Happy MAY! Are you looking for the best things to do in SLO County? Here is the best list of things to do around. Mark your calendars for Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Memorial Day Weekend. Whether you’re local or visiting SLO make sure you check us out at the beginning of each month for our picks. You may discover a new event that you’ve never heard of. There is something for everyone to enjoy on the Central Coast of California.

Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter! We share our monthly list of things to do, host giveaways, and share the latest buzz around. No SPAM! One email a month 🙂 So without further adieu here is our picks for the month of May!

Bike Month (SLO County) – May 1 to 31

May is Bike Month across San Luis Obispo County! Whether you bike for fun, fitness, or transportation, Bike Month is an invitation to connect with your community. Event schedule here.

SLO Grilled Cheese Festival (San Luis Obispo) – May 1 to 31

Join local nonprofit, Restorative Partners, and restaurants all over SLO County for the 4th annual SLO Grilled Cheese Festival. Enjoy grilled cheeses at participating restaurants throughout the month of May, support local, connect with your community, and vote for SLO’s Best Grilled Cheese! See participants here.

Cayucos Antique Street Fair (Cayucos) – May 1st at 7a to 3p

Walk along Ocean Avenue and enjoy beautiful Cayucos-by-the-Sea while shopping for antiques, collectibles, and vintage items. Details here.

Art in the Park (Pismo Beach) – May 1 at 10a to 4pm

Featuring over 50 artisan vendors, food booths, music and amazing views right on the cliffs in Pismo Beach. Details here.

Grow Your Own: Beneficial Garden (Santa Margarita) – May 1st at 10a to 1p

Learn beneficial garden & insect know how from Simone Smith of The Educated Gardener and hear all about Yvette Roman’s beneficial meadow project! Learn more here.

Paso Robles Wine Merchant Chef Pop-Up Wine & Food Pairing Dinner (Paso Robles) – May 3 at 5:30p – SOLD OUT

Chef Matthew Roberts of Kindred Oak Farm & Chef Justin Lewis of Nomada Group are taking over Paso Robles Wine Merchant for a special culinary evening! It will be a Latin American five course farm to table dinner with five small production wines. Reservations here.

Cruisin Morro Bay Car Show (Morro Bay) – May 5 – 8

Enjoy this family-fun three-day event that draws over 500 registrants from California and beyond, benefits local business owners, and has enabled the organization to make donations to various community service organizations. Details here.

Cinco De Mayo at SLO Brew Rock (San Luis Obispo) – May 5 at 12p to 7p

Party at SLO Brew Rock — This gorgeous venue is perfect for happy hour, weekend gatherings, concerts, or weddings.

Come celebrate Cinco de Mayo at SLO Brew Rock! They will have live music, mariachi, Tio Rodrigo Michelada Bar, margarita & cerveza specials, and Taco Works nachos & tacos. Details here.

Danior Kitchen Cinco de Mayo Dinner (San Luis Obispo) – May 5 & 7 at 7pm

Experience the flavors of Mexico. Chef Spencer Johnston has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and will put his twist on Mexicos beautiful and ancient cuisine. This is a plated multi course dinner. Dine communally with other guests within feet of the cooking action. Tickets here.

Art & Wine Tour (Atascadero) – May 6th at 5:30p to 8p

Visit Downtown Atascadero for the Art & Wine Tour! Sip and shop your way through the downtown stores while enjoying phenomenal wine, beer, and other treats. Info here.

Skate Mission Plaza • Pop-Up Roller Rink! (San Luis Obispo) – May 6 – 22

Get ready to roll — Downtown SLO is bringing a groovy new pop-up installation to Mission Plaza! Lace-up your skates and enjoy an outdoor roller rink right in front of the historic Mission San Luis Obispo! More info here.

MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND LIST

Click here for a list of Mother’s Day events and our last minute shopping guide!

