Atascadero is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, about equidistant from San Francisco and Los Angeles on U-S Highway 101. Atascadero is farther inland than most other San Luis Obispo County cities, and as a result, usually experiences warmer, drier summers and cooler winters than neighboring cities such as San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. The current population is around 29,000. The brainchild of mega-entrepreneur E.G. Lewis, Atascadero CA is the result of nearly a century of organic community evolution. It is an amalgamation of rolling hills studded with majestic oaks and other mesmerizing flora; historic buildings; quaint lake park and zoo; dynamic enclaves of artists, musicians and writers; all surrounded by the most colorful visitor vistas and finest wineries in the state. Atascadero is the hub, the very center of California's Central Coast. == Annual events include: == Farmers Market - Downtown - Every Wednesday - Year 'Round Sweetheart Stroll - Downtown - Saturday before Valentines's Day - February Wildflower Bike Ride - April Central Coast Cince de Mayo - Saturday before May 5 Atascadero Wine & Golf Festival - Atascadero Lakeside Park - Saturday - June Tuesday Concerts in the Park - Atascadero Lakeside Park - June to August Saturday Concerts in the Park - Atascadero Lakeside park - June to August Great American Holiday - Saturday after July 4 Ice Cream Zoofari at the Zoo - July Hot El Camino Cruise Night - Huge car Cruise on Friday evening - August Mid-State Cruizers Car Show - Atascdero Lakeside Park - Saturday - August Sunken Gardens Flea Market - September Colony Days Parade & Celebration - Downtown - Third Saturday in October Halloween ZooBoo at the Zoo - October Downtown Winter Wonderland - Downtown - Second Friday in December More information: [www. visitatascadero. com]