I brake for Apple Orchards, Pumpkin Patches
and General Stores!
I have a huge soft spot for general stores, apple orchards, and the pumpkin patch. Show me a barn with a sign that says Apples or Sweet Shoppe and this city girl turns into a modern day Laura Ingles. I’m right back home on the praire. This summer we drove down the California coast and stopped at Avila Valley Barn in San Luis Obispo, CA and this was one of my favorite stops along the way. A real hidden travel gem if you ask me.
I loved everything about this place! The crisp hay, the old fashioned carts with the picture perfect fruits and vegetables, lined up jars of jam and yummy honey. Beautiful sunflowers, peanut butter, baking essentials and a variety of spices. Each little display of merchandise went together so well and it made me want to buy one of everything in the barn. There was even a toy section filled with modern gfts as well as vintage toys from back in the day.
Ice Cream & The Sweet Shoppe
Serving over 16 flavors of ice cream, 14 different kids of homemade fudge, root beer floats and endless amounts of Salt Water Taffy, which is one of my most favorite thingsin the entire world. I think I took more pictures of the taffy then my kids! Grandma Debbie and the kids stopped and sipped on root beer floats before we hit up the little petting farm.
The Petting Farm
There were little billy goats, lamb, chickens ponies and even some Emu’s! My kids really enjoyed feeding them lettuce right from their hands and my son kept saying “Here little Fella!” You can feed all the animals except the Emu’s. Right now you can catch a free hayride and do your own picking of raspberries, peaches, apples, and corn. I may just be heading back up there next week to pick some pumpkins!
A True Hidden Travel Gem
Avila Valley Barn
Comments
Boy I learn alot about you in your blogs!!!! Didnt know salt water taffy is your favorite. It was a very fun time. lol
Yeah, I am a sucker for pumpkins, too. I think we are up to about 10 on our porch at this point. I just keep buying them.
I don’t know who invented Apple Butter– maybe Johnny Appleseed’s groupie chicks, following him around–but it’s a good, good thing!
This is a great place to take the kids and let them feed the animals. They have things for Mom and Dad also. Hot corn on the cob that they BBQ right there(only on the weekends) boy is it great. I used to take my kids here before the new sweet shoppe opened. They loved the fresh fruit and the lemon cucumbers are to die for. They have great turnovers,breads cookies,scones and more. If you collect dishes,tea towels,etc. they have it here also.
I love this barn too! A perfect day with the kids usually involves heading out to the barn to see the animals and buy produce… a stroll on Avila beach or the port San Luis pier…. and then to the village of Arroyo Grande to go to our favorite candy shoppe in the world “A Sweet Shoppe Named Desire” They have the best fudge, salt water taffy, and chocolate dipped bacon!
http://www.desiresweets.com