You can run location-based searches in a wide variety of formats: by zip codes, addresses, street intersections, park names, airport codes, and even well known monuments. If all else fails, you can even search based on specific latitude and longitude coordinates. Examples might help make all of your options more clear. The following list includes some valid searches that can be run using the location based search:

• San Luis Obispo, CA
• SBP: Airport code for San Luis Obispo
• Meadow Park, San Luis Obispo, CA
• French Hospital, San Luis Obispo, CA
• 93401 93405: Zip codes in San Luis Obispo
• Cuesta College: The local community college just outside of San Luis Obispo.
• 990 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA: City Hall
• Palm St at Osos St, San Luis Obispo, CA: The street intersection by City Hall
• Montana de Oro State Park: The nearest state park to San Luis Obispo
• San Luis Obispo County
• Home: This is a special keyword that, if a member is logged in and has specified a home location on their Account Info page, can be used to run a search for that location.
• Mount Rushmore
• 47.606209, -122.33207: Coordinates can be entered in a wide variety of formats, which you can read more about in How do I list coordinates?

Additionally, the names of a business tend to fail miserably. So searching for Joe's Taco Stand or Madonna Inn will usually not work. Use their addresses or a nearby street intersection instead.