Guadalupe is economically and socially tied to the city of Santa Maria, which is about 8 miles (13 km) to the east.

[10] The first European land exploration of Alta California, the Spanish Portolá expedition, camped near today's Guadalupe on September 1, 1769.

Franciscan missionary and expedition member Juan Crespí noted in his diary that they found "a very large lake".

The lake has since mostly filled in, leaving a low-lying plain traversed by the Santa Maria River and several tributaries.

Rancho Guadalupe was settled by pioneers of many unique backgrounds, such as European, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Mexican.

When completed, it is expected to boost the city's population to the 10,000 that is considered the threshold for attracting chain stores and restaurants.

[15] Voters overwhelmingly approved the passage of three new tax and fee measures, which, along with the aforementioned residential and commercial developments, helped stabilize the city's economy.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), 99.60% of it land and 0.40% of it water.

[23] Apio Inc. and Obispo Cooling take produce in from the surrounding fields and prepare it for shipping to points across the nation as well as overseas.

For half a century, the city was home to the famous Far Western Tavern (formerly the Palace Hotel), until it relocated to Old Town Orcutt in 2012, following the death of founder and philanthropist Clarence Minetti.

In addition to the Dunes Center,[30] the town contains an art museum, the Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society, a public library, veteran's memorial, and the Masatani Mansion.

Built in 1939, the Royal was originally owned and managed by Japanese-American businessmen Arthur Fukuda, Jack Takeuchi, and Kiyozo Noji, who were relocated to internment camps in 1942.

[27] Currently, the city plans to repurpose the building as a community arts center, and to have the site registered as an historic landmark.

[33] Former President and then-Republican Party nominee George W. Bush and his wife Laura paid visit to Guadalupe, eating at La Simpatia restaurant as part of a two-day campaign trip during the 2000 election.

At the end of the 5-mile trail (8.0 km), which passes through Vandenberg Space Force Base, is the isolated Point Sal State Beach.

[35] The Guadalupe Wrestling Club was established in 1979 for the youth and has produced numerous state champions over the years.

The Guadalupe Police Department runs the Gladiator's club, which provides peer-to-peer mentoring for fifth and sixth grade youth.

[36] The Boys & Girls Club and the Riverview apartment tutoring program provide places for children to go after school.

Guadalupe is at the intersection of California State Route 1 and 166, providing easy access to cities north, east, and south, the largest of which is nearby Santa Maria.

There is a large pedestrian bridge in the residential area, which gives an easy way for people to cross the tracks which split the town just east of Highway 1.

[39] Filmmakers have used the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes as a setting for several films, including Cecil B. DeMille's 1923 Ten Commandments and in 1998 The Odd Couple II.