Here in SLO CAL (San Luis Obispo County) we are full of family friendly fun. Whether you like to seek out the best adventures, kick back and relax or anywhere in between, we've got you covered! Check out this itinerary for the perfect family vacation in SLO CAL.
Day 1
Start off your perfect SLO CAL vacation in south county with pies and a petting zoo! Avila Valley Barn is ideal for a morning full of fun, complete with tractor and pony rides around the farm. During the spring months, kids can pick their own berries straight from the vine and in the fall, they can pick juicy apples or wander the pumpkin patch in search for the perfect jack-o-lantern. Find local products galore as you browse their shop and be sure to enjoy fresh apple cider, roasted corn on the cob and a slice of homemade pie before you leave.
Travel just a few minutes down the road and you'll find Avila Beach. We’re telling you, you’re in luck! Sunbathing, seal watching, whale sightings, biking, hiking and more is at your fingertips here.
Start out by renting electric bikes and cruising along the Bob Jones Trail or try out the Sycamore Crest Trail if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground. The reward at the end? A swing with a breathtaking view of our SLO CAL coastline. If Sycamore Crest is too steep, try a scenic hike to the Point San Luis Lighthouse.
Prefer to warm up in the sand? Spend the afternoon basking in the sun and playing in the waves on Avila Beach, which is almost guaranteed to be the warmest beach in SLO CAL due to its south-facing cove. Bringing your pooch along? Check out Port San Luis instead, a dog friendly beach just down the road.
If you want to get out on the water, hop into some kayaks or paddleboards to explore the bay. Keep an eye out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to whale watch in this famous spot, best late summer and fall. The Central Coast Aquarium is also located here for interactive exhibits, touch pools and swell sharks.
After working up your appetite, grab lunch at one of the beachside restaurants like Mersea’s on the Harford Pier, where you will almost certainly see sun basking and social seals. For the adults, maybe pop into a tasting room to savor a different fruit of SLO CAL's labor, like Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards. Located in See Canyon, this unconventional winery even makes a few wines with apples. Sycamore Mineral Springs’ Secret Garden occasionally offers a pop-up happy hour before dinner or a late-night soak in their healing hot springs.
Wrap up the day in Arroyo Grande with the kids at Klondike Pizza, but not if you’re allergic to peanuts. The floor is covered in peanut shells which you’ll probably help contribute to while you're enjoying the piano player and letting the kiddos play in the arcade.
Day 2
Start day 2 off right and head to the famous Madonna Inn for a morning trail ride through the beautiful hills of San Luis Obispo. Grab the reins and get ready for stunning views of Cerro San Luis, Bishop Peak and the surrounding San Luis Obispo area. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes, long pants and bring layers. If you’re not one for equines, take the Madonna Inn Bike Path, or park on Fernandez Lane for a medium-heavy intensity hike up Cerro San Luis. This 1200 foot mountain is the second in the Nine Sisters Mountain range, which ends at Morro Rock.
Make sure to refuel for the rest of the day with lunch at Madonna Inn and feel like you're stepping into a fairytale as you enter the Copper Cafe. Experience an ambiance like no other with hand-painted walls, elegantly carved wood pieces, copper tables and so much more. Try the world-famous pink champagne cake or one of the many other flavors nothing shy of fabulous. Before you go, remember to take a piece of this wonderful world with you from the gift shop upstairs.
Cal Poly has some gorgeous sights to behold too. Check out the Leaning Pines Arboretum, focused primarily on the world's five Mediterranean climate regions. If you prefer an architectural walk, Poly Canyon is host to a decades-old Architectural Graveyard made of decaying experimental structures designed by university students.
Head to downtown San Luis Obispo next and leave your mark! Grab a piece of bubblegum and add to the famous Bubblegum Alley, located in the 700 block of Higuera Street. While this phenomenon's origins are unknown, today, nobody questions taking part in this wonderfully icky tradition. Continue throughout the downtown area to find everything you never knew you were looking for. Everything from large retailers to boutique shops that carry local products perfect to take home. Peruse art galleries, kitchen stores, bookstores and more before stopping to see a bit of California history at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Toddlers and youngsters will love to spend some time at the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, where curiosity meets fun-filled exploration. Refuel at lively coffee shops and check out one of the many dining options in San Luis Obispo to round out your very active day!
