This past June, we explored quite a bit of the Central Coast — San Luis Obispo County, to be exact. While our home base was in Paso Robles during this time, we didn’t have to travel far to find some kid-friendly (and budget-friendly) things to do in the area. When you’re in San Luis Obispo County, it’s pretty hard to pick the BEST place to go — because the entire region is amazing. In no particular order, check out these 12 activities that are sure to keep the whole family entertained on your trip to the Central Coast!
1. Piedras Blanca Elephant Seal Beach
A popular stop along Highway 1 is the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. This preserved area is spread over six miles of shoreline, and is home to thousands of elephant seals! There’s a boardwalk where you can easily see these mammals in action, and you can pick up a flyer along the route to learn all about the seals depending on the time of the year. Be sure to keep an eye out for a volunteer in a blue jacket, too! These folks are docents, and will happily share all kinds of fun facts about the seals and other marine life in the area.
During our visit, the subadult male elephant seals were chilling on the beach. While it looks like these guys are just being lazy, they’re actually here to molt — shed their old fur and skin. We also caught the juvenile males fighting on the shore. Although it looks (and sounds) intense, we were told that it’s simply how they play. The brotherly sparring reminded us of two other young siblings. ? Seals… they’re just like us!
For the record — Hearst Castle is nearby. While we’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this tour, it does cost a pretty penny. And if you’ve got young kids like us, you know that nice, old things and little boys don’t always mix!
Price: FREE! If inclined, bring some cash to make a donation to the Friends of the Elephant Seal foundation — all contributions help fund public awareness, data collection, elephant seal research and more.
Hours: N/A
2. Moonstone Beach
After the Elephant Seal Rookery, swing by Moonstone Beach. It’s a quiet little spot in Cambria, right off of Highway 1. Our boys are into finding cool nature trinkets — rocks, shells, etc. — and Steven had heard that this beach was the perfect place to explore. On our drive over, we even saw orcas swimming in the ocean! As with most of our recommended stops, this is a fantastic place to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view. Just watch out for the friendly (and hungry) squirrels looking to share your food!
After lunch, we walked the one-mile stretch of boardwalk, which is parallel to the shore. The walk is perfect for little ones, and offers gorgeous views! The beach is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which means that it’s a federally protected coastline. Along the path, you can access the tide pools with marine life and colorful pebbles. While we were there, we found crabs, sea anemones, and a few lazy Pacific harbor seals lounging on the rocks. We couldn’t get enough of this magical place!
While you’re in Cambria, be sure to swing by their cute downtown to explore. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to peruse… and the olallieberry pie at Linn’s Easy as Pie Cafe is a must!
Price: FREE! But a slice of Linn’s pie will run you $5.50. ?
Hours: N/A
3. Avila Valley Barn
For our kids, a surefire good time is finding any place that has farm animals — and Avila Valley Barn is the best one in the area. This place is home to goats, cows, horses, chickens, sheep, ponies… and even a turtle and ostrich! For $1, you can buy a head of romaine lettuce to feed the goats. It’s worth the experience of watching these funny farm animals head-butt each other for a nibble of lettuce!
There’s also a little market on the property that draws you in with the fresh-baked aroma of homemade pies. Here you can find a variety of homegrown fruit and vegetables, as well as other trinkets and treats. While you’re there, the tractor ride is a must. For $2 a ticket, we got a wagon tour of the property, complete with the family history and info on what’s grown on site. There’s also picnic benches onsite for lunch. We brought our own food, but there’s plenty to choose from at the market.
Price: FREE! $1 for romaine lettuce to feed the goats, and $2/ticket for the tractor ride.
Hours: 9am-6pm
4. Avila Beach
Of all of the beaches we’ve explored along California’s coast, Avila Beach is one of our favorite stops. While most of the Central Coast is overcast and moody, Avila Beach is home to a sunny and warm microclimate.
