, as well as a tater tot challenge to compete for free drinks!
Many of the other bars are located on or near Higuera St, so the best way to find out which ones to go to would be to simply ask! Residents of SLO as well as Cal Poly students love showing people around our small town, so don’t hesitate to stop someone on the street and ask where their favorite bar is – who knows, you may find a hidden gem.
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San Luis Obispo is a big area with the small town feel, and all of the comfort too.
And thanks to the large college student population, people are always willing to help
out. The city is very open and friendly, but there are some things that might sound
odd. Locals almost always refer to San Luis Obispo as SLO (pronounced slow) and
even create new words from that.
Here are some things to note about the area:
• San Luis Obispo thrives on local companies and Cal Poly students to circulate business and sell products. This creates the atmosphere to be more personal and maintains a good balance of swaying way from big commercial businesses.
• As said San Luis Obispo is a college town and because of this it creates a unique sense of expressing ones self and is a perfect area to become involved in the community and world issues.
• San Luis Obispo is a beautiful and carefree environment is known for its tourism.
• San Luis Obispo is a very eco-friendly city and encourages the local farms and new, cleaner forms of transportation, biking is the preferred mode of transportation.
• In a city filed with many yoga studios and healthy food markets, being healthy physically and mentally is very common belief held here.
• We support local musicians and encourage you to participate at the local bars and coffee shops. • The residents of San Luis Obispo are active and friendly people, who always have time for a question or suggestion for activities around the area.
2.6 SLO Mannerisms and Behaviors
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Chapter 3: Important Things To Know
3.1 Important Contacts of San Luis Obispo Cal Polytechnic1 Grand Avenue San Luis Obispo, CA 93405Phone: (805) 756-1111
Yellow Cab of San Luis Obispo202 Tank Farm Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Phone:(805) 347-0000
San Luis Obispo Amtrak1011 Railroad AvenueSan Luis Obispo, CA 93401Phone: 1-800-USA-RAIL; (1-800-872-7245)
City of San Luis Obispo 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Fax: (805) 781-7109
City HallPhone: (805) 781-7100
Parking TicketsPhone: (800) 553-4412
Farmers MarketPhone: (805) 541-0286
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center1010 Murray AvenueSan Luis Obispo, CA 93405Phone: 805-546-7600Fax: (805) 546-7892
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San Luis Obispo DMV3190 S. Higuera StreetSan Luis Obispo, 93401Phone: (800) 777-0133
San Luis Obispo Country Library995 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Phone: (805) 781-5991
French Hospital Medical Center1911 Johnson Avenue San Luis Obispo, CA 93401Phone: (805) 542-6370
San Luis Obispo Fire Department2160 Santa Barbara AvenueSan Luis Obispo, CA 93410Phone: (805) 781-7380
Pacific Gas & Electric406 Higuera St # 100San Luis Obispo(805) 595-6405
AT&T (for a phone, internet)491 Madonna RoadSan Luis Obispo, CA 93405Phone: (805) 546-6400
*There are blue poles located all around the Cal Poly campus. If you do not feel safe, click the button on the blue pole and someone will come and help you.
In Case of Emergency, dial 911.
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4.2 Cal Poly Campus Map
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4.3 San Luis Obispo In California Map
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Chapter 4:Members of the Executive Board
Alex Williams Local President
P: 805-423-3067E: [email protected]
Andrew SternVP of Account Delivery
P: 408-314-6156E: [email protected]
Matina KatsioulerisVP of Out Going Exchange
P: 303-250-0508E: [email protected]
Tyler AlmeidaVP of Business Development
P: 310-612-2763E: [email protected]
Ebony ChettoVP of Communications
P: 951-207-1563E: [email protected]
Tyler Henderson VP of Finance
P: 949-212-9026E: [email protected]
Richard Bauer VP of Talent Management
P: 530-848-4583E: [email protected]