Week of Jul 20th – Jul 26th
74 events across Atascadero, Avila Beach, Buellton, Cambria, Cayucos, Lompoc, Los Olivos, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Templeton — your weekly Central Coast Companion dispatch.
Hey coast crew! The Mid-State Fair is wrapping up, but don't worry—the party is just getting started. The 24th Annual Buellton BBQ Bonanza is calling your name this Saturday, and you can balance out all those ribs by frolicking through the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Festival. Smells like a good Instagram op to us.
Friday night gets loud with Old 97's at the Fremont and Concerts in the Plaza, but Sunday is the real headliner: Jack Johnson is bringing the chill surf-rock vibes to SLO. It's the perfect soundtrack for your summer.
Stay weird, Central Coast.
📅 MONDAY Jul 20th
California Mid-State Fair (Final Days) — Paso Robles
🎪 Last call for fried everything, carnival rides, and big-name concerts. The Mid-State Fair wraps up Sunday so squeeze in those rodeo nights and corn dogs before it's gone till next year.
It's the Journey – Featuring George Scribner — Cambria
🎨 George Scribner's exhibition takes over the Cambria Center for the Arts all summer long. The Disney animator turned fine artist brings his creative journey to life through works that'll make you rethink what's possible on canvas. Free admission, so no excuses.
Greenspace Speaker Series — Cambria
🌲 Grab a seat and geek out on local conservation with the Greenspace crew. Smart speakers, passionate locals, and real talk about protecting the wild spaces that make Cambria so special. Come get inspired to save our slice of the coast.
Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series — Santa Ynez
🎶 Classical, jazz, folk, and contemporary acts taking over the open-air Solvang Festival Theater. Bring a blanket, grab some popcorn, and enjoy a summer evening of live music under the stars.
Refugio Ranch Summer Concert Series — Los Olivos
🎶 Weekend live music on the lawn at Refugio Ranch's gorgeous Los Olivos tasting room. Sip their stellar Rhône and Bordeaux blends, grab some seasonal bites, and let the Santa Ynez Valley vibes do the rest. Pure summer magic.
Buellton Farmers Market — Santa Ynez
🥬 Small town charm meets serious produce game. Buellton's weekly market brings together farm-fresh fruit, artisan treats, and that golden hour Santa Ynez Valley energy. Grab some peaches, stay for the community vibes. Free and worth the detour.
Buellton Farmers Market on the Ave — Buellton
🥕 Avenue of the Flags transforms into an open-air market every Monday afternoon. Stock up on farm-fresh produce, grab dinner from food vendors, and browse local artisans. Free, family-friendly, and the perfect way to kick off your week.
Buellton Free Movie Mondays — Buellton
🎬 Free outdoor movies under the stars every Monday in Buellton! Grab a blanket, bring the kids, and claim your spot on the grass. The perfect way to kick off the week without spending a dime.
🎤 TUESDAY Jul 21st
Senior Living Options, Part 2: Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) — San Luis Obispo
🏡 Demystifying CCRCs! Get the real deal on Continuing Care Retirement Communities, from those hefty entrance fees to monthly costs. Perfect if you're planning ahead for yourself or helping aging parents navigate the maze of options.
Pacific Breeze Concerts at Pismo Beach Rotary Amphitheater — Pismo Beach
🎶 Free live music with ocean views at Dinosaur Caves Park. Bring blankets and a picnic, grab a spot on the grass, and let the kids run wild while you enjoy those sweet Pacific breezes. Classic summer night.
Trivia Tuesday at The Collective — Santa Maria
🧠 King Trivia takes over Santa Maria's favorite food hall. Free to play, prizes for 1st, 2nd, and last place. Grab tacos and show off your useless knowledge.
SLO Comedy Underground Open Mic — San Luis Obispo
🎤 Free stand-up comedy at Libertine Brewing's Little Room. Sign-ups at 7, show at 8. Some comics are great, some are trying. Either way, the beer is excellent.
🍷 WEDNESDAY Jul 22nd
Festival Mozaic Free Midday Concerts — San Luis Obispo
🎻 World-class musicians, zero dollars, one perfect hour. Festival Mozaic's midday concerts pop up across SLO County July 22 through August 1. Pack a lunch, sneak out of the office, and let actual festival artists provide your soundtrack.
Solvang Farmers Market — Solvang
🥕 Danish charm meets farm-fresh goodness every Wednesday in downtown Solvang. Stock up on local produce, grab lunch from the food trucks, and enjoy live music. The perfect excuse to wander this cute town.
Solvang Farmers Market — July 22 — Solvang
🥕 Danish charm meets peak summer produce on First Street. Stock up on just-picked fruit, artisan treats, and flowers while live music fills the air. Wednesday afternoons just got way better.
