Family-Friendly Things to Do in San Luis Obispo in the Fall
Of all the regions you can visit in California during autumn, the Central Coast is one of the most magical, particularly towns such as San Luis Obispo. The unique topography and climate of SLO County make it an especially pleasant spot for families who want to explore the various attractions of this region during the fall. Dry conditions prevail, and the ocean breeze mixing with the winds from the Santa Lucia Mountains results in nicely crisp air throughout the day. When the sun goes down, the temperatures will have you and the kids donning your sweaters and enjoying quiet starry nights. Here are just a few things your family can do when visiting San Luis Obispo during the autumn months.
Check Out the Pumpkin Patches
When Hollywood film and television crews need photogenic pumpkins for their productions, they get them from established SLO patches such as La Familia, Avila Valley, and Pismo Beach. Avila Valley is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and it lets you experience the rustic charm of California ranch life. Plus, children get to pet and hand-feed friendly goats. The pumpkin patches at La Familia seem to grow larger and more colorful each year. At Pismo Beach, virtually all the homes and commercial establishments are adorned with pumpkins in the fall.
Go on Winery Tours
SLO County is part of the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area, and this means you’ll have wine-tasting opportunities galore when you visit in the fall, which also happens to be grape-harvesting season. You’re probably thinking wine tasting isn’t an activity for children, and you’re absolutely right, but SLO wineries such as The Groves thrive on providing family-friendly tours that include exploring nature trails, petting farm animals, and tasting artisan food creations, such as sweet tangerine oil, orange blossom cookies, avocado dishes, and raw honey. After enjoying a day full of great food, drink, and fun activities, the whole family will be ready to head back for a relaxing evening at your hotel. SLO visitors who come alive in cooler weather will adore exploring San Luis Obispo’s vineyards and wineries in the autumn.
Visit Majestic Beaches
The beaches of California’s Central Coast are different in the sense that they’re more pristine and dramatic. Not all beaches in SLO are the sun-and-sand kind. At Piedras Blancas, for example, rocky formations meet the Pacific Ocean, and you’ll be amazed at the breathtaking photos you’ll be able to snap and share on Instagram. Piedras Blancas is also a sanctuary for seals, which you can see from your vantage point on land or up close at sea when you take a boat ride. In Pismo Beach, autumn marks the return of monarch butterflies, and this migratory event is celebrated with town fairs.
Tour the Clydesdale Country
Cambria Pines by the Sea Ranch is a place your family will never forget. At this famous oceanfront ranch, magnificent Clydesdale horses roam freely across hundreds of acres of pine forest. As can be expected with a family-friendly attraction, pony rides are available, and the views of the ocean are breathtaking.
San Luis Obispo, CA, is an unforgettable destination for kids of all ages. Bring the whole family (including the four-legged members) and explore “The Happiest City in America” while staying with us at Sands Inn & Suites. We’re the local hotel San Luis Obispo visitors return to again and again because we offer all the amenities our guests need for a relaxing family vacation, including an outdoor pool, an on-site gym, free WiFi, and flat-screen TVs with digital cable. Call us at (800) 441-4657 today to reserve your room or suite.