About this venue
Forbes Hall at Clark Center for the Performing Arts is the main theatre at the Clark Center, designed as a professional yet relatively intimate setting for the performing arts. The auditorium has 617 seats, while its proscenium stage, orchestra pit and configurable orchestra shell accommodate theatre productions, concerts, dance performances, comedy and other live programmes. This combination of capacity and professional stage facilities provides the scale of a substantial production without the sense of distance often associated with much larger venues.
Inside, the auditorium is arranged to maintain clear sightlines towards the stage and is supported by a professional sound system and technical infrastructure suitable for different types of performances. For most events, light refreshments are available in the lobby before the performance and during intermission, while only water in a sealed bottle is permitted inside the auditorium. Accessible seating for wheelchair users is also incorporated into the hall, helping make performances accessible to a wider range of visitors.
The venue is located at 487 Fair Oaks Ave, Arroyo Grande, United States, at the corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Valley Road. On-site parking is available beside the theatre, with designated spaces closest to the entrance for eligible visitors, while a passenger and rideshare drop-off zone is positioned directly in front of the building. For broader travel options and transportation around Arroyo Grande, the local and regional connections described further down the page provide additional context.
About the city
Arroyo Grande, a city on California's Central Coast, combines the historic charm of a smaller community with a lively offering of performing arts, local festivals and regional events. Clark Center for the Performing Arts is one of the key venues for concerts, theatre performances, comedy and other programs, while its location within the Five Cities area makes it easy to combine an event visit with restaurants, accommodation and coastal attractions in the surrounding area. The city is particularly convenient for visitors who want to combine an event experience with the more relaxed atmosphere of California's Central Coast without giving up access to important regional transport routes.
For getting to and around the area, South County Transit (SoCo Transit) and the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority are important, with Routes 21, 24, 27 and 28 connecting Arroyo Grande with parts of Grover Beach, Pismo Beach and Oceano. The nearest rail connection is Grover Beach Amtrak Station (GVB), while San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) is a practical option for arriving by air; road access is further supported by U.S. Highway 101. The Clark Center is located on Fair Oaks Avenue, close to freeway exits, making local venues and regional event locations practical to reach through a combination of public transport and driving.
Before or after a concert or performance, it is worth exploring the Historic Village, Arroyo Grande's historic core centered around East Branch Street, with shops, restaurants and the characteristic architecture of a smaller California town. One of its most recognizable landmarks is the Swinging Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge above Arroyo Grande Creek, alongside Heritage Square Park and other green spaces connected with the historic center. A walk through the Village, across the bridge and around the creek area is an easy way to extend an event visit into a more complete experience of Arroyo Grande and California's Central Coast.
