Registration opens for Atascadero’s 33rd annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite

By Staff Report · Mon Jul 06 2026

The City of Atascadero has opened registration for the 33rd Annual Hot El Camino Cruise Nite, set for Friday, Aug. 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The popular event, which serves as the kickoff to Atascadero’s Cruisin’ Weekend, will feature a new cruise route along El Camino Real and is expected to draw thousands of spectators.

This year’s cruise will travel along El Camino Real between Morro Road and San Jacinto Road, showcasing classic cars, custom hot rods, muscle cars, and other specialty vehicles from throughout the Central Coast and beyond. To maintain a quality experience for participants, organizers have limited the event to 200 cruise passes. Passes must be purchased in advance and will not be available the night of the event.

Mail-in registration will be accepted through Aug. 1, while walk-in registration at the Colony Park Community Center will remain open until 4 p.m. on Aug. 21 or until all passes are sold. Officials encourage interested participants to register early, as the event typically fills quickly.

Cruise Nite will be followed by a full weekend of automotive-themed festivities, including the Mid-State Cruizers Car Show at Atascadero Lake Park on Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the 10th Annual Dancing in the Streets celebration in downtown Atascadero from 5 to 10 p.m.