July Summer Events Shine with Live Music, Wine Country Escapes & Festival Fun all made stress-free with SLO Safe Ride!
- Jul 3
- 9 min read
Turn up the volume on summer! July brings an incredible lineup of live music, wine country adventures, arts and cultural festivals and unforgettable events across the Central Coast.
Whether you're heading to the California Mid-State Fair, a Vina Robles concert, the CA Wine Festival, or a pleasurable wine & music event, SLO Safe Ride is your ticket to a stress-free celebration.
THIS SUMMER EVENTS FEATURE: California Mid-State Fair — SLO to the FAIR Concert Shuttle is Back! PLUS—New Shuttle from Atascadero!
July 15th – 26th: California Mid-State Fair l Paso Robles Event Center
The 2026 California Mid-State Fair marks its 80th Anniversary with a "Back to the 80’s" theme, star-studded concerts, rodeo action and carnival fun Not to miss acts like Phil Wickham, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Willie Nelson, Three Dog Night and Old Dominion
July 14th Pre-Fair Concert – Chris Stapleton and Special Guest Molly Tuttle 7:30 PM l Mid-State Fair Grandstand Arena
Chris Stapleton launches the California Mid-State Fair with a historic Pre-Fair Concert on July 14, marking the first concert before Opening Day in Fair history. No FREE shuttle service for this date. However, our direct from SLO and Atascadero Shuttle service will be running.
Concert Lineup – Main Grandstand Arena
July 15: Old Dominion
July 16: Ice Cube w Warren G
July 17: Lainey Wilson
July 18: Eric Church
July 19: Phil Wickham
July 20: Megadeth
July 21: Howard Jones
July 22: Willie Nelson & Family
July 23: Treaty Oak Revival
July 24: Three Dog Night & guests: Ambrosia, John Ford Coley
Skip the Drive, Not the Show: Your Ride to the 2026 Mid-State Fair
Reserve your seat on a direct, round-trip luxury coach from San Luis Obispo or Atascadero straight to the Fairgrounds, no driving, no parking lot, no white-knuckle drive home after the encore.
• From San Luis Obispo: departs 5:30 PM on Grand Av, in front of the Veterans Memorial Building (801 Grand Ave)
• From Atascadero: departs 6:00 PM Atascadero Chamber of Commerce — parking lot in front of Wild Fields Brewhouse (6907 El Camino Real)
• Direct to the Fair and return trip when fair closes
Available six select concert nights — July 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 22 — with limited seats each night, so reserve early. $75 per person, round-trip, reserved seating. Booking for the crew? Group rates — save up to $15 per seat!
Driving to Paso?
If you're making the drive up to Paso Robles yourself, here's some good news: SLO Safe Ride is also the proud operator of the Fair's free Park & Ride. Leave your car at one of the designated Paso Robles, Mid-State Fair lots and hop a complimentary shuttle the rest of the way to the gate — no circling for parking, no long walk in the July heat.
1. Entire month of July l Wine & Music & Food Events l SLO Edna Valley
July 2026 brings a fantastic lineup of summer concert series, outdoor tastings, and winery festivals to the Edna Valley. Enjoy acoustic music on vineyard patios, sunset food truck events, and all paired with the region's renowned cool-climate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Top Winery Events:
July 5 & 26 Tolosa Winery Summer Music Series
July 9 Biddle Ranch Summer Concert Series
July 11 Center of Effort Music & Sunset Hours
July 24 Chamisal Vineyards Lobsterfest
July 31 Chamisal Vineyards Gather on the Green
Kynsi Summer Sundays Music Series
Laetitia Every Sunday Live Music
Filipponi Ranch Every Summer Sunday Concert Series
Wolff Vineyard Every Friday Evening Sunset Vineyard
Talley Vineyards Sundays Lounge & Listen
Timbre Winery Select Fri & Sun evenings, Tunes at Timbre
2. Your Gateway to Summer SLO Coast Wine Country with Better Access, Better Price
More Value – Our Partnership with the SLO Coast Wine Collective
Book with SLO Safe Ride, 101 Wine Tours, and Obsidian Luxury Services and enjoy an exclusive $10 off SLOCWC tasting passes through our partnership with the SLO Coast Wine Collective—making your wine country experience even smoother from the very first pour.
