Crystal blue skis, rugged mountains, rocky coastline, and rolling vineyards define San Luis Obispo. Free activities for families include tidepooling, hiking, beach combing, wildlife viewing and riding the SLO trolley. When the tourists head to Monterey, California ‘locals’ head to San Luis Obispo for great times and great values.
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PISMO BEACH/OCEANO/GROVER CITY
TO DO:
Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
This is one of the only beaches in California where you can drive your family vehicle directly onto the beach. This 5-mile stretch of sand is operated by CA State Parks. But beware: a state concessionaire towing service makes a regular income from people who get stuck in the sand. You can enter the beach at two areas: the west end of Grand Avenue in Grover Beach and off Pier Avenue in Oceano.
You’ll be sharing the beach with sun bathers, surf fisherman, surfers, and water sport enthusiasts, so do be careful. If you want to experience some primitive beachfront camping, reservations are strongly recommended, particularly in the summer season. Just call Reserve America, 800-444-7275. Yes, RV’s are also welcome, but don’t look for hookups.
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BJ’s ATV Rentals
805-481-5411, Grover Beach
If running around the dunes on an ATV sounds like fun to you, you can rent pint-size and full-size ATV’s here.
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Steve’s ATV Rentals & Hummer Tours
805-474-6431, Pismo Beach, Oceano & Grover Beach
Here you can rent ATV’s of various sizes, or you can take a tour in a Hummer (seats up to 8 passengers) to see the dunes. Can’t decide? No problem. They offer combination deals, too. Or, perhaps cruising down Hwy 1 on a Harley is more your style. Head to Steve’s!
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Beach Cycle Rentals
805-773-5518, Pismo Beach
Okay, so you’re not ready to motorize the family. Rent a banana bike and wheel your way around the dunes. And, compliments of the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce, you can pick up a sand wheelchair to wheel your physically challenged or elderly loved one to the waters edge. Care to keep the sand out of your toes? No problem. Perhaps a surrey tandem bike is more what you’d like. If you didn’t come at all prepared, you’ll find beach chairs, folding tables, umbrellas, baby strollers, surf boards, boogie boards, wet suits and fins.
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The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville
805-489-2499
Professional performers from all over the nation entertain you and the family with Turn-of-the-Century melodramas, comedies, musicals and thrillers. Cabaret tables, sawdust on the floor, honky-tonk piano music and superb performances combine for a memorable experience.
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Crux Climbing Center
Are the kids making you climb the walls? Then the whole family should head on over to Crux Climbing Center where you’ll find one of the most technologically advanced rock gym in the world.
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Avila Valley Barn
805-595-2810 Recorded Information
805-595-2816
560 Avila Beach Road
An open air produce market with two gift shops and a bakery where you can purchase fruit pies, in-season produce, sausages and cheeses and enjoy a picnic on their grounds. Situated on a 100-acre U-Pick-Farm a mile from the beach, U-Picks are available on weekends. This family-friendly, fun spot has corn roasts on weekends and you can ask for free goat food to feed the goats, sheep, donkeys, ponies and farm animals. In October they pull out all the stops and serve up caramel apples, pressed cider, hay rides and a huge hay maze for kids.
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Farmers Market
805-541-0286
Every Thursday evening from 6-9 pm, you’ll find hot BBQ, fresh produce & flowers, and entertainment. Kids activities are offered which may include face painting and puppet shows. This farmers market was rated as one of the top ten in the nation by Sunset Magazine.
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Beaches
Avila Beach, just south of San Luis Obispo, is considered to be one of the most family-friendly beaches in the area. While much of the coast can be covered in fog, Avila beach is typically sunny and warm. You’ll find swingsets, slides and basketball courts.
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TO STAY:
Sycamore Hot Springs
800-234-5831
You and the family can rent a Classic Redwood Hot Tub by the hour, 7:00 am – 2:00 am, or check in for a stay. Don’t be put off; these are classy tubs. Each room, whether a standard motel-style room or a luxury suite, comes with your very own hot tub on your private outdoor deck. When you stay at the hotel, you’ll enjoy complimentary use of the neighboring Olympic pool and waterslides at
Avila Hot Springs.
