Atascadero has a mix of walkable areas concentrated around its downtown, with shops, restaurants, and landmarks like the historic City Hall, making it pleasant for occasional strolls. However, beyond this central area, the city’s layout is more spread out and car-centric. The presence of pleasant parks and trails like Atascadero Lake Park provides recreational walking options, but they are not practical for daily errands or commuting. Efforts are being made to enhance walkability, particularly downtown, but the city remains largely car-dependent, limiting the ability of travelers to rely solely on walking.

Public transit in Atascadero is minimal and primarily consists of the Dial-A-Ride service, which, while convenient, operates within restricted hours and is not a fully functional network. Links to nearby cities like Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo are possible via the Regional Transit Authority, but these require planning due to infrequent schedules. This means that for travelers without a car, navigating the area using public transit can be challenging, with limited options and coverage.

Biking in Atascadero is somewhat feasible, with available recreational biking routes like the Jim Green Trail, but these serve more for leisure than for commuting. Plans for bike connectivity improvements are in place, yet are still under development. Currently, biking on highways or main streets may be uncomfortable due to limited bike lanes or shoulders, posing risks for those attempting to cycle around the city for daily travel or errands.