Templeton, CA 52 Apartments for Rent

Next time you pick up a bottle of wine with a Paso Robles appellation, you can be nearly 100 percent sure that at least some of the grapes that gave their lives in its service started on vines in Templeton, an unincorporated area in San Luis Obispo County along California's Central Coast.

Agriculture and ranching used to be the name of the game here -- nowadays, ranching and most farming have given way to the region's newest marquee crop: the grape. Vineyards and wineries dot the countryside here. If the street signs weren't in English, you might forget you're in California instead of Italy or France. To add to the European flair, the region's other burgeoning export is olive oil.

Moving to Templeton

All those grapes love the Mediterranean climate found here. Expect mild winters, dry summers and sweet, sweet sunshine nearly all of the time. Except, of course, when the California Coastal Range, against which this community is tucked, bestows upon Templeton the gift of summer fog. Even so, there's no bad time of year to move here. The weather won't give you much grief -- especially compared to some parts of the country.

Prepared prospective tenants are the best prospective tenants: wow your potential landlord by coming prepared to apartment showings with your proof of income, credit history and contact information for prior landlords who can vouch for your stellar character. Don't forget your checkbook, either. You'll be expected to provide first (and sometimes also last) month's rent along with a security deposit when you sign the lease on your new place.

Neighborhoods in Templeton

So, this place is pretty small. It likes it that way. We won't divide neighbors by calling out specific neighborhoods, but we will give you a general feel for where you can find what in this lovely Central Coast town.

Central Templeton: This area gives you your best shot at finding studio apartments for rent (kinda hard) or rental condos (slightly easier). Having all bills paid is a bit of a stretch -- it's just not commonly done here. You'll enjoy easy access to Highway 101 -- California's famed El Camino Real ("Way of the Kings") that will take you all the way to Los Angeles or San Francisco, depending on whether you're craving sun or fog. You'll find most of Templeton's restaurants here along Main Street. Try AJ Spurs Saloon and Dining Hall for a little historical flair with your American fare.

Outer Templeton: That's a clunky description for the part of town not centered around the highway. The further you go, the more space you get, until you reach a relatively rural status. Put another way, you get more grapes the further out you go. You won't have much in the way of shops or restaurants in the outer areas -- but that's kind of the point, right? Three-bedroom houses for rent, however, will be found here.

Living in Templeton

Templeton's darling Main Street is the heart of this community. Templeton Park and its public swimming pool are here to take care of you when you get tired of walking among the vineyards practicing your Italian or stomping grapes at harvest time. Try Martin's on Main for the best burgers around. Likewise, your cute, boutique shopping options are in the center of town, with some service stations along other major roads. Big box retail and substantial errands, however, will take you about five minutes up Highway 101 into Paso Robles -- it's not a major city, but it's this area's major city. All the amenities you can't get in Templeton can be found here.

In the 1800s, the area that is now Templeton (as well as Paso Robles and most other nearby communities) was part of the sprawling Rancho Paso de Robles -- a Mexican land grant. In 1886, R.R. Harris was sent by his boss at the West Coast Land Company to lay out the town south of Paso Robles for generously sized business and residential lots, with the instruction that he name the new place "Crocker" after a Southern Pacific Railroad baron. Instead, he named it after his two-year-old son, Templeton.

If you move here, you'll be in good company. Actor Josh Brolin ("Goonies never say die!") was born here, and Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax lived here in the 1970s.

Oh, also, wine tasting. Did we mention there's wine here? Go toast your new future in Templeton.