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Showing category "Santa Maria" (Show all posts)

Bell's Los Alamo Restaurant Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, March 17, 2024, In : Restaurants 
My husband and I had a recent date night at Bell's in Los Alamos and our date night experience was completely elevated compare to all of the date nights we've ever had. I'm still on cloud 9 when I look back at all of the food that I enjoyed there with my husband.

Bell's Los Alamos is located in Santa Barbara County and attracts many visitors from other parts of California and even outside of California for their renowned farm-to-table French cuisine experience. They earned a Michelin star! I...
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Epoch Estate Wines Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, March 2, 2024, In : Wineries 
Located in Templeton and in an isolated area, Epoch Estate Wines offers wine connoisseurs a unique tasting room experience. Their architecture is sleek and clean inside and their outdoor seating area has a nice view of the vineyards from up high.

My husband made reservations online so when we got seated, the tastings were already set up on the table for us with 5 different glasses of wine. It was a nice presentation and we were glad to have been seated in the center of the main tasting room. 

T...
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Austin Hope Winery (The Austin Hope & Treana Tasting Cellar) Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, February 19, 2024, In : Wineries 

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 ...


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Moon Palace The Grand Cancun Family Trip Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, January 11, 2024, In : Mexico 


Flying out of San Luis Obispo, California, and traveling to Cancun, Mexico required our family to hop on two plane rides. Since our kids are much bigger now, luckily we no longer need to carry a stroller, car seats and diaper bags. I'll never forget how hard it was to fly with a baby and toddler! However, traveling with elementary kids still requires planning and organizing over a series of days for me.

Quick Jump Links:
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Best Places to Take Photos in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, December 14, 2023, In : Mom Life 
There are many great photo opportunities throughout San Luis Obispo County. With famous California beaches, a cozy downtown and a lot of agriculture, you can take many different thematic snaps! Here are my favorites as a local and the pictures that I've personally snapped!
  • Pismo Beach Pier and Coastline

    Pismo Beach Pier Drone Pictures
    A lot of visitors from the Central Valley, Los Angeles and Bay Area come to Pismo Beach to enjoy the beach weather and local restaurants. The Pismo Beach Pier is iconic and there are large stan...

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Best Restaurants in Paso Robles | Reviews by San Luis Obispo County Local

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, In : Restaurants 
Downtown Paso Robles Review

Paso Robles is known as a popular wine country in California on the Central Coast and is part of San Luis Obispo County. Other beautiful cities like Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, San Simeon (where Hearst Castle is) and the Oceano Dunes also belong to San Luis Obispo County, or you can refer to it as just SLO (pronounced like "slow") for short.

Besides for being a wine country, Paso Robles has a very easy-walking downtown area with restaurants, tasting rooms and shops in short walking distance from...


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Tito's Red Tacos Pismo Beach Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, In : Restaurants 
Tito's Red Tacos in Pismo Beach got a lot of viral PR before it even opened! The restaurant is owned by a restauranteur who has opened successful restaurants around San Luis Obispo County (Pismo Beach is part of San Luis Obispo County).

There is a belief from a video that was recorded and posted on the internet that he didn't care for the locals. 
 
Well, I'm a local and I dine at many local restaurants around the San Luis Obispo County. I watched the recording and I found that maybe he thoug...
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HerScan Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, October 5, 2023, In : Mom Life 
HerScan Appointment

HerScan is a breast cancer screening service using ultrasound. I found out about Herscan from a friend who is an RN and decided to book an appointment.

I had just turned 40 and my nurse practitioner left the medical office that I had been going to for the past couple of years. This is the 3rd nurse practioner in the past 4 years who have left the area. Instead of waiting around or calling around to schedule a check up that might take months for an availability, I figured I'd go ahead and sc...


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DAOU Family Estates and Vineyards Review | Paso Robles

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, In : Wineries 

DAOU Family Estates, or as many refer them as DAOU Vineyards, in Paso Robles is renowned for their French wines and amazing vineyards view. Upon arrival on Hidden Mountain Road, we drove up the narrow road (meant for sharing both directions without lines) and through rows of vineyards that they own, we reached the top of the estate to the tasting room, where we stepped out to an overlook of their vineyards and hills of Paso Robles.

[View from Parking Lot of Daou Estate]

We arrived 10 minutes...


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Clos Selene in Paso Robles Review | Review by a Local

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, September 24, 2023, In : Wineries 
Clos Selene Pictures

As a San Luis Obispo County local, Clos Selene is one of my top 10 favorite wine tasting places in all of the county. It's romantic, intimate and every tasting that I had was so smooth. A tasting session here requires a reservation ahead of time and also a tasting deposit, which they charge immediately to hold your reservation. Then, on your reservation date, they will refund the deposit later on the day after you have arrived and just charge you for what you owe at the end of the tasting. I...


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Oso Flaco Lake Beach Trail Review and Pictures

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, September 16, 2023, In : Beaches 

At the southern most end of San Luis Obispo County is a beach trail that goes over a lake called Oso Flaco Lake. It has a deck trail that is a mile long, easy to walk on and very scenic.

Oso Flaco Lake Deck Trail

There isn't an exact address you can find to get here but if you Google: "Oso Flake Lake Trail", it will take you there to a parking lot where you can park for free and start your hike. It's about a mile long from beginning to the end where you end up with a beautiful view of the beach and ocean. It's about ...


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Best Avila Beach Wine Tasting Rooms | Reviews By a Local

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, September 4, 2023, In : Wineries 
Avila Beach is a very beautiful beach town in San Luis Obispo County with nice restaurants, shops and wine tasting places! As a local, we've visited the handful of wine tasing rooms and places that offer flights right there at Avila Beach. You can easily walk from the sand to any of these places for a wine break.

Even though they are all so close to each other. Please do not attempt to do a wine tasting flight at all five of these places on the list in one day! Some of these wines have really ...
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Drop Offs for Kids For Date Night in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, August 25, 2023, In : For Kids 
As a transplant and not having any family around, we've attempted to find a babysitter before for date nights. When the kids were babies and toddlers, we were lucky if we had a date once or twice a year! As they've gotten older, it's been much easier and more fun for our kids to use local organizations for Kids Night Out or Parents Night Out as a chance to have a date night. Here are some options in San Luis Obispo County:
  1. Central Coast Gymnastics - Every month, Central Coast Gymnastics in San...

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Pros and Cons for Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, August 6, 2023, In : Cruise Review 
Comparison Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival CruisesCarnival Cruise is Sometimes Better than Royal Caribbean

I've been on 5 different cruises on 5 different cruise ships so far. Three of them were on Royal Caribbean Cruises, 1 was a Disney Cruise and 1 was a Carnival Cruise. Two of the more popular ones to the general public are Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises. Now that I've been on both of them, I can do a comparison between the two of them. There are definitely notable differences between the two and some similarities as well! I've created two Pro and Cons tables that mentions the positives a...


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Barbie World Fantasy Things To Do in San Luis Obispo - California

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, July 27, 2023, In : Romantic 
With the Barbie movie getting a lot of hype and a lot of people are dressing up in their pretty pink, I couldn't help with recollect places that I've visited that reminds me of Barbie.
Pink Drink at Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo at Their Bar(I ordered a pink drink at the Silver Bar Cocktail Lounge at Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.)

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. ...

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3 Days Baja Mexico Carnival Radiance Cruise From Long Beach (Los Angeles) Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, July 15, 2023, In : Cruise Review 
Carnival Radiance Review

Carnival Cruise Waitlist and Phone Reservation Experience

We were on a last minute plan to go on a cruise earlier this month. There were no rates available left for the 3 Day Carnival Cruise that leaves from Los Angeles (Long Beach, specifically), California within our vacation time frame so my husband decided to call Carnival to see if we could be put on a waitlist. After leaving his contact information, all that we could do was wish for the best and continuously search online every 30 minut...
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Kanpai Sushi in Shell Beach Review by a Central Coast Local

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, June 26, 2023, In : Restaurants 

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 were room at the sushi bar, which usually requires no reservation. Luc...


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The Movie Experience Movie Theater Date in Downtown San Luis Obispo (SLO)

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, In : Romantic 
We had a movie date over the weekend in Downtown San Luis Obispo Obispo at The Movie Experience, also known as Downtown Centre Cinemas. It's centrally located and is part of a big shopping complex. 
Movie Theater in San Luis Obispo
What made this date stood apart from the rest was that I had an awesome dinner while we were watching the movie in the movie theater and my dinner is not hot dogs and popcorn. The movie theater doesn't blatantly say you can bring your own food and drinks to the movie theater, but it also doesn't sa...
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Summer Swim Program Registration Line and Review at Arroyo Grande High School

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, In : Mom Life 

On June 2 (a week before the school year was about to end and summer break was about to start), I made it to the registration time frame to register my kids at the Summer Swim Program between 5PM - 7PM that evening at Arroyo Grande High School. I was praying that my husband could get home from work earlier than anticipated so he could watch the kids while I wait in that traditionally famous line on the sidewalk of Arroyo Grande (AG) High School to register both my kids for their awesome swim ...


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Differences Between Planet Fitness Arroyo Grande VS Planet Fitness San Luis Obispo

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, June 10, 2023, In : Fitness 

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

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...


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Velella, By-the-Wind Sailor, Jellyfish-like Organisms in Pismo State Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, May 19, 2023, In : Pismo Beach 
Picture of Velella, By-the-Wind Sailor, found at Pismo Beach, California
Earlier this week in Pismo Beach, we stumbled on thousands of Velella, also known as By-the-Wind Sailor. They are so magnificent and beautiful. They're tiny and look like they have a sail on them. 


For the first time in many years that I've lived here, this is the first time I've seen them at our beach! I was so excited. They have little legs on them and eat plankton. In person, they look very purply blue but it was a cloudy day so they have this darker color when I took pictures of them. Se...
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One Week of Spring Break - California Mom Journal

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, In : For Kids 
My kids get a week off from school for Spring Break. It's a total of 9 days of no school if we count the weekend before it starts as well. This year, I've logged what we did each day during this break! We stayed local for the first part of the break and then went to Los Angeles for the last 2 days. Jump to our Universal Studios Hollywood Trip on Day 7. I'm putting Day 1 as the Monday that break officially started, calendar-wise. Here's the day-by-day breakdown of what we did for Spring Break ...
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Blue Seafood & Grill Arroyo Grande Lunch Dates Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, March 31, 2023, In : Restaurants 
Blue Seafood & Grill opened in Arroyo Grande in 2023 and my husband and I have had a few lunch dates here. We've been coming here every few months since they opened! They replaced the previous restaurant named Me & Z, which I regretfully did not get to try before they closed down. The most exciting thing that I've tried at Blue Seafood & Grill is their Cajun Seafood Boil!

