My Favorite Things To Do: Part I

If you're coming to our wedding in October, you're in for a treat (and not just because because of the incredible party Tim and I have planned). October is one of the most beautiful months of the year to visit San Luis Obispo and the central coast of California is one of the most beautiful areas in the entire state.

So, I'm going to write a series of posts of my favorite things to do while you're in San Luis Obispo, starting with, of course, beaches.

First things first: The Weather
We enjoy a very long summer on the central coast, which means that October can be one of the warmest months of the year. The average temperature for October is about 80 degrees and it very rarely rains. Plus, the morning fog we usually have on the coast in the summer (“June gloom”) is gone by October. This means its a perfect time to enjoy the beach and all the great outdoor activities of the area. But plan to bring sweaters or jackets for the evenings, because lows can be in the 50s.

My Favorite Beaches:


Avila Beach
Avila is a quick 15-minute drive from San Luis Obispo and it is my top pick for all around family appeal. The sandy beach is wide and the waves are fairly small, which makes it perfect for young children. There's also a great playground with a grassy picnic area right next to the beach.
Many years ago the funky beachfront town of Avila was almost entirely rebuilt (thanks to Unocal and their untidy habits) and now the town boasts a very nice beach boardwalk and a rebuilt pier. There are plenty of restaurants near the beach and there's usually a hot dog vendor if you just want a quick snack.
If you plan to bring your bikes along you'll want to take a ride down the Bob Jones Bike Trail that goes from Avila, through a golf course and along San Luis Creek. Most of the ride is on trails without any cars, so its great for small kids and for leisurely strolls.

Montana De Oro
If you're more inclined towards beaches in their natural state, then I recommend Montana De Oro State Park. About 20 minutes drive from San Luis Obispo (take Los Osos Valley Road and head West until it ends), this has long been my favorite place to hike and explore tide pools.
You can find more details at http://www.slostateparks.com/montana_de_oro/default.asp.

Morro Bay
If you happen to hit a day that isn't foggy (and you should in October), then Morro Bay is great beachside town to visit. Its just a 20-minute drive from San Luis Obispo down Hwy 1.
Morro Rock is gorgeous and is the perfect backdrop for pictures. My favorite beach in Morro Bay is Morro Strand. Just drive past the main downtown area of Morro Bay when the highways flattens out and turn left at San Jacinto Rd (the first stop light on Hwy 1 past Morro Bay). This is a great beach for surfing or boogy boarding, but bring a sweater, it is often windy.

That's it for now. Next time we'll share some of our favorite restaurants.