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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! 

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 your vehicle, they will definitely help you. The coffee cup pictured on the left is called the 911 and it has 6 shots of espresso so if you have a weak heart, please beware! For those who need this high caffeinated drink, it is a dream!

Even before I made it to the window, my drinks were ready and someone walked to my vehicle and handed them to me. This is probably because it's their opening week and the place was fully staffed. I was so impressed with their energy and customer service throughout the whole experience. They have a rewards program you can join with their app. They give my husband a free welcome drink when he downloaded the app, but I'm not sure if they will always offer that. Address of Dutch Bros. in Arroyo Grande: 1259 E Grand Ave Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

Dutch Bros can also whip up a simple latte if their featured suggested drinks are not your thing. I've ordered a hazelnut latte here before and it was the best hazelnut latte I've had in all of 5 Cities. There are so many coffee shops in 5 Cities. Arroyo Grand is part of 5 Cities in San Luis Obispo County. See all of the coffee shops that I've visited in the Five Cities and SLO Area with beautiful coffee or latte art.

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 to be a low income family to apply your kid for this free program. They are state funded and follow strict guidelines so I trust that my little one is getting what he needs that is appropriate for his age group. They also make sure they keep the kids wearing masks, sanitizing their hands and taking their temperatures.

Normally, the kids have to attend Early Learning Center, which we just call "school", 5 days a week, 3 hours a day but because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the kids are only going twice a week. We're happy for that. I know that these are some difficult times. Also, normally parents would need to volunteer twice a month but for safety and health precautions, the parents are not allowed in the classrooms so that is not mandatory right now. See all Early Learning Centers locations in San Luis Obispo County. There are locations throughout the county that include: Atascadero, Paso Robles, Grover Beach, Nipomo, Oceano and San Miguel.

You would need to contact them to learn more about the program and how to register. If you call them at the number that's noted on the Early Learning Center's website, they should be able to get back to you within a day or so, which was the case for us. The age criteria for your child to attend is they have to be between 3 - 4 years old when they enroll before the fall school year, however you can enroll them even after fall semester has started up until a certain point. They would also need to be completely potty-trained.

See a list of other preschool and childcare options in San Luis Obispo County.

Reading Suggestions:

• Read My Pros and Cons table for Joining a Parent Teacher Association or Parent Teacher Organization
• See a list of free events for kids throughout San Luis Obispo County

Popular Preschool Supplies:

• Preschool Toys for 4 and 5 year olds
• Big Lego Blocks
• Books for 4 and 5 year olds

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

• Holiday Plaza with Christmas Lights in Mission Plaza has Santa available for pictures for a fee until Christmas Eve. However, the lights will be up longer than. It's free to visit here in the day and the evening to just see the Christmas decorations or watch the lights at night. See my most recent downtown SLO date night instagram video reel to get a small glimpse of some of the Christmas lights at Holiday Plaza. 
• Cambria Christmas Market is the most famous and biggest Christmas lights display in all of San Luis Obispo County and they are open until the day before Christmas Eve. See my instagram video reel to see my experience at Cambria Christmas Market. The Christmas Market costs money for entry.
• Newest to the light display list is Nature Nights at SLO Botanical Garden. Unlike the Holiday Plaza and Cambria Christmas Market, they are not Christmas themed but it runs longer than the other two on my list. I've never been to the Nature Nights event at night but I've been to SLO Botanical Gardens in the day. See my instagram video reel to see my experience at SLO Botanical Garden with my kids.

See a list of fun family-friendly events in SLO.

To see pictures of restaurants that I've visited in San Luis Obispo County, go to the Restaurants Page.

The Pumpkin Patch (actual name) in Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo is a really wonderful pumpkin patch where you can pick from pre-picked options or cut the pumpkin yourself, straight from the vine! They have white pumpkins, orange pumpkins, greens pumpkins, warty pumpkins and more! They are open seasonally from mid-September through all of October every year. I find that you get a better deal supporting this business than going to your local big chain grocery store!

Right next to pumpkins area is a corn maze that is also owned by the same farmers. You have to pay an entrance fee to enter, but it's pretty affordable compared to other places. It's a legitimate maze and a memorable way to have a little fun with the kids.

You can view my reel of the corn maze at The Pumpkin Patch in Edna Valley (SLO) via my instagram.

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

IG Video reel of our visit to the pumpkin patch at Avila Valley Barn

Living on the Central Coast, we're only a few hours drive from big haunted houses and attractions at major attractions. Here are ticket offerings for attractions that offer a Haunted House experience at night.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood redecorates for the Halloween Season. Universal Studios Hollywood is a 2 hour and 56 minute drive south from SLO (if no traffic).
Sometimes they offer a one day ticket price where you can go the 2nd day free..

Halloween Themed Supplies

• Halloween Animatronics
• Halloween Buckets for Trick or Treating
• Halloween Fun Party Favors

Find Rumi Costume as inspired by Kpop Demon Hunters for Kids and Adults!

Find just the Rumi purple wig.

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 costumes, baby costumes and family matching themed costumes. For 2025, the Spirit Halloween Store in San Luis Obispo will be located at the Former Bed Bath & Beyond Store: 317 Madonna Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. Jump to the 20% Off Coupon Link for Spirit Halloween. They are open now for the 2025 Halloween season!