The restaurant offers delectable grown-up meals in parallel with kiddie food favorites like chicken fingers. The corkage fee is even waived during the week if you care to bring in your favorite local wine. The golfer in the family will want to spend some time on the par 71 6500-yard championship golf course at Avila Beach Golf Resort. Muscles sore? The kids wore you out? No problem. Order up an in-room massage for the entire family or sneak down to the spa for a private retreat.
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Lazy Arrow Outdoor Adventures
805-238-7324
Bring your RV, pitch a tent, or rent their comfy guest house and you are free to wander around this real working cattle and exotic animal ranch. You’ll enjoy the company of over 200 animals. Bottle feed a kitten or milk a goat. Campfires and BBQ pits, horseshoes and a playground are all available for your use. You can feel at ease letting the kids roam this secluded area.
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DINING:
F.McLintocks Saloon & Dining House
805-773-1892
Ranked among California’s top ten restaurants, this western saloon offers diners everything from BBQ to broiled salmon. Great ocean view from Hwy 101.
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The Cracked Crab
805-773-2722
The kids will get a laugh when you don your plastic bib and grab a mallet to ‘attack’ your bucket of cracked crab tossed on your table. Getting messy is what its all about here as you pick through your choice of shellfish selections.
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PASO ROBLES
&
MORRO BAY
Located inland from Hwy 1 about 23 miles and just 45 minutes from Hearst Castle, Mom and Dad will enjoy stopping in at the wineries on the way home from the Castle. You’ll get the “Napa experience” without the drive and at a reasonable tasting cost. Added Bonus: You’ll probably be chatting with the winemaker or winery owner. Did you know, much of Napa’s grapes come from Paso Robles, one of the greatest growing areas for red wines?
If you’re heading to Morro Bay, bring Fido along, because your dog is welcome on Morro Beach.
TO DO:
Harris Stage Lines
Their slogan is, “Where the pavement ends and the west begins!” You’ll have an opportunity to take a ride in a real western stagecoach, just like your favorite western movie. In fact, that’s exactly how Harris Stage Lines got their start. The folks who own the property provided carriages, stagecoaches and chariots to movie, television and commercial productions. Want to learn more? Then sign up for a lesson in horseback riding or carriage driving. Trail rides are not available here. Reservations required.
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Mission San Miguel Arcangel
805-467-3256
775 Mission St., San Miguel
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Mission San Antonio De Padua
831-385-4478, Jolon
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If you are looking for authenticity, then this is it. These two missions have not been restored, but have been preserved in their original state.
River Oaks Hot Springs
Rent an outdoor or indoor mineral tub by the hour, or indulge in a therapeutic massage. Outdoor tubs provide an intimate setting with spectacular valley views.
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Hollyhock Farms
805-239-4713
200 Hollyhock Lane, Templeton
Craving the fresh fruits and veggies that are in season? This unique ‘honor system’ roadside stand is open 8am to 8pm every day. They supply many local restaurants and their harvests include heirloom tomatoes, melons, peaches, pluots, squash, peppers and French plums.
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Crossroads Ranch
805-237-9640
This two-hour tour of a working alpaca ranch will introduce you to these gentle animals. Standing about three feet tall at their backs, alpacas interact well with children. You’ll enjoy the animals while learning about their care and the processing of their fibers. A store filled with everything from teddy bears to clothing is available. The ranch tours work on a donation basis. Open for tours Thursday through Saturday by appointment.
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Good Clean Fun Surf & Sports Rental
805-995-1993, Cayucos
Hit the local sand dunes armed with a sand board or rent everything from a boogie board to a beach chair. Large sand dunes are located in Montana de Oro State Park (Los Osos) about fifteen minutes from Cayucos, and smaller dunes can be found in Cayucos
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Subsea Tours
805-772-9463
Ever wonder what goes on underwater as your boat motors around the bay? You can find out by diving in, without getting wet, on a subsea tour. On the first part of your tour you’ll see birds, sea lions, otters and seals. When you arrive on the north side of the bay, you’re guide will begin to feed the sea life and, from the lower deck of the boat, you’ll get a great view of those hungry little creatures who come to feed. Also available are humpback whale watching tours, canoe and kayak rentals.
