San Luis Obispo County is the fastest-growing wine region in the country with over 250 wineries ready to give you a taste. You may be thinking, that sounds like fun, but what would I do with my kids while I wine taste? Can my kids go with me? Are there other activities in the area that are kid-friendly? Read on and I will attempt to answer all your burning questions about San Luis Obispo’s wine region including the best lodging options and some good eats for kids.
Kid-Friendly Wineries
Not all wineries are set up to accommodate kids but many of them certainly do. Here is an immersive list of kid-friendly wineries in San Luis Obispo County to get you started. Most have Corn Hole or Jenga that kids can play with and offer WIFI so they can bring their tablets along.
Sculpterra vineyards is another kid-friendly vineyard and sculpture garden in Paso Robles that should be included on any itinerary. My kids love this place. On the weekends you will find live music, food trucks, hammocks to swing in, and bocce ball pits to play in. If you want to include your kids in the fun, consider an alcohol-free wine alternative like Martinelli’s in a plastic wine glass.
Central Coast Transportation Options
Getting around the county has never been easier. Uber is readily available throughout the county and if you are looking for a kid-friendly wine tour look no further than Elite Wine Tours. They have done more than 2000 wine tours on the Central Coast since 2005 and were recently rated number 17 in their last readers’ poll.
Places to Stay With Kids in SLO County
San Luis Obispo County is split into two regions by the Santa Lucia mountain range. So there is a decision to make, do you want to stay in north county or south county?
North County which includes Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, and Santa Margarita features beautiful pastures and rolling hills filled with oak trees, lakes, rivers, and of course vineyards. Wagon wheels, antiquing, and feed stores abound in these small towns and come together to create an old-west feel that kids love.
Places to stay with kids in North County
- Allegretto – Get a massage or go on a horseback ride before lounging in the pool with the kiddos.
- La Bellasera – This is a higher-end resort with plenty to do. They offer a carefully curated list of Paso Robles wine tour packages, hotel getaway packages, romance specials and more!
- High Ridge Manor – This is an upscale bed and breakfast resort with beautiful views of Paso Robles and a pool for the kids.
South County includes San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and Arroyo Grande. With over 80 miles of pristine shoreline south county is a great place to get your beach vibe on. With smaller populations and open land, there is still a lot of agriculture in this area.
Places to stay with kids in South County
- Madonna Inn – If you are looking for a fun, quirky place to stay the Madonna Inn is it. With 110 individually-themed rooms to choose from along with its own restaurant and shopping, you are in for an experience.
- Lighthouse Suites Pismo Beach – This hotel has a play deck for the little ones complete with a Pirate Ship structure, Mini Golf, and more.
- Avila Lighthouse Suites – Go play in the waves, hang out on the sand, then sit in a pool and watch the waves. All things kids love to do!
- Cayucos Shoreline Inn – This is a pet-friendly and kid-friendly hotel with an ocean view in a cool little surf town. Just down the street is a fun skateboard halfpipe.
Activities For Kids On The Central Coast
There is no shortage of kid-friendly adventures on the Central Coast.
- Mini Golf – Mr. Putters’ Putt Putt is San Luis Obispo county’s premier full 18-hole miniature golf course. Conveniently located in downtown Atascadero.
- Bounce House – Hop’s Bounce House is the one-stop place for kids of various ages from babies and toddlers to teenagers.
- Museums – With over 30 museums in the county there is plenty to see. The Paso Robles Children’s Museum at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse is a non-profit organization that I highly recommend.
- Zip Lines – When you come to SLO county, your adventure isn’t complete without zip lining at Margarita Adventures.
- Farms – Jack Creek Farms is a small 5th-generation family farm with yummy goodies, a wooden train, and hay stacks for the kiddos to play on.,
- Barns – Let your children hand feed and pet farm animals at Avila Valley Barn. It is a great place to pick up some locally grown fruit and vegetables along with offering some tasty bakery treats.
- Fairs – The California Mid-State Fair is held annually and runs for 12 days at the end of July.
- Rodeos – The Poly Royal Rodeo is held each year in early to mid-April at the Cal Poly Rodeo grounds on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo, Calif., during Cal Poly’s Open House weekend.
- Boat Parade – The Annual Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade is an event worth traveling for each holiday season. Boats of all sizes shapes and colors are on full display in the bay. Unfortunately, this year the event was canceled due to weather so be sure to put it on your calendar for next year.
