Cambria Center for the Arts Gallery - Cambria

Thursday-Friday 1:00pm-4:00pm; Saturday-Sunday opens 11:00am
Location: 1350 Main Street
Why Go There? Monthly exhibits feature local artists, opening receptions; participates in annual three day Art & Wine Festival (January)
More Information: Cambria Center for the Arts + Art & Wine Festival

Carmel Art Association Gallery - Carmel

Daily 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: Dolores between 5th/6th
Why Go There? 100+ local artists works, wide variety of media; monthly changing exhibits; sponsors film series, lectures, concerts, art demonstrations, special fundraising events
More Information: Shows & Events + Facebook

Carmel Art Walk - Carmel

Second Saturday November-May  5:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Downtown
Why Go There? Opportunity to visit 21 artist-owned galleries within walking distance of each other; printed maps available at participant galleries
More Information: Carmel Art Walk

Mosaic Sculpture - Cayucos

Location: B Street/Birch Avenue in front of the swimming pool, across from Hardie Park
Why Go There? Mosaic artist Peter Ladochy's striking mosaic sculpture honors local indigenous tribes who inhabited the area for thousands of years. The name Cayucos stems from the hispanic version of the Chumash word for canoe or kayak.
More Information: Mosaic

Monterey Museum of Art - Monterey

Thursday-Monday 11:00am-5:00pm
Location: 559 Pacific Street; 720 Via Mirada
Why Go There? Pacific Street: Focus on American and early California painting, photography; contemporary art; museum gift shop. La Mirada: in historic renovated estate (only open for special events, programs): contemporary galleries, rose gardens.
More Information: Monterey Art

Paso Robles Arts Association Gallery - Paso Robles

Daily 12:00pm-6:00pm
Location: 1130 Pine Street
Why Go There? Member artist monthly exhibits, opening receptions (Saturday 5:00pm-7:00pm). Participant in Studios on the Park events; provides chalk for Arte de Tiza sidewalk chalk art event (September).
More Information: Arts Association

Studios on the Park - Paso Robles

Daily 12:00pm-6:00pm
Location: 1130 Pine Street
Why Go There? Non-profit venue: art galleries, studios; gift shop. Hosts Art After Dark Paso: art, wine, live music-filled evenings (first Saturday monthly).
More Information: Studios on the Park

National Steinbeck Center - Salinas

Daily (closed holidays) 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: One Main Street (Old town)
Why Go There? Interactive museum in heart of historic old town features famous Steinbeck books; offers insight into author's life; scheduled events: lectures, performances, annual Steinbeck festival (May); gift shop; student, senior, local resident discounts
More Information: National Steinbeck Center + Facebook

Art After Dark - San Luis Obispo

Monthly first Friday (except December) 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Downtown galleries, shops
Why Go There? 20+ art galleries, shops feature changing art/artist exhibits
More Information: Arts Obispo

Open Studios Art Tours - San Luis Obispo County

October weekends 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: See website (printed full-color catalog, online catalog , mobile-friendly map)
Why Go There? Self-guided free tours; approximately 200 participant artist works, variety of media; demonstrations, works in progress, many items for sale
More Information: Arts Obispo

San Luis Obispo (SLO) History Center Museum/Historic Downtown Walking Tour - San Luis Obispo

History Center Museum: Wednesday-Monday 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: 696 Monterey Street
Why Go There? Museum features changing exhibits; gift shop. SLO Historic Society self-guided tour includes Dallidet Adobe/Garden, several historic buildings; starts/ends at History Center's Carnegie Library Museum; provides local history introduction; approximately 1.5 hours.
More Information: SLO History Center

Salinas Valley Art Gallery - Salinas

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm (First Friday until 8:00pm) Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm 
Location: 218 Main Street
Why Go There? Area artist cooperative 40+ years variety of media features bi-monthly changing artworks for sale; monthly first Friday reception (coincides with First Friday art walk); close to Steinbeck Museum
More Information: Salinas Valley Art Gallery

Additional Resources

Performing Arts Center - Arroyo Grande
Gallery features rotating juried local artist works; 487 Fair Oaks Avenue

Marjorie Evans Gallery - Carmel
At the Sunset Center features monthly art exhibits, opening receptions

Art Association Gallery - Cayucos
1:00pm-4:00pm (closed Monday-Tuesday)

Monterey History & Art Association - Monterey
Collection of Salvador Dali works

Dana Adobe - Nipomo
Historic landmark, cultural center and gallery featuring changing exhibits, events; 671 South Oakglen Avenue

ArtWorks - Pacific Grove
3rd Friday art walks; open studios (weekends)

Art Center - Pacific Grove
Offers changing local artist exhibits, events; 568 Lighthouse Avenue

Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History - Pacific Grove
Features exhibits, monarch butterfly viewing, special events, native plant garden/sculptures; 165 Forest Avenue

First Friday Art - Salinas
Monthly downtown artwalk

Visit SLO CAL - San Luis Obispo County
Art, food, music events, and other things to see, do

Outdoor Painters for the Environment - San Luis
Art events

Hearst Castle - San Simeon
Highly popular State Historic Landmark offers different tours (fees, times vary) throughout the year

Arts Council - Santa Maria
Oversees public art map, annual events to support local art