Tasting fees at most SLO Coast wineries run around $30 per person. For a group of four hitting three or four stops, that's $360 to $480 out of pocket, before you've even thought about a designated driver. With SLO Safe Ride, your group's passes are packaged into your booking at $35 per person (1-day, up to 4 stops) or $65 per person (2-day, up to 8 stops). The ride is handled. The savings are real.
No app. No fees at the door. No logistics to manage. Just wine, conversation, and scenery.
The Wineries
SLOCWC member wineries span the SLO Coast AVA — from the Edna Valley through Arroyo Grande and the surrounding coastal appellations. Participating tasting pass wineries include:
Baileyana, Tangent & True Myth
Chamisal Vineyards ◆
Cutruzzola Vineyards
Kynsi Winery
Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
Saucelito Canyon
Sinor-LaVallee
Stephen Ross Wine Cellars
Talley Vineyards
Tolosa ◆
Wolff Vineyards
◆ Reservation required in advance. We handle this for you when you book your tour.
Three Ways to Experience It
Whether you want a casual group afternoon, a curated educational tasting experience, or a fully private luxury outing through wine country, we have a format that fits:
SLO Safe Ride is great for social groups who want the fun without the fuss.
101 Wine Tours adds a guided, educational layer, perfect if you want to come away actually knowing something about what you drank.
Obsidian Luxury Services is for the experience where every detail is taken care of, from the vehicle to the itinerary.
3. July 3rd: Concerts in the Plaza – 30th Anniversary Festival 2 PM - 8 PM l Downtown SLO
Concerts in the Plaza is celebrating 30 seasons of music and memories in 2026!
What's the experience?
Five bands will perform live throughout the event, making this the largest Concerts in the Plaza event yet. The free community event features a massive, six-hour block party with live music spanning two full-size stages.
4. July 18th: Charley Crockett l 7:30 PM l Vina Robles Amphitheatre, Paso Robles
Since opening in 2013, Vina Robles Amphitheatre has become a premier outdoor concert venue, offering intimate performances, modern amenities, and exceptional hospitality.
What's the experience?
Charley Crockett blends Americana, country, blues, and Southern soul into his signature "Gulf & Western" sound.
Upcoming July & August Events:
July 18 – Charley Crockett
August 01 – Los Lobos & Los Lonely Boys
August 07 – Death Cab for Cutie
August 08 – Ole 60
August 15 – The Fab Four
August 21 – Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
August 22 – Tucker Wetmore
August 23 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue ST. Paul & The Broken Bones
August 28 – Tori Ames
Ride Easy to the Music
Heading to a concert at the beautiful Vina Robles Amphitheatre? Let SLO Safe Ride handle the drive so you can focus on the music. Enjoy convenient, reliable transportation to and from the show, making your concert night smoother, safer, and even more enjoyable.
My Transport Options?
Concert-goers can choose the option that fits their evening best—reserve a convenient SLO Safe Ride Shuttle or enjoy our sister company Obsidian Luxury Services private luxury transportation for a more personalized experience.
5. July 15th - August 1st: San Luis Obispo Music & Arts Festival l SLO County
San Luis Obispo Music Festival will take place in venues throughout San Luis Obispo County. Experience all you have come to expect from Festival Mozaic: Chamber Music, special guest artists, Notable Encounters, free Community Midday Concerts, films, lectures and more, plus a grand Orchestra Finale on August 1st!
For more information – festivalmozaic.org
One Day, Multiple Concerts, Zero Driving Stress!
From afternoon chamber music to the evening Festival Mozaic Orchestra finale without the hassle of moving a car once. Let SLO Safe Ride be your designated driver on the Central Coast so you can savor every note and every sip! How about including an award-winning winery or restaurant of your choice?
