The Downtown Atascadero Back-To-School Challenge

It's August, and you know what that means...it's back-to-school time! This school year, we invite you to participate in the Downtown Atascadero Back-To-School Challenge. How much of your school list can you knock out without ever leaving downtown Atascadero? No big-box aisles, no online cart abandoned at 11 PM. Just a walk down Traffic Way with a coffee in hand and a list.

Our downtown has way more back-to-school gear than most people realize. New shoes, art supplies, a great backpack find, a stack of paperbacks for silent reading time, even a cute first-day-of-school outfit? It's all here, tucked into a few blocks of some of the best storefronts on the Central Coast.

So if you're staring down a school supply list and dreading the big-box crowds, join us for the Downtown Atascadero Back-To-School Challenge!

Start With The Basics: 805 Boardshop For Shoes, Skateboards & Backpacks

First stop on the list, 805 Boardshop, Atascadero's only board shop and lifestyle clothing store, on El Camino Real. This is the spot for new kicks; they carry a full range of

shoes for kids and adults alike, plus a serious lineup of skate, surf, and streetwear-inspired clothing brands that make for a genuinely great first-day-of-school outfit (not just another basic tee from a big-box rack).

📍 5863 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA 93422

Stock The Supply List At The ARTery

If your list includes anything beyond the basic pencil-and-folder combo, colored pencils, sketchbooks, watercolors, a good pair of scissors, or supplies for an art elective — The

ARTery is your next stop. This family-run shop in the Atascadero Arts District carries both professional and student-grade art supplies, so whether you're outfitting a kindergartner's pencil box or a high schooler's art portfolio, they've got you covered.

Beyond supplies, The ARTery is also just a genuinely fun stop with kids in tow.

📍 5890 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA 93422

Make It Fun: Secondhand Shopping For A One-Of-A-Kind First-Day Look

Here's where the challenge gets really fun. Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to mean fast-fashion off the rack that ten other kids will also be wearing. Downtown

Atascadero has genuinely great deals at the secondhand scene, and hunting for a one-of-a-kind piece with your kid is a memory in itself. (Plus it's easy on the wallet).

A few favorite stops for secondhand clothes shopping downtown:

• Golden State Goods — retro finds, funky one-of-a-kind pieces, and accessories you won't see anywhere else.

• Ernest Grace — a secondhand women's clothing shop with genuinely great pieces.

• Gatherings Thrift — a deal-centric thrifting experience where proceeds support local charities.
  

Let your teenager loose in one of these shops for twenty minutes, and I promise you'll come out with a better first-day outfit than anything from any big box store or online retailer. (It'll probably be a better deal too!)

Round Out The List: Books For Reading Time

Every school year needs a stack of books, whether it's required reading, a classroom

library donation, or just something to keep little hands busy on the drive to school. The Book Odyssey in downtown, near the Carlton Hotel, is the place to go! You may go in for one title and leave with a bag full. They have everything from kids' books to young adults, and everything in between. All for a reasonable price.

📍5975 Traffic Way, Atascadero, CA 93422

The Reward Stop: Nana's Ice-Cream Shop

After a full day of checking boxes off the list, make sure to save room for one more stop. Pop into Nana's Ice-Cream Shop for a refreshing and tasty treat! Let the kids (and you) unwind with a proper treat before the school year kicks off. Consider it the reward lap for completing the Downtown Atascadero Back-To-School Challenge.

📍5990 Entrada Ave, Atascadero, CA 93422

Why Shop Downtown For Back-To-School?

Every dollar spent downtown stays close to home; it supports neighbors, keeps our downtown thriving, and honestly, it just makes the whole errand more enjoyable. You're not fighting for a parking spot at a supercenter; you're strolling a walkable few blocks, popping in and out of shops run by people who actually know your name. That's a back-to-school memory worth making.

So, who's up for the challenge? See how much of your list you can check off without ever leaving downtown Atascadero!