Food and Wine 

FESTIVAL OF BEERS is May 23 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in Avila. General admission tickets are sold out, but connoisseur tickets still available at $150. Info: 544-2266 or hospiceslo.org/beerfest.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL is a must-see for travelers and locals alike in the Arroyo Grande Village May 23-24 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. It’s all about the strawberries, people—and live music, food, and much more. Info: 473-2250 or arroyograndevillage.org.

FLAVOR OF SLO is a nonprofit promotional fundraising event that features tastings from two dozen local restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The event will take place on May 31 from noon-4 p.m. in Mitchell Park in SLO. Cost is $15-$28. Info: flavorofslo.com.

PINOT AND PAELLA FEST in Templeton Community Park is May 31, 2-5 p.m. Find 16 chefs and 20 Paso Pinot Noir producers. Proceeds benefit children’s arts programs in SLO County. $65. Info: 239-2565 or pinotandpaella.com.

TASTE OF SOUTH BAY takes place on June 2 at 6 p.m. at 2180 Palisades Ave. in Los Osos. Cost is $25-$30. This is a wine, food, and fun fundraiser. Info: 528-4884 or 528-4169.

AFTERNOON OF EPICURIAN DELIGHTS is June 7 at Chapman House in Shell Beach from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The $100 admission helps to support EOC Health Services and includes an elegant garden party, food and wine, opportunities to view and bid on exclusive art, and live music. Info: 544-2498.

HARMONY CELLARS celebrates its 20th birthday on June 27 at 6 p.m. Dine on wines, entertainment, and a selection of savory and sweet “cakes.” Cost is $29-$36. Info and reservations: harmonycellars.com or 927-1625.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH TWO COOKS AT MERIDIAN is July 3. Chef Ben and Chef Russell decided to combine their shared love of cooking and start their own business, Two Cooks Catering. Join them noon-5 p.m. Info: 226-7133 or [email protected].

CENTRAL COAST WINE CLASSIC takes place all over SLO County July 9-12. Tickets to the several events, taking place mostly in Shell Beach (at Dolphin Bay Resort) and Avila, start at $35. Info: 544-1285, 773-4300, or centralcoastwineclassic.org.

LAVENDER FESTIVAL IN PASO ROBLES is July 11 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in downtown Paso Robles City Park. Find lavender products, samples, demonstrations, a tasting garden, distilling, arts, crafts, food, and music. Free. Info: 238-4103 or pasoroblesdowntown.org.

GREAT KITCHENS OF CAMBRIA TOUR happens July 25 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at eight locations in Cambria. This is a fundraiser for the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Info: 927-2856 or ffrpcambria.org.

PORTUGUESE CELEBRATION IN CAYUCOS is July 25-26. Enjoy sopas, dancing, a parade, and Mass. Info: cayucoschamber.com.

PALLET TO PALATE connects local farmers and chefs to the community with food-focused events, from cooking demonstrations to a “SLOcavore” party and auction, benefiting the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. Join the fun at the Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach and at other locations throughout San Luis Obispo County Aug. 7-21. Cost is $5 and up. Info: pal2pal.org or 556-3306.

OLIVE FESTIVAL takes place in the downtown Paso Robles City Park on Aug. 22 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy art, olives, cooking demos, and, of course, wine. Aug. 21: Attend an olive social in the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Info and tickets: pasoolivefestival.com, 238-4103, or pasoroblesdowntown.org.

SUMMER FLIGHTS AND BITES is Aug. 29. Join the wineries of 46 East in the wine park at Sylvester Winery for their end-of-summer celebration. Nine wineries will pour wines paired with a gourmet cheeses. Local olive and olive oil producers will serve their products. There’s also a barbecue. Cost is $25-$30. Info: 227-4000 or pasorobleswinerieseast.com.

TOMATO EXTRAVAGANZA is Aug. 29 at the SLO Botanical Garden from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Meet educational speakers and a variety of tomatoes to taste and purchase at 3450 Dairy Creek Road, on Highway 1 across from Cuesta College in El Chorro Regional Park. Info: 541-1400 or slobg.org.

ENDLESS SUMMER AT EDNA VALLEY VINEYARD is Fridays Sept. 4-25 at 5 p.m. Drop by 2585 Biddle Ranch Road. Info: 544-5855 or ednavalleyvineyard.com.

TASTE OF SAN LUIS is Sept. 9 in Mission plaza in SLO from 6-10 p.m. The theme is “Wednesday Night Fever,” bringing disco back to the Central Coast. Costumes are encouraged. Info: 541-0286.

TASTE OF THE CENTRAL COAST benefits local foster kids and kids in need at Cypress Ridge Pavilion in Arroyo Grande on Sept. 13 from 3-6:30 p.m. with a live and silent auction, 40 local restaurants, desserts, wineries, and live jazz for $75. Info: 781-3535 or tasteofthecentralcoast.com.

AVOCADO AND MARGARITA FESTIVAL is Sept. 19. Sample guacamole till you see green and quench your thirst with Cabo Wabo margaritas at 714 Embarcadero in Morro Bay. Info: 772-4467.

TASTE OF DOWNTOWN PASO ROBLES takes place Sept. 19 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with tasting specialties from 25 restaurants, wine/beer tasting, and Arte de Tiza (sidewalk chalk art). It all starts at 8 a.m., with concerts from 3-6 p.m. Info: pasoroblesdowntown.org or 238-4103.

OAKTOBERFEST at River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles is Sept. 26 from noon-5 p.m. Cost is $35 and up. Info: 238-4600 or brownpapertickets.com.

SUNDAYS ON THE DECK IN PISMO happen from 2-6 p.m. at the SeaVenture Restaurant in Pismo Beach. Enjoy live music, tapas, and drink specials—plus the magical view of the ocean. Info: 773-3463 or seaventure.com (even from their website, you can hear the ocean).

PISMO BEACH CLAM FESTIVAL comes to downtown Pismo Oct. 17-18. Info: 773-7063.