Atascadero is a city located in San Luis Obispo County, California, within the United States. It is situated along U.S. Route 101 and serves as part of the San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles metropolitan statistical area, which covers the entirety of the county.
Geographically, Atascadero is positioned further inland than many other cities in the region. This location results in a distinct climate characterized by warmer, drier summers and cooler winters compared to nearby coastal locations such as Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. The city is also served by State Routes 41 and 46, which provide transit links to both the Pacific Coast and California's Central Valley.