Summer is right around the corner and there are plenty of fun (and free!) things to add to your summer bucket list.
May
May 26th: Avila Beach Tequila Festival
Kick off the summer with over 50 tequila brands and Mexican beer at Avila Beach Gold Resort this Memorial Day Weekend! Gates open at 12, tequila tastings 12-3, festival ends at 5 pm. Mexican Cuisine provided by Vetana Grill. Must be 21 or over to attend. A portion of proceeds benefit the Woods Humane Society.
May 26th: Memorial Day Beer Festival
Memorial Day weekend has always been San Luis Obispo’s biggest beer weekend. This year will be no exception. Don’t hesitate to buy your ticket! This is slated to be the largest selection of breweries to sample in one place ever in SLO County.
May 26th: Memorial Day on the Pier
This annual event is designed as a remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Gather at 11 am on the Pismo Beach Pier Promenade to honor and remember those we have lost.
May 26th-27th: Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival
As one of California’s largest festivals and premiere festival on the Central Coast this family-style event brings together thousands of visitors and residents to enjoy activities and entertainment, the Strawberry Stampede, hundreds of art, craft and display booths, ethnic foods, and of course, scrumptious strawberry treats of all kinds in shortcakes, funnel cakes, milkshakes, ice cream and by the box! The wonderful May weather and ambiance of the historic downtown village also add to the merriment of the festival.
May 31st: Goodbye Spring-Hello Summer
Enjoy lush choral music and lively performances from over 50 singers, with a selection of classical, contemporary and popular music for the whole family. At Trilogy Monarch Dunes.
June
June 1st-3rd: Pismo Beach Classic Car Show
The show features over 850 classic cars and street rods for attendees to see in Downtown Pismo Beach. This annual event is fun for the entire family!
June 1st: Pinot and Paella Festival
Join the Paso Pinot Producers and talented local chefs for an afternoon of great wine, creative Paella dishes, and live dance-inducing Latin guitar fusion beats of Incendio.
June 2nd: Spring Garden Tour and Plant Exchange
Here is a wonderful opportunity to tour several Grover Beach gardens and pick up ideas for beautifying your own outdoor space! The Plant Exchange is a great place to exchange a cutting from your garden for something new or pose your gardening questions to local Master Gardeners.
June 3rd-September 30th: Grover Beach Summer Concert Series
Get ready for another great summer of friendly company, delicious food, and great music from amazing local talent. Concerts take place every Sunday at 3 pm in Ramona Garden Park.
June 6th – August 22nd: Templeton Concerts in the Park
The 2018 summer concert series will take place on Wednesday evenings at Templeton Park beginning June 6th through August 22nd (no concert July 4). Bring your family and friends (but no dogs please) to Templeton Park with your lawn chairs and blankets. Sit back, relax, and enjoy an evening of free musical entertainment from 6:30-8:30pm (August 15 & August 22 concerts are from 6pm-8pm).
June 9th: Avila Beach Mac ‘n’ Cheese Festival
Unwind and relax while watching live music and taking in the breathtaking scenery at the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Enjoy a variety of mac and cheeses, plus tastings of wine, beer and spirits with the opportunity to buy full pours. This is a 21+ event. A portion of the proceeds from the 7th Annual Mac and Cheese Fest will be donated to Woods Humane Society.
More Info
June 19th – August 21st: Tuesday in the Park BBQ
Every Tuesday from 5-7 pm enjoy a tri-tip and chicken BBQ dinner complete with all the fixins’ and then sit back and enjoy the Atascadero Community Band from 7-8 pm at Atascadero Lake Park.
June 21st – 23rd: Roll Out the Barrels Festival
Kick off the summer in San Luis Obispo’s Wine Country at the 28th Annual Roll Out the Barrels Weekend. Your getaway to our coastal wine mecca begins Thursday, June 21st at Barrels in the Plaza, with over 50 wineries and local chefs dishing out delicious food and wine. Then on Friday and Saturday, sip your way through San Luis Obispo tasting rooms. Walk the vineyards, barrel sample the new vintage, and enjoy open houses, wine tastings and festivities all day Friday & Saturday! Just pick up your wristband, wineglass and passport booklet at the first winery you head to and bring them along to enjoy the festivities!
