Chorro, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chorro, California
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| Nickname(s):
El Chorro Regional Park
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 Chorro, California
Location in California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Luis Obispo |
| Elevation | 666 ft (203 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Area code(s) | 805 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1660479 |
Chorro is a small place in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own city government. Instead, it's managed by the county.
Chorro is located near a railroad line and California State Route 1. It is just north of the city of San Luis Obispo. One of the most famous spots here is El Chorro Regional Park. Chorro is about 666 feet (203 meters) above sea level.
Contents
Discover El Chorro Regional Park
Chorro is best known for the amazing El Chorro Regional Park. This popular park is managed by San Luis Obispo County and offers lots of outdoor fun.
Park History
The name "Chorro" comes from a Spanish phrase meaning "the gushing water." Long ago, this area was mostly used by ranchers for dairy farms and raising cattle.
In the 1940s, the United States government bought this land. They created Camp San Luis Obispo, which was a training camp for the U.S. Army. Soldiers trained here during World War II and the Korean War. The government still owns the land today.
In 1972, during President Richard Nixon's "Legacy of Parks" program, the land was given to the county. The idea was to turn it into a natural park and recreation area. This way, people living in and visiting San Luis Obispo County could enjoy it.
Fun Things to Do
El Chorro Regional Park is a great place for camping! It has 63 campsites. Many sites have full hook-ups, meaning they have electricity, sewer, and water. Other sites are more basic, with water nearby.
Each campsite can fit about 6 to 8 people. You can set up a couple of tents or park a full-sized RV. Some spots can even fit RVs up to 40 feet long.
The park offers many exciting activities, including:
- Rock climbing
- Golf courses
- Hiking trails
- Biking paths
- Picnic areas
- A playground
- Softball fields
- Volleyball courts
- Bird watching
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
Inside El Chorro Regional Park, you'll find the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. It's located right on Highway 1, between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay.
The garden has a big plan to grow to 150 acres! It aims to show plants from the five Mediterranean Climate regions around the world. These are places with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Right now, the garden has a three-acre section. It displays many California native plants. These plants are great for local gardens because they save water and help local wildlife.
The Horseshoe Curve
Near Chorro, there's a famous "horseshoe curve" on the railroad tracks. This curve is part of Amtrak's Coast Starlight train route. This route travels between Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington. The curve is on the uphill climb from San Luis Obispo towards Cuesta Pass.
Earth Day Celebrations
Chorro and El Chorro Regional Park are also well-known for their part in Earth Day celebrations. Many people from San Luis Obispo County come to the park and town to spend the night and celebrate Earth Day.