Atascadero Farmers Market — Atascadero
🛍️ Wednesday afternoon market at Sunken Gardens. Local produce, baked goods, and the kind of small-town market where the vendors remember your name.
Pismo Beach Farmers Market — Pismo Beach
🍓 Oceanfront produce shopping every Wednesday afternoon. Grab fresh fruit, hot food, and local crafts with your toes practically in the sand. Free entry, sunset views included.
Wine Down Wednesday at Brick Barn — Buellton
🍷 50% off wines by the glass plus live music at one of Buellton's prettiest estates. Bring a friend, split a bottle, watch the sunset.
Sips & Sounds at Stilson Cellars — Paso Robles
🎶 Midweek wine and live music in the tasting room. Small-batch wines, local musicians, and zero pretense.
Susan Williams Music in the Park – July 22 — Solvang
🎸 Free Wednesday night concerts in the heart of Solvang. Susan Williams brings the tunes from 5 to 8 PM. Grab lawn chairs, pack a picnic, and make it your new summer tradition under the oaks.
Susan Williams Music in the Park Series — July 22 — Solvang
🎶 Free live music at the Solvang Park Gazebo every Wednesday all summer long. Grab a blanket, pick up some aebleskiver, and settle in for a chill evening of tunes in the heart of wine country's favorite Danish village.
Susan Williams Music in the Park — Weekly Concert — Solvang
🎶 Grab a blanket and some pastries to go, then settle in at the Solvang Park Gazebo for free Wednesday night tunes. Susan Williams brings the soundtrack to your summer evening in Danish country.
Susan Williams Music in the Park Series — Solvang
🎸 Grab a blanket and some pastries, then settle in at the Solvang Park Gazebo for free live music every Wednesday. It's the perfect excuse to make your summer evenings a little more Danish.
Susan Williams Music in the Park 2026 — Santa Ynez
🎶 Free Wednesday night concerts at the Solvang Park Gazebo all summer long. Grab a blanket, pick up some pastries, and settle in for live tunes under the evening sky. Your new favorite midweek tradition runs June through August.
Pismo Summer Market — Pismo Beach
🌊 Pier Plaza turns into a sunset pop-up party every Wednesday. Local artisans, live music, and ocean breezes from 5:30 to 7:30. Free to wander, easy to stay longer than planned.
Templeton Concerts in the Park — Summer 2026 Series — Templeton
🎸 Templeton Park turns into the best free backyard party on the Central Coast every Wednesday from 6-8 PM. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket, and a picnic. Skip July 22, that's the off week.
🍻 THURSDAY Jul 23rd
Dine for Del — Cambria
🍽️ Grab dinner around Cambria and support a beloved local cause! Community Dining for Del is the perfect excuse to eat out and make a difference. Dine at participating spots and help rally the town.
Morro Bay Farmers Market — Morro Bay
🛍️ Small-town farmers market with big coastal charm. Fresh produce, local honey, and the kind of conversations that only happen when everyone knows everyone.
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market — San Luis Obispo
🌽 Five blocks of Higuera Street shut down every Thursday night for the Central Coast's ultimate street party. 100+ vendors, famous BBQ, fresh produce, live music, and the best people-watching in SLO.
SLO Thursday Night Farmers Market — San Luis Obispo
🛒 Five blocks of Higuera Street shut down for the best weekly street party on the Central Coast. 100+ vendors, live music, the tri-tip sandwich guy, and the kind of people-watching that makes you forget it's a school night. Year-round, rain or shine.
🎉 FRIDAY Jul 24th
Concerts in the Plaza — San Luis Obispo
🎸 30 years of free Friday night concerts in Mission Plaza. Grab dinner from a nearby truck, claim your patch of grass, and let the Central Coast's biggest summer tradition handle the rest.
Strange Tales of Cambria Walking Tour — Cambria
👻 Stroll through downtown Cambria and uncover its weirdest, wildest history. Ghost stories, quirky locals, and tales you won't find in any brochure. Every Friday and Saturday in July.
Concerts in the Plaza 2026 — San Luis Obispo
🎸 30 seasons of free Friday night shows in the Mission Plaza. Pack a blanket, grab some takeout from a nearby downtown spot, and claim your patch of grass early.
Cayucos Farmers Market — Cayucos
🍓 Friday morning beach town vibes done right. Grab fresh produce, local seafood, and baked goods straight from the folks who grew, caught, and made them. Walk it off downtown with an ocean breeze. Perfect pre-beach errand.
Cambria Farmers Market — Cambria
🥕 Friday afternoons at the Veterans Memorial Building mean fresh produce, hot food, and local artisans galore. Rain or shine, this is your weekend kickoff spot. Stock up on veggies, grab dinner, and say hi to your neighbors.
Friday Happy Hour! — San Luis Obispo
🎸 Free entry, live local tunes, food vendors, and wine by the glass. The perfect zero-commitment way to ease into your weekend—just show up, grab a bite, and pay as you go. Every Friday from 4:30 to 7.
