Atascadero Travel Guide

Supporting a community of just over 30,000 with its rich landscapes, abundant resources, and thriving recreational scene, Atascadero is anything but mundane. As an inland city of San Luis Obispo county, Atascadero residents experience cooler winters and warmer summers than most California cities, making it a well-rounded, diverse vacation destination.

Things to Do in Atascadero

A day at Atascadero Lake Park is a great way to start a vacation, as guests visiting can rent pedal boats, take a walk around the lake, have a BBQ, or relax in the shade of the park's large trees. Then, guests can explore the paved trails of the Sunken Gardens where they can admire the delicate architecture of the iconic administration building and watch birds bath in the area's various fountains, or spend a few hours horseback riding, biking, or jogging along the two-mile Jim Green Trail. A couple other exciting things to do include golf on the challenging Chalk Mountain Golf Course, taking surfing lessons at Mama Can Surf, and having a mobile spa day from the comfort of their vacation rental with a visit from Vino + Therapy Studio.

Best Time to Visit Atascadero

The best time to book rentals in Atascadero or to take a day trip into the city is June through September for the ideal, warm temperatures and blue skies.

Food in Atascadero

There is no shortage of dining options in Atascadero, as the city’s downtown area is dotted with locally owned, high-quality establishments. Guests can check out the Guest House Grill LLC for a hearty meal in a saloon-style facility, Byblos Mediterranean Grill for authentic Greek fare, and Martson’s 101 for grilled foods of every kind. For a quick bite on the go, visitors can swing by the drive thru at A&W, Wendy’s, or Burger King.

Best Events in Atascadero

Atascadero puts on a number of exciting public events, with new ones added regularly. However, a few of the most popular include the Spring Festival, Brew at the Zoo, the Cider Festival, the Lakeside Wine Festival Weekend, and Lake Fest.

Lake Fest is a much beloved summer celebration, offering a number of make-your-own cardboard and duct tape boat races, rubber ducky and canoe races, and many more fun activities.

Things to Do for Families in Atascadero

In regard to family fun, Atascadero hosts a wide variety of activities. Heartwork City Studios allows the whole family to get creative through guided srt classes, art therapy, and hypnotherapy. The Charles Paddock Zoo offers animal themed entertainment, allowing guests to see a number of beautiful animals up close and learn about them through a series of easy to read blurbs on each animal.