It served as an Infantry Division Camp and Cantonment Area for the United States Army during World War II.

State Route 1 passes through the camp about halfway between the cities of Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo.

Salinas Dam, which forms Santa Margarita Lake, was built to supply water to Camp San Luis Obispo.

The lake now supplies water to the city of San Luis Obispo, though it is still owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

A major component of the California Military Academy is OCS (officer candidate school), designed to train individuals to commission as federally-recognized Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Army National Guard.

The Conservation Corps State Museum is located in four barracks buildings on the grounds of Camp San Luis Obispo.

The camp also hosts the Civil Air Patrol's Encampment for the California Wing during the summer, as well as the Cadet Programs Conference in mid-February.