- Christmas Lights – This year The Cambria Christmas Market will feature 2+ million twinkling Christmas lights, artisan vendors, visits from Santa, a fun train ride, cozy fire pits, live music, delicious food & drink and so much more.
- Waterfalls – The Santa Lucia wilderness is a great place to go exploring with kids and has a few waterfalls worth visiting. Big Falls in Arroyo Grande and Reservoir Canyon Waterfall in San Luis Obispo are a couple of the more noteworthy waterfalls in the area.
- Hikes – There are numerous hikes in the county but if you only have time to do one I would recommend Bishop Peak Trail. It is a 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near San Luis Obispo, California.
- Butterflies – Bring the kids out to see thousands of Monarch butterflies! Monarchs migrate to the Pismo Beach Butterfly Grove from November through February each year and it is a sight to see.
- Drive-in theater – For a classic Americana experience, throw your blankets and pillows in the car and head to the Sunset Drive-In Theater in San Luis Obispo.
- Skateparks – There are several skateparks in the county with the SLO Skatepark being the biggest with the most advanced features. You can also find skateparks in Los Osos, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Cayucos, and Templeton. Templeton skatepark is the most kid-friendly on the list.
- Beaches – Central California beaches tend to be a little cooler than their Southern California counterparts so sunbathing is seasonal. But if your kids like to surf uncrowded beach breaks you are in the right place. Shell Beach, Morro Rock, and Cayucos are all good places to paddle out.
- Visit a Zoo – The Charles Paddock Zoo is home to hundreds of animal species from around the world. Once you are done touring the zoo you can picnic at the Atascadero Lake Park located outside the zoo’s entrance.
- Bubblegum Ally – This small alley is almost always full of people, and its gum wall is like an ever-changing, living organism with new pieces of gum added hundreds of times a day.
- Climbing Gyms – The Pad Climbing Gym is a safe, kid-friendly gym with a welcoming community of climbers with tons of routes for beginners to advanced climbers.
- Fishing – Take your kids fishing at Lake Nacimiento, Santa Margarita Lake, or better yet, head to the ocean. Patriot Sport Fishing will take you into the Pacific Ocean for a shot at catching “the big one”.
Places To Eat With Kids in Wine Country
Those of you that are unfamiliar with the area may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the eateries. While there is plenty of fine dining experiences to be had, that is not what the focus is here. I have put together a list of places that I frequent with my two and five year old and they are fantastic.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in North County
Street Side Ale House & Eatery – Stop in and get a Blueberry Cobbler Cheesecake with the kids, and maybe get a craft cocktail for yourself.
Sylvesters – Head over to Sylvester’s “big, hot, and juicy” Burgers for your birthday burger! Three locations to serve you in both north and south county.
Yanagi Sushi – Tasty sushi with an aquarium that the kids love. They have outdoor seating and are centrally located in downtown Paso Robles.
Taco De Mexico – This place serves legit authentic Mexican food and we take the kids there often. It has outdoor seating and is located near the Atascadero Lake Park.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in South County
Hofbrau – This restaurant has been in Morro Bay since the 1970s and has one of the best french dip sandwiches anywhere. It sits right on the bay and kids love to watch the sea lions while they eat.
Splash Cafe – This has been a landmark next to the Pismo Beach Pier since the late 80s. They also have a location in downtown San Luis Obispo. They are famous for their clam chowder but are also a true artisan bakery, featuring freshly baked breads, pastries, desserts, and custom cakes.
Harbor Hut – The Harbor Hut restaurant, located on the waterfront in Morro Bay, is known for having one of the best views of the bay and Morro Rock. But if you are looking for something a bit more casual or want to eat outdoors try the Li’L Harbor Hut located outside.
Taco Temple – If you don’t know, now you know. This place is one of our very favorite places in the whole county and our kids agree. The portions are huge so be careful what you order.
It may come as a surprise to you but there are very few fast food drive-throughs in SLO county. In fact, there has been a ban on fast food drive-throughs in San Luis Obispo since the 1980s.
So back to the original question, is Central California’s wine country a good place to take my kids? Absolutely! Take them to fabulous vineyards that cater to families offering everything from games to brick oven pizzas. When your wine-tasting adventures have commenced, take the kids out to explore the rest of this awesome area.
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