As a transplant from San Diego, moving to a small city from a bigger beach town gives me a different perspective. I'm used to the beach life but I've put my feet in the water here in Pismo Beach more than I have in the 29 years that I used to live in San Diego. That's because, hanging out at the beach here is so easy! And because, well, I have more time to enjoy the SLO life here.

During the summer months, most college...

One of my favorite ways to watch a movie is going to the Sunset Movie Drive-In Theater in San Luis Obispo for some outdoor movie watching.

It's a great alternative way to watch the latest movie instead of sitting in an indoor stuffy room. Don't get me wrong, I still go to the indoor movie theaters as they have more options for the latest movie selections than the outdoor drive-in theater experience. However, going to this local drive-in reminds me of camping a bit and I love it!

Read my re...

When the weather isn't nice or it's rainy, staying indoors is the safest thing to do. When you have kids, trying to entertain the kids without a playground or outside activities can be tough. Fortunately, there are options for indoor activities for the kids.

Here Are Some Suggestions on What To Do Around San Luis Obispo County on a Rainy Day:

1. Take the kids to the museum. There are two children's museums in San Luis Obispo County: one in Downtown San Luis Obispo (SLO) and one in downtown Pas...

We went to The Austin Hope & Treana Tasting Cellar to try Austin Hope wines to celebrate a belated Valentine's Day.

My husband had made reservations a few days before and we were able to get an early reservation at 10:15AM. Most wine tasting rooms in Paso Robles don't open until 11AM so this was a really nice option for an earlier tasting. They gave us a private seating area with a view of the vineyards. The wines were excellent, especially their Cabernet Savignon. We were so impressed with ...

1. Central Coast Gymnastics - Every month, Central Coast Gymnastics in San...

Here's my list of Suggested Barblie-like Things To Do in San Luis Obispo County:

1. It's a no brainer for my first pick. The pretty pink boutique motel called Madonna Inn is our iconic Barbie place to be in San Luis Obispo. ...

Kanpai Sushi is one of the best three top sushi restaurants that I've had in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County.

Over the weekend, we walked into Kanpai Sushi in Shell Beach for dinner without a reservation for two on a whim (kids were at a last minute kids' only event). The only reservations available left on Kanpai Sushi's website were 8PM and later so we decided to take our chances and walked in around 6:15PM to see if there was room at the sushi bar, which usually required no reservation. Luck...

I've gone to both Planet Fitness in Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo and there are some similarities and differences between the two.

Similarities with Planet Fitness Locations

All across America, every Planet Fitness uses the same logo, splashes of purple inside of their fitness centers and a very distinct brand. However, because every real estate space can be different, the lay-out and subtle details may be different.

I have the black card membership from Planet Fitness so that means th...

Mistura does everything right! Located in Downtown San Luis Obispo, Mistura's ambiance is sleek, the service is sharp and the food and drinks are stand outs!

For a belated Valentine's Day celebration, my husband and I made a reservation online for Mistura for a Saturday.

We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation after finding a metered parking spot. Luckily, we had coins because the meter we parked right by didn't not use the parking app that the other spots use in San Luis Obispo....

My husband surprised me with an anniversary SLO staycation in Downtown San Luis Obispo!

He had presented me the reservation date and details on our actual anniversary day in an envelope as a gift but I had to wait a few weeks to experience it, when my mother-in-law was able to come to visit and watch our precious kids for us! It was a gift with big anticipation and he executed it well! Our staycation was extra unique as it was on a Monday night in December. It had rained earlier in the day bu...

1. Clos Selene

   Clos Selene is way up here at number 1 for me because of the smoothness and taste of their wine and immaculate estate! Tastings are private and...

I had a very memorable date night with my husband earlier this month in Pismo Beach. We went to three different places on Price St, which is 2 blocks parallel from the Pismo Beach Pier. [ If you're looking for a date night suggestion for Downtown San Luis Obispo, read about our Date Night in Downtown SLO. ] 

First Date Stop in Pismo Beach: Tastes of the Valleys Review

There is a quaint wine bar in Pismo Beach on Price St. named Tastes of the Valleys. It stays open until 7PM on Saturdays so w...

• Eat at a nice and hig...

When we want to go to the movies, we usually go to Regal Arroyo Grande as they have a lot of restaurants and grocery stores close by! The restaurants list that are close include: In N Out, Urbane Cafe, Red Dirt Coffee, Palo Mesa Pizza, Blaze Pizza and Jamba Juice.