Day 3
Nothing says family fun better than a day at the zoo! Check out Atascadero's Charles Paddock Zoo to see hundreds of animal species from around the world including a Malayan tiger, spider monkeys, and meerkats. Check out their calendar of events for fun special events like the Ice Cream Zoofari, Cookie Adventure, Earth Day Celebration, Zoo Boo and Holiday Magic. Right next door in Atascadero Lake Park is a playground, barbecue areas, horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court, and paddle boats and kayaks to rent. Enjoy the rest of your day having outdoor fun with the family and playing on the lake! On a nice day, a picnic here is highly recommended.
Dare to take your day on an adventurous flight? Check out the Santa Margarita Ranch, with zip lining fun for the whole family. A few times a year, this historic ranch also breaks out their narrow-gauge Pacific Coast Railroad, made of restored 1950s Disneyland train cars. This is a rare occasion, but keep your eye out!
Cool down by taking the family up to Negranti Creamery for ice cream like you’ve never had before! This lactose-free, creamy delight made from sheep's milk is located in the hip neighborhood of Tin City, where the whole family can find a treat to consume. If your kids are older, check out a few of our world-class wineries too.
If you're looking for more adventure, take a dip at The Ravine Waterpark to cool off. You could also let your mind soar at the Estrella Warbird Museum, where old helicopters, supersonic airplanes and military memorabilia are on display. Entrance to this museum also gives you access to the Woodland Automobile Display next-door which houses race cars, classic cars and supercars.
Wind down in the Paso Robles town square with restaurants surrounding you on four sides, multiple blocks deep. You’ll have your pick for a perfect evening to dine outside as you wind down your day.
Day 4
How about a trip up Highway 1 to close out your perfect SLO CAL vacation? Don’t think we could forget this iconic gem! Morro Bay, Cayucos, Harmony, Cambria, San Simeon and Ragged Point have so much to offer, including a castle on a hill with zebras. That’s right. Didn’t get to see a zebra at the zoo yesterday? Explore the 127 acres of terraced gardens, fountains, and gold pools, and choose from various tours to explore the marvelous 165-roomed Hearst Castle. Started in 1919, Hearst Castle has truly unique architecture, history, and beauty, making it a one of a kind museum. Be warned, the weather on the hill can vary dramatically from the coast, so like much of SLO CAL, bring layers! Enjoy the wine at Hearst Ranch Winery down in San Simeon and continue further up the coast to the Piedras Blancas Light Station for tours of this 1875-built structure.
Between these two spots is the best places to view elephant seals in all of California, the Elephant Seal Vista Point. Here you will see gigantic seals flopping around on the sand, snoozing in the sun and males battling for prime beach real estate. While elephant seals can be seen year-round, the best times to view them are November through February. Make sure to stop by the lovely town of Cambria during your exploration of Highway 1 too! This ski chalet-looking village is best known for it's quaint look and ideal shopping, dining and lodging options. One of the finest lookouts to potentially spot whale tales and whales breach is nearby at Leffingwell Landing State Park. The ADA-compliant walkway of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve is also a great bet. If there’s still daylight and you didn’t get your equestrian fix earlier in your trip, you may want to book at Covell’s Clydesdales for the chance to mount one of these gigantic beasts for a sunset trot. If you didn’t already grab dinner in Cambria (hopefully you picked up some Olallieberry pie from Linn’s Easy as Pie Shop and Café, at least), you can still catch dinner by the sea in Cayucos or Morro Bay’s Embarcadero at places like Tognazzini’s Dockside Restaurant.
And how about that? You’ve seen much so much of SLO CAL, but there’s still plenty to come back for. On your next trip be sure to check out even more the county has to offer like Montaña de Oro State Park, Oceano Dunes, Pismo Beach pier, Edna Valley, Lopez Lake, SLO CAL’s second mission in San Miguel, Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument (visit in April for the chance to see a super bloom). And with 250+ world-class wineries in SLO CAL, the adults alone could spend at least another year exploring. So, pack your bags for a trip of a lifetime in SLO CAL!
