Blog

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 San Luis Obispo County that is for the public. On June 15, 2025 (Father's Day), Talley Vineyards is having a live performer from 1PM - 4PM. It's free music entertainment but wine purchase is required for entry and they encourage you to bring your own picnic food to enjoy! Here's an image of me enjoying a local concert around Five Cities.
     
   • There is a Father's Day Dance every year in Arroyo Grande. This event is for anyone 4 years old and older. You would have to register at the City of Arroyo Grande's website to book for this. Address: 126 S. Mason St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. See the family-friendly events list to see all upcoming events and the Father's Dance is posted there as well if it's been announced.
   • Paso Robles Children's Museum often plans an event for dads in June. Museum admission is required and RSVP is also required when they have special events. To RSVP, call them at 805-238-7432. Address: 623 13th St., Paso Robles, CA 93446
     


2. Avila Valley Barn - Open every day from 10AM - 6PM, Avila Valley Barn has a storefront that is considered a grocery store so they have remained open during the pandemic. You can feed the animals, walk around the farm and buy some local goods. Parking is always free so you can just stroll around without spending a buck, unless you want to buy some food for the goats. Address: 560 Avila Beach Drive San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
   


3. Beach Day at Pismo Beach - There are many beautiful beaches here in San Luis Obispo County, including our most popular one, Pismo Beach.
   
   As a local, I still love coming to this beach because there are so many restaurants nearby. I love seeing visitors come here and enjoying my county. Some of the restaurants offer clam chowder, sandwiches and ethnic cuisines so the choices are plenty. Parking can be difficult but if you don't mind walking a few blocks away, it is very doable. If you prefer a much more relaxed beach vibe, I suggest visiting Cambria, which is located in the northern part of San Luis Obispo County.


4. Monarch Butterfly Grove (Grover Beach to Pismo Beach) - Monarch Butterfly Grove is a state park so it's open year round and always a big tourist spot. I come here for the trails behind it and I suggest planning a longer walk to take advantage of its proximity. You can get to the ocean this way! It is such a beautiful walk through the trails but it's not very accessible for the disabled. However, the main Butterfly Grove area is spacious and allows room for those who need accessibility and strollers. You can also get to the Monarch Butterfly Grove from the Grover Beach side off of Grand Avenue using the Meadows Trail.
   


5. Go to a Water Park - There are two water parks that are only open during the summer in San Luis Obispo County: one is in Paso Robles (Ravine Waterpark) and one in Arroyo Grande (Mustang Waterpark at Lopez Lake). The Ravine Waterpark is much bigger with a lot of wineries within a short drive. There's even a tasting room across the street from it. For Father's Day (Sun., June 15, 2025), fathers get in for free if there is a paid admission in their party. Make sure to mention that there is a dad/father in the party for the father to get free entry with a paid ticket.
   
   The Mustang Waterpark is smaller but it's located at a state park so if you have a camper/RV, this might make more sense to you. Since Father's Day always takes place on a Sunday in mid-June, you can expect the waterparks to be open on Father's Day every year! I've rented a cabana at both Ravine Waterpark and Mustang Waterpark before. See bullet points below for links to my personal reviews.
   • Read my full review of Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles.
   • Read my cabana review at Mustang Waterpark in Arroyo Grande.


6. Creek Walk Stroll in Downtown - Whenever we are in downtown San Luis Obispo, we try to walk through it via the creek walk that's adjacent to Higuera St. It's a very easy walk and it actually goes right under the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Church, a famous landmark, as well. This walk is so enjoyable to me and you can get to so many other businesses by going up and down the creek as an alternative route to the busy sidewalks. There are restaurants in Downtown San Luis Obispo with a view of the San Luis Obispo Obispo Creek. See a short video of my visit at Sidecar (adult bar) with a view of the creek below.