During our first visit to Avila Beach we had Ruby with us, which limited our beach access. This would be new territory for us — it’s one thing to trek all over with your kids, but a four-legged furry friend adds a whole other layer of complexity! So we settled (if you can call it that) for the Avila Dog Beach — also known as Old Port Beach. Harvey immediately went for the water, as this kid hasn’t met an ocean wave he doesn’t like. We lounged, read, played soccer — you know, the beach things. Avila Beach is SO NICE!
We ended up coming back to Avila Beach two more times during our Central Coast stay. Because the main beach isn’t dog friendly, we left Ruby home. Just be sure to bring your sunscreen! Even though I slathered sunblock on the kiddos, I neglected myself on our second trip. The sun is no joke there!
The only downside to Avila Beach is the parking situation. It’s hard to find a spot, especially on a summer weekend. There is a paid parking lot near downtown, unless you want to park along the main street and hike it in.
Price: $6.00 for parking lot access, free spots along the beach if you’re lucky enough to find a spot!
Hours: N/A
5. Sunset Drive-In Theater
During our stay we checked something off of our bucket list: a drive-in movie! Originally opened in 1950, the Sunset Drive-In Theater is one of the last remaining drive-ins in California. You get two movies for the price of one! That is, if you can stay up that late with little kids. ? We arrived around 7pm and found ourselves in a line of cars for about 30 minutes until they opened the box office at 7:30pm. Not a bad time to crack open a cold one and wait it out, ya know? ? As we waited for the sun to set, Steven and I made ourselves a cheese and charcuterie board before the first movie started, while the kids snacked on PB&Js. With a drive-in, you can bring in anything you want to eat, which is a great way to save some cash. The only thing we didn’t bring was popcorn — because who can resist the real deal? This led to the only downside of the drive-in… I waited 35 minutes in the snack bar line, essentially missing a good portion of the movie. (For some reason, everything they sell there is made to order as opposed to in advance. So if you’ve got a hankering for a hotdog or pizza, just know it will take 10-20 minutes to cook AFTER you’ve waited in line for a half hour.)
We snuggled up in our blankets on the bed to watch Toy Story 4 and Aladdin — it was SO cool! The kids thought that the entire experience was amazing, and so did we. Every spot at the drive-in has a great view of the movie, too. Just make sure you get an afternoon nap in for the kiddos beforehand… this will be a really late night! ?
Price: $10.00 for adults, $4.00 for kids 5-11 and FREE for 4 and under! CASH ONLY. We highly recommend bringing your own grub so you don’t have to wait in the lengthy snack bar line.
Hours: Box office opens at 7:30pm, and the movie starts at sunset. Check for updated times depending on the season!
6. Downtown Paso Robles
On our “chill” days, we found ourselves walking to the heart of Paso Robles — the Downtown City Park. Pack yourself a picnic to enjoy while the kiddos have a blast on the playground. The park is large, so make sure to bring a frisbee, soccer ball, bocce set — whatever tickles your fancy. The Historical Society is located in the middle of the park, and the Paso Robles City Library is a short jaunt across the street. On Tuesdays, you can find a small but mighty farmer’s market. We found a lot of great produce there, as well as delicious dairy-free, cashew-based “cheese” spreads from The Vreamery. (Try the Cultured Cashew Cherve with Balsamic Drizzle!)
On Thursdays, the park transforms into a sea of lawn chairs and blankets for the Concert in the Park from 6-8pm. Bring your own snacks and booze, or some cash to try one of the local restaurant, wine or beer sponsors. Speaking of summer concerts, check out this local guide — you can find a local band playing almost any day of the week! (Our other favorite was the Templeton Concert in the Park. Such a cute little community!)
If you’re just looking to enjoy some local fare and shopping, take a walk around downtown and you can find some great spots. When this mama needed a solo day out, my favorite spots included the following:
Oak Pass Cafe – a quaint and quiet little coffee shop perfect for a makeshift office or reading nook. Order an Iced Chai Latte or the CBD-infused Kombucha.
