Adventuring with kids on a budget? Find free things to do in SLO County
San Luis Obispo County has no shortage of high-end experiences and activities — but what about the must-see spots that won’t charge you a dime?
While San Luis Obispo County relies on its tourism and hospitality industries to drive much of its economy, those tourist-focused experiences tend to carry a high price tag — and for a local parent on a budget, that’s rarely a good fit for a day out with kids.
However, a fun thing to do with the little ones doesn’t have to break the bank, particularly if you’re willing to avoid the county’s visitor-serving hotspots.
As part of our Parents Central series, we put together a guide to some of the best free things to do with kids in San Luis Obispo County.
Take advantage of the great outdoors
San Luis Obispo County has lots of challenging hikes, but many may not be the best fit for kids.
Still, there are plenty of walks and scenic trails within the ability of youngsters, with some offering different levels of challenge to satisfy your outdoor itch.
Islay Hill Trail, San Luis Obispo: This hike takes visitors to the peak of Islay Hill, which offers sprawling views of San Luis Obispo from the southeast. While it covers more than 500 feet of elevation, much of the hike consists of a gentle uphill gradient, with a binocular-toting cow sculpture waiting at the top.
- Distance: 1.8 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 518 feet
Duration: 1 hour, 3 minutes out and back
Spring to Spring Trail, Pismo Beach: Part of the Pismo Preserve’s trail network overlooking Highway 101 and the Pacifc Ocean, this trail takes hikers up into the hills, offering views of the nearby canyons and views from the Oceano Dunes to Avila Beach.
Distance: 3.8 miles
Elevation gain: 488 feet
Duration: 1 hour, 36 minute loop
Dinosaur Caves Bluff Trail, Shell Beach: Running along the well-maintained gardens of Dinosaur Caves Park, this light trail offers stunning Pacific views from the bluffs of Shell Beach without asking much of a hiker.
- Distance: 1.1 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 68 feet
Duration: 23 minutes out and back
Shell Beach Bluff Trail, Pismo Beach: For a similar ocean viewing experience, the Shell Beach Bluff Trail runs along some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Shell Beach, ending near the Pirate’s Cove Beach, which can be accessed by a trailhead near the end of the bluff trail.
Distance: 1 mile
Elevation gain: 59 feet
Duration: 20 minute walk to Pirate’s Cove
Dairy Creek and El Chorro Loop Trail, San Luis Obispo: This trail system off of Highway 1 is part of El Chorro Regional Park and is known for relatively easy, rolling hills. The park also features a dog park and the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden.
Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation gain: 459 feet
Duration: 1 hour, 8 minutes loop
Elfin Forest Natural Area Trail, Los Osos: This ecosystem based on prehistoric sand dunes north of Los Osos offers an extensive trail system that weaves through groves of the diminutive Coast Live Oaks that gave the forest its name.
Distance: 1 mile loop of boardwalk over wetlands
Elevation gain: 62 feet
Duration: 21 minutes
Explore local parks
San Luis Obispo County offers a wide range of parks for its residents’ leisure, with cities such as San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles offering some of the largest playgrounds and picnic spaces in the area.
Sinsheimer Park, San Luis Obispo: Top-notch playground, baseball diamond, disc gold course, horseshoe pit, pedestrian trails, tennis court, volleyball court, swiming pool, barbecue area.
Meadow Park, San Luis Obispo: Large, open grassy field featuring community garden, barbecue area, community room, fitness path, horseshoe pit, basketball and pickleball courts, pedestrian trails, softball field.
Johnson Park, San Luis Obispo: Large open green space including playground, basketball court, pedestrian trails, barbecue area.
Laguna Lake Park, San Luis Obispo: Lakeside park permitting fishing with valid California license, playground, disc golf, volleyball court and fitness areas, all linked by pedestrian trails.
Santa Rosa Park, San Luis Obispo: Hockey and roller skate rink, skate park, playground, softball field, horseshoe pit.
E.A. French Park, San Luis Obispo: Barbecue area, basketball court, pickleball courts, tennis courts, softball field, picnic area surrounded by 10 acres of open lawn.
Strother Park, Arroyo Grande: Open green space, playground, baseball diamond.
16th Street Park, Grover Beach: Open green space, playground, picnic area.
Centennial Park, Arroyo Grande: Gazebo, picnic area, access to swinging rope bridge.
Oak Creek Park, Paso Robles: Paved walkways featuring unique dragon sculpture, playground, open space.