Tesla Charging Stations for Electric Cars Right Next to Regal Arroyo Grande

Jump to SLO Easter Brunch List

This year, Easter Day is on Sunday, March 31, 2024 so the the egg hunt events are mostly towards the end of March or the week before.

2024 Upcoming Egg Hunt List (Current Count: 11)

2024 Egg Hunts in Order by Date:

• March 23, 2024 (Sat) - Spring Fling at Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo from 11AM - 1PM. There will be a free egg hunt for kids who are between the ages of 0 - 8 yea...

1. Colony Park Community Center Teen Center for 6th - 12 graders. Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday from after school - 6PM. $10 yearly membership fee (scholarships available). Each teen will receive a Teen Center Membership Card to be scanned each time he/she enters the Teen Center. Each member must have a signed waiver to participate and must follow all Teen Center Rules. Please bring wai...

There are beautiful Christmas light displays throughout San Luis Obispo County around the holiday season. Here are some of my experiences in the video shorts below. Just press the play button for any of them.

Christmas Light Sightings Around San Luis Obispo County:

Here's a list of grocery stores that I've found to have gluten-free snacks in San Luis Obispo County so far:

1. Grocery Outlet - The Grocery Outlet that we frequent is...

Read our blog entry about our recent experience watching Circus Vargas perform on July 3, 2021 via this link.

Read my tips and experiences on going to Circus Vargas in SLO with kids.

1. Summer Experience at multiple schools in San Luis Obispo County for grades: 1st through 12th. Times and schedule vary by grade groups.


2. Summer School Camp from City of San Luis Obispo Youth Services They call ...

1. Go to a special event. There are special Mother's Day themed events around San Luis Obispo County. You can check o...

• Holiday Plaza with Christmas Lights in Mission Plaza has Santa available for pictures for a fee until Christmas Eve. However, the lights will be up longer than. It's free to visit here in the day and the evening to just see the Christmas decorations or watch the lights at night. See my most recent downtown SLO date night instagram video reel to get a small glimpse of some of the Christmas ligh...

Doesn't it seem like there are more events around the area for Mother's Day than Father's Day? Thankfully, some places do have something special planned for the fathers in our lives. Here are some ideas on what to do around San Luis Obispo County that could help make it a more memorable Father's Day.

1. Go to a Special Event.
   • There is usually at least one free concert in Grover Beach (part of San Luis Obispo County) that is for the public on June 16, 2024 (Father's Day). It is part of the Gro...

Jump to SLO Easter Brunch List

2024 Egg Hunts (Currently there are 11 in SLO County):

• March 23, 2024 (Sat) - Spring Fling at Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo from 11AM - 1PM. There will be a free egg hunt for kids who are between the ages of 0 - 8 years old (bring your own basket). After the hunt, stay and enjoy lunch both free activities as well as local vendors.Included in the event are special appearances by the Bunny and Roman the Romaine, live music by Ku Dog and Friends, and food trucks...

Note: The long running Parent Participation Program in San Luis Obispo County in Oceano (South County area) has been permanently discontinued. However, the one located in San Luis Obispo Obispo City (North County part) is still running. Scroll down to continue to read about my personal Parent Participation experience.

Parent Participation in Five Cities

Every year, there is a lot of family-friendly and free Christmas events in San Luis Obispo County that are planned by the community and local city governments. Sometimes, you may also find free Santa Photo opportunities!

2024 Fall & Holiday Themed Upcoming Event List (Growing List):

• November 15 - 17 (Fri - Sun) - Atascadero Fall Festival at Sunken Gardens. Free admission event for 3 days. You pay for rides and games. There will be food vendors. Hours are Fri: 4PM - 10PM and Sat & Sun: 12P...

Arroyo Grande is a city located in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast of California. Only 10 minutes inland from Pismo Beach and Grover Beach, this more suburban city has a a bit of a historic charm with the Village of Arroyo Grande and also known for their many acres of rural farms. Even as you're passing by Arroyo Grande High School, you can see a view of a farm across the street.

Things To Do in Arroyo Grande

Sometimes, Arroyo Grande (also known as "AG" to locals) is a sleepy to...

Downtown San Luis Obispo

Free Summer Concert Series in Downtown San Luis Obispo: Free Concerts on Fridays in Mission Plaza from 5PM - 8PM from June 21 - September 6, 2024. Free entry and family-friendly. Bring reusable cups to event (no glass). No outside alcoholic beverages, no pe...

Sweetie Cup Tea House

Morro Rock

Kuma