Warehouse Party & Outdoor Market (Los Osos) – May 7 at 10a to 3p

Come party FABLERUNE! They will be having a sale on small batch skincare, bodycare, and haircare products made from natural botanicals, clays, and extracts. They will also have an outdoor market featuring over 15 local vendors. Details here.

Olive & Lavender Festival (Paso Robles) – May 7th at 10a to 5p

Enjoy everything the Olive and Lavender industries have to officer with seminars and demonstrations, as well as arts, crafts, collectibles, food, wine-tasting and more. More information here.

Kentucky Derby Party (Paso Robles) – May 7th at 2p to 5p

Wine, horse racing, hats! Grab your friends and your Derby hat and head to the winery. Dress to impress for the hat competition and bring your wallets to wager on the horses for live Derby race viewing. Event details here.

YPNG’s Spring Soiree (San Luis Obispo) – May 7th at 2p to 5p

Join the Young Professionals Networking Group at the Octagon Barn for fun, food and drinks as we celebrate YPNG and raise funds for Operation Surf. More info here.

Cookie Adventure at the Charles Paddock Zoo (Atascadero) – May 8th at 11a to 2p

On Mother’s Day, everyone is invited to take their mom to the zoo! Local cookies will be available & lots of other scrumptious treats that mom and the whole family can enjoy at the zoo’s 8th annual Cookie Adventure! Details here.

Pride Night at Skate Mission Plaza (San Luis Obispo) – May 11 at 7p

Get ready to roll! Lace up your skates and enjoy an outdoor roller rink right in front of the historic Mission San Luis Obispo! Celebrate Pride! Come decked out in your best rainbow gear and look fabulous. Details here.

Shabang Live Music and Arts Festival (San Luis Obispo) – May 13 & 14

Get ready to dance at four live stages! Enjoy over 50 live acts, silent disco, funk safari, experiential art installations, interactive workshops, movement classes, artisan vendors, curated food & drinks and MORE! Full schedule here.

22nd Annual City-Wide Yard Sale (Morro Bay) – May 14 & 15

Come Friday night to get an early start. Saturday, grab a big breakfast and shop, shop. shop! Stay Saturday night to pick up bargains on Sunday. There will be sales on almost every street! Details here.

Atascadero Citywide Yard Sale (Atascadero) – May 14th at 8a to 2p

Explore over 120 yard sales and thousands of bargain hunters from throughout California. More info here.

Spring Festival (Grover Beach) – May 14 at 11a to 3pm

The Filipino Community of San Luis Obispo County and Vicinity, Inc. and The Filipino Women’s Club of San Luis Obispo County presents Boys & Girls Clubs of South San Luis Obispo County’s Spring Festival! They’ll be celebrating and showcasing local makers/crafters, junior makers, and local businesses. Details here.

Makeshift Muse X SLO Public Market (San Luis Obispo) – May 14 at 1p to 6p

Time for some local shopping at SLO Public Market! There will be over 40 local small businesses and entrepreneurs, live music and local food trucks. Event info here.

Sam Nelson Harris of X Ambassadors (Paso Robles) – May 14 at 4p to 8p

Don’t miss out on a special intimate acoustic performance with Sam Nelson Harris of the X Ambassadors! It all happens at MAHA Estate where you will experience a meet and greet with Sam, wine reception, farm to table supper with Chef Clark Staub of Full of Life Flatbread paired with MAHA Wines. Enjoy an unforgettable dinner and musical experience that’s once in a lifetime. A portion of proceeds will go to MUST! Charities. Get your tickets ASAP!

2022 Concerts on the Green Series (Los Osos) – May 14 to November 5th

Enjoy live music by some of the Central Coast’s very best talent, barefoot dancing on the putting green, refreshing food and beverages, and of course—a fun time with friends and family. Full schedule here.

From Teat to Table: A Goat Milk Cheese Making Experience (Santa Margarita) – May 15 at 10a to 1p

It’s time for some agriCULTURAL education! During this workshop you will take part in a milking demo, feed the goats, alpaca and pot belly pigs their morning treats, and learn the craft of making soft cheeses from fresh goat milk! Learn more here.