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Mustang Water Slides, Lake Lopez
805-489-8898
Two 600-foot curving water slides, four hot spas, and pony pools and slides for young kids are a fun way to cool off inland. Located ten miles east of Arroyo Grande inside the Lopez Lake County Campground.
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TO STAY & DO:
The Work Ranch
805-467-3362
Trail rides and overnight accommodations are available at this working ranch. Summer riding is scheduled for morning or early evening when temperatures are cooler. Reservations required.
Reserve their guest house and you and the family are free to roam the ranch, where the kids can pet horses, play with baby goats or hold a kitten. Kids absolutely love the chance to run barefoot in the grass or walk the country road to the goat barn. Special arrangements may be made for a bonfire or catered BBQ, but guests are typically on their own for meals. There’s only one guest house, so make your reservations early.
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TO STAY:
Chanticleer Vineyard Bed & Breakfast
805-226 0600
Elegance, comfort and friendly innkeepers make this one of our favorite romantic inns on the Central Coast. Sitting on the very edge of the vineyard, you enjoy the privacy of your own bed and bath and the comfort of 'coming home' in the evening.
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Wine Country RV Resort
866-927-8669
Since RVs play a big part of vacation plans for many of our residents, we thought you might like to know about a brand new RV park in Paso Robles, designed for the sophisticated traveler. Each site includes a private lawn with plenty of space for extra long vehicles and pop-outs. If you are traveling with friends, you may want to select one of their group sites, which accommodates up to four RVs. There are tiled restrooms and showers, a heated pool and spa, and plenty to keep the kids busy: hiking trails, arcade, pool table, horseshoe pits and 23-channels of satellite TV. The General Store supplies basic necessities as well as ice cream, wine, beer, ice and propane. You’ll be able to stay in touch with your office with the instant phone and modem access. Keep your eye on this property because the owner/operators have plans to add additional activities and services in upcoming months.
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PARKFIELD
This is the town with the largest array of earthquake monitoring equipment in the world. The US Geology Survey is keeping their eyes on Parkfield, which experiences about 500 small earthquakes a year. But there’s more to do in Parkfield than shake, rattle, and roll. If Dad is getting the urge to show off some serious testosterone, he can sign up for a boar hunt year round. Cattle drives also take place near Parkfield, but those are typically available in May. Check the web site for more fun things to do.
SAN SIMEON
&
CAMBRIA
805-927-3500 San Simeon Chamber of Commerce
TO DO:
Hearst Castle
800-444-4445
Truly this is something all should see and enjoy. Visitors begin their journey to the top of The Enchanted Hill with a stop at the Visitors Center. “Hearst Castle, Building the Dream” is offered in the theatre and the William Randolph Hearst exhibit will entice even the young ones with a treasure hunt designed just for them.
Inside Info: Most visitors (83% to be exact) choose Tour One. That’s probably because that is the tour you’re encouraged to take if you’ve never been to the Castle previously. However, the Public Relations Officer for the Castle has informed me that Tour One is designed for the 50+ set and that the younger crowd, including the kids, love Tour Two. Tour Two takes you all the way up the Bell Towers of the Castle and into Mr. Hearst’s private quarters. There’s lot of climbing and less standing around, so the kids get to keep moving. Added bonus: it’s less expensive than Tour One, although it doesn’t include the movie.
Directions: If you’re in a hurry, the quickest route from Santa Clarita is up Hwy 5 and across 46, which is a lovely drive through Wine Country. You may wish to consider staying at the brand new Hampton Inn on Hwy 46. From there, the Castle is only a forty-minute drive. The vistas are incredible; you can see all the way to Morro Bay.
