The United States' San Luis Obispo County contains the census-designated place (CDP) of Templeton. The distance along U.S. 101 between it and Paso Robles and Atascadero is around five miles (8 kilometers). The north edge of the town is where State Route 46 crosses U.S. 101. The CDP's total area is 7.8 square miles, 99.37% of which is land and 0.63% is water, according to the United States Census Bureau. However, the majority of U.S. mail for this region is addressed to Templeton, and a large portion of the surrounding unincorporated territory between Atascadero and Paso Robles is regarded as a part of Templeton.

Templeton has a Mediterranean climate, which is typified by pleasant winters, dry summers, and year-round low humidity. Rainfall is mainly restricted to the months of November through March, and it starts to decrease in April. Summer highs can climb to 100 °F (38 °C), with a record high of 115 °F (46 °C), while winter lows can reach 20 to 25 °F (-7 to -4 °C). Templeton, like nearby localities, occasionally experiences brief fog, particularly in the summer when warm valley air collides with cooler coastal air through the Templeton Gap in the Santa Lucia Range. Due to temperature contrasts with the Central Valley, winter also experiences sporadic morning fog.

A variety of public schools are available in Templeton, all of which are managed by the Templeton Unified School District. These include Templeton High School, which serves grades 9 through 12, Templeton Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8, Vineyard Elementary School, which serves grades 3 through 5, and Templeton Elementary School, which serves kindergarten through second grade. Notably, Templeton High School stood out among California's educational institutions by being named a National Blue Ribbon High School in 2006 and having already achieved recognition as a California Distinguished School in 1999 and 2005.

The Twin Cities Hospital, the Templeton Unified School District, and agriculture, especially concentrated on vineyards and wineries, are a few of the key industries that drive Templeton's economy. Along Main Street, the town is home to a variety of enterprises. Despite Templeton's reputation for producing top-notch wine, it's noteworthy to note that a number of wineries bearing the coveted "Paso Robles" appellation are actually found in the unincorporated Templeton region. Castoro Cellars, Peachy Canyon, York Mountain, and Wild Horse are notable wineries in this area. Templeton has also witnessed an increase in the production of olive oil, with various tiny groves growing olives for both consumption and oil, with Pasolivo being one of the notable producers.