They also have other traditional American seafood like the lobster roll and shrimp sandwiches on their menu. I have not h...
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Pros and Cons For Joining a Parent Teacher Organization

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, March 26, 2023, In : Mom Life 
Many schools call their Parent Teacher Organization, PTA (Parent Teacher Association), others are just PTO.

What's the difference?

A PTA, Parent Teacher Association, has to pay fees to the the national PTA organization in U.S.A. but a PTO, Parent Teacher Organization, doesn't have to pay fees to the PTA and can have different rules and regulation/by laws.

Regardless if they are PTA or PTO, how they are run can be pretty impressive, dependent on the leadership of the board.

After volunteering for ...
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What to Prepare to Buy a New Home and What To Do After Sending an Offer

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, In : Home Improvement 

On the East Coast, we had bought one home and sold it 3.5 years later after we moved to the West Coast.

On the West Coast, we've bought two homes: one before the pandemic and one after the pandemic.

Each time, the process of buying a home was stressful.

What to Prepare Before Picking a Realtor to Buy a New Home

From what I can see now and for the foreseeable future, there is no shortage in REALTORs so finding a REALTOR is the easy part. We like to find a one who has been active in the busin...


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Chaperoning Tips for a Field Trip

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, In : Mom Life 

I've been fortunate to have been able to accompany my kids' field trips as a chaperone for the last couple of years. Their school needed volunteers and I had the spare time to do it.
Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach is a popular field trip for elementary kids in SLO County(picture of Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach)

Requirements to Become a Chaperone at an Elementary School

Before I was able to chaperone on a field trip, I had to get fingerprinted and pass a background check for my sons' elementary school. They also needed me to pass a tuberculosis (TB) test. For the backgro...


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Mistura Review | Downtown San Luis Obispo Restaurant

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, February 19, 2023, In : Restaurants 

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....


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Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark Birthday Weekend Getaway Review in Southern California

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, February 13, 2023, In : Birthday Party 
We drove 4 hours south to Orange County in Southern California to do a Great Wolf Lodge Getaway for our son's birthday celebration this month! Instead of having a party, we decided to take a road trip and spend the weekend at their kid-friendly waterpark. Great Wolf Lodge has an indoor waterpark with slides, toddler area, lazy river and more. It's a perfect place for kids who want to play in the water during wintery weather. Best yet, we didn't have to really leave the resort because they als...
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Alpha Omega Collective in Downtown Paso Robles Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, January 16, 2023, In : Wineries 
Earlier this afternoon, we had a Signature wine tasting flight at Alpha Omega Collective in Downtown Paso Robles. It had just grand opened a couple of days ago so this was their first weekend of opening.
Alpha Omega Paso Robles
The inside of the tasting room is very sleek and cozy. We can tell the staff there are seasoned in the industry. They are calm, professional and attentive. We really enjoyed our experience there and loved that it is literally right by the Downtown City Park in Downtown Paso Robles. 
Alpha Omega Collective in Paso Robles
I always li...
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South County San Luis Obispo Gyms or Fitness Centers Reviews

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, December 18, 2022, In : South County San Luis Obispo 
Staying active and healthy is one of my goals. Over the years, I went to a number of gyms around the South County part of San Luis Obispo County. Here is a list of gyms/fitness centers that I've visited and my thoughts about them in chronological order:

  • Fitness 19

    Located in Arroyo Grande and in the same shopping area as Marshalls, Wal Mart, Food 4 Less, a movie theater, and a great number of restaurants, I thought this gym had the best location. Their ads kept showing up on my Facebook as well...


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Staycation and Date Night in Downtown SLO and Where We Went

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, December 11, 2022, In : Romantic 

My husband surprised me with an anniversary SLO staycation in Downtown San Luis Obispo!
Granada Bistro Date Night
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...


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Bite-Sized Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, November 19, 2022, In : Recipes 

After my pumpkin muffins (see this pumpkin muffin recipe) were a hit at my husband's work, I decided to try a bite-sized pumpkin pie recipe so that I can send another finger-food treat while they're hard at work. I felt that the pumpkin muffins were a hit, partly because it was easy to eat with your hands. So, I think these bite-sized pumpkin pies will be great for the workplace too.
(picture of my bite-sized pumpkin pies)

My kids got to be my first tasters and enjoyed these bite-sized "baby" ...


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Pumpkin Muffin Recipe with Thawed Out Frozen Pumpkin

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, November 19, 2022, In : Recipes 
Yesterday, I baked pumpkin muffins using a pumpkin that I bought last month as a porch decoration for Halloween month. My pumpkin was a medium size and from experience, I knew that when I roasted it, it was going to yield several desserts for us as a family of four. [Skip this story and jump straight to the Pumpkin Muffin Ingredients and Recipe Steps.]


Cutting, Roasting, Dividing, and Freezing the Cooked Pumpkin

Immediately after I roasted (1 hour) and cooled this medium sized pumpkin, I rem...
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2024 Thanksgiving Dinners in San Luis Obispo | SLO County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, In : Holidays 
While I was in college at San Diego State University (SDSU), I worked at a seafood buffet and worked on Thanksgiving Day. [You can skip my college story and just scroll down or jump straight to the list of 23 restaurants in San Luis Obispo County that will be open on Thanksgiving Day and serving a turkey dinner.] It was by choice as I got better tips and only had to work for 5 hours and could still go home and spend time with my parents and sibling. I'm a native San Diegan but I live here in ...
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Pismo Beach Clam Festival | Fun Day With Kids

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, October 16, 2022, In : Pismo Beach 
Every year, the City of Pismo Beach plans an annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival in October by the Pismo Beach Pier.

It's a weekend celebration with a clam tasting competition, free kid's zone and activities for the kids (image of sea creatures present for the kids to touch is below), beer garden and a lot of delicious food for sale. To top it off, they have different bands playing throughout the festival for the weekend.

Thus far, there has never been an entry fee to enter the festival as t...
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Top 10 San Luis Obispo County Wineries and Reviews | Local Reviews

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, October 8, 2022, In : Wineries 
Vineyards in San Luis Obispo County
I'm a local in San Luis Obispo County and this is a list of my top favorite 10 wine tasting rooms that I've visited in San Luis Obispo County (SLO) County, including Edna Valley and Paso Robles. The order and list may change as I continue to explore more wineries. So far, I've explored over 50 tasting rooms in San Luis Obispo County.

  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...


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SeaVenture Restaurant Dinner Review - Pismo Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, October 1, 2022, In : Restaurants 

Last month, we dined at SeaVenture Restaurant inside of SeaVenture Beach Hotel in Pismo Beach for a nice dinner with the view of the ocean. This property is oceanfront and is one of the oldest resorts in the area. It's a popular choice to stay for tourists and also a great place to dine for locals.

To get to SeaVenture Restaurant, you'd have to enter the lobby on the ground floor of the teal-roofed hotel to find the elevator or stairs up to the top floor, the third floor. We took the elevator ...
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A Date Night in Pismo Beach and Where We Went

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, September 19, 2022, In : Romantic 

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...


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Pono Pacific Kitchen Review - West End Grover Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, September 2, 2022, In : Restaurants 
Pono Pacific Kitchen
We dined at Pono Pacific Kitchen in Grover Beach, California right at 4PM today to try out the new Hawaiian restaurant in the West End of Grover Beach named Pono Pacific Kitchen.

It's a higher end restaurant with a 1 page food menu and excellent service. They currently only serve dinner and have no lunch time hours. They have a couple of kid's options off the menu, which I appreciate very much! 

At the center of the restaurant is a bar, fully stocked with an inviting vibe. The doors are al...
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Sensorio Field of Lights Paso Robles Review by a Central Coast Mom

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, August 13, 2022, In : Paso Robles 
I've walked through Sensorio Field of Lights twice so far and I enjoyed it the second time more than the first time as I was able to walk on the opposite side, which I missed the first time. The Field of Lights is a big loop that you walk through with a couple of in between trails within the loop.
Sensorio Lights
Sensorio is a place you must visit if you're planning on visiting San Luis Obispo or San Luis Obispo County. There is an entrance fee, which you can buy online to save a bit of time. Even though the...
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Bridal Shower Planning Tips

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, In : Bridal Shower 
Showering your dear future bride before their wedding day with a bridal shower is traditionally the wonderful prequel to show her how very special and loved she is by all of the guests before the big day! With guests that could be traveling from anywhere on the globe or busy on the go, making sure all of her guests receives the bridal shower invitation is an important first step in bridal shower planning. 

See an example of a bridal shower invite for a couple above from Basic Invite

Basic Inv...
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Caffeine Art and Coffee Shops to Work Remotely in Five Cities in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, July 31, 2022, In : Restaurants 
When I was working, I'd go sit in a coffee shop to plug in my laptop and enjoy a nice latte about a couple times a week to mix up it up because working remotely from home can sometimes be lonely. 
Coffee Shop in Five Cities
Best part about working remotely is I can choose a different setting if I wanted to, except when I have meetings as I try to reserve those work days for at home to avoid too much background noise. I have a preference over coffee shops that serve latte in a mug if I'm sitting there, especially when ...
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Solvang Visit in July and Hotel Corque Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, July 28, 2022, In : Solvang 
We did an overnight stay in Solvang, the famous Danish town in America, earlier this week. It's our first Solvang visit for this year.

Ever since we moved to San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, we've visited Solvang at least twice a year. It's less than an hour drive from our house as we live on the southern part of SLO County. What I've noticed from years of visiting here is there's always a crowd during the day and then the evenings are very quiet in the entire Solvang Village area.

Here's a pi...
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PCH Shave Ice & Boba Shop Review | Pismo Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, In : Boba 
PCH Shave Ice and Boba in Pismo Beach
I tried boba at a new boba shop in Pismo Beach on Oak Park Blvd yesterday called PCH Shave Ice & Boba. I was impressed by the quality and taste of their boba!

I tried the Tiger Pismo (pictured above) and it was delicious. I loved the small corn hole game they have available to use as well. The ambiance was comfortable and relaxing. It's in the same shopping center as a couple of awesome restaurants including a sushi joint and Mediterranean restaurant. There are stores that I frequent like Ro...
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Royal Caribbean Family Cruise Review | Navigator of the Seas

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, July 9, 2022, In : Cruise Review 
Navigator of the Seas Family Cruise Review
We went on a family cruise vacation on Navigator of the Seas Ship through Royal Caribbean. It was a 4 night cruise with 2 stops: Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. The port was at Los Angeles so we drove a few hours from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles and then got on the ship from there. Even though there were some mishaps in the beginning, I ended up having a splendid time on this cruise!