Di Raimondos Italian Market & Cheese Shop – over 100 varieties of gourmet artisan cheese, as well as sliced charcuterie and fresh bread. Basically my version of heaven! The cheesemongers will happily share a sample or arrange a cheese board to go.
Twisted & Glazed – a 24-hour donut shop with unique flavors & combos. The PB&J donut is delish… but make sure you have a tall glass of milk on hand!
The Naked Fish – a hip sushi joint with the friendliest folks you’ll meet in Paso Robles. Try the Garlic Edamame and the house fave, the Maui Wowie!
Blast & Brew — seriously the best pizza we’ve had in awhile! There’s also 30 beers, ciders and wine on tap.
Yanagi Sushi & Grill – a chill little sushi shop with the most addicting spicy edamame. The Hot Night roll is a must-try too!
Price: FREE for most activities. Links included for all restaurants for menus/pricing.
Hours: Varies
7. The Ravine Waterpark
This Paso Robles waterpark was our kids’ favorite place to go, hands down. While the weather in the area is pretty moderate in the summertime, Paso Robles has been known to have some hot days. We ventured to the waterpark towards the end of our stay once the temperature rose to 90 degrees. And while this is the ultimate family-friendly activity, it can also cost a grip at $30/ticket for anyone over 42″. However, we had the inside scoop from some locals that there are discounted rates between 3-6pm, which saved us just over $40. We also opted for a Monday afternoon in hopes of beating any crowds, which definitely worked in our favor!
Levi was just shy of 48″ tall, which would’ve granted him access to the bigger slides. Harv came in right at 42″, so we were able to ride the Anaconda, Viper and Quadzilla slides. The latter was the boys’ favorite — five stories high and built as a four-lane race track. We ended up going three times in a row because there was hardly anyone in line. Our legs were nice and wobbly after climbing 15 flights of stairs! ?
There’s also a 9,000-square-foot splash and play area for younger kids, complete with multiple slides. The waterpark doesn’t allow outside food, so be sure to eat before you go (unless you don’t mind theme park food). There are also lockers to store your belongings, as well as cabanas for rent if you’re feeling fancy. All in all, we all had a blast!
Price: $29.99 for anyone over 42″, $21.99 for those under 42″, children under 2 are free. Between 3-6pm, all admission is $17 per person. Season passes are ~$100/person.
Hours: 10:30am-6pm
8. Barrelhouse Brewing Co.
Now this next stop is mostly for the parents (we got your back!), but it made the cut because our kids loved BarrelHouse Brewing Co. too. The largest family-owned and operated brewery in SLO County, this small-batch taproom boasts a half-acre beer garden. It’s the perfect place to grab a cold craft beer and enjoy REALLY GOOD live music. And most days there’s a rotating food truck on site, which we’re always fans of.
For the kiddos, there’s plenty of space to run and play — and other little friends to play with. Plus, BHBC offers free pretzels and Capri Suns, as well as board games and cornhole! It reminded us of our hometown favorite, Dust Bowl Brewing Company in Turlock.
While you’re in Tin City — where BHBC is located — swing by family-friendly Tin City Cider for a sampler or Negranti Creamery for the most delicious sheep’s milk ice cream!
Price: Varies based on beer & food truck. We saved this as our “big night out” where we splurged on food and drinks. Beers start at around $7, and most of the food truck items are priced around $12-15. If you split dinner (easily with some of these food truck servings), you can have a fun night out for under $50.
Hours: 11am-9pm
9. Cayucos State Beach
There’s something about the fresh, salty air and miles of blue ocean on the horizon. Or a cool, foggy morning that eventually turns into a beautiful sunny afternoon. At Cayucos State Beach, we got the best of both worlds! This quintessential beach town has a ton of charm, with lots of cute shops along the main street. We found a great parking spot just a couple of roads over from the pier where we could back in and pop up the back doors of the van. While it was too cool to be in our swimwear, we rolled up our pants and walked the entire stretch of this beautiful beach. And if you walk down the pier, you can catch some great views of Morro Rock to the south.