7. Take Him to a Winery or Wine Tasting Room. There are about 2 dozens wineries in Edna Valley (San Luis Obispo City proper) and hundreds of tasting rooms in Paso Robles, a wine country within San Luis Obispo County. So, the options are many! As a local, I've personally visited over 50 of them. See my top 10 favorite wineries/wine tasting rooms in San Luis Obispo County area and the pictures I took during my visits. Many tasting rooms have a unique vibe and scenery. Sometimes I like going to the wineries and tasting rooms just to check our their awesome architecture and fantastic views. See two video shorts from a couple of my wine tasting room visits below.
   

Suggestions:

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

See our Family-Friendly Things To Do page to see upcoming free events in San Luis Obispo County.

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 was made to fit my kids. The Hobby Lobby's guidelines is set for the standard adult size for pleated face masks. I attempted to make the first one for my sons but then realized it was way too big so this big green one is now mine and the second smaller one pictured below is for my sons. They both have small heads so I made two of the small ones in the same pattern.
 (These green ones were the very first ones I sewed in March 2020.)

 

During the season breaks, some 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 Miguel Joint Union
Website for Coast Unified School District
Website for Cayucos Elementary School District

Find things to do for kids in San Luis Obispo County.

There's not a shortage of wineries in San Luis Obispo County. With more than 300 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 is a castle with a moat.

Bustling with visitors from all over California, many have their phones ready for selfies and instagram-worthy shots. The tasting room does not allow kids and dogs but the patio space does! On a nice day, you'd want to sit outside anyhow. There were a few dogs and kids there hanging in the seating areas with the umbrellas outside so don't shy away if you have kids and pets in tow. 

We hung out outside with the kiddos and tried some tastings with some food.


There are two tasting groups you can pick from: standard or unconventional. We went with the unconventional and I tell you, it's worth trying the unconventional if you feel daring and need a change for your palate! If you aren't adventurous with your tastebuds, then steer away and stick with the standard. The tacos that I ordered came with 3 in one entree order! There were no sides included with it so we also ordered a side of fries. They were all good!

(accessible entrance from the left side)

As you get into the parking lot, you'll see a line of stairs. If you have strollers or a wheelchair or don't feel like walking up on those steps, park to the left side of the castle and you'll be able to go through a more accessible entrance from the side.

If you're coming to Paso Robles for just a weekend and have never had wine in this area, I'd say make sure you stick Tooth & Nail Winery in your itinerary! It's worth the visit and the architecture makes this winery stand out from many others!

Address of Tooth & Nail Winery: 3090 Anderson Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446

Reading Suggestions

• Read about other wineries that I've visited in Edna Valley and Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.


• See my top 10 favorite local wineries in Edna Valley and Paso Robles, as a local.


• See this IG reel of different wine tasting rooms that I've personally visited.

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 (end of May) to Labor Day (beginning of September) 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 increase their prices a little bit every year. If you're a senior, then it is cheaper than regular and junior admission. You can also get a season pass as well, which is a great idea to purchase if you're planning on making multiple visits to this waterpark during the same summer.

Since we live about 45 minutes away, in the past, we had only managed to visit once a year. However, for one season, we're planning on going to Paso Robles more often so we finally bought a season pass for the whole family! It gets super hot in Paso Robles during the summer so bring sunscreen and some shades if you plan on laying out on their chairs for a long period of time! They sell food and drinks there at the water park. Food items on the menu included: pizza, hot dogs, tacos and burgers. You're not allowed to bring in outside food or drinks but it's okay, we're pretty happy with their selection there! You can bring bottled water though. They also have lockers as well if you'd like to store more expensive personal items there. You pay at the machine right at the lockers area for that.

Ravine Waterpark Cabana Review

We've rented a cabana here before for my son's birthday! I reserved the spot a whole month before the reservation date by going on their website. We chose the cabana located at W-6. It's more secluded and is located towards the back corner; close to the restrooms. It's larger than the standard cabana but costs a bit more. We had a party of 8 and chose this spot so that we could have a bit more privacy. It could fit up to 12 people, which is really nice. We had 5 lounge chairs and a picnic table for this spot. We also had a nice view of the Calypso Bay Wave Pool. Click on the play (triangle) button in the video clip below to see the view from our cabana spot. I think that we will try to get this particular spot again for a future cabana reservation.