A few jump links below, in case you're looking for specific information and reviews about this Royal...


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Things To Do In Our Spare Time for Day Dates

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, In : Romantic 
Spyglass Park Ocean View in Shell Beach
My husband works a shift work schedule and I work intermittently from home as a contractor for other companies.

In the rare occasion that my husband is home during the week while the kids are at school, we'd take advantage of our proximity to fantastic places around San Luis Obispo County and do something a couple of tourists would mostly do.

Here is a list of things that I'd like to do in my spare time, besides watching shows and movies, with my husband around SLO County:
  • Eat at a nice and hig...

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Mustang Waterpark Review for Families (Water Park in Arroyo Grande)

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, June 4, 2022, In : Arroyo Grande 

We went to the Mustang Waterpark at Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande right after the pandemic guidelines allowed the water parks to open again! The Mustang Waterpark is usually only open for a few months between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day each year. I actually preferred this waterpark in Arroyo Grande while my kids were little, compared to the Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles. (See our Ravine Waterpark review here.)

Mustang Waterpark is considerably smaller than Ravine Waterpark, the only ot...
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Pros and Cons for Going To a Mother and Son Dance

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, May 14, 2022, In : Mom Life 
Mother and Son Dance San Luis Obispo
I've been to three Mother & Son Dances so far: one on the East Coast and two on the West Coast.

Below is a table on Pros and Cons on Going to a Mother and Son Dance based on my personal experiences and feelings, and I hope this will help you if you're on the fence about going to one.
 
Pros and Cons on Going to a Mother and Son Dance
Pros
  • You get to bond and spend special time with your son(s).
  • It can be fun to dress up according to the theme of the Dance or dress up nicely.
  • The k...

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MilkT Society Boba Shop in Pismo Beach Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, In : Boba 
Milk T Society Special Boba Drink
Located on the corner of HWY 1 & Hinds Ave. in Pismo Beach is a newer boba shop named MilkT Society. I tried their boba for the first time today, on their opening day!

I was anxious and excited! Their sign wasn't up yet at the time nor was their kitchen ready but I already liked the decor of it inside. I ordered the Black Tea with boba while my husband ordered the Iced Vietnamese Coffee with boba. (Update: I came back a couple of weeks later to try the blush matcha as pictured below and the Mi...
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Regal Arroyo Grande Movie Theater Review | Central Coast California

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, May 8, 2022, In : Movies 

Movie Theaters in Arroyo GrandeWhen 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

If you have an electric car, they have Tesla Charging Stations right next to this Regal Theater, which makes it very convenient to charge up. The charging s...
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Reflection on In-Class School Learning for Kids After the Pandemic

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, April 28, 2022, In : Mom Life 
There's only 6 weeks left for the school year and I'm starting to look back at how much has happened for my two kids.

For the first half of the year, all of the kids were required to wear masks. It feels like that was so long ago but it was only a few months ago that the masks mandate was lifted for the kids around this part of town. 

It never bothered my kids that they had to wear masks. Since the start of the pandemic, I sewed their fabric masks with 100% cotton fabric, as I've read it's ...
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Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie for the Waistline

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, April 25, 2022, In : Vegan 

I was checking out my food items in my drawers earlier today and noticed that I had a can of pumpkin puree that will expire in about 5 months, which is still 2 months before Thanksgiving Day. I needed to make use it before it is no good and goes to waste so I baked a pumpkin pie today in the middle of spring!

I used this one recipe from Minimalist Baker that's vegan and gluten-free for last Thanksgiving and my older son liked it. I also enjoy it as I find that vegan recipes can be much better...
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"No, you may not", says Madonna Inn about bringing outside pool toys (Guest Room Review for Antique Cars Room)

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, April 18, 2022, In : Madonna Inn 
I called Madonna Inn this morning as I'm so excited about our upcoming and second Madonna Inn staycation! We've only stayed at the Madonna Inn once before at the room named San Francisco, Room #121. (Read my personal review of this Room #121.) They have an outdoor pool for room guests and last time we didn't bring any fun toys for the kids so this time, I wanted to see if we could bring them.

I called their main line and a lady answered. I asked her "We're checking in later today and I wanted ...
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Picking Up a Lemon Coconut Cake From Madonna Inn

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, April 15, 2022, In : Madonna Inn 
This weekend is going to be a very eventful Easter weekend with my husband's birthday tomorrow and Easter happening on the following day.

I had put in an order for a small Lemon Coconut Cake at the Madonna Inn online a month ago for pick up today at 11AM. I had a few things to do today so I decided to pick up the cake last to avoid any melting frosting. 

First, I went to Ross, a block away from Madonna Inn, to pick up some small chocolate bunnies as it is Easter Day on Sunday and I still need...
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Upcoming 2024 Easter Egg Hunts in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, April 10, 2022, In : Easter 

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: 8)

Easter Egg Hunt in Pismo Beach(I took this picture at the Egg Hunt event at Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach)

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 year...

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MOXI in Santa Barbara, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, March 20, 2022, In : Santa Barbara 
Lucky for us, Santa Barbara is only an hour and fifteen minute drive south from our area as it's only the next county over from San Luis Obispo County.
Front Entrance of MOXI Santa Barbara
We've learned more about MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, from Blippi, the clown from YouTube! We really wanted to encourage the kids to visit a museum again, now that the mask mandate has been lifted and things are getting back to a more normal. At first, the kids were not up for a drive so I showed a video of MOXI from Blipp...
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Bee House Thai Cuisine Review - Grover Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, March 7, 2022, In : Restaurants 
(Note: They don't open until past noon and their closed days change season to season. Continue to read to see my review from a past visit at Bee House Thai Cuisine below.)

I visited Bee House Thai Cuisine for the first time last week to pick up my take out order. They are located in the same spot where Sister Kitchen used to be! As you step in, you can feel the new restaurant vibe.


The area is sleek and there is a unisex restroom that I spotted right away. The order was done in 20 minutes ...
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Our Robot Server at Meet Up Chinese Cuisine in Santa Barbara

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, February 25, 2022, In : Santa Barbara 
I'm so excited to say that I've been served by an AI robot server at a restaurant in Santa Barbara yesterday at Meet Up Chinese Cuisine Restaurant!


Her name is Shao Tu and she's smart and prompt.

We ordered a small wonton soup, potstickers, beef chow fun and yang chow fried rice!



The restaurant is kind of tucked in so if you missed a turn, it'll take a few minutes to get back around to find it again. However, the place is a true treasure find! We can't wait to come back. Santa Barbara a...
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Vegan and Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, February 6, 2022, In : Vegan 

This past year brought a lot of changes to our family's diet to improve a health condition. This year, I baked a vegan and gluten-free vanilla cake for my kid's birthday. The cake sunk in a bit in the middle after I took it out of the oven, but it's fully cooked. I think I should have left it in the oven a bit longer. Aesthetic aside, I'm happy with this cake.

I used the recipe I found here: https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-gluten-free-cake/ but in case the website is ever down, I'm going to ty...
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Teen Centers and Suggested Places for Teens Including Skate Parks in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, January 23, 2022, In : For Kids 

Here is a list of Teen Centers and places for teenagers to thrive in San Luis Obispo County, year round:
  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...

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Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, January 15, 2022, In : Vegan 
I'm making a vegan, gluten-free pizza crust for my son this morning and this time, I'm recording my recipe and what steps I took. I'm not using tomato sauce for this recipe to lower the acid for easier digestion for my little guy.

Ingredients:

  • 1 packet of Fleischmann's RapidRise Instant Yeast Fast-Acting (this one doesn't require proofing ahead of time). When you go to the grocery store, they usually sell them in a pack of 3 so you just use one of them. You can buy the same product here: Fleis...

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Making Boba Balls at Home

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, January 8, 2022, In : Boba 
(More photos to be added soon!)

Surprisingly, you only need 3 ingredients to make and roll your boba balls at home, the three ingredients are:
  • 1/2 cup of tapioca starch/flour
  • Between 1/3 cup but less than 1/2 cup of brown sugar (depending on your preference on sweetness)
  • 1/2 cup of water (divided)
That's it! Lucky for those who can't eat gluten, tapioca starch or flour is gluten-free and you can make sure it stays gluten-free by making it at home. However, it does require some work.

Instruc...

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Bunn Thai Bistro Restaurant in Grover Beach Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, January 3, 2022, In : Restaurants 
There are a few Thai restaurants in Grover Beach but Bunn Thai is our favorite! Their food is authentic and the decor inside is warm and welcoming with pink walls!

They also have great lunch specials. We've dined there for lunch and have done many take outs for lunch and dinner. It's always a great experience each time. I've tried their Thai fried rice, pad see ew noodles, seafood sizzling plate, curry and a couple of their appetizers.


The only thing that I feel uneasy about is that it's l...
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Oyster Loft in Pismo Beach Review by a Local

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, January 2, 2022, In : Restaurants 
For one of our date nights, we ate at Oyster Loft in Pismo Beach! It's beachfront with a phenomenal view of the Pismo Beach Pier and ocean.

We didn't have reservations and just walked in around 5:20PM and luckily there was a table available. Once we were seated, it didn't take long for the other tables to fill up so I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time! We were just lucky that they had room for us. 

Oyster Loft is located on the second story. It's a beautiful restaurant with...
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Vegan Steel Cut Oatmeal with Coconut Milk

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, In : Vegan 
I had a lot of coconut milk leftover so I decided to make steel cut oatmeal with coconut milk and have some to save for the next few days for breakfast. I think it makes a delicious dessert too. This is vegan and gluten-free. It only requires 5 ingredients with an optional 6th ingredient.

Ingredients:
  • I used 80% of a can of Lite Coconut Milk as I had used a bit of it for a meal and these are leftover, but you can just use the whole can. (unsweetened) (I used field Day organic and a full can w...

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Vegan and Gluten-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, December 27, 2021, In : Vegan 
Today, I tried a vegan and gluten free waffle recipe to use with my new Waffle Wow waffle maker Kawaii Snacks edition (Kawaii Fun Snacks Mini Waffle Maker - 7 Different Food Emoji Designs Featuring an Avocado, Pizza, Ramen, Taco & More) that I received as a Christmas gift this year by a family member. This waffle maker makes cute shapes that are so exciting for the kids!

I typically don't do anything extra when I am making waffles instead of pancakes, recipe wise, so I am going into this w...
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Vegan and Gluten-free Sugar Cookies for Santa Recipe

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, December 24, 2021, In : Vegan 
We're ready for Christmas!