If you’re driving from Paso Robles, be sure to swing by Jack Creek Farm in Templeton on Hwy 46. This fifth generation farm is home to bunnies, cats, and goats! (I swear, all we have to say is the g-word and our kids are PUMPED!) We also got to taste some local honey and watched as the owner loopty-looped his plane over the property. All in all, a great little stop along the Central Coast!
Price: Free!
Hours: Beach hours unknown; Jack Creek Farm is open from 10am-5pm
10. Atascadero Lake Park & Charles Paddock Zoo
Atascadero is a laid-back little town between San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. If you’re driving on the 101, you might miss it if you blink — but it’s worth a day trip to explore.
Early in our adventures I tried coupling a short exploration walk and then an activity with the kids. While this plan didn’t always pan out, Atascadero Lake Park and the Charles Paddock Zoo do make a perfect combo! There’s a one-mile walking path around the Atascadero Lake, where you can find lots of friendly folks of the two-legged and four-legged kind. (We made a game out of counting how many dogs we saw on the trail — 17!) After the loop, there’s plenty of shade and picnic tables for a quick homemade lunch, as well as a fantastic playground.
Just a short walk across the park you’ll spot the Charles Paddock Zoo. Now I should preface this by saying that most smaller city zoos are… OK. But given the cost of entry here, I figured what the heck? Just $10 for me and $7 each for the kids, which is pretty inexpensive as far as zoos go.*
We were pleasantly surprised by this place. Now it is pretty small, but as Levi said, it’s home to so many unique animals! While the big ticket item is the Malaysian Tiger — which is pretty dang cool — the real winners are the unusual mammals, birds and reptiles not typically found at bigger zoos. We watched two Red Pandas squabble like siblings, and a Fossa prowl his cage back and forth. The boys squealed at the antelope-like Red-Flanked Duiker, and spent some time trying to decide if the Patagonian Mara is more like a rabbit, a kangaroo or a rat. We laughed as we discovered the White-Eared Titi Monkey — only because Titi is what the boys call their uncles in Portuguese. This is one small but mighty zoo!
Price: $10 for those 12+ older, $5 for kids ages 3-1, FREE for 2 and under
*Prices increase as July 28, 2019.
Hours: 10am-5pm in Spring & Summer
11. Montaña de Oro State Park
Along this journey, we discovered that some of our favorite days were spent relaxing in the van anywhere along a beach with a good view. Steven had found a dog-friendly place called Spooner’s Cove, a pebbly beach with tons of shells and colorful rocks. We spent hours combing through the beach looking for treasures, and all three boys climbed up on the massive rock formation. While the beach itself allows dogs, none of the 40+ trails within the state park do (which we hadn’t realized at the time). And man, did I want to hit those trails and hike! There’s also a cool little spot called the Los Osos Elfin Forest nearby, where the oak trees and plant life are stunted in size due to the sandy soil, winds and salt. Although we didn’t spend a ton of time exploring all that this area has to offer, we will definitely be back!
Price: FREE!
Hours: 6am-10pm
12. SLO Children’s Museum
A lot of family friends recommended the SLO Children’s museum, and it’s obvious why. This place is a child’s dream! Built with learning at the core, this place has three stories of cool stations and exhibits for kids of all ages. Levi’s favorite was creating topographic maps with the kinetic sand. The only downside is that parking can be beastly in downtown SLO, and with a Sprinter van in tow, we had to park pretty far away!
Price: FREE for Children 2 and under, $8 for adults and children, $5 for Seniors 60+ and $7 for military family members
Hours: Monday-Wednesday is 10am-3pm, Thursday-Saturday is 10am-5pm and Sundays are 1-5pm.
While there are SO many other places to explore in SLO County, we felt pretty good about all that we accomplished during our time here! And with the perfect microclimate, we know that we’ll be back soon. What other kid-friendly places or activities would you add to this list?