Lompoc Old Town Market — Lompoc
🎸 Friday nights hit different in Lompoc. The 100 block of South H Street transforms into a street party with local vendors, food trucks, live music, and themed community fun. Free, family-friendly, and the perfect way to kick off your weekend.
Live Music in Los Olivos with the Lenny Kerley Band — Los Olivos
🎸 Funky rock and blues from the Lenny Kerley Band at Carhartt Family Wines. Sip some great wine, soak up the Los Olivos vibes, and let a Friday evening take off.
Concerts in the Plaza – 30th Anniversary Season — San Luis Obispo
🎶 Three decades of Friday nights in Mission Plaza and the party is still free. Bring a blanket, grab dinner to-go, and claim your spot on the creek. This is the summer ritual locals plan their weekends around.
Downtown Fridays — Santa Maria — Santa Maria
🎉 25 food trucks, 70+ vendors, live music, and a beer & wine tent. Santa Maria shuts down McClelland Street every Friday night. Free to wander, bring cash for the trucks.
Old 97's at the Fremont Theater — San Luis Obispo
🎸 Texas alt-country legends Old 97's bring their raucous live show to the gorgeous Fremont Theater. Expect sweat, singalongs, and 30 years of anthems echoing through that art deco ceiling. SLO gets loud!
Comedy Whodunit at By The Sea — Morro Bay
🔍 A murder mystery comedy where you get to be the detective. Head to By The Sea in Morro Bay for an interactive whodunit full of laughs, twists, and surprises. $30 gets you in on the fun.
Chris Travis — San Luis Obispo
🎤 Chris Travis brings the energy to the gorgeous Fremont Theater for a Friday night show. All ages welcome so bring the whole crew. That historic neon sign out front is just the warmup for the vibes inside.
🏄 SATURDAY Jul 25th
C10 SLO Down Truck Show 2026 — Avila Beach
🛻 Hundreds of custom and classic GM C10s taking over the Avila Beach Golf Resort. Chrome, lowered suspensions, and immaculate paint jobs with an ocean breeze. Bring the family and stay for the weekend.
Corn Hole Tournament at Figueroa Mountain Brewing — Los Olivos
🎯 Grab your partner and head to Figueroa Mountain in Los Olivos for some competitive bag tossing. $50 gets your team in the bracket. Loser buys the next round of Hoppy Poppy — that's just corn hole law.
Live at the Lighthouse Concert Series — Morro Bay
🎶 Live music right next to one of the most stunning landmarks on the Central Coast. Pack a picnic, grab some friends, and spend your Saturday at the Point San Luis Lighthouse watching the sunset over the ocean. Pure magic.
Waterfront Market — Morro Bay
🦞 Morro Rock views while you shop handmade goods and snack your way through local food vendors. Free, weekly, and the perfect excuse to spend your Saturday by the water.
2026 C10 SLO Down Truck Show — Avila Beach
🛻 Hundreds of custom and restored classic GM trucks take over Avila Beach Golf Resort for the ultimate C10 weekend. Chrome, horsepower, and ocean views. Whether you own one or just appreciate the craftsmanship, this is a can't-miss.
Buellton BBQ Bonanza — Buellton
🍖 Free BBQ, live music, and kids' games at River View Park. Show up hungry, bring the whole crew, and make a Saturday of it. This is small-town Central Coast living at its best.
24th Annual Buellton BBQ Bonanza — Buellton
🍖 24 years of free BBQ at River View Park and somehow it keeps getting better. Show up hungry, bring the whole crew, and let Buellton Recreation handle lunch. This is small-town summer at its finest.
Lavender Festival at Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm (July 25) — Buellton
💜 Wander through purple fields at the Santa Rita Hills Lavender Farm's 3rd annual festival. Make lavender wreaths, shop local artisans, and enjoy live music by Daniel Vera. Free admission and family-friendly — smells incredible too.
Live Music in Los Olivos with The Hoodlum Friends — Los Olivos
🎸 The Hoodlum Friends bring their eclectic mix of rock, folk, and surf sounds to Firestone Vineyard. Sip some wine, soak up the afternoon sun, and enjoy the kind of laid-back tunes that make Los Olivos afternoons unforgettable.
Festival Mozaic: Community Midday Concert - Seo & Grace — San Luis Obispo
🎻 Grab lunch and catch Seo & Grace at this free midday concert, part of Festival Mozaic's Summer 2026 lineup. Beautiful music, zero dollars, and the perfect excuse to take a long Friday lunch.
Corn Hole Tournament in Los Olivos — Los Olivos
🎯 Grab your partner and head to Figueroa Mountain Brewing for a Saturday cornhole showdown. $50 gets your team in the bracket. Loser buys the next round of Hoppy Poppy IPA.
