Apple Farm

What: Apple Farm San Luis Obispo

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Where: 2015 Monterey Street  San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

click here for directions

• Not only is Apple Farm a good place to stay when visiting San Luis Obispo, but it is also an attraction.

10 reasons to visit Apple Farm:

1. Shopping: They have an adorable gift shop that sells decorative stuff for homes and gardens, beautiful jewelry, lotions, and  the like.  Everything is fairly priced too.
2. Decorative country themed: Going to Apple Farm is so homey and gives you a taste of the countryside.  You will feel at home here and will love the floral, country prints.
3. Country Eating:  The food at Apple Farm’s restaurant is delicious!  Enjoy chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie, biscuits, and gravy.  Don’t forget to save room for dessert!  The restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
   

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4. Bakery: A taste of heaven in San Luis Obispo!  There are many options at Apple Farm’s Bakery so take your pick: homemade fruit pies, cream pies, Apple Dumplings, cookies, brownies, bear claws, scones, and muffins.
5. Spa: Enjoy getting a massage at Apple Farm’s Spa because one person can never get enough relaxing time.  Just like the bakery, there are also a lot of massage options: deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, Swedish massage, sea salt body scrub, seaweed wrap, essentials oil face wrap, and more.
6. The Millhouse: the Millhouse is a smaller version of the giftshop, but it is mostly a flower shop.  They also have popcorn, apple cider, old fashioned soda, and candies.
   

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7. Friendly service:  The service at Apple Farm is so friendly.  It seems like the people working there want to be there and you will hardly ever see them without a smile on their face.
8. Gardens: Everything at Apple Farm is super clean and neat.  Their garden is especially nice and you will often see hummingbirds and butterflies enjoying it.  Just sit back, soak up the sun, and see what critters you can see enjoying it alongside you.
9. Wedding: You may be attracted to Apple Farm for a wedding location and if not you may see others having their wedding ceremony here.
10. Rooms: Check out the rooms and you will end up falling in love with how comfortable it looks.

• Next time you visit San Luis Obispo, think about staying at the Apple Farm

Bishop’s Peak

Bishop’s Peak:

1 Highland Drive

San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

Facts About Bishop’s Peak:

• Bishop’s Peak is one of nine major peaks extending from San Luis Obispo to Morro Bay.
• Bishop’s is the highest of the nine major peaks at an elevation of 1,559 feet above sea level.
• Bishops is a 4.5 mile hike.
• The duration of the hike should be about 2 hours.
• Dirt path and near the top there are rocks to climb up.
• Bishop’s Peak has various rock climbing spots for those of you who like to climb.

Where to Park:

• Foothill Boulevard: park alongside the road between Los Osos Valley Road and Santa Rosa Street
• Highland Drive: take Highland to the end from Santa Rosa Street

Weather Conditions:

• Weather is most of the time very good, but at the top it gets windy.
• Click here to see what the weather forecast is for today in San Luis Obispo

What to Bring for Your Hike:

• water
• snacks-click here for some fun trail mix recipes that you can make yourself and take on your hiking adventure.
• sunscreen
• comfortable hiking shoes
• a sweatshirt (gets chilly at the top)

Make Your Hiking Experience Unique:

• Hike it at sunrise:  is a great way to start your day and there may even be some fog lying between the hills.  It is a beautiful view that will take your breath away.
• Hike it at sunset: whether you’re just needing some fresh air and exercise, or if you need a romantic date idea.

What People Say About Hiking Bishop’s Peak:

• “It’s a great workout.  Although, it takes a while to get to the top, it’s worth it because the view is amazing”  (Ryan Venegas).
• “You can see all of San Luis Obispo from the top” (Travis Tonder).
• “It is a beautiful hike that allows you to get away from your stress” (Amanda Eastman).
• “I think everyone visiting San Luis Obispo should hike Bishop’s Peak because you can see all of San Luis Obispo from the top” (Jimmy Shedden).
• “It is a challenging hike, but is so worth it at the end” (Kelly Cannon).

Interactive Map: Top 10 Tourist Attractions in SLO

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Downtown San Luis Obispo

Downtown San Luis Obispo is a hip and happening place.  Not only does it host Farmer’s Market on Thursday nights, but it also is the home of the best shops and restaurants in town.

Old movie theatre Downtown (flickr.com)

Farmer's Market Downtown (flickr.com)

Best Shops Downtown: walk the streets of Downtown San Luis Obispo and you will see unique shops that sell all sorts of goodies.  There are sport stores, surf stores, boutiques of women’s and men’s clothing, antique shops, art stores, stationary stores, jewelry shops, and anything else you can think of; downtown has it all.  While walking from shop to shop don’t forget to peek down the allies because you may discover an alley that is covered in bubblegum.  This is called Bubblegum Alley and it is the grossest, yet most fascinating thing ever.

Bubblegum Alley (flickr.com)

Moondoggies surf shop downtown (flickr.com)

Best Food Downtown: Downtown San Luis Obispo is known for its yummy and one-of-a-kind restaurants.  Here’s a list of some of the many restaurants to chose from.

• Woodstock’s: pizza
• The Natural Cafe: poultry, fish, vegetarian, and vegan choices
• Firestone Grill: American BBQ
• Novo Restaurant and Lounge: is an exotic dining experience of Brazilian, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors
• Downtown Brewing Company: food and entertainment
• Big Sky Cafe: fresh market food
• McLintocks: Saloon and dining house
• Mama’s Meatball: fine Italian restaurant and pizzaria
• Mother’s Tavern:  food and bar

Sunset Drive-In

Location: 255 Elks Lane San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

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Prices: Adult $6 and Children $2

Shows Featured: The movies change every Thursday, so click here to see what’s playing

Show Times: Movie starts when sun goes down, so click here to see what time the show begins

The drive-in is a blast from the past that everyone should experience at least once in their lives.  So hit the road for Sunset Drive-In in San Luis Obispo, where you can have a great experience and watch two new releases for less than the price of one movie at the regular theatre.