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Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery
805-924-1628
Travel 4.4 miles north of Hearst Castle on Hwy 1 and you’ll be surprised at how close you can get to these incredible wild animals. Having said that, be careful! They are extremely strong and should be treated with respect. Signs are posted about requesting you keep a safe distance from the seals. Along with your visit to the rookery, head south to the Visitors Center and Gift Shop in San Simeon (in the Plaza del Cavalier located next to the Chamber) where the kids can see sea otter and seal skulls and you can bring home souvenirs. Check the web site for a wonderful calendar on when to best view the seals.
Piedras Blancas Light Station
805-927-2968
888-804-8608 Recorded Information
Completed in 1875, this lighthouse was only recently opened for tours on a limited basis. Tickets may be purchased day of tour at Hearst Castle Visitor Center, where tours originate. It can be quite cool at the lighthouse, so wear appropriate clothing.
Equipment Rentals
Rent a bike at Ace Hardware on Tamson Drive or Sea For Yourself on Main Street and tour this quaint little town without your vehicle. You’ll also find guided kayak tours or kayaks and gear at Sea For Yourself. You can also head to the beach of Hearst State Park to California Kayaks Company to find boogie boards, wet suits and, of course, kayaks (as well as guided tours).
Nitt Witt Ridge
Click on “San Luis Obispo County” and then “Cambria” then select “Nitt Witt Ridge” from "Local Interests”
881 Hillcrest Drive, West Village
So this guy named Arthur Beal didn’t have any money, but apparently he had a lot of time on his hands. He spent a good portion of his life creating what is sometimes tagged “The Poor Man’s Hearst Castle.” Set on two and a half acres, Mr. Beal used beer cans, shells, rocks, car parts and whatever else he could get his hands on to create his own little castle. Don’t let the front of the building deceive you; there are many rooms in the house to see and a great view of the ocean on this 45-minute tour. Folks young and old find current owner Michael O’Malley’s impersonation of Arthur Beal to be an absolute hoot.
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TO DINE:
Main Street Grill
805-927-3194
603 Main Street
This is one of our favorite places to stop and eat when in Cambria for a great, casual meal. BBQ pork, beef ribs and chicken are cooked over an open pit. Is the food good? Well, the folks wouldn’t stand in line if it wasn’t! You can even eat outdoors with the kids and watch the spigot turn while you’re lickin’ your fingers.
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TO STAY:
Moonstone Hotels-Beach Properties
This is one of those hidden gems, and our favorite of the properties is the Pelican Cove Inn (formerly Pelican Suites Inn). If you want to be pampered with sumptuous bedding, afternoon tea, and a cooked breakfast, the Pelican Cove Inn is the place to be. Splurge on the oceanfront room and let the waves lull you to sleep. Be sure to head to the Sea Chest Oyster Bar & Restaurant for the most tender calamari steak you've ever tasted!
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Cavalier Ocean Front Best Western Resort
805-927-4688
The location of this property, on a bluff overlooking the beach and just three miles south of Hearst Castle, is what makes it special. If there is an experienced surfer with you, they’ll want to surf out at Pico Creek, which is straight out from the resort. It is one of the best-kept secrets in the area, a point break as awesome as Sea Street in Ventura. Kite surfers can be seen from the resort lawns any afternoon the wind picks up. This combination of hang gliding and surfing looks easy, but those are experienced athletes out there! Keep in mind that while the beach is great for rock hunting, the water is chilly at 55 degrees. Every evening the bonfires are lit and it's time to teach the out-of-towners why we Americans like to toast marshmallows over an open fire. (Sticks provided, bring your own marshmallows.) The on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and you’ll find wine-pairing dinners on the menu for Mom and Dad as well as grilled cheese and hot dogs for the kids. The hotel just completed an extensive remodeling of their oceanfront rooms, including the replacement of wallpaper and carpeting. The oceanfront rooms, all king beds, have a wood burning fireplace. Very few rooms have two queen beds, so most families will want to reserve two connecting rooms.
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