This year, Santa is going to be served vegan cookies.

2021 brought a lot of changes in our home: one of them is a family member started having health-related issues and we had to change and be mindful of what we bring to the dinner table.

Because of this new change, I've learned to bake and cook with more vegan products. Notably, we are not a vegan family but we're just bringing in more vegan meals and focusing more on a plant-based diet to help with a health issue. ...
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Holiday Christmas Lights in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, December 11, 2021, In : Holidays 

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:

Cambria Christmas Lights

See my short video of my Cambria Christmas Lights visit below:
 Read about Cambria

Pismo Beach Pier Around of the Holidays

See my short video of the neon lights at Pismo Beach Pier and the Christmas Tre...


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Gluten Free and Dairy Free Food or Vegan Grocery Stores in SLO

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, November 22, 2021, In : Vegan 
As I'm getting more familiar with finding things that are gluten-free and dairy-free for a family member, I feel so fortunate that San Luis Obispo is so understanding on dietary needs at restaurants and grocery stores. I think if I were in a different town, in a different state, it would be a very different and difficult journey.

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...

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Halloween Anticipation

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, October 22, 2021, In : Fall 

I love the fall season when the pumpkin patches are open and I can order a pumpkin spice latte from our coffee shops around SLO County. I also enjoy the cooler weather and how traffic is less around here as the kids are back in school and the summer tourist season is over.
Corn Mazes in San Luis Obispo
Around fall, many of the local farms start planning really fun harvest events and setting up their pumpkin patches. (See my video reel at a beautiful pumpkin patch in San Luis Obispo.) Especially with kids, I enjoy the fall...
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San Simeon Hotels in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, October 7, 2021, In : San Simeon 
San Luis Obispo County has a lot of famous cities and attractions. One of them is Hearst Castle.

Hearst Castle is located in San Simeon city, a coastal town that's quaint and beautiful.

There's less than a dozen hotels in San Simeon but if you'd like to find a quieter part of California that's right at the coast, then San Simeon is the perfect getaway. Here's a list of hotels in San Simeon.

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
This hotel is only 3 miles from Hearst Castle.

The Morgan at San Simeon Hotel...
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Thanksgiving and Winter Break Camps in SLO County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, September 19, 2021, In : For Kids 
If your kids are like mine, they usually crave to get more active by the 3rd day of any consecutive break. A few hours a day at a half day break camp can really help them have a more exciting break and still have time to relax at home.

There's a few regular places around the county that usually run break camps year round. Here's a list of places that I've found so far for 2024 that offer both Thanksgiving and Winter Break Camps. Usually in November, a selected organizations will post Thanksgiv...
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Port San Luis Pier (Harford Pier) Pictures in Avila Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, August 29, 2021, In : Avila Beach 
There are 3 piers in Avila Beach but Port San Luis Pier is my favorite of the bunch. It's located on the farthest right if you're facing the ocean and driving into Avila Beach from the road. It's past the PG & E plant and lighthouse.


You'll see some campers parked there. Don't be discourage. Just keep driving and you'll see a free parking area. That is when you'll see the Port San Luis Pier. You can go fishing on this pier without a fishing license and also see sea lions from this pier. The...
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Pismo Beach T-Shirts - Men, Women and Kids Souvenir Shirts

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, In : Pismo Beach 
There are many different Pismo Beach t-shirts that you can find locally as souvenirs. There's not a shortage of souvenir shops near the Pismo Beach Pier that sell t-shirts but it can be overwhelming to search through hundreds of them to find the right one. Upon going on a hunt to find Pismo Beach T-Shirts or 805 T-Shirts as a gift, I was getting a bit tired already after just finding a decent parking spot at the beach. I wasn't tired physically, just mentally tired. Then, stopping in one-by-o...
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Hey Transplant Mom

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, August 20, 2021, In : Mom Life 
Hey Transplant Mom,

I understand your pain, uncertainty and a bit of emptiness as you wait by the gate to retrieve your child and hear a group of moms chatting it up. You think, "I'm just going to focus on my child" but deep down, you wish to be in that conversation. The way they wave to each other and go on outings together to talk about mom life is something you only get to do via Zoom with your close friends from a distance. That group over there is maybe an established group that took a fe...
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Boomers Santa Maria Review by San Luis Obispo Mom

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, August 13, 2021, In : For Kids 
This summer, we took my sons to the Boomers in Santa Maria for the first time. It was a drive to the next county over but we always enjoy going into a big town again.

There's never an admission fee to go inside however you have to pay for the rides, mini golf and playing on the arcades. I think that if the kids are still little, they can skip the rides and just enjoy the indoor arcade. They also serve food so you don't have to worry about being hungry last minute. They have burgers, pretzel...
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Exploration Discovery Center Review and Pictures in Grover Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, August 7, 2021, In : For Kids 
We visited the Exploration Discovery Center in Grover Beach on their opening day today! Here are some pictures from our visit below.

After I picked my kids up from summer day camp, I asked them if they're up for exploring a new place today. I showed them pictures that the Exploration Discovery Center posted on their social media and website and the kids decided to go, judging from the posted pictures. When we got there, there were more things to do than expected!

Immediately upon entry, the...
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The Carlton Hotel in Atascadero Review - San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, In : Atascadero 
Earlier this month of July, we had a staycation in Atascadero in the Colony District area. Atascadero is an inland part of San Luis Obispo County and definitely has a different vibe from the famous San Luis Obispo City and Pismo Beach areas. They are known for their craft beer spots, wine tasting options and sometimes very hot weather in the summer!

I did some research before figuring out which hotel was best to stay in Atascadero. We narrowed it down to The Carlton. It's located in the midd...
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Circus Vargas California in San Luis Obispo

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, In : Circus Vargas 
I was happy to hear that Circus Vargas debuted in San Luis Obispo this summer and we got the chance to watch a performance the day before Independence Day at the beautiful Madonna Inn property.

I've attended a Circus Vargas show twice! Jump to a list of my tips on going to Circus Vargas with little ones

It was a sunny day and we caught the 4pm showing. Parking right by the circus tent was $10 cash, which we gladly paid instead of parking far away. I had an elderly family member with us and th...
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LEGOLAND California Trip and LEGOLAND Castle Hotel Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, In : LEGOLAND California 
This past weekend, we went to LEGOLAND California to celebrate my son's 5th birthday. They had just opened the new The LEGO Movie World a couple of weeks prior so we're seeing a lot of cool new stuff!

Emmet's Flying Adventure Ride & LEGOLAND California's Waterpark

The priority on our list was Emmet's Flying Adventure Ride since it's their newest ride! The waiting time was about an hour for that when we were there. My older son had a melt down because he was getting really hot but luckily it w...


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Circus Vargas in San Luis Obispo

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, In : Circus Vargas 

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.

Circus Vargas San Luis Obispo 2021


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Los Angeles Trip from Local SLO Family

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, June 6, 2021, In : Los Angeles 
Last month, my family and I decided to get away in Los Angeles after I received my second Covid-19 vaccination.
We find that we see a lot of visitors from Los Angeles coming to visit San Luis Obispo County and vice versa. However, it has been a really long time since I've really spent some time in Los Angeles. I'm a native San Diegan so usually I am just passing through LA to get to San Diego. I always dread the LA traffic and how everyone seems to be in a hurry. But if my destination is Lo...
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AJ Spurs is Great for Families and Steaks in Grover Beach

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, May 29, 2021, In : Restaurants 
My collage below is a collection of photos taken by me at AJ Spurs in Grover Beach, California.

AJ Spurs is located right off Highway 101 so it's a quick exit in Grover Beach. It's pricey, quirky and great for a special occasion.

We've actually dined at the AJ Spurs in Buellton (part of Santa Barbara County) before we dined at this Grover Beach location (in San Luis Obispo County). The decor is similar but I feel like this place feels much bigger! The parking situation is much easier as well....
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La Quinta Inn in San Luis Obispo Downtown Review and Dinner at 1865 Craft House

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, In : Hotel 
We did a staycation at La Quinta in Downtown San Luis Obispo about a year after the pandemic started.

It was a short 17 hour staycation. Our main motivated was we wanted to be able to use our 1865 Craft House & Kitchen gift card that we've been hoarding and since it's located right next door from the La Quinta Inn in Downtown San Luis Obispo, we decided to have a relaxing tourist experience as locals as well. Since traveling far was not advised during the pandemic, we opted for staycations ins...
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Summer Camps in San Luis Obispo County - List of 26 Options

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, May 13, 2021, In : For Kids 
Here's a list of summer camp options for kids that are usually available in the summer throughout San Luis Obispo (SLO) County below. Most places don't post information until a couple of months before summer break begins.

2024 Summer Camps for Kids in San Luis Obispo County Availability

  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 ...

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Second Pfizer Vaccine Shot Gave Me the Chills and Headaches

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, May 9, 2021, In : Coronavirus 
A couple of my friends had both shots of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and they told me that besides a sore arm, they didn't have any other symptoms. I wasn't so lucky.

Yesterday morning, I went to my appointment to get my second Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. I felt great until maybe 8 hours later, my left arm (where they gave me the shot) started getting sore. No big deal. I felt like that was very bearable. I went to bed and then, the next morning, I felt more than just a sore arm. I got the chil...
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Playing Shop Play Win Monopoly with VONS

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, May 7, 2021, In : Monopoly 
Every year, I always look forward to playing Shop, Play, Win Monopoly through my local VONS. Other grocery stores like Albertsons, Tom Thumb and probably about a dozen others also participate around the U.S. This year, my store isn't doing the paper game board so everything can be claimed online. I like it better this way because I don't have to lick anything this time because they were like stamps before.

Things You Can Win
I really enjoy playing Shop, Play, Win to win freebies. I'd win free...
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How to Celebrate Mother's Day in SLO County - San Luis Obispo

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, In : Mothers Day 
Every year, we have Mother's Day as a special day to celebrate. Sometimes I love this holiday even more than my birthday as I feel like I'm celebrating it with all of the moms in country.
(My sons playing a game at a local Mother Son Dance that they attended with me during Mother's Day weekend)

Here are some tips on how to celebrate Mother's Day in San Luis Obispo County for 2024:
  1. Go to a special event. There are special Mother's Day themed events around San Luis Obispo County. You can check o...

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Things To Do in Oceano, California - Pismo State Park - San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, April 19, 2021, In : Oceano 
Oceano is a quieter beach town than neighboring Grover Beach and Pismo Beach but it is still part of Pismo State Beach and visitors are catching on to the this little gem in San Luis Obispo County. It is actually where the famous Dunes are located but many visitors would often mistakenly think they're still in Pismo Beach, when in fact, the Oceano Dunes are located well, in Oceano, California.