June 23rd: Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival
General admission (4-8p) Includes wine, beer and cider tasting featuring Central Coast Wineries, Breweries and Ciders, Art and culinary vendors as well as complementary Charles Paddock Zoo admission
July
July 4th: Atascadero 4th of July Bluegrass Freedom Festival
This year plan your 4th of July Celebration at Atascadero Lake Park where you can enjoy sounds from Snap Jackson and the Knock on Wood Players from 4-8pm! Enjoy boating, bounce houses, and games! Admission is free and there will be food, beer and wine available for purchase.
July 4th: Pismo Beach 4th of July Celebration
Celebrate our nation’s independence with music, food, vendors, and a grand fireworks display from the famous 1,200-foot Pismo Pier! This event is free unless you want to reserve a VIP spot on the pier.
July 4th: Avila Beach 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and Doggie Parade
Come to Avila Beach for Independence Day and spend your morning enjoying a pancake breakfast and doggie parade. The event will be held at the Avila Beach Community Center. Breakfast starts at 8 am and the parade begins at 11:00 am.
July 4th: Cambria 4th of July Picnic in the Park and Fireworks
Bring the family to Cambria’s old-fashioned July 4th Celebration Monday, July 4 at Shamel Park. Fun, food, prizes, live music, dancing and more! Events begin at 11am. Day concludes with a fabulous fireworks display!
July 7th: Central Coast Lavender Festival
Celebrate all that is lavender on the Central Coast with lavender dealers, lavender oil, lavender refreshments, demonstrations and seminars. There will be a special children’s area, arts, crafts, and more. Admission is Free.
July 13th – August 4th: Central Coast Shakespeare Festival
The Central Coast Shakespeare Festival 2018 season presents two plays running in repertory: ‘As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare and ‘The Three Musketeers’ by Alexandre Dumas. Check the website for the complete schedule, show times, tickets and food and wine options. The festival is held at the beautiful and rustic Filipponi Ranch in a natural amphitheater.
July 14th: Ice Cream Zoofari
It’s time to cool down and enjoy a warm summer evening by coming out to an ice cream-filled event at the Charles Paddock Zoo. A relaxing and enjoyable evening is in store for all ages with music, activities, and a wide variety of all-you-can-eat sweet treats, all while enjoying the Zoo!
July 14th: Rock to Pier Run
The 49th Brian Waterbury Memorial Rock to Pier Fun Run will be July 14, 2018. This race starts at 8:30 a.m. This 6-mile event is held entirely on the beach from Morro Rock to Cayucos Pier and is open to participants of all ages and abilities. Along with the Fun Run, there is the Rock’n Around the Pier Half Marathon.
July 18th – July 29th: California Mid-State Fair
Enjoy live music, rodeos, bull riding, prize farm animals, arts & crafts displays, live entertainment, carnival rides, rodeos, monster trucks, wine tasting, food and much more at this hugely popular event.
July 21st-22nd: Central Coast Renaissance Festival
Relax on a shady hay bale and watch riotous stage plays and hilarious comedy acts on four stages throughout the village. See authentic Elizabethan dancing, plays, singing, a falconry show, magic, juggling, and crazy buffoonery. Treat your tastebuds and get in the Renaissance spirit!
August
August 4th: Harmony Wine and Beer Festival
Grab a glass and taste your way through the tiny town of Harmony! Enjoy SLO County’s finest wines and craft brews. Groove to live music and grab a snack from a local food truck. This is a charitable wine event benefitting Cambria-based non-profit Infant Essentials.
August 11th – September 8th: Movie in the Garden at Sunken Gardens
Great movies will be showing this summer at Sunken Gardens for FREE. Bring your lowback chairs and blankets and enjoy the great north county summer nights and a movie!
August 24th: Art and Wine Tour
Come enjoy an evening stroll in beautiful Downtown Atascadero. Your $20 ticket includes a wine glass, tastings among downtown merchants, and tours of Historic City Hall.
August 25th: 30th Annual Dune Run
Enjoy 5k Run, 5k Walk, and 10k Run through scenic Central Coast dunes. Hard-packed beach and soft sand dunes create a fun combination for all ages.