Link to Video of Ravine Waterpark Cabanas in Paso Robles

Cabana Check-In Process

Once we got to the line at the entrance to get into Ravine Waterpark, I asked the lady who gave us our wristbands where we should go to claim our cabana and she said to go to the Tiki Hut (not Tiki Bar) with a sign for cabana check-ins. The personnel there checked our reservation name and then someone ushered us to our spot. I really liked our spot because it had tiki huts! The majority of the cabanas just had canopies so I felt this made our reservation extra special. It felt like I was on vacation, even though we weren't!

At the cabana, someone checked on us at our cabana very often to periodically check on food and drink orders so we never had to get in line at any of the food and drink stands. For parties of 6 or more, they also add a 20% service fee so don't forget to allot that to your budget at the cabana, when you're ready to close out your tab.

Recuperating After the Waterpark

Usually after hanging out in their lazy river called Kickback Kreek and wave pool called Calypso Bay Wave Pool, my arms and legs would get so sore by that evening! To make sure my kids don't get too far from me, I had to paddle and continuously kick to make sure their tubes were close to mine. Sometimes I'm paddling against moving waves so that's exercise for my body right there for hours. The next day after spending a day out at this waterpark, I usually don't want to do anything active. If you're not used to paddling and swimming for hours, you might get really sore like me afterwards.

One time after a waterpark adventure at Ravine Waterpark, one of my kids got really sick for over a week! My son has a habit of sucking in some water while holding his breath under water. I have a feeling the bit of water he sucked in was contaminated (most likely fecal matter) and he threw up and had diarrhea for days. It was so crazy and scary! It was not contagious because no one in my family had it. At first, I thought it was indigestion, so I gave him Pepto Bismol but that didn't make it go away. So, a few days later, I gave him Benadryl thinking it might be an allergy. That didn't stop it either. Then, I contacted our doctor and the doctor asked me if we had traveled somewhere. I said no but we went to a waterpark a couple days before that. He said that could do it and it makes sense. That is a risk that you take when you're surrounded by a lot of people at a waterpark. It was exceptionally busy in the water that day. I saw there were a lot of babies and toddlers as well. Even if it's chlorinated water, it takes some minutes to get rid of the contamination and he was probably getting some of that bad water within that window, unfortunately. We got some lab work done and sure enough, it was positive for a bacterial infection. Be wary of that and maybe try to get your kids to keep their heads above the water and encourage them to not swallow water at a pool or waterpark? 

I've also reserved a cabana at the other water park in San Luis Obispo County called Mustang Waterpark in Arroyo Grande. As mentioned earlier, this one in Arroyo Grande is smaller than Ravine Waterpark. You can read my review of Mustang Waterpark here by clicking here.

Hotels in Paso Robles Near Ravine Waterpark

If you're visiting here from a different city, you can stay close to the Ravine Waterpark for your trip. There are a handful of hotels in Paso Robles that are within 7 miles from the water park. I've listed them below by proximity with the closest one I could find at the top of the list.


Here is the list of hotels below by distance from Ravine Water Park (listed by distance):

La Quinta Inn & Suites Paso Robles
1.8 miles away from Ravine Water Park
Located in the heart of the central coast wine district, the La Quinta Inn & Suites Paso Robles is an elegant hotel that offers all new rooms and modern amenities to ensure your comfort. Free wireless high-speed Internet access, wine and gift shop in the lobby, heated outdoor pool and spa, fitness center, business center, and Free Bright Side BreakfastTM that includes hot eggs, sausage and potatoes are just a few of the many reasons this Paso Robles hotel is right for you. (From $240 a night depending on dates)

