Why drive across the state to find the concert you have always dreamed of, when there may be one of your favorite artists playing right in your backyard?

If you live in San Luis Obispo County, you will never have to drive more than 20 minutes to find music entertainment anymore.  For those of you who are music enthusiasts like I am, you may already be somewhat aware of the best concert venues in San Luis Obispo County. If you aren’t, listen up. Your entertainment world is about to change.

#1 Downtown Brewing Company

My first choice would have to be Downtown Brewing Company. Though it may not have the biggest concerts in town, the local bar in downtown San Luis Obispo can put on quite a show, and they tend to have concerts more frequently than any other venue in town with a variety of different music to suit your different tastes. Brewery during the day, bar during the night, and concert venue one night out of almost every other week, Downtown Brew keeps the community dancing seven days a week. The last concert I saw there was Afroman. It was two weeks ago and tickets were only $17. The concert ended up being sold out, and packed before the rapper even arrived.

#2 The Graduate

The Graduate is the local dance club to many of the college students residing in San Luis Obispo. Though it doesn’t have concerts quite as often as Downtown Brew, when it does, the shows are huge. With performing artists like E-40 and Pepper, The Graduate can draw in a line of people that will wind all the way down the block. Believe me. I have waited in that line.

#3 Mid-State Fairgrounds

The Mid-State Fairgrounds located in Paso Robles, may not have concerts very often, but when it does, they are substantially larger than your average local concert. With artists like Fergie, Journey, and Kelly Clarkson, the concerts may bring as many people to the fair as the fair brings to the concert. The Fairgrounds offers a convenient shuttle to those intoxicated people in need, and the surrounding fair can be quite entertaining before or after the show.

#4 Cal Poly Campus

California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo does more than just prepare the next generation for the workplace. It also hosts several events such as improv comedy shows like “Smile and Nod,” stand up comedy shows like Dan Smith, and concerts of local musicians like rap group Kauzafex. The Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center, The Chumash Auditorium, and The Recreation Center, The Mott Gym, and The University Union are all places that members of the campus community look to find entertainment. Though many of the musicians are not very well known, most are aspiring, and very talented.

To Purchase Tickets:

If you want to attend a concert at any of the above venues, I strongly suggest stopping by Boo Boo Records on Monterey Street if you happen to be cruising around downtown. They sell tickets to almost all of the local shows. If not, tickets are probably available online or at the venues themselves. Good luck and have fun!