Looking for Memorial Day fun? Here are the 10 best things to do in SLO County

Elizabeth Wilson , Sarah Linn
·5 min read

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in San Luis Obispo County, which means plenty of fun in the sun.

Whether you enjoy listening to music, drinking wine or checking out antique farm equipment, there are options for everyone.

Here are just a few of the activities in store this holiday weekend.

Go wild for wheels in Santa Margarita

What: Vintage farm equipment, engines, steam trains, airplanes and more are on display at the Best of the West Antique Equipment Show, which celebrates the “heroes and history of America.” Train rides and tractor parades are just a couple of the attractions at this family-friendly event.

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Santa Margarita Ranch, 20000 El Camino Real

How much: $10 day pass, $25 weekend pass, children 10 and under free

Info: bestofthewestshow.com

Jake Merrill, 10, of Saratoga, drives his great-great-great grandfather’s John Deere 1940 Model D tractor as his grandfather, Lupe Rodriquez walks beside him in the tractor parade during the Best of the West Antique Equipment Show in 2017. The event returns to Santa Margarita Ranch for Memorial Day weekend in 2023.
Jake Merrill, 10, of Saratoga, drives his great-great-great grandfather’s John Deere 1940 Model D tractor as his grandfather, Lupe Rodriquez walks beside him in the tractor parade during the Best of the West Antique Equipment Show in 2017. The event returns to Santa Margarita Ranch for Memorial Day weekend in 2023.

Catch a SLO Blues baseball game

What: The San Luis Obispo Blues baseball team kicks off its 2023 season with a quartet of home games. The California Collegiate League team will take on the Coastal Dodgers and the Bay Area Admirals.

When: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday, and 2 p.m. Monday; gates open 1 hour early

Where: Sinsheimer Stadium, 900 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo

How much: $10

Info: 805-512-9996 or bluesbaseball.com

Danielle Salazar of Paso Robles, takes a photo of her son, Justic Romo, 7, in front of some classic trucks in 2015. Paso Robles Classic Car Weekend features a cruise on Friday and a classic car show on Saturday.
Danielle Salazar of Paso Robles, takes a photo of her son, Justic Romo, 7, in front of some classic trucks in 2015. Paso Robles Classic Car Weekend features a cruise on Friday and a classic car show on Saturday.

See classic cars in Paso Robles

What: Hundreds of classic cars and pickup trucks will be on display at the Golden State Classics Car Show in downtown Paso Robles. There’s also a draw, music, food vendors and a manufacturer row featuring fabricators, builders and other auto-related businesses. For more vintage automobiles, check out the West Coast Kustoms Cruisin Nationals cruise and car show, Friday through Sunday in Santa Maria.

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Downtown City Park, Spring and 12th streets, Paso Robles

Info: goldenstateclassics.org

Visitors peruse arts and crafts at Morro Bay’s Art in the Park. The event returns July 2-4.
Visitors peruse arts and crafts at Morro Bay’s Art in the Park. The event returns July 2-4.

Check out art in Morro Bay

What: More than 120 artists will showcase their work at the weekend-long Art in the Park event, celebrating its 68th anniversary in Morro Bay. Can’t make this one? The popular arts-and-crafts show returns to Morro Bay for the Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday

Where: Morro Bay Boulevard and Harbor Street, Morro Bay

How much: Free

Info: morrobayartinthepark.com

This Echeveria cante belongs to Arroyo Grande gardener Rob Skillin, a member of the Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society who collects exotic specimens. The group holds its annual show and sale on May 27 and 28, 2023, in Nipomo.
This Echeveria cante belongs to Arroyo Grande gardener Rob Skillin, a member of the Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society who collects exotic specimens. The group holds its annual show and sale on May 27 and 28, 2023, in Nipomo.

Get growing at Nipomo plant show and sale

What: Love plants? See unusual species, chat with experts and buy rare plants and handmade pottery at the Central Coast Cactus and Succulent Society’s 15th annual Show and Sale. First-time visitors get free plants.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Nipomo High School, 525 North Thompson Ave.

How much: Free

Info: centralcoastcactus.org

The Cambria Fire Department’s 1930s-era fire truck will on display at Heritage Day, which will be held Saturday, May 27, at the Cambria Historical Museum and Heirloom Gardens, 2251 Center St. in Cambria.
The Cambria Fire Department’s 1930s-era fire truck will on display at Heritage Day, which will be held Saturday, May 27, at the Cambria Historical Museum and Heirloom Gardens, 2251 Center St. in Cambria.

Celebrate history in Cambria

What: History comes to life at Cambria’s Heritage Day, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Hosted by the Cambria Historical Society, the event offers old-fashioned fun for the whole family, including live music, butter churning, rope making and wood carving and branding demonstrations. Food and drinks for sale include Coney Island-style hot dogs, chili bowls and root beer floats.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Cambria Historical Museum and Heirloom Gardens, 2251 Center St.

How much: Free

Info: 805-927-2891 or cambriahistoricalsociety.com

Fans attend a outdoor concert at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.
Fans attend a outdoor concert at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

Party in Avila Beach

What: The Avila Beach Blues Festival may be on hiatus this year, but that doesn’t mean music lovers can’t boogie down at the beach. The Avila Beach Festival Party will feature concerts by acts including The Burning James Band, Big Elk, and Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters, plus food, drinks and lawn games.

When: 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Monday

Where: Avila Beach Golf Resort, 6464 Ana Bay Road

How much: Free

Info: 805-595-4000, ext. 508, or avilabeachresort.com

Try some tacos in SLO

What: Celebrate two of the best things in life at Viva la Cerveza Beer & Taco Festival in San Luis Obispo. In addition to beer and taco tasting, attractions at this 21-and-over event include live music, giant beer pong, cornhole and inflatable games.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Madonna Meadows, San Luis Obispo

How much: $10 to $55

Info: vivalacerveza.com

The San Luis Obispo Blues baseball team kicks off its season on Friday, May 26, 2023.
The San Luis Obispo Blues baseball team kicks off its season on Friday, May 26, 2023.

Sip wine to support veterans

What: Want to help local veterans while sipping wine? More than 20 wineries across San Luis Obispo County are fundraising money for Honor Flight Central Coast California as part of Vino for Vets. Donations go toward taking military veterans on Tour of Honor trips to Washington, D.C.

When: Various times, Saturday through Monday

Where: Various locations, San Luis Obispo County

How much: Tasting fees vary by location

Info: 805-610-4012 or honorflightccc.org/vino-for-vets

Symphony of the Vines performs at Mission San Miguel.
Symphony of the Vines performs at Mission San Miguel.

Go for baroque in San Miguel

What: Maestro Greg Magie leads Symphony of the Vines in concert in a Baroque Jubilation. The concert features the orchestra performing classic music by composers including Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.

When: 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Mission San Miguel Arcángel, 775 Mission St. in San Miguel

How much: $30, $27 seniors and $15 students; kids in kindergarten through 12th grade free with paid adult

Info: 805-235-0687 or symphonyofthevines.org