The annual EXPO at the Expo brings together more than 100 local exhibitors and puts them in front of 2,000 attendees in what has become the largest business tradeshow on the Central Coast. Details here.

Paso Wine Fest (Paso Robles) May 19-22

Enjoy activities at 150+ wineries, including barrel tastings, artisanal food pairings, live music, and so much more! Details here.

Pridefest (San Luis Obispo) – May 20-22

The SLO Pride Committee is so excited for a whole weekend celebration of all things PRIDE on the Central Coast. Details here.

2022 Spring Folk-n-Soak Festival (Paso Robles) – May 20 to 22

Festivalgoers will be able to soak in 100 degree mineral water and camp out under the stars, enjoying live music at the hot springs. Details here.

Creating 805: Idlewild Floral (Paso Robles) May 20 at 8:30 to 10a

Join Creating 805 and Carla Wingett, Owner of Idlewild Floral, for a conversation around creativity and entrepreneurship. Details here.

Paso Wine Fest – Grand Tasting (Paso Robles) May 21 at 12p to 4p

Join over 100 wineries for the Paso Wine Fest Grand Tasting. Taste a variety of Paso Robles wines, shop with artisan vendors, order delicious festival-friendly fare for purchase. Tickets here.

Serenade in the Wild with Forager SLO (Los Osos) – May 21 at 11p to 2:30p

Savor a slow indulgence during an afternoon of wild tea, patisserie, and classical music in a forest setting. Your afternoon retreat will begin with an immersive forest experience facilitated by Nan Cole of ForagerSLO. Details here.

Sunset Seafood Boil Winemaker Dinner – May 21 at 6:30p to 9:30p

Join CASS Winery on the Veranda of our Barrel Room for a soul-crushing explosion of a Paso sunset overlooking their vineyard, while enjoying a classic Seafood Boil! Tickets here.

Truffle Dinner at Paris Valley Road (Paso Robles) May 21 at 7p

Calling all truffle lovers! Enjoy a decadent three-course brunch prepared by Chef Joe White and exquisitely paired with Paris Valley Road estate wines. Details here.

Grow Your Own: Lavender Field (Paso Robles) May 22 at 10a to 1p

This Grow Your Own Workshop includes a tour of Hambly Farms, classroom session of scent-sational teachings, materials for your take-home lavender garden, Victorian wand, and a locally grown & made lunch by Thomas Hill Organics. Details here.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS LIST

Art in the Park (Morro Bay) – May 28 – 30

Morro Bay Art in the Park is looked upon as the finest display of handmade art and crafts presented in San Luis Obispo County. There will be 108 booths representing 125 independent artists and craft workers. Details here.

Fiesta in a Bottle: The 9th Annual Avila Beach Tequila Festival (Avila Beach) – May 28 at 12p

It’s Tequila Time! Taste over 30 tequila brands this Memorial Day Weekend. Live music by Carbon City Lights. Details here.

Viva La Cerveza (San Luis Obispo) – May 28 at 12p to 4p

Visit Madonna Meadows this Memorial Day weekend for their annual meet up with beer lovers from all over who make this pilgrimage back to the central coast. Details here.

Table & Vine Supper Club Sunday Sparkling Brunch (Paso Robles) – May 29th at 10a to 1pm

Chef Mateo Rogers & Brittney Yracheta of Heirloom and Momotaro Ramen will prepare a delicious farm-to-fork menu starting with passed bites at our welcome reception, followed by a 4-course plated brunch. Each course will be paired with the beautiful sparkling wines from Rava Winery. Details here.

The 27th Annual Avila Beach Blues Festival (Avila Beach) May 29 at 12p to 7p

Celebrate Central Coast tradition with one of the biggest and longest running blues festivals in the are, with top name entertainment against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Details here.

Memorial Day Ceremony on the Pier (Pismo Beach) – May 30th at 11a

This annual event is designed as a remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. Gather at Pismo Beach Pier Promenade to honor and remember those we have lost.