There's a mix of the old and new. It's trying to change but there is a bit of some hesitation. I li...
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Kindergarteners In Training (K.I.T.) Preschool by City of Arroyo Grande Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, April 18, 2021, In : Preschool 
It was two years ago when my older son was in the Kindergarten in Training program, K.I.T. for short, that's run by the City of Arroyo Grande but I hadn't had the chance to write a review here about my thoughts of the program until now. More things in San Luis Obispo County are starting to open up, including preschools, so I thought it would be helpful for other parents out there if they are looking for a review on preschools.

When I had enrolled my son in the K.I.T. program, he was turning ...
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Making Homemade Granola with Instant Oatmeal Packets

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Monday, April 12, 2021, In : DIY 
I've been in a granola mood today and thought to myself, I've never made my own granola before. I don't have any plain oats at home, just the instant oatmeal packets so I started digging online to see if there are recipes that used instant oatmeal packets. After comparing a few recipes, I decided to concoct my own using the ingredients I already have on hand. I made a small batch and here's how it turned out!

homemade granola using instant oatmeal packets(My finished granola using apple & cinnamon instant oatmeal packets, flax seeds, tabl...
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Whole Chicken in Crock Pot for Easter Day

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, April 4, 2021, In : Recipes 
 (We made these colored eggs with emoji stickers that came in our Easter egg coloring kit.)

Instead of ham this Easter, I am cooking a whole chicken in a crock pot today. I've done it before in the past and am not sure why I haven't cook my chicken this way more often. I think it's because it takes a long time and requires a bit of planning. 

RECIPE & QUICK INSTRUCTIONS
For the whole chicken, I am seasoning with fresh garlic, 2 lemons, dried oregano, salt and pepper. I crushed a whole garlic and...
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Madonna Inn Room Review: The San Francisco Room

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, In : Madonna Inn 
Earlier this month, my family decided to celebrate our son's birthday by planning a surprise staycation at the Madonna Inn! Madonna Inn is a famous California boutique motel property where every room has a different theme, meaning no two rooms are alike! 

Now that the stay-at-home order has been lifted and back to a tier level, we felt that our son deserved something extra special. He missed traveling like we used to do when things were more normal and had always enjoyed staying at hotels so w...
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Dutch Bros Review in Arroyo Grande

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, In : Restaurants 
Located on the same side of the Starbucks on Grand Ave., Dutch Bros is a refreshing alternative for getting coffee. The high-spirited staff will get you excited as you're greeted for ordering coffee with their mobile device! 
picture of Dutch Bros coffee from Arroyo Grande
The lines can get long but there were two lanes when I arrived yesterday in the drive-thru. There were four ladies walking around getting orders so it made the process of ordering so efficient and fast. If you don't know what you're going to order when one of them gets to...
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Early Learning Center Review in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, January 28, 2021, In : Preschool 
I cannot say enough good things about the Early Learning Center that my 4 year old is going to. Even during the pandemic, they are able to get the kids to come twice a week for 3 hours in the mornings. This has been our saving grace as my little one needed some social interaction and some experience with school before he starts kindergarten in the fall.

More information about Early Learning Centers in San Luis Obispo County.

Because they had different grants for this school year, you don't have...
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Christmas Season in SLO

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, In : Holidays 

There are many ongoing events around San Luis Obispo County, the 3 most largest light displays are:

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The Pumpkin Patch in Edna Valley | San Luis Obispo

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, October 4, 2020, In : Fall 



To see upcoming Halloween and Fall Events and a list of pumpkin patches throughout San Luis Obispo County, go to our Halloween & Fall Events in SLO page.

See our video reels on my instagram to see other pumpkin patches that we've visited:

IG Video reel of our visit at The Pumpkin Patch in Edna Valley

IG Video reel of our visit to the pumpkin patch at SLO Creek Farms

IG Video reel of our visit to the pumpkin patch at Tar Creek Ranch

Major Haunted Houses in Southern California for 2024

L...


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Spirit Halloween Store Review in San Luis Obispo on Madonna Road

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, September 13, 2020, In : Fall 
Every year, we take the kids to visit the Spirit Halloween Store in San Luis Obispo. They always have new costumes for the Halloween season. Some of my favorite ones were Marshmello, baby costumes and family themed costumes. For 2023, the Spirit Halloween Store in San Luis Obispo is now open and is located at the Former Bed Bath & Beyond Store: 317 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93405  

They always have animatronics that you can step on floor buttons to activate, which can be really fun fo...

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Robin's Restaurant in Cambria Review

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, July 25, 2020, In : Restaurants 

We drove to Cambria earlier this week to enjoy some sightseeing in our county. We live in the South County part of San Luis Obispo County so driving to the North County part is a nice change. 

With the Covid-19 pandemic causing a second round of closures for San Luis Obispo County, many restaurants with patios and outdoor dining spaces are more popular since indoor dining is not allowed at this time. We went to Robin's Restaurant in Cambria to enjoy a very nice lunch in their garden dining ar...
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Macy's Delayed Delivery During Pandemic

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, July 12, 2020, In : Coronavirus 
I ordered 2 sports bras from Macys.com on June 11, 2020 (over a month ago) and my package has not arrived yet. This is crazy.

I was expecting it to be maybe 2 weeks delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic but over a month? I tried calling Macy's customer service toll free line separate times on 2 different dates but no one picked up when the automated line transferred me to a customer service representative. No customer service personnel right now guys! They are MIA. I am assuming that their ...
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What To Do for Father's Day in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, June 4, 2020, In : Holidays 

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...

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DIY Face Masks

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, April 10, 2020, In : DIY 
Since disposable face masks were being reserved for our healthcare workers at the beginning of the pandemic, we've resorted to making face masks with things we already have at home. While I was pregnant I picked up sewing to hem my maternity pants. Several years later, this sewing machine is coming around to be so useful for today's pandemic.

Week 1 of Making Face Masks


Using Hobby Lobby's guidelines, here are the two face mask sizes I made pictured below: one standard size and the other one wa...
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School Districts in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Saturday, March 14, 2020, In : For Kids 
During the pandemic, school districts around San Luis Obispo County offered free meal pick ups for kids during school closures.

Please check with each school for any recent updates and changes.
Website for San Luis Coastal Unified School District
Website for Lucia Mar Unified School District
Website for Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
Website for Atascadero Unified School District
Website for Templeton Unified School District
Website for Shandon Joint Unified School District
Website for San...
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Tooth and Nail Winery in Paso Robles Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, March 8, 2020, In : Wineries 
There's not a shortage of wineries in San Luis Obispo County. With more than 200 wineries just in Paso Robles alone, it'll take years before you can visit them all. Paso Robles is located in the northern side of San Luis Obispo County and depending on when you visit, the weather here could be drastically different than the main San Luis Obispo area or beachside.

One of the more famous wineries is Tooth & Nail Winery and just entering the parking lot will explain why. The tasting room and space...
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2024 Easter Egg Hunts and Events in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, In : Easter 

Jump to SLO Easter Brunch List

2024 Egg Hunts (Currently there are 8 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 ...

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Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles Review By a Central Coast Mom

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, March 1, 2020, In : Paso Robles 

The Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles is a nice-sized fun waterpark in San Luis Obispo County. It is only open during the warmer season from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day every year. The only other water park in the county is at Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande called Mustang Waterpark, but it's much smaller. Read about my experience at Mustang Waterpark.

At Ravine Waterpark, you pay according to how tall you are. If you're 42 inches or taller, you'll pay more than if you're under. They seem to...
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SLO Craft Beer Fest Review - Madonna Inn Expo San Luis Obispo

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Sunday, February 23, 2020, In : Breweries 
Two days ago, I went to the SLO Craft Beer Fest at the Alex Madonna Expo Center at the famous Madonna Inn property in San Luis Obispo, California.

We decided to go with the Friday ticket versus the Saturday ticket because it was significantly cheaper and we're hoping it would be less crowded. It was a steady crowd but not overwhelming and we enjoyed ourselves with unlimited tastings and food samples too. We didn't have to bring any extra cash for food and drinks because our ticket included al...
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Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa and The Gardens of Avila Restaurant Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, February 16, 2020, In : Romantic 
As a Valentine's Day celebration, my husband and I used the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa gift card that he gifted me last November for our 7th anniversary yesterday.

We had our very first couple's massage together at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa. After our spa time, we had brunch at The Gardens of Avila Restaurant, also part of Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa's property. When we came here for the first time, we were a bit clueless on how things work around here and hop...
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Tropical Hawaiian BBQ Review | Arroyo Grande

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Saturday, February 15, 2020, In : Restaurants 
Tropical Hawaiian BBQ is located in the same shopping center as the Smart N' Final in the Arroyo Grande (AG) area and I'm happy to say that Tropical Hawaiian BBQ is exactly what I think a Hawaiian restaurant would be like. The menu includes katsu chicken, loco moco, kalbi ribs and other Hawaiian entrees. I ordered the Daily Special B which include katsu chicken, one scoop of white rice and one scoop of macaroni salad and I did not finish my meal. The portions were huge! 
Tropical Hawaiian BBQ Arroyo Grande
The katsu chicken remi...
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Pacific Flips Gymnastics Birthday Party

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, February 9, 2020, In : Birthday Party 
We planned a birthday party for our 6 year old at Pacific Flips Gymnastics at the Grover Beach location and it was fantastic! Our son and his guests had an amazing time. 

You can pick from 2 packages: 90 minutes or 2 hours and we went with the 2 hours for $205.
(tables and chairs set up already by them upon my arrival)

The $205 package we picked included 90 minutes of playtime led by a party host (we had two) who guided them through games and instructions and then another 30 minutes were spent f...
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Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, January 30, 2020, In : Pismo Beach 
One of the more popular things to do in San Luis Obispo County is visit the Monarch butterflies at Monarch Butterfly Grove in Pismo Beach. It's free to visit and free to park.

It also leads to a walking trail that is parallel to the ocean. You could go towards the Grover Beach side and see amazing views of Grover Beach and Pismo Beach by going on the Meadow Trail or go North and walk near the RV's and continue along that route until it leads you to the boardwalk and Pismo Beach Pier. Either d...
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Talley Vineyards Review in Arroyo Grande - SLO County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, January 30, 2020, In : Wineries 
We visited Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande today. Arroyo Grande (AG) is part of San Luis Obispo county on the Central Coast of California. Talley Vineyards is one of the more popular vineyards in AG. It's located in the middle of a lot of farms and wineries so you won't find a lot of restaurants or other types of businesses nearby. 

