Veteran's Day Freebies and Events in San Luis Obispo
Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, October 21, 2019 Under: Veterans
I'm a veteran's wife so every year I always go on a list hunt ahead of time to find free things for my special veteran on Veteran's Day.
I've come to find that the major chains are usually very consistent with offering freebies for veterans and active military on Veteran's Day. Here is the list I've compiled for San Luis Obispo Count and nearby. I hope that this helps you and your veteran too.
Veteran's Day is Thurs., November 12, 2021. Please be ready to show proof of military service or veteran's status when requested by any of these companies for your freebies. *If there is a (To be confirmed) note next to the freebie listed below, it just means that I haven't seen the company's actual website publish their freebie announcement for 2021 but it is usually an ongoing annual offer that they do.
I've come to find that the major chains are usually very consistent with offering freebies for veterans and active military on Veteran's Day. Here is the list I've compiled for San Luis Obispo Count and nearby. I hope that this helps you and your veteran too. Veteran's Day is Thurs., November 12, 2021. Please be ready to show proof of military service or veteran's status when requested by any of these companies for your freebies. *If there is a (To be confirmed) note next to the freebie listed below, it just means that I haven't seen the company's actual website publish their freebie announcement for 2021 but it is usually an ongoing annual offer that they do.
- Free haircut at all Great Clips places for veterans on Veteran's Day. They do this every year and my husband has been able to taken advantage of it most of the time. If the veteran comes in that day and can't wait too long to get a haircut that very day, they will hand the veteran a free haircut card to use.
- Discounted tickets to a veteran and up to 5 guests at Knott's Berry Farm from Nov. 1 - 18 (Mon-Thurs), and Nov. 29 - Dec 16, 2021 (Mon-Thurs). Now that we are here on the Central Coast, we can drive a few hours south to Knott's Berry Farm in Orange County. Military personnel can buy tickets for $19.99.
- Free red, white & blueberry pancakes to veterans and active duty at IHOP on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11, 2021 from 7AM - 7PM at all participating IHOPs around the nation. Dine in only.
- Free 10 boneless wings and fries for veteran's on Veteran's Day at Buffalo Wild Wings. They usually don't post it on their website ahead of time but will publish a PR announcement or post on facebook a couple of days before about this freebie.
- Free meal to veterans and active military on Veteran's Day at Applebee's. They usually require you to show proof. Sometimes it's from a special list so do tell them upon order that you are a veteran or active military and they will let you know what's the freebie offer.
- Free meal to veterans on Veteran's Day at California Pizza Kitchen. They usually don't have an announcement until early in November about their offerings but it is usually an ongoing annual offer from a selected menu (like pizza, salad or pasta, etc) for the veteran to pick from. (Note: The one in SLO closed down during the pandemic but the closest one can be found in Santa Barbara)
- Little Caesar's pizza will offer a free $5 hot and ready lunch combo during the hours of 11AM - 2PM to any veteran or active military. Must mention offer and like the rest, be ready to show proof.
- Free meal at Golden Corral from 5PM - closing for veterans on Nov 11, 2021. The closest Golden Corral to SLO is in Santa Maria, California (in the next county over)
- Free meal to veterans at Olive Garden from a selected menu. They usually don't market this freebie until a few days or during the first week of November but from my experience, it is not always on the actual Veteran's Day but close to it. (To be confirmed.)
- All veterans and active duty get a free meal from Chili's from a selected menu on Veteran's Day. There's a list of 7 to choose from: https://www.chilis.com/restaurant-events/veterans-day.
- All veterans and active duty get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam at Denny's on Veteran's Day. Offer is only valid from 5AM - noon for dine in.
- All veterans get a free tall coffee at Starbucks on Veteran's Day. They always offer this freebie but don't announce it until a few weeks before.
- Urbane Cafe in Arroyo Grande is giving All law enforcement, firefighters, and veterans receive a free sandwich, salad, or bowl on November 11th.
- All Veterans & Active Military get 50% off any rental in the store at Lopez Lake from Nov 6 - Nov 12, 2021. Lopez Lake is located in Arroyo Grande, part of San Luis Obispo county.
- Free entry for veterans on Nov 11, 2021 at Aquarium of Pacific but must reserve tickets ahead on their website. Aquarium of the Pacific is not in San Luis Obispo county and located in the LA area (3 hours drive south of SLO) Address: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. See pictures of Aquarium of the Pacific.
Veteran's Day Celebration and Events around SLO
Nov 11, 2021 (Thurs) - 2021 Veterans Day Community Celebration from 10AM - 2PM. $5 for hot dogs and hamburgers served from 11:30AM - 1PM. There will be an on-site blood drive, bounce house and "Veterans Day" Kids Craft Table. Museum admission is free. Address: 801 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Nov 11, 2021 (Thurs) - Veteran's Day Ceremony at Pismo Beach at 11AM. This is an annual ceremony. Address: On the pier between Pomeroy and Hinds Ave., Pismo Beach, California
Nov 11, 2021 (Thurs) - Veterans Day Celebration at SLO Farmers' Market from 6PM - 8:30PM. Live music, military vehicles and memorabilia, activities, giveaways and resources for their families on Morro St, between Higuera and Monterey streets. GPS: Downtown San Luis Obispo
If you're a veteran in San Luis Obispo county, you can take advantage of a lot of cool events that the County of San Luis Obispo put together. They help you with benefits and services that you are eligible for too. You can visit the Veterans Service website that is run by the county and they also do an amazing job of posting upcoming events on their Veterans Services of San Luis Obispo county facebook page.
See other family-friendly events on the SanLuisObispoMom.com activities page.
Nov 11, 2021 (Thurs) - 2021 Veterans Day Community Celebration from 10AM - 2PM. $5 for hot dogs and hamburgers served from 11:30AM - 1PM. There will be an on-site blood drive, bounce house and "Veterans Day" Kids Craft Table. Museum admission is free. Address: 801 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Nov 11, 2021 (Thurs) - Veteran's Day Ceremony at Pismo Beach at 11AM. This is an annual ceremony. Address: On the pier between Pomeroy and Hinds Ave., Pismo Beach, California
Nov 11, 2021 (Thurs) - Veterans Day Celebration at SLO Farmers' Market from 6PM - 8:30PM. Live music, military vehicles and memorabilia, activities, giveaways and resources for their families on Morro St, between Higuera and Monterey streets. GPS: Downtown San Luis Obispo
If you're a veteran in San Luis Obispo county, you can take advantage of a lot of cool events that the County of San Luis Obispo put together. They help you with benefits and services that you are eligible for too. You can visit the Veterans Service website that is run by the county and they also do an amazing job of posting upcoming events on their Veterans Services of San Luis Obispo county facebook page.
See other family-friendly events on the SanLuisObispoMom.com activities page.
In : Veterans
Tags: discounts and free things for veterans in san luis obispo
Originally from San Diego, California, I'm a San Diego State University alumna, veteran's wife and mom of two kids who were born two years apart. After living on the East Coast for 6 years, we now reside in San Luis Obispo County and here, the exploration continues.
@sanluisobispomom