As we greet the New Year, our little town of San Miguel is growing. Downtown is blooming with maturing trees and sidewalk gardens. Businesses include the Mercantile and Dollar General. Good places to eat include San Miguel Market, San Miguel Deli and Taco Mafia downtown; Leo’s Steakhouse and Dos Hermanos on 10th Street by Highway 101. Across from our beautiful park on 13th Street, the historic Hoffmann house was repainted including the original lettering, ‘Maxwell House’ now clearly visible from L Street. Another historic structure on the corner of N and east 12th Streets is resplendently red. Behind it, new homes are rising across from the Senior Center (which hosts Community Bingo every second and fourth Friday at 6:30 p.m.). The next phases of Self-Help homes are under construction off of east 11th Street. All residents are encouraged to get involved in their new community.
The San Miguel Resource Connection website discoversanmiguel.com is filled with local current information and includes stories and pictures from their History Group. The Chamber of Commerce coordinates two parades each year – Sagebrush Days in April and San Miguel Christmas Lights in December – a major car show on Labor Day weekend and other events. For information call Mike Sanders at 805-712-9120. The San Miguel Lions Club is one of the oldest organizations in town. Their barbecue skills are legendary and their Old Timers Picnic in August is a must-attend for area pioneers. For information also call Mike.
Friends of the Adobes just celebrated their 50th year of taking care of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe Museum and Gift Shop in San Miguel – open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (tours by appointment) and the Estrella Adobe Church on Airport Road. They are in need of volunteers to open the Gift Shop at the Caledonia on weekends. Learn more of the history of San Miguel area, California and the nation by visiting San Miguel Mission Museum and Gift Shop – open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – and Camp Roberts Historical Museum at Camp Roberts – open on Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
San Miguel has had a library since the early 1900s. It is located on 13th Street next to the soccer field in a building which was built in the 1940s as a justice court. The Library is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday – hours are posted. The San Miguel Advisory Council is a liaison with the county to give us voice in planning for our area. They meet on the fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Community Building in the park. San Miguel – discover us.