This vineyard hosts a lot of events throughout the year with some that are family-friendly. Their wine member lounge is not, however. Although their wine member ...
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Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo Has a Playground

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, January 23, 2020, In : Free Things to do 

Located about a 5 minute drive from the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo is a very family-friendly, pet-friendly and picnic-friendly park called Meadow Park. There are a few benches spread throughout the park which makes Meadow Park a really great option for kids' birthday parties.

With a lot of green grass and playground, you'll find a lot of activities happening here. With trails all around the park, you can take an easy stroll or exercise. Read about a few Moms Exercise Groups for San ...
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Flagship Review in Pismo Beach (Now Vista Steak and Seafood)

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, In : Restaurants 
(2022 Update: Flagship closed indefinitely and is a new restaurant named Vista. Review below is for Flagship but the beach views are the same! Enjoy the views!)
(view of Pismo Beach pier from inside of Flagship Seafood Restaurant)

(view of Shell Beach from our very same seats)

Flagship is a seafood restaurant located in Pismo Beach, California (part of San Luis Obispo County). It has phenomenal views of the Pismo Beach Pier and the Shell Beach side as well. Check out these views from our seats.

I...
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Places that Sell Grover Beach Souvenir T-Shirts

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, December 27, 2019, In : Grover Beach 
With the convenience of the internet, you can now buy Grover Beach T-shirts online. Amazon and Ebay have them.

More popularly, many Central Coast fans would purchase 805 shirt. 805 is the area code for Grover Beach. This area code encompasses Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and pretty much most, if not all, of the Central Coast of California. There's also a local beer company that produces a beer called 805 so you'll see a lot of t-shirts made by them with that area ...
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Comparing 3 Day Blinds and Lowe's Blinds

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, December 19, 2019, In : Home Improvement 
Blinds are so surprisingly expensive to buy. We learned this from moving into a home that did not have a single blind and had to go shopping for them. I have 13 windows and 2 sliding doors to find blinds/shades for!

Upon doing my research on blinds, I started getting ads from 3 Day Blinds on my facebook newsfeed (spies!). They were promoting their buy 1, get the second one 50% off. They also offered free consultation so I filled out the online form to request a date to schedule a consultation....
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Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum in December

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, December 8, 2019, In : Santa Barbara 
We went to the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum today since we were in the area for a Lowe's visit. Santa Maria is part of Santa Barbara County but since we live in South County area of San Luis Obispo county, it's only a 20 minute drive for us. 

It's the holiday season so the inside of the museum was decked with Christmas decorations! To our surprise, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were there too! We came on a special holiday event and were able to get our kids to take a picture with them!

Thi...
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PSEA Camp Del Monte Pictures by San Luis Obispo Mom

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, In : Monterey 
We had our very first PSEA camp experience at one of the cabins at Camp Del Monte over the weekend to visit Monterey!

It was such a neat experience and we felt like it was an appropriate place to stay during our 3 night vacation. The cabin had a full kitchen, 1 bedroom, a bathroom and also two twin beds and a futon in the living room. It was a great set up for 6 people and we maximized our space. We're a family of 4 and also invited a couple to stay one night during our weekend. Here are the ...
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How to Fix Up Your California Home for Sale

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, October 22, 2019,

How to Fix Up Your California Home for Sale


If you're selling your home in California, perhaps putting it up on the Sacramento real estate market, you'll want to maximize your profit for future investment. California homes are highly sought after, but to list at the highest possible price, you should make some upgrades and fix anything that needs fixing before your house goes on the market. 


These are just a few ideas for fixing up your California home for sale.


Flooring


Buyers appreciate good fl...


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Veteran's Day Free Meals and 2024 Events in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, October 21, 2019, In : Veterans 
I'm a veteran's wife so every year for the last 10 years, I go on a list hunt ahead of time to find free things for my special veteran on Veteran's Day. This year, Veteran's Day is Mon., November 11, 2024. [ 2024 list is pending.

Major chains are usually very consistent with offering free meals for veterans and active military on Veteran's Day. Here is the list I've compiled for San Luis Obispo County and nearby. 

Please be ready to show proof of military service or veteran's status when req...
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No Carve Lion Pumpkin DIY

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, October 20, 2019, In : Fall 
My five year old has just competed in his very first pumpkin contest. Since he is only five, there is no carving involved and we did it as a family. It was a fun activity that all of us enjoyed. My son got to pick what color eyes our pumpkin should have and other features too. He was very adamant that our lion pumpkin should not have ears! Here's the final product.
 (Lion pumpkin DIY no carve)

I think it turned out pretty cute. We used yarn for the lion mane, felt for the tongue, fuzzy balls fo...
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Visiting Farm Animals at Windmill Farms in Arroyo Grande

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, October 4, 2019, In : Farms 
Today, we visited farms animals at Windmill Farms in Arroyo Grande (AG), California. (Arroyo Grande is part of San Luis Obispo County). We have farms all over this beautiful county which gives the kids many opportunities to visit farm animals.

Upon arriving Windmill Farms, I was instantly impressed by how well kept the farm is.

The place is so beautiful, I did not take a single bad picture! We were allowed to feed lettuce to the farm animals. Just ask the workers there at Windmill Farms if you ...
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Wine Release Party at Vina Robles Vineyards

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, September 19, 2019, In : Wineries 
Over the weekend, we attended a wine release party at Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery in Paso Robles, California. (Paso Robles is part of San Luis Obispo county.) The food and wine pairings were fantastic. It was free for wine club members and that is so wonderful because sometimes other wineries still charge a fee for these release parties.

We have been wine club members for two wineries thus far, Vina Robles Vineyards and Tolosa Winery (Edna Valley). This one at Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery...
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Our Parent Participation Experience

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Saturday, September 14, 2019, In : Preschool 

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


After moving to San Luis Obispo county, we were recommended by a local to try Parent Participation. Two of the main ones are city-site run p...
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2023 Holiday Family Events in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, August 15, 2019, In : Fall 

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!

Already Occurred Fall Events:
  • September 23, 2023 (Sat) - 50th Anniversary at Paso Robles Airport from 9AM - 3PM. Free admission. Static aircraft displays, aviation exhibits, food trucks, beer and wine vendors and more. Address: 4900 Wing Way, Paso Robles, CA 93446
  • September 2...

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Tolosa Winery Edna Valley Review - San Luis Obispo

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, August 5, 2019, In : Wineries 
Tolosa Winery Edna Valley
Wineries and San Luis Obispo county go hand in hand. If you're a wine enthusiast, you're definitely in for a treat when you visit SLO! The wine culture here is amazing, relaxed and friendly.

One of our first favorite wineries as a local was Tolosa Winery. As you drive towards the tasting room from their road, the vineyards engulf you as you continue towards the parking lot. Here's the video that I took (non-edited and not a boomerang-type effect) from our drive from entering the road.

I've b...
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What Your Child Should Know Before Kindergarten

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, July 25, 2019, In : Preschool 
My first-born is starting kindergarten next month. Back in May, he had his Kindergarten Round-up (something that they have around San Luis Obispo county for the little ones who are about to start kindergarten in a few months) where they tested him on at least 10 things: like drawing a picture of himself, writing his name, counting to 20 and more! I was surprised that they were testing them on all that because I was expecting a 'round-up' to be like an orientation. My son passed all of it, tha...
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Wine Tasting in Buellton near Solvang

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, July 22, 2019, In : Santa Barbara 
Have you ever watched the movie Sideways? It's a story about two San Diego State University alumni (like me!) who decided to go to Buellton in Santa Barbara County for some wine-tasting adventure as a bachelor party. It's a wonderful story and very comical.

Lucky for us, Buellton is only an hour south drive from here! It's also on the way to Solvang, the Danish Capital of America. In Buellton, there is a main street where you can hit many wine tasting rooms within the same block called Indust...
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Spyglass Park and Hidden Beach

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, In : Beaches 
You're going to discover a hidden secret if you stumble onto this post. If the tides are not too high, you can walk down from Spyglass Park towards the beach and can curve around the bluffs to the right to find a small tiny beach! 
Spyglass Park in Shell Beach(Photo taken by SanLuisObispoMom.com)
Now all of this is risky and requires good knees. I don't advise you hike down if the wind, weather and tides are not in your favor as well. I've seen a few guys with coolers traveling around those rocky trails down and then disa...
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Rooftop Restaurant at Inn at the Pier Review in Pismo Beach

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, July 15, 2019, In : Restaurants 
Rooftop Pismo Beach Menu Review
A dear friend from the Bay Area came down and visited me. I wanted to take her to a special place where a successful yuppie like her would appreciate. After some research online, I decided to take her to The Rooftop at Inn at the Pier hotel in Pismo Beach that overlooks the pier and ocean. It was absolutely the right pick!

The entrance to the hotel took a bit of time to figure out because it's on the opposite end of the beach parking lot. However, once we got on the property, I instantly fel...
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Madonna Inn Cakes That I've Tried - California Local Blogger

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, July 15, 2019, In : Madonna Inn 
As local, I have the luxury to come to Madonna Inn and dine at their restaurants and attend their events. I've even ordered whole cakes from them before and have tried almost all of their signature flavors. See a list of Madonna Inn cakes and the flavors that I've personally tried below. These are all my personal pictures.


Desserts we've tried from Madonna Inn:

Raspberry Delight



Lemon Coconut Cake

Read a blog entry about my cake pick up experience for Madonna Inn's Lemon Coconut Cake ...
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Ventana Grill Review and Pictures of the Panoramic Beach and Cliff Views

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, July 12, 2019, In : Restaurants 
 (Photo taken at Ventana Grill by SanLuisObispoMom.com)

Before my family and I moved to the San Luis Obispo County area, my husband was raving about the dinner spot that his company took him after his final interview. They had flown him from the East Coast, where we had lived, to come to Avila Beach, part of San Luis Obispo County, for this new job opportunity. It didn't take him long after that to make his decision. He wanted to move here and be able to see this panoramic view with me. 

With...
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Circus Vargas at the Madonna Inn

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, June 30, 2019, In : Circus Vargas 
(Note: This review post about Circus Vargas in SLO is for a performance in 2019. To see the information for Circus Vargas 2021, click here.)

Read my tips about attending Circus Vargas with kids.

