5 things to do in SLO for the weekend

For being a college town SLO is pretty darn family friendly.  We had a blast exploring dads old stomping ground and hearing about what he used to do in the "olden" days.  Here are 5 things we recommend.

Bubblegum alley

ok it’s not in SLO but it’s close (about 14 miles) and Arroyo Grande has a lot to offer when it comes to exploring.  An adorable main street you can wander down that looks like it came out of the Leave it to Beaver era of what a main street should look like.  Eat at Klondike’s pizza and hurl those peanuts on the ground!  Be sure and read the story of the owners, and how they fell in love.  After, head down to rooster creek behind the restaurant and look for the swinging bridge!  Just remember only 5 people at a time!

 

CHIT CHAT WITH A FEW COWS

Visit the Cal Poly Dairy

LET THEM EAT CAKE

Pink Champagne Cake via Flickr

Madonna Inn Bakery - Both kids and adults will marvel at this place.  It’s beyond funky with its over the top pink décor and vintage feel.  Head over to the bakery and get a slice of Pink Champagne cake.  Big enough to feed the entire family in one slice, you can walk it off by exploring the property.  And there is a lot to explore! Next time we are back in SLO, we’re staying here.

STICK YOUR GUM ON THE WALLS

While moms and dads may not think it’s cool to explore an alley that’s literally made of other peoples gum – your kids will.  I’m not sure what the fascination with gum is or sticking it to the wall, but our kids thought it was a real treat.  They chewed, they stuck, and marveled at all the “gum art”.   Purchase some gum balls from Rocket Fizz’s on Higuera St. and let them go to town.

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TAKE A STROLL IN THE VILLAGE

Swinging Bridge

 

Maybe it’s because all of my husbands family went there, but when in SLO we have to find an excuse to visit the campus, and the dairy always does the trick.  Its not exactly on the campus but they have bulls, dairy cows, and calves for you to pay a visit too.  Just behind the main building is the calf area.  They are inquisitive, and your children will be too, but its’ best not too touch.  Cows are milked at 3am/3pm and 6am/6pm with viewing windows inside the dairy at the top of the stairs.  If you drive to the end of the main road, you’ll even get to see the goat herd.

 

HAVE DINNER AT THE FARMERS MARKET

Bed and Breakfast Via Pinterest

Farmers Market - if you are in town on a Thursday evening this is a must.  Its more than a farmers market.  City blocks of music, food, handmade jewelry, soaps and other handmade fares from around the town. Get the BBQ and don't be afraid of all the fixins'.  Head down and find a spot along the creekside walk for an evening picnic.

Get Out There

I am here to tell you something you already know, parenting is not easy.  And if you decide to travel with your kids (like we do), then you are signing up for a whole next level crazy.  I could give you many reasons not to travel with your kids:

Long flights – “are we there yet?”  get ready to hear that every 5 minutes while your trapped on a 10 hour flight with said child

Long lines – “ how much longer?” for every line that is more than 3 people or 3 minutes

Foreign food – “I’m not eating that, gross.” For every food group that is not a recognizable cheese or carb.

No interest – “do we have to go there/do that?”

My whole blog could be on the obstacles that will be thrown at you.

And yet, I want to tell you that there is one reason alone that you should.  Connection.  When you are put in situations that you need to find a solution to, you connect.  When you explore and see new things together, you connect.  When you unplug and give more attention to your children and less to your phone, you connect.  Travel for me is all about the connection it brings to my family.  An inside joke, a funny story, the feelings and experiences connect our family of four and makes me a big proponent of why you should explore as a family.

In my experience, the key to traveling with your loved ones is prepare, prepare, prepare.   When I was pregnant with our first child my doctor was insistent that we needed a birthing “plan” detailing exactly what we wanted during the delivery.  Painstakingly, I thought of every detail and documented it so we could be sure everyone understood what the plan was.  When I presented it to our doctor, I was very proud of all my hard work.  Dr. B skimmed through the plan and said, “ok, I know what you want.  What I don’t know is what baby wants and you’ll have to accept that, things may not go according to plan.”  What?  I just spent weeks talking to my husband about the best choices for us, planned, hired a Duala, and now you’re telling me my plan may not work?  But that’s pretty much life with a baby/toddler/child/husband/human, etc.  You should have a plan, but not be so tied to it that you can’t be happy or content with an alternative plan.  End result achieved.  Happiness.  So why worry about how you got there?

And in the end, baby decided not to “turn” and mama got a c-section.  Not part of my plan, but could not be happier with the result of a perfect, healthy, baby girl.

“I can give you many reasons NOT to travel with your kids”