.jpg "Pump Track Photo (5).jpg")
Barney Schwartz Park, Paso Robles: Large, unique playground structure, tournament-size softball and soccer fields, one million-gallon lake, picnic areas, bike trails and a pump track.
Downtown City Park, Paso Robles: Centrally located park at the heart of Paso Robles with easy access to the downtown area, with picnic areas, gazebos, a playground and shaded lawn space.
Atascadero Lake Park: Shady park adjacent to the Charles Paddock Zoo, with an expansive play structure, bandstand, picnic tables, barbecue areas and an easy walking path that circles the lake.
Heilmann Park, Atascadero: Wooded park with tennis courts, a disc golf course, picnic and barbecue areas and a splash pad in the summer.
Paloma Park, Atascadero: Home to soccer and softball fields and Atascadero’s Little League ballpark, along with a play structure.
Shamel Park, Cambria: Oceanfront park with direct access to Moonstone Beach, featuring a playground, large grass area, picnic tables and barbecues, plus a seasonal swimming pool.
Do something on wheels
The city of San Luis Obispo and many of the county’s beach towns are more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly than ever, with some cities prioritizing bike lanes and trails connecting places of interest.
Several San Luis Obispo County cities offer skate parks to test the abilities of skaters, cyclists and more, all for free.
Bob Jones Trail: Whether you’re looking for a short ride or a fun way to get from A to B in San Luis Obispo or Avila Beach, the Bob Jones Trail offers some of the longest paved bike and pedestrian trail options in the county. The trail travels along Highway 101 from Los Osos Valley Road to Prado Road in San Luis Obispo, and between Ontario Road out to the ocean along Avila Beach Drive in Avila Beach.
Los Osos Skate Park: This 17,000-square-foot concrete park offers challenges for skaters of all levels, including two bowls, rails and stairs.
Nipomo Skate Park: This skatepark opened to the public in 2023, and features grind rails, two bowls, rails, stairs and a quarter pipe for local skaters to practice their tricks.
Templeton Skate Park: This smaller park offers shallower bowls, rails and inclines for skaters to work on their tricks.
Get some sun and surf at the beach
Pismo Beach and the Oceano Dunes: San Luis Obispo County’s most recognizable beach vacation spot has everything a young family could want in a beach, with deep, sandy shores, access to a boardwalk and downtown area and an active coastline. Thousands flock to this beach on summer weekends, but can be found with fewer beachgoers during the work week. Visitors with an appropriate vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive can also try their hand at driving on the beach at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area — one of the few beaches in California where beach driving is permitted.
Avila Beach: Similar to Pismo signature beach, Avila Beach is one of the most temperate, family-friendly beaches in San Luis Obispo County. With a bustling downtown area complete with an aquarium and park and picnic space, Avila Beach can get crowded on hot weekends, with traffic sometimes extending from Highway 101 all the way out to Olde Port Beach.
Morro Rock Beach: Beneath the shadow of Morro Rock, Morro Rock Beach is a hot spot for surfers, while offering views of sea life such as sea otters in Morro Bay. Due to higher winds, Morro Rock Beach is popular for flying kites, but can be cooler for swimming overall.
Spooner’s Cove and Montaña de Oro State Park: While a poor option for swimming due to its choppy surf and rocky outcroppings, Montaña de Oro offers scenic, open beach space with plenty of room for leisure, tide pooling and even surfing. Visitors who aren’t looking for a beach experience can also hike the scenic bluffs, which extend for several miles south of Los Osos.
Cayucos State Beach: This beach offers a wide range of summer activities, including fishing from its pier, swimming and surfing in its shallows and access to the town of Cayucos’ shops and venues along Ocean Avenue.
Moonstone Beach: Located along Moonstone Drive, this scenic beach features a boardwalk that runs along the bluffs overlooking the ocean. It’s a popular spot for building driftwood structures or hunting for the areas namesake white moonstones.
Hearst State Beach: Located across Highway 1 from Hearst Castle, this beach is located in a protected cove, with a pier, trails out to the point and picnic facilities.
Elephant Seal Vista Point: Located around 5 miles north of Hearst Castle, the Elephant Seal Vista Point is the seasonal mating ground between December and April for elephant seals, which can be seen sunning themselves on the sand on warm days. Beach access is prohibited for the safety of the sea life, which can be seen from observation decks running the length of the shore.
.JPG "Bulls fighting (9).JPG")