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Festival — Buellton
💜 Wander through gorgeous purple fields, make your own lavender wreath, and shop local artisans at this free Santa Rita Hills farm festival. Third year running and tickets go fast, so grab yours early!
Santa Rita Hills Lavender Festival (Day 2) — Lompoc
💜 Wander through fragrant purple fields, shop local artisans, and graze your way through food vendors at this stunning farm. Free admission and free parking means more money for lavender everything. Day two of the festival!
Beachside Live Summer Concert Series at Schooners — Cayucos
🎸 Free live music right on the sand at Schooners every Saturday and Sunday. Local bands, cold drinks, and that perfect Cayucos sunset vibe. This is your excuse to turn weekends into beach days.
Music in the Garden — Santa Ynez
🎸 Live tunes tucked among the greenery somewhere gorgeous in the Santa Ynez Valley. Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and settle in for a chill summer evening of community vibes under the oaks.
Twilight Concerts at Harmony Cellars — Cambria
🎶 Bring a blanket and claim a spot on the hilltop patio at Harmony Cellars. Sip wine with ocean views, grab dinner from local food trucks, and enjoy live music as the sun sets. The perfect summer evening just south of Cambria.
Live Music in the Fireside Lounge — Cambria
🎸 Cozy up in Cambria Pines Lodge for free live music all summer long. Grab a cocktail, settle into a fireside seat, and let the coastal evening vibes do the rest.
Saturdays in the Park Summer Concert: PUSH — Atascadero
🎸 Free outdoor concert by the lake with PUSH rocking dance hits from the 70s through today. Bring lawn chairs, grab some snacks, and dance barefoot in the grass as the sun goes down. Classic summer night energy.
☕ SUNDAY Jul 26th
Wine Club Sip & Savor Tasting Experience — San Luis Obispo
🧀 Wine club members, this one's for you. Sip your complimentary Summer Club Flight paired with artisan cheeses out in the garden. Free admission, good company, and a solid excuse to spend a Sunday afternoon among the vines.
Live Music in Buellton with Nataly Lola — Santa Ynez
🎶 Nataly Lola brings her vocals to Buellton for a sunny afternoon of live music just down the road from Santa Ynez. Grab a glass, find a good spot, and let the weekend vibes carry you through Sunday.
Beachside Live Summer Concert Series at Schooners — Cayucos
🎸 Free live music right on the sand at Schooners every Saturday and Sunday. Local bands, traveling acts, and troubadours with the Pacific as your backdrop. Grab a drink, dig your toes in the sand, and stay for sunset.
Brady Harris Live at Refugio Ranch — Los Olivos
🎸 Brady Harris brings the tunes to Refugio Ranch's gorgeous Los Olivos tasting room. Sip world-class Rhône varietals, soak up the valley sunshine, and let the afternoon melt away. The perfect excuse to turn a quick glass into a whole weekend afternoon.
Live Music in Los Olivos with Brady Harris — Los Olivos
🎸 Acoustic tunes from Brady Harris paired with Refugio Ranch pours in the heart of Los Olivos. Grab a glass, find a spot, and let a Sunday afternoon in wine country do its thing.
Refugio Ranch Summer Concert Series — Brady Harris — Los Olivos
🎸 Singer-songwriter Brady Harris brings acoustic vibes to Refugio Ranch's gorgeous Los Olivos tasting room. Sip their estate wines, grab some seasonal bites, and let a Sunday afternoon melt away with good music and great pours.
BeeHive: The 60s Musical — San Luis Obispo
🐝 PCPA throws it back to the era of go-go boots and beehives with a musical tribute to the women who defined 1960s rock and pop. Expect powerhouse vocals, retro vibes, and hits you'll be humming all the way home.
Dave Stamey in Concert — Solvang
🤠 Acclaimed Western musician Dave Stamey brings his cowboy songs and storytelling to the gorgeous outdoor Solvang Festival Theater Garden. A perfect summer afternoon of boots, ballads, and shade tree vibes.
Dave Stamey — Solvang
🤠 The cowboy troubadour himself under the open sky at Theaterfest Garden. Dave Stamey brings his award-winning Western songs and storytelling to Solvang for a perfect Sunday afternoon of boots, ballads, and sunshine.
Echoes in the Trees Summer Concert: The Waymakers — Buellton
🌿 Celtic quintet The Waymakers bring fiddles and foot-stomping energy to the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. Golden hour concert among the oaks, perfect for a Sunday evening picnic blanket situation.
Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC — San Luis Obispo
🎸 Jack Johnson brings his SURFILMUSIC experience to the gorgeous Fremont Theater. Expect chilled-out acoustic vibes, surf films on the big screen, and that signature breezy sound we all know by heart. All ages welcome for this summer night singalong.
📬 DON'T MISS NEXT WEEK