$1,316,597Average Value$760Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Proximity to Downtown SLO, hiking trails, and Cal Poly
A few miles northwest of Downtown San Luis Obispo and near Bishop Peak, the Highland area is a popular home base for families and retirees, as well as students and professors at California Polytechnic State University, set 1 mile east. “It truly is a melting pot area and I think that’s what makes the neighborhood truly special,” says area resident Kim Conti DeGroot, principal broker at Kimberly’s Global Real Estate. The neighborhood's melting pot label is also represented in its church offerings, and residents have access to houses of worship belonging to a variety of denominations including Catholic, Baptist, Protestant, Apostolic, Greek Orthodox, Pentecostal and Mormon. “It really does check all the boxes for most homeowners. It’s a great location to hiking trails, downtown and Cal Poly, and shopping and dining is within walking and biking distance for a lot of people in the neighborhood.”
Many of the students of Cal Poly have housing in Highland nearby.
A Highland resident enjoys walking his dogs around the trails of Bishop Peak.
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Modest midcentury homes with larger, newer builds closer to Bishop Peak
Homes in Highland date from the mid-20th century through the 1980s. “It’s an established area that is seeing renovations in a lot of the original homes,” Conti DeGroot says. "It’s not like a planned development where everything looks the same. Everything is custom. If somebody were looking for cookie cutter they would not be looking here.”
Highland's southeast end is primarily lined with small midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows, many renovated to include accessory dwelling units (ADUs) rented by Cal Poly students. “This part of the neighborhood is more affordable because it's made up of older, smaller homes," says Kerry Sansone, a former neighborhood resident and a real estate agent with Compass, "but you’re still paying a premium because of the neighborhood's desirability and lack of inventory. You typically have 6,000 to 8,000 square foot lots here, and while it’s flatter terrain than in the north, you still have views of Bishop Peak." Conti DeGroot says that in this part Highland, “A lot of the homes are what locals call "railroad homes," which were moved into the neighborhood from the railway station near downtown. A lot of those are currently being renovated and have had ADUs built on them within the past few years. Here you’re starting at probably $750,000 for something that needs some work." A well-renovated home in this part of the neighborhood can go for $1.2 million.
The northern part of the neighborhood is closest to Bishop Peak, higher in elevation and more removed from the student population, with larger custom homes built in the '80s and '90s. Sansone says, “You’re probably not going to get in today for less than $2 million, though you can find some that range to $3 million. It’s not uncommon to have a quarter acre lot. Some longtime residents are aging out, so we’re seeing a lot of younger families move in that can afford that caliber of a home.”
Two large homes in Highland have a great view of Bishop Peak and the neighborhood below.
Highland has several mid 20th century ranch style homes with large yards.
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A community park and access to popular hiking trails at Bishop Peak
In the neighborhood’s northwest, residents can access several hiking trails to the roughly 1,500-foot-tall Bishop Peak, which offers panoramic views of San Luis Obispo. A single trailhead on Patricia Drive leads to two different hikes: one steep and 4 miles round-trip, the other a gentler 2-mile loop. In the neighborhood’s south end, the nearly 3-acre Throop Park offers a playground, baseball field and open green space.
Highland residents can hike the trails leading up to the top of Bishop Peak.
Little League teams from around the region play their annual tournament in Throop Park.
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Learning in the highly rated San Luis Coastal Unified School District
Highland is served by San Luis Coastal Unified School District, which Niche rates an overall A and names the best school district in San Luis Obispo County. A lottery-based admission system means that local kids might start school at the A-minus-rated Bishop’s Peak Elementary or the B-rated, dual-immersion Pacheco Elementary. “Both schools are in high demand, and they’re both within walking distance from a lot of the homes,” Sansone says. For seventh and eighth grade, students can move on to the A-rated Laguna Middle. At San Luis Obispo High, also rated A, students can enroll in a variety of career and technical education courses in fields ranging from information and communication technologies to manufacturing and product development.
Bishop's Peak Elementary School provides updated technology to help students learn.
The campus of San Luis Obispo High School is surrounded by the beautiful hills of SLO.
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Shopping and dining along Foothill Boulevard, with abundant options a few miles away downtown
In Highland's southeast corner, California Fresh Market is the go-to for groceries, and local eateries include Raku Ramen for Japanese favorites and Milestone Tavern for bar bites, craft brews and Sunday brunch. Also here, Scout Coffee serves specialty lattes, and SloDoCo Donuts offers a huge selection of creatively crafted donuts, including vegan and gluten free options. A couple of miles southeast, Downtown San Luis Obispo is home to plenty of locally owned dining and retail options, as well as chain stores like Anthropologie and Pottery Barn.
Highland residents can get everything on their grocery list at California Fresh Market.
Scout Coffee is a popular morning caffeine stop for Highland residents.
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Close to downtown events and museums
Every Thursday evening, year-round, locals can shop for a selection of local produce at the Downtown SLO Farmers Market while enjoying live music and food vendors. Every Friday evening throughout the summer, downtown’s Mission Plaza hosts its "Music in the Plaza" series, featuring live performers in an array of genres. Also downtown are museums like the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, which showcases work from local and regional artists, and the intimate Fremont Theater stages touring musicians and comedy acts.
An easy commute to downtown via bus, car or bike
Highland is bordered to the east by Highway 1, which traces most of the California coast. In recent years, Highland has increased its connectivity to downtown and the Cal Poly campus. “San Luis Obispo is implementing a brand-new bike plan, and Chorro Street is one of these thoroughfares where they’ve taken out a lot of parking to accommodate the cyclists going to and from downtown,” Sansone says. SLO Transit bus stops line Highland Drive and Foothill Boulevard. Adventist Health Sierra Vista is less than 2 miles southeast, and San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport is roughly 5 miles southeast.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Highland neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Highland
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Highland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Highland, San Luis Obispo sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Highland, San Luis Obispo over the last 12 months is $1,400,000, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rich Mediterranean accents and custom craftsmanship set the tone for this 3 bedroom, 3 bath, 2,302 sq ft custom home located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. The welcoming entry opens to a formal living room showcasing beautiful hardwood flooring that extends throughout the main level and up the sweeping staircase. The family room features a cozy fireplace enhanced with custom tile work,
Experience timeless Montecito-inspired elegance in this beautifully crafted custom home. From the moment you arrive, the home’s architectural character stands out. A private courtyard entrance, tall arched front door, and dramatic, playful entry sequence set the tone. Step inside and be greeted by a Zen-like atrium with a spectacular waterfall feature, creating an immediate sense of calm and
Unique income-producing property in beautiful San Luis Obispo! This versatile property includes two completely separate units, ideal for investment, multi-generational living, or owner-occupancy with rental income.**Front Unit – 165 Cerro Romauldo (Approx. 420 sq. ft., 1 Bed / 1 Bath)-Fully renovated in 2022 with new plumbing, electrical, and interior finishes-Updated kitchen with
A gem of a find. The Unit is clean and very quiet. NOTE : Studio Will be available January 1, 2026. Please fill out application if you are serious about renting this unit. If you need to speak and/or text me please do so through this site. Email works too. I will be showing unit in December. Lease is 6-12 months. Thank you for your interest. ****** READ----> Single occupancy only. No
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