Holiday Inn & Suites Express Paso Robles
2.8 miles away from Ravine Water Park
With complimentary breakfast each morning, you start the day with a full belly here. Our hotel's near Ravine Waterpark, where families are welcome to race down water slides and float along lazy rivers. Corporate travelers staying in Paso Robles, CA love our hotel's convenient business center, which boasts free wired and wireless Internet access, copy and print services. (From $290 a night, depending on dates)

Courtyard Paso Robles
4.9 miles away from Ravine Water Park
Located near Highway 101, popular wineries, beaches and attractions like Hearst Castle, you can take advantage of the best of the central coast region. As a guest at the Courtyard Paso Robles hotel, you'll also enjoy a spacious guest room that ingeniously blends comfort and function.

Bellasera Hotel & Suites
6.7 miles away from Ravine Water Park
This luxurious hotel is an oasis of elegance, warmth, and impeccable service. Our focus is one of total quality in customer service, set in the tranquility of our full-service lifestyle hotel. The facility offers impeccable guest rooms and first class accommodations. La Bellasera Hotel and Suites will keep you coming back and is located at the junction of Highway 101 and Highway46 West.

Hampton Inn & Suites Paso Robles
6.9 miles away from Ravine Water park
Our Hampton Inn hotel also offers a complimentary breakfast bar convention facilities for up to 100 a guest business center an outdoor heated swimming pool with whirlpool a fitness center Suite Shop and Wine Cellar. We love having you here in California at the Hampton Inn - Suites Paso Robles hotel.

Suggested Related Water Play Activities Reviews:

Read about my experience at the Mustang Waterpark in Arroyo Grande, also located in San Luis Obispo County.

Read about our experience at the SLO Swim Center during Family Recreational Hours where the kids got to practice swimming.

Read about our visit at Lompoc Aquatic Center for recreational swim during the summer time. It's located in Lompoc, California (Santa Barbara County).

Read my local wine tasting reviews for Paso Robles and Edna Valley (two wine countries in San Luis Obispo County).

Read about my staycations at the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. They have a pool on property!

Swimming is fun and can create such wonderful memories, but it comes with a risk. Even if the sun seems mild, it's good to have sunscreen, a pair of sunglasses and a sun hat to protect your skin. Being outdoors is always one great idea to improve your mood and get a bit of exercise if you feel bummed out for any reason.

Read About All of Our Travel Adventures and Reviews:

• Birthday Weekend at LEGOLAND Castle Hotel Review and LEGOLAND California Amusement Park Review


• Birthday Celebration at Great Wolf Lodge in Southern California


• Universal Studios Hollywood Family Trip During Spring Break


• Ensenada Cruise on Carnival Cruise for 3 Days


• Ensenada and Catalina Island Cruise on Royal Caribbean for 4 Days


• Alaska Cruise on Princess Cruise for 11 Days


• Moon Palace The Grand Family Summer Vacation in Cancun for 5 Days


• Cabin Trip in Monterey


• Staycations at the Iconic Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California: Madonna Inn’s San Francisco Room Review OR Madonna Inn’s Antique Room Review


• Staycation at the Granada Hotel & Bistro in Downtown San Luis Obispo


• Staycation at La Quinta Inn in Downtown San Luis Obispo


• Staycation in Atascadero at The Carlton Review

Popular Things To Do with Kids in San Luis Obispo County:

• Central Coast Zoo (Formerly Charles Paddock Zoo) -- Read my blog review
• Hearst Castle -- Read my blog review
• The Ravine Waterpark -- Read my blog review (only open for Summer)
• Mustang Waterpark -- Read my blog review (only open for Summer)
• San Luis Obispo Children's Museum -- Read  my blog review
• Central Coast Aquarium -- Read my blog review
• San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum -- Learn more
• Paso Robles Children's Museum -- Read my blog review
• Exploration Discovery Center -- Read my blog review
• Museum of Natural History -- Learn more
• Avila Valley Barn -- Read my blog review