There are 4 ways to do the drive-in experience:

1) Load a truck full of people and then have everyone sit in the truck bed with a bunch of blankets and pillows for warmth and        comfort.

2)  Load a larger sized car up with people, sit in the back of the car with the trunk open, and use blankets and pillows for warmth    and comfort.

3) If there are just two people then you can stay inside the car sitting in the front seats, but make sure you crack the windows so that  the windows don’t get foggy.

4) Or if there is no room in your trunk, car, and you have too many people then just bring lawn chairs and a bunch of really warm blankets.

New and improved drive-in experience:

Back then you would go to the drive-in, park your car, roll the window down, and grab this speaker box that stood on a pedestal outside the car.  Instead of the sound coming through that box, it now comes through your radio.  You now I have control of the sound and volume.  You can set it to the front, back, left side, or right side of the car.  You can also increase the base or lower it.

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Food and Drinks:

The thing I always hate about the movie theatre is that you can’t bring your own food into it.  At the drive-in you can fill your whole car up with your own food and they won’t care.  If you don’t bring your own food and get hungry, don’t worry there is a snack bar located at the drive-in.  They sell candy, popcorn, hot and cold beverages, hot dogs, and similar goodies to the regular theaters.

So next time you want to see a movie, consider Sunset Drive-in for the great price, comfort of your car, and the fun experience of flashing back in time.

Avila Valley Barn

Avila Valley Barn:

560 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

(805) 595-2810 or (805) 595-2816

New Spring Hours: Open 9-6 p.m. everyday of the week

Avila Valley Barn is one of my favorite places in San Luis Obispo.  It is the cutest little place that is filled with all types of goodies.  There’s fresh cut flowers, fresh fruits, veggies, candy, bakery items, ice cream, gifts, and even barn animals.

Corey Lownes eating corn on the cob at Avila Valley Barn.

Avila Valley Barn also gets into the holiday spirit. Pumpkins are stacked everywhere in the fall, just in time for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Also, in the fall the Barn has a hay maze.  When Christmas time rolls around Christmas trees line the front of the barn.  All pumpkins and trees are available for purchase during the holiday seasons.

Here I am standing in front of a huge pile of pumpkins.

There are many options to choose from.

The Avila Valley Barn sells the yummiest fruit I have ever tasted.  They have all different types of fruits.  There are all different types of berries, peaches, pears, apricots, nectarines, pluots, plums, and cherries.  In fact they sell 12 different kinds of apples!  Can you even name 12 different kinds of apples?  I certainly can’t.  They even let you have a sample of the fruits that way you can figure out your favorite. To see which fruit is now in season and being sold, click here.  Certain times of the year, you can even pick your own berries.

After picking berries and looking at the animals, you can stroll through Avila Valley Barn’s gift shops.  There are tons of yummy food everywhere.  There are jams, spreads, cheeses, snacks, candy, and even fresh bakery items.  On the weekends they evenhave samples off mostly everything.  Who doesn’t love free candy?  Apart from the food, the gift shops also sell kids toys, cute kitchen supplies, and decorative items.

The newest addition to the Avila Valley Barn is the Ice Cream and Sweet Shoppe.  There are plenty of ice cream, fudge, and candy options to choose from.

Avila Valley Barn is on the way to Avila Beach, so drop on in and get an ice cream or some fresh fruit before or after hitting the beach for hours.  You will certainly have your sweet tooth filled.

Madonna Inn

Madonna Inn’s Location : 100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405-5489

Madonna Inn is a hotel unlike any other.  There is something for everyone here: lodging, spa days, date nights, dessert-to-go, and even a restroom stop.  No matter what you need, it is worth seeing all of Madonna Inn.   Here are a list of reasons that make Madonna Inn so spectacular.

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• Themed rooms:  No room looks alike at Madonna.  Each room has a different theme and is decorated to perfection according to the theme.  Besides being themed and filled with vibrant colors, some rooms even include rock showers, waterfalls, balconies, and fireplaces.  Click here to see what the rooms look like, room rates, and which special features each room contains.

• Dining: There are many options when it comes to dining at Madonna Inn.  The choices include Bakery and Pastry Shop, Copper Cafe, Gold Rush Steak House, and Silver Bar Cocktail and Lounge.  Each offers amazing food and great hospitality.  It all depends on what you feel like eating, but before you go you have to order a slice of Madonna’s Pink Champagne Cake.
  

  Kristen Schlotman eating Madonna's dessert.

• Spa: All spas are relaxing, but Madonna’s Inn Spa looks like a real treat.  The location of the spa being by the poolside and resting on the top of the green, wild flower covered hill is the perfect setting for a relaxing spa day.  With trained professionals and great deals, like the upcoming Mother’s Day Special, this attraction at Madonna Inn is hard to say no to.
  

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• Shopping at Madonna Inn: Whether you’re a guy or a girl, shopping has never been so convenient.  There is a women’s boutique, men’s clothing store, wine shop, and an online store.  Just click here to see what each of the stores have to offer.

• Bathrooms: If there’s one thing people know about Madonna Inn, it is that their bathrooms are really unique.  It is common that you will find guys peeking into the girls bathroom and girls peeking into the guys bathroom, just to see what everyone is talking about.  The girls bathroom has a stall with a toilet for little girls.  This toilet is the smallest toilet most people have ever seen.  The men’s bathroom consists of really unique urinals.  Each is decorated to perfection, so even if you don’t have to use the restroom, go take a look anyway.