Yesterday, my family went to the Circus Vargas performance at the 4pm showing. It was nice to break our day with a fun family-friendly show at the beautiful Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, California! See below for our highlights, videos and pictures that SanLuisObispoMom.com captured at this show time....
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California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, June 24, 2019, In : California Academy of Sciences 
Many people from the Central Coast go north or south on the 101 to explore big cities for vacations. We decided to take a trip to the Bay Area! Without traffic, San Francisco is only a 3.5 hour drive north from San Luis Obispo. With a famous major city this close to SLO, we took advantage of the proximity and went on a family weekend getaway this past weekend to explore San Francisco and the California Academy of Sciences!
California Academy of Sciences Planetarium Picture(Picture of 1st level of California Academy of Sciences)
The Californi...
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Street Food Finds in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, June 21, 2019, In : Restaurants 
There is just something really refreshing about street food that makes eating out so exciting. Although street food is illegal around here, like you know bringing out your pots of food and selling it on the corner of a street type, the many city-run farmers markets around San Luis Obispo area and the authentic little restaurant stands give the very same exciting feel.

You get to eat out on the streets or buy it and take it home while it's still piping hot. Here some of the great street food fi...
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Circus Vargus Giveaway for San Luis Obispo

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, June 13, 2019, In : Circus Vargas 
(Note: This giveaway was for 2019. To see the latest information for Circus Vargas performances in 2021 at the Madonna Inn, click here.)


Win tickets to see Circus Vargas’ 50th anniversary extravaganza, 'The Greatest of Ease’ under the Big Top in San Luis Obispo at Madonna Inn June 28 through July 8! Always fun for the entire family, Circus Vargas’ incredible new 2019 production highlights an amazing cast of world- renowned performers! Death- Defying Acrobats, Daredevils, Aerialists, Jugg...
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Nightstand Before and After Chalk Paint

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, June 6, 2019, In : DIY 
A new hobby that I picked up after I became a mom is finding old furniture and turning them into newly painted gems. I've experimented with spray paint and hand paint but now, I'm sticking to just hand painting because you have better control and it's less wasteful and more environmentally-friendly.

I found this faded brown nightstand on the curb after someone posted it on craigslist.org for free. They didn't ask me to contact them so it was a first come, first serve situation and provided an ...
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Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero Review & Pictures | San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, June 6, 2019, In : For Kids 
Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero, California is the only zoo in San Luis Obispo county.

When you walk through the entrance of the zoo, you'll immediately find the pretty pink flamingos to your left!
Charles Paddock Zoo
It's a small zoo but for a small admission, it's really worth it. My favorites are the red pandas!

The kids will be entertained (See Lemurs below from Charles Paddock Zoo). Zoo prices for children are by age group but children who are 2 years old and under are free. If you're planning on taking the ...
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Grover Beach Hotels and Pictures

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, May 24, 2019, In : Beaches 

Grover Beach is part of Pismo State Beach (all part of San Luis Obispo county) but a much smaller beach, compared to Pismo Beach. There's only a couple of hotels in Grover Beach so our best suggestion is to stay at a hotel in Pismo Beach and just be a few minutes drive away from it. Walking Entry to Grover Beach is almost like a secret. Grover Beach has a dunes portion where you drive on the beach with your vehicle (for a fee), or you can walk on the non-vehicle side and park (no fee) behind ...
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Arroyo Grande Things To Do - San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, May 23, 2019, In : Arroyo Grande 

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 charm with the Arroyo Grande Village and historic area right in the heart.

Things To Do in Arroyo Grande

There in The Village of Arroyo Grande is a swinging bridge that pedestrians can walk on. See the short video below to see how long this bridge is.

Usually the parking lot next to this swinging bridge is easy ...


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Avila Beach Hotels & Things To Do

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, May 23, 2019, In : Beaches 
Avila Beach is located in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast of California. It's a small beach town with a 3 different piers (click here to see pictures of the piers), which is a lot for a small beach town. With less than a handful hotels in the area, this makes it a quieter traveling spot but still very beautiful. The locals like to keep it a secret but nowadays, a lot of tourists have discovered it and it can get very hard to find parking during the summer weekends!


Things To Do in...


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Kid Friendly Wineries in Solvang

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, May 19, 2019, In : Santa Barbara 
Solvang is about an hour drive from San Luis Obispo and known as a wine country and wonderful Danish town in Santa Barbara County. As the biggest Danish town in California, you're going to feel like you just got dropped right in the middle of Europe! Here's a list of a handful of kid-friendly wineries/tasting rooms that we've personally went to with kids in tow.


Lucas & Lewellen
With a sign in front saying it is kid-friendly, my husband and I went inside of Lucas & Lewellen and shared 5 tasti...
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Before and After with Chalk Paint | DIY Project

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, In : DIY 
Throwing away old furniture around here in SLO requires a bit more thought and money to do. Not only it actually costs money to go to a trash dump to throw a piece of furniture away (different than many places in the East Coast where it's free for residents to throw their own trash), but I'm starting to be against the wasteful habit of buying new stuff when you can reuse the old.

With many people moving in and out around here, it's really easy for anyone to find something old, but still good q...
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Free Summer Concerts in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, In : Free Concerts 
San Luis Obispo County is very lucky to have sponsored concerts and events throughout the summer. From downtown to the beaches, there's always one every weekend. 2024 list pending announcements.

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 23 - September 8, 2023. Bring reusable cups to event (no glass). No outside alcoholic beverages, no pets and no smoking. Family friendly. There will be d...


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Downtown San Luis Obispo Library Review for Kids

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, May 12, 2019, In : For Kids 
One of my favorite things to do when I'm in downtown is visit the public library. When visiting the San Luis Obispo Library in downtown San Luis Obispo, you would either have to park along the street or park in a parking structure so be ready pay for parking in downtown, even if you're just going to the library. Nowadays, you can use your credit or an app for street parking so that makes life a bit easier.

Unless you're within walking distance or using public transportation, you'll most likel...
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The Galley Seafood Grill in Morro Bay Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, May 3, 2019, In : Restaurants 
We had a visitor in town and decided to take our special guest to Morro Bay to see the Morro Rock, sea otters, seals and have some lunch at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar


It's the ideal place to take a visitor because it is right on the bay with views of all of the above: Morro Rock, sea otters, seals and more. We saw people kayaking while we were in our seats inside the restaurant. It's such a special experience. Moreover, their food is spot on with local classics such as clam chowder, fish a...
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LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium Adventure in Carlsbad Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, In : LEGOLAND California 
This past Monday, we took our sons on a grand adventure to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium in Carlsbad, California (San Diego)!

The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast! My sons are 5 and 2 years old. Because my younger son is still just 2, he got in for free at both LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium. We were happy to be able to take advantage of this! The distance from San Luis Obispo to LEGOLAND California is about a 4 hour and 30 minute drive, depending on LA traf...
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List of Boba Shops I've Visited in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, In : Boba 
Lucky for SLO residents and tourists, there are many places that sell boba! Some of them are dedicated tea shops while others are donut shops or restaurants. Check out these boba places that I've visited below. 
Boba Shop in Pismo Beach
(Pictured above a photo I took while enjoying a boba at MilkT Society in Pismo Beach. Scroll down to read more details about this boba shop.)

Sweetie Cup Tea House

Located in downtown SLO on Churro Street is a true tea house with wifi and the works that you would expect at a tea house...
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Cave Landing Beautiful Beach Hikes in San Luis Obispo

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, In : Free Things to do 
If healthy and abled, take advantage of the many hikes and cliff views of the beaches of San Luis Obispo County.

Cave Landing and Pirate's Cove
The parking lot can be really bumpy so if you don't have a 4x4, try to park close to the front of the entryway! You can't go wrong with any of the trails here. We took the main one where it takes you to the cave.


Watch out for this cave because it leads you to a cliff to the ocean of Avila Beach!

A short walk from the cave is the other end to Pirate's ...
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Avila Beach Pier and Avila Beach Farmers Market

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, In : Beaches 
The old public Avila Beach Pier is solely made out of wood and when we walked on it with my 5 year old and 2 year old sons, they stumbled a few times. It's not as smooth as the Pismo Beach Pier but it's worth trying to walk on, if you are able. The views, not surprisingly, are phenomenal.


On one side, you see the pretty homes on the hills right above the water and on the other side, you see another pier but that one's private by Cal Poly. If you have excellent vision, you'll also see that ther...
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Pet Emporium in Arroyo Grande

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, In : Arroyo Grande 
A new favorite thing for us to do is visit the boa constrictor at CD's Pet Emporium in Arroyo Grande. It's so rare to find a boa constrictor in a pet shop so this is an amazing and unique attribute that this pet shop currently has. They have a large reptile area in the back that is dimly lit. All of the animals looks healthy and happy! Now of course this is all free just to see. It only costs money to buy!


They also have 2 large parrots and other small birds towards the front of the shop! Rig...
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Avila Valley Barn Review & Pictures - Free Visit to See Farm Animals

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, In : Farms 
The best part about Avila Valley Barn is that it's free to visit the farm animals here! There are dozens and dozens of goats! There are also chickens, ponies, cows, sheep and other animals! You can buy some lettuce to feed at their store to feed the the goats and this made it a very wonderful experience for the kids. 

We also took advantage of their pony ride, extra fee, for the kids. It's a short ride but my 2 year old thoroughly enjoyed every second of it! 

If you're hungry, you can al...
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Day Trip to Paso Robles - Paso Robles Children's Museum and Wine Tastings

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, In : Paso Robles 

Paso Robles Children's Museum

Paso Robles Children's Museum was having a free day for everyone so we took advantage of this opportunity to also explore Paso Robles a bit. Many locals who live in Paso Robles with little ones come here quite often.

Paso Robles Children's Museum is 2 stories full of kid's activities and an outdoor area with more play as well! There are a lot things to build with and climb on. They also have a ball pit!
Paso Robles Children's Museum Picture
The museum offers military discounts so do mention that if you...
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Dinosaur Caves Park Cliff Views and Pictures

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Friday, March 15, 2019, In : Beaches 
Located in Pismo Beach and Shell Beach is a beautiful public park called Dinosaur Caves Park. It has a large playground for the kids and amazing cliff views.

There are multiple viewing points with benches and it's so easy to take beautiful pictures. I call this place heaven on earth. The kids love the playground here and I'm hesitant to let them go near the cliff so I will only walk over there with them if they are strapped into their stroller. Here are the pictures I took of Dinosaur Cave...
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Free Preschool Program For All Families in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County

Posted by San Luis Obispo Mom on Thursday, March 14, 2019, In : Preschool 

First 5 Preschools are all over the San Luis Obispo County (8 different schools) and they're free to the public.

First 5 Preschools, also known as Early Learning Centers are funded by the San Luis Obispo First 5 Children and Families Commission
> Open to preschool children between 3 to 5 years old. 
> Priority to 4 year olds who will be entering kindergarten soon. The free preschool programs for ages 3 - 5 are held at six different schools in San Luis Obispo county including: San Gabriel Eleme...
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Review and Pictures of Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards in SLO

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, March 11, 2019, In : Wineries 
Over the weekend, we had special visitors and decided to take them to the kid-friendly Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards in San Luis Obispo.

