Must Visit Farm Stands in SLO CAL

📍 1214 Santa Ysabel Avenue, Los Osos, CA 93402

At the intersection of Cienaga Street and South Halcyon Road in Oceano you will find the local favorite Hayashi Fruit Stand. This farm stand is owned by the Hayashi family who are multigenerational farmers of SLO CAL, and a few of the last remaining Japanese American farmers. Since arriving to the Central Coast in the 1940’s, Hayashi produce has become a household name throughout the County. At their largest, they farmed around 800 acres spanning from Nipomo to Morro Bay. Today, the family farm is still a very significant 300 acres located primarily in Oceano.

When you arrive in town, replace the trip to the grocery store with a visit to this family's farm stand. Here you can find all the fruits and veg you need to cook up your nightly dinner, and a wall full of homemade pickled, jammed and sauced goodness (including homemade dressings!). Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a basket (or three) of their famous strawberries that are grown on the farm year-round. Can’t make it to the fruit stand? No worries! You can find the Hayashi Family’s fresh local produce at farmers markets all across SLO CAL.

📍 2039 Huasna Road, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

A relatively new kid on the block, Rodeo Farms Gardens on Huasna Road in Arroyo Grande (less than a five-minute drive from The Village) is not to be missed. Their Albion strawberries compete head-to-head with their more well-recognized counterparts, and some even say Rodeo Farms has them beat. Looking to get in on the action? You can pick your own fruit here - call ahead to see if u-pick is available when you’re swinging by!

As a family-owned business, the owners of this unassuming fruit stand perfectly encapsulate what it means to provide patrons with SLO CAL hospitality. Selling fresh, pesticide-free strawberries, raspberries, cherries and more, make this a pit-stop (no pun intended) on your next trip through Arroyo Grande.

📍 2899 See Canyon Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Nestled in Avila Valley’s scenic See Canyon, Gopher Glen Apple Farm has been a local favorite for over four decades. This farm stand offers over 65 unique apple varieties, baked goods and fresh produce. You can even find locally made cheese and ice cream straight from Cal Poly’s student-run creamery, where students embrace the university’s motto “learn by doing”.

While you’re there, make sure to indulge in Gopher Glen’s homemade apple pies, strudels, muffins and other sweet treats (including honey varieties from their own beehives). We can’t forget to mention the apple farm’s very own Gopher Glen Cider Co. that produces a wide variety of hard and fresh (kid-friendly) ciders you can sip on as you browse through their wares.

Just down the road you will find Gopher Glen’s sister location, Avila Valley Barn, where you can partake in family-friendly fun no matter the season. Throughout the summer and fall months, you can pick your own fresh fruits and flowers ranging from olallieberries, tomatoes and apples in the summer, to pumpkin picking in the fall. Check both of their websites to find what’s currently in season on the farms.

📍 1214 Santa Ysabel Avenue, Los Osos, CA 93402

Beelieve Honey and Treats in Los Osos has everything and anything SLO CAL honey. Although this farm stand may be the smallest of small businesses, don’t be fooled by its size. Here, you will get the experience of a true local. They sell everything from diverse honey varieties such as avocado, sage, clover and orange harvested from their own beehives to bee pollen, jams, olive oils and so much more.

In addition to honey, their stand is stocked year-round with rotating fresh local produce, honey accessories and sometimes even home-bakes goodies. You can also find bee skincare products such as soaps and lip balms! It might be hard to resist buying the whole stand (but hey, we don’t blame you).

After your stop at the farm stand, keep the self-care goodness going and head down the street to FABLERUNE's retail store and warehouse. This is home to SLO CAL’s famous all-natural, small-batch skincare that has been featured on the likes of Forbes, InStyle and Martha Stewart. At FABLERUNE you will find skincare products that are made with healing and wellness in mind. Their recipes use ancient ingredients that are proven both historically and scientifically – you won’t want to miss this SLO CAL gem.

📍 2190 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA 93442

Apparent in its name, avocados are definitely this shack’s forte. Owner Michael Wolfe prides himself in only sourcing his avocados right here on the Central Coast between San Luis Obispo to San Simeon. This same mindset goes for all other products sold in his shop – Avocado Shack in Morro Bay is filled with locally-sourced goodness.

Among the plethora of local fresh produce, here at Avocado Shack you can find a wide array of SLO CAL Crafted goodies, from Coberosa Air-Roasted Coffee, Whalebird Kombucha and even Hearst Castle's very own Hearst Ranch Grass-Fed Beef. Here at Avocado Shack, big ag isn’t their thing. Wolfe is committed to sourcing everything locally, and when that isn’t an option, he promises it will be fair trade, farm certified and all organic.

Did you know? Morro Bay even has its own hass avocado variety! Named after this SLO CAL community, Morro Bay Avocados are solely grown here in San Luis Obispo County. They can be found during the Fall between September through November and are exceptionally rich and creamy with a particularly high oil content. This is largely due to its cooler production climate as SLO CAL is the northernmost avocado growing region in California.

📍 1390 Grana Place, San Miguel, CA 93451

Looking to immerse your senses with R&R(rest & relaxation)’s favorite ingredient? Spend your day exploring Hambly Lavender Farm in San Miguel, where you can truly spend the whole day amongst the lavender scented breeze. If you’re visiting between May and October, start your visit to the farm with a one hour guided farm experience where you will learn about the of growing, harvesting and drying processes of this aromatic herb. After your tour around the farm, take a stroll through the fields and pick your own lavender bouquet.

Partake in one of their many lavender workshops such as cheese and charcuterie building, lavender distillation, lavender mocktails or even growing your own lavender! Make sure to check the Hambly Farms website before stopping by to see what experiences are currently available on the farm.

Before the day winds down, make sure to stop by the Farm Store where you can find the perfect lavender accompaniments to bring home. The store sells estate-grown, all natural, handmade lavender products such as essential oil, skin care, salves, balms and lavender goat milk soap. The Farm Store also has gift boxes filled with their lavender goodies that make the perfect gifts for loved ones or friends. You won't want to miss this day of frolicking through flower fields.