Roosters, history, museums, pizza, wine, beer, ghosts, farms, theater, festivals, and the gateway to adventure, all of this and more is awaiting in Arroyo Grande, known as the Village to locals.
Some places are successful in retaining that old-time flavor of days gone by and still offer modern-day amenities and fun. Arroyo Grande is one of those towns.
This charming village is filled with one-of-a-kind shops with antique and vintage items, collectibles, clothing, sporting goods, gifts, and more.
Pizza, a swinging bridge, history, and the farmers’ market
Hungry after shopping? Stop in for a little piece of Alaska at Klondike Pizza. Specialty pizzas are on the menu, and locals say the place is haunted.
As you walk around the village, don’t miss the Swinging Bridge, the only one of its kind in California. The bridge is 171 feet long and swings 40 feet above the stream. Originally, the bridge had no sides, but they were added in 1902. The bridge was donated to the city in 1911, destroyed by a storm in 1995, but has since been reconstructed.
Visit historic buildings dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s in Heritage Park. Concerts in the park offer live bands, dance troupes, and other performances.
Centennial Park hosts the weekly farmers’ market and is home to a troupe of free-ranging roosters and hens. Their population fluctuates from time to time, but on a good day, they can be seen foraging and clucking around the park.
Concerts and festivals
Arroyo Grande hosts festivals for just about every occasion and season. From celebrating holidays and the new year, to spring, summer, and fall harvest, Arroyo Grande is the place for families to enjoy outdoor music, vendors, and lots of tasty food, beer, and wine.
- Free summer concerts are held at the Rotary Bandstand in Heritage Square Park every Sunday through September 22 from 1-3 p.m. Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs, and blankets and enjoy a variety of musical themes.
- The Harvest Festiva, a tribute to agriculture, is held the last weekend in September. The featured attractions include a parade, toe-tapping entertainment, agricultural exhibits, and an array of food, games, and arts and crafts booths.
Parks and open spaces
Among the many parks, including one of the few off-leash dog parks within miles, visitors can find some unique and interesting places to spend time:
- Fire-Resistive Landscaping Demonstration Garden: This garden, located at the corner of Traffic and Station Way, demonstrates wildfire-resistant areas that are also beautiful gardens that enhance the environment. Stroll around the gardens and learn about fire-resistant plants.
- The Health Fitness Park at 834 Fair Oaks Avenue has jogging trails, exercise stations, and a heart check station along the trails.
- The James Way Oak Habitat, located on James Way, is a 73-acre oak preserve with equestrian, walking, and jogging trails winding along a hillside through majestic oaks. Birds of prey, deer, foxes, bobcats, and rabbits are found in this unique natural area. The area is open from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Learn more about what’s going on in the village at arroyogrande.org.
Things to do nearby
The Village is only a few miles from beaches, including Pismo State Beach and the Oceano Dunes.
A short drive east brings you to Lopez Lake for camping, hiking, boating, water skiing, fishing, and swimming. Exercise your outdoor adventure skills at Vista Lago Adventure Park and Mustang Waterpark for zip lining, waterslides, and more.