The most extraordinary part about this vineyard is that they have beautiful peacocks roaming around. Enjoying a taster in their large outdoor patio while listening to the peacocks was a very interesting experience! Address of Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards: 1947 See Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. 

See more pictures that SanLuisObispoMom.com took from the ...
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Morro Rock at Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, March 3, 2019, In : Beaches 

Morro Rock


An idyllic backdrop for Morro Bay, Morro Rock is the last of the (Nine Sisters) extinct volcanic peaks along Highway 1 from San Luis Obispo. This 576' tall landmark stands at the mouth of our harbor and is home to nesting Peregrine Falcons. The Morro Rock is huge.

You can't miss it and this volcanic plug attracts many tourists. There is a beachside right by the rock too and a trail that you can walk around alongside.

Always free. Address: 1300 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA, 93442...

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Solvang Visit as a Family and Sideways Inn Stay Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, February 28, 2019, In : Santa Barbara 
We visited Solvang, a fun one-of-a-kind Danish town in Santa Barbara County, California, this past weekend. It was bustling with tourists, visitors and dogs!

It is impossible to walk around downtown Solvang and not get tempted to buy a pastry at one of the many Danish bakeries. The combination of the smell of the freshly baked goods, the perfection of a macaron and the sizes of the pastries definitely hit you because you feel like you're in Europe. It is incredible. 

Free Parking Areas

I reco...
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Grover Beach: Ride your car onto the beach or walk it!

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, February 25, 2019, In : Grover Beach 
On the Central Coast of California, in the county of San Luis Obispo, is a small beach called Grover Beach. It's part of the Pismo State Beach area and there is a direct beach entrance in through Grand Avenue to drive onto the beach. West Coast, at its finest, you can drive or ride your vehicle onto the beach here if you drive right on through the toll (for a small fee). The park rangers are in charge of the booth and can answer any questions that you may have.

You could always just walk to G...
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A Day in San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle and Elephant Seals

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, In : Hearst Castle 

Located in San Luis Obispo County, San Simeon is what I call a slice of heaven. It is not densely populated, right by the coast, and full of amazing scenery. 

HEARST CASTLE
My boys, 2 and 5 years old, really loved the bus ride up to the castle. When you book a tour at the visitors center, you have to get up to the mountains by bus from the center (inclusive). The higher you climb, the more exciting you get as you get nearer. Once there, you get separated into different groups according to the t...
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Valentine's Day at Copper Cafe at Madonna Inn

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Friday, February 15, 2019, In : Madonna Inn 

Copper Cafe, inside of Madonna Inn, is a very popular place to visit in San Luis Obispo for tourists and special occasions for locals. 

The decor of Copper Cafe is a reflection of the whole Madonna Inn property. There is a lot of pink; from the carpets to the napkins. Their food and bakery items are delicious. Service can be questionable with speed depending on who your server is, like anywhere else. However, the ambiance is perfect for special occasions like Valentine's Day! It's unique, war...
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Central Coast Aquarium Review By Local Mom | Avila Beach

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, January 28, 2019, In : For Kids 
In Avila Beach, by the kid's playground is a really small aquarium called Central Coast Aquarium. Since it was right by the playground and we were already there, we decided to pay a visit. There is a fee for adults and children. Kids 2 years old and under are free. You can literally go through the aquarium in 15 minutes! It may not be worth it if you are on a tight budget but our little boys still enjoyed it. Here are the pictures we took from our visit. 

The most fascinating part of the aquar...
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Amazing Beach Views in Pismo Beach | SLO County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Saturday, January 26, 2019, In : Beaches 
The beautiful ocean, clean sand and peaceful setting of Pismo Beach makes one feel like they are in a dream. This is the epitome of the California dream and we're living in it. My kids and I took a stroll yesterday in PB "Pismo Beach" and here are the pictures I took from my regular Samsung phone, unedited. It is amazing here!


When I was living in San Diego, I would hear the Visit California commercial say "Where the mountains meet the sea" and here, in SLO, in Pismo Beach, they really do meet...
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Arroyo Grande Library Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, January 24, 2019, In : For Kids 
Our first library adventure in SLO took place at Arroyo Grande Library in Arroyo Grande, CA. They have a children's area with LEGOs, computers for kids, puzzles and a little private area in the back. Here are the photos that we took from our library visit below.

The kids really enjoy the LEGOs, although it seemed too close to the main area where everyone could hear them building. The loud plastic clangs that came naturally from the shuffles of the LEGOs can sound disturbing a bit to maybe som...
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San Luis Obispo Children's Museum Review - Downtown San Luis Obispo

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, In : For Kids 
San Luis Obispo Children's Museum First Floor
As locals, we like to go to San Luis Obispo Children's Museum's "Moonlight Hours" where anyone could come visit that night from 5pm - 8pm for FREE (Now, they've shortened this to 5PM - 7PM)! Here are the photos that we took from our free San Luis Obispo Children's Museum visits below. They usually have the Moonlight Hours event every month so check out their website to see when their next one is. 



With three floors, my 4 year old and 2 year old sons were so excited and thrilled! We started wi...
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Tiny Tots Enrichment Program Review

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Thursday, January 17, 2019, In : Preschool 
While researching on affordable preschool programs for my 4 year old and 2 year old boys, I stumbled on a brief information on the Tiny Tots Enrichment Program that's organized at the Grover Beach Community Center.

The Tiny Tots program is run by the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Grover Beach. I placed my little one in the program in May 2021 when they re-opened from the pandemic and my 4 year old absolutely loved it. It's well structured and they do crafts every day as well a...
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Recommended Asian Cuisines in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Monday, January 14, 2019, In : Restaurants 
Here are my recommended Asian Restaurants in San Luis Obispo County from my experiences:

Kumi Ko - Located in San Luis Obispo that's a couple of blocks from the SLO airport is Kumi Ko, a Japanese restaurant with sushi and other Japanese dishes. It's my favorite place to eat Japanese food when I am in San Luis Obispo City. The sushi is fresh, the bento boxes taste delicious and the service is reliable with good standards. You can them ahead to order take-out but it will take about 45 minutes. I...
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Exercise Groups for Moms Bringing Little Ones in San Luis Obispo area

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, January 6, 2019, In : Mom groups 
Stroller Strides
As of August 2022, Stroller Strides website for San Luis Obispo county has been showing errors: https://slocounty.fit4mom.com (redirects to a generic page now). They must have cancelled the local chapter for SLO County.

More about Stroller Strides: Stroller Strides is a great exercise group for moms who bring their kids in their strollers with them while they work out! After the work out, the kids can have some playground fun as all of the work outs are done at parks with playg...
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MOPS Mom Groups in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Saturday, January 5, 2019, In : Mom groups 
When I moved here as a mother of 2 preschoolers, I had been recommended by many people to join MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), a mom group for women with children from birth to five years old. I had joined one on the East Coast.

In San Luis Obispo County, there are currently a few MOPS locations.

The most active one in San Luis Obispo is run by Grace Central Coast. They seem to have a MOPS group and their own church group for moms. Here is their current website: https://gracecentralcoast.churc...
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Free Storytimes Schedule at the Libraries in San Luis Obispo County

Posted by SanLuisObispoMom.com on Sunday, December 2, 2018, In : Storytime 
March 2024 Update

Storytime times are free at all the libraries locations in the San Luis Obispo County. If you can't make it to the times of the library closest to your home, you can always venture out a little bit and go to another time and day at another library. The story times for a few libraries seems to be on hold during the summer time when not many kids are not in town. During the school year, there is a fuller schedule.

Here is the weekly story time schedule below for libraries in San...
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Buying a Foreclosed Home Has a Longer Closing Period

Posted by SanLuisOpisboMom.com on Tuesday, July 22, 2014,
Many home buyers are looking for foreclosed homes with the hopes that they'll steal a deal and feel good about it. Unfortunately, it typically takes longer to close a deal if it's a foreclosed (bank-owned) home. If you are not limited on time and don't mind the risk of having to put in a lot of money to fix your home in the short run, a foreclosed home may be a good fit for you. 

For those who are first time home owners and aren't good at fixing and construction, I don't recommend you looking ...
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Get an appraisal done by your bank before scheduling your home and termite inspections

Posted by SanLuisOpisboMom.com on Wednesday, December 18, 2013,

After you have put in your buying offer and the seller has accepted it, it's time to start calling the bank that gave you that pre-approved loan letter to start getting the motions into place.

The bank will not loan you the money if the appraised price of the home you want to buy is not below the amount of the loan or at most, equivalent to it. It can't be overpriced. Otherwise, you'll have to figure out a way to put down more money to offset the difference. You don't want to be overpaying fo...
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Before Putting In an Offer, Make Sure You Look at the Property Disclosure

Posted by SanLuisOpisboMom.com on Tuesday, December 17, 2013,

You've found the home of your dreams and you're ready to put in an offer. If your agent did not show you the house's property disclosure yet, make sure you ask for it before you sign that offer contract and send it over to the seller. This is really important. There is a lot of things that you may learn about the house from this document that you may not be able to know from just viewing the property that one time.

It is the seller's responsibility to provide a property disclosure when they ar...
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VA Loan requires that the Home Meets Certain Water Standards

Posted by SanLuisOpisboMom.com on Monday, December 16, 2013, In : VA loans 

If you're a military veteran or in the military and eligible for VA loans on the purchase of a home, it's a great opportunity to take advantage of VA loans due to its better interest rates and no money down required for up to a certain amount (in the 400k range during the year that I wrote this post). However, there are specific guidelines your future home needs to meet in order to get that loan approved by the bank. And trust me, it's in your favor that they do have these standards as they d...
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About Me


San Luis Obispo Mom Originally from San Diego, California, I'm a San Diego State University alumna, veteran's wife and mom of two kids who were born two years apart. After living on the East Coast for 6 years, we now reside in San Luis Obispo County and here, the exploration continues.
Intellifluence Trusted Blogger

All photos (except for ads) on SanLuisObispoMom.com including: homepage, 'Family-Friendly Things to do' page, 'SLO Restaurants' page,'Mom Groups & Childcare' page, and 'blog' page were taken by me so they are my original content and belongs to this blog/website.

To find family-friendly activities in the SLO area, go to the 'Family-Friendly Things To Do' page.

Some of the links are just useful local information that I'm sharing for free and some are commission-based products that may help me earn a small commission for each sale to upkeep with the fees of running this local blog.



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