ARROYO GRANDE The agricultural setting is celebrated in a variety of ways in Arroyo Grande. In September, the annual Harvest Festival includes a lively parade of community residents and spirited marching bands strutting their stuff, and agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts, food, and games abound. And one of the most popular events in the entire region is the joyous annual Strawberry Festival, in May. For the Strawberry Festival, the city’s streets fill with booths offering arts and crafts, tasty ethnic foods, and games; strawberry treats of every imaginable variety are offered; and musical performances on several stages inspire dancing. Photographers eager to capture the silent beauty of the region roam the rolling hills of the picturesque Arroyo Grande Valley in search of the perfect picture of this special site. Many wildflowers bloom January though May, and plant growth is rapid and often luxuriant—especially in the canyon bottoms. The quiet, relatively rural setting also permeates the city itself. Arroyo Grande maintains a distinctly charming village character in its vibrant downtown shopping and dining district, a cluster of vintage-looking antique stores, gift shops, restaurants, and saloons. Right downtown, Arroyo Grande Creek is spanned by a rustic swinging bridge—the avenue of choice for children (and their parents) to reach “the village.” In the city’s neighborhoods, the city’s historic past and sophisticated present combine in architectural examples ranging from unique and beautiful Victorians to highly contemporary structures. In a way, the architectural diversity represents the varied attractions of the city as a whole. This, after all, is a place where visitors can enjoy everything from watching a vaudeville show to exploring 4,000 acres of sand dunes to negotiating that swinging bridge. For outdoor activities, the Arroyo Grande Valley’s Lopez County Recreation Area grants access to warm-water Lopez Lake as a beautiful setting for fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, sailing, and just generally enjoying nature. Attracted by fresh air, splendid views and outstanding recreational opportunities, more than 500,000 visitors now come to Lopez Lake each year. The park abounds in campsites and features a marina with launch ramp, boat rentals, a water-slide (in the summer), group camps, picnic areas, and several miles of hiking trails. Fishing is excellent year-round, but massive trout stocking sparks fishing activity between October and May. The cool coastal air and warm, dry days of the Edna Valley Arroyo Grande Valley Wine Region help produce some of California’s very best wines. Visitors can savor a variety of award-winning wines produced by the region’s more than 25 wineries and vineyards. Highlights are the excellent local Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals at the tasting rooms throughout this blissful wine region.
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