6. July 17th – 18th: California Wine Festival l Chase Palm Park Oceanside, Santa Barbara
July 18th This is CWF’s signature wine event. Thousands of wine lovers pour into Santa Barbara’s sun-splashed beachside location for a day of sun, sea, wine, food, and music.
Wine oenophiles will find hundreds of fine wines, regional craft brews and a dizzying variety of foods to sample. Taste artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, chocolates and more! A live band keeps the beat for this all-day feast for the senses.
Make the Most of Your Santa Barbara Getaway!
Planning a trip to the California Wine Festival in Santa Barbara? Let SLO Safe Ride take care of the transportation so you can focus on the experience.
We offer convenient Airport and Hotel Transfers, along with customized Wine, Distillery, Craft Brewery and custom tours that showcase the best of the Central Coast.
Arrive stress-free, explore at your own pace, and make the most of your wine country getaway with safe, reliable luxury transportation throughout your stay.
7. July 18th - 19th: Central Coast Renaissance Festival | 10 AM – 6 PM l Laguna Lake Park, SLO
Step back to 1585 at the 40th Annual Central Coast Renaissance Festival, where Queen Elizabeth I reigns and legendary figures like Shakespeare and Sir Francis Drake come to life.
Festival Highlights
Relax and enjoy comedy, plays, music, falconry, juggling, and lively entertainment on four village stages. Browse unique arts and crafts from over 50 talented artisans. All of this excitement is going to make you hungry. A bigger, better food court in is ready to deliver — from the festival’s legendary turkey legs to a wide variety of vendors offering everything from savory to sweet. Eat well.
The Renaissance Festival is great fun for all ages and is a good excuse to create wonderful costumes for your children, it is the best reason to dress in costume and pretend! So bring the kids to the Renaissance costume contest where everyone takes home a prize.
Coming Soon!
September 25th – 26th l 6th Annual Beach BreakaWave Rodeo l Avila Beach
Presented by Cal Poly Rodeo this one-of-a-kind rodeo on the beach with live music, bull riding, barrel racing after parties to follow. This year we’ll be at one location for all the action.
More than just a show, Beach BreakaWave is a fundraiser that supports college rodeo student-athletes, helping pave the way for their success in and out of the arena.
Getting to and from Avila Beach events can mean heavy traffic and limited parking, making SLO Safe Ride an ideal option.
Ready to Ride into SLO Central Coast July's Events? Here’s how to make the most of it:
Lock in your SLO Safe Ride early. Popular dates fill up fast.
Group going out? Charter a private shuttle and ride together in comfort and style.
Just two of you? Book a scheduled pickup and skip the rideshare roulette.
Need help planning? We can help coordinate pickups for events, wine tours & more.
Whether you’re savoring world-class wines, strolling through a festival, or dancing the night away, July is packed with opportunities to celebrate.
And with SLO Safe Ride handling the driving, you can skip the hassle of traffic, parking, and post-party worries—just relax and enjoy!
Reserve your ride now at SLOSafeRide.com — and make this July memorable.
Whatever the occasion, we have the ride for it. SLO Safe Ride is the region's trusted name for premium group and event transportation — from concert nights and wedding shuttles to corporate travel and everything in between. Voted 2026 New Times and Tribune Best of SLO and named Sunset Travel's 2025 "How to Get There" Award winner, our pro drivers and full-size fleet are ready to take your group anywhere in comfort and style.
Love wine country? That's where 101 Wine Tours comes in. Our guided tasting experiences turn a day in the vineyards into something memorable — educational, fun, and completely stress-free because we handle the driving.
When the moment calls for something more refined, Obsidian Luxury Services delivers. Black-car elegance, white-glove service, and a fleet that matches the occasion — whether it's a private wine tour, executive transfer, or a night that deserves something exceptional.
Three brands. One standard of excellence. Going the Extra Mile!
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