Kickstart Fall with a few of our favorite Central Coast spots

Spend some time in San Luis Obispo this autumn. There are many hidden gems that even the locals haven’t discovered. Gopher Glen, for one, has caught our eye. The Avila Barn’s sister market was what created the most famous pumpkin patch on the Central Coast. Visit Gopher Glen, and you’ll feel like you're inside the Avila Market with its similar interior decorating. Once you fill the trunk of your car with apples, drive over to Edna Valley for a couple of glasses of wine. It’s the perfect spot to wind down at the end of the day. There is so much to explore this fall season on the Central Coast, and we have to make the most of it before it ends. 

Take a drive through a beautiful, winding road up to Gopher Glen 

Located on Canyon Road in San Luis Obispo, Gopher Glen sits on 20 acres of land full of fruit, particularly apples, along with other local produce. The Apple Farm holds 60 to 112 apple varieties that change seasonally from summer to winter. What started as a roadside apple stand flourished into a treasured destination with high local foot traffic. It’s become one of the most treasured areas people make it an important stop when visiting the Central Coast. It’s owned by Debbie and Bruce Smith’s family, who bought it after Dr. John DeVincenzo’s passing over 10 years ago. The Smith Family preserved the Gopher Glen Apple Farm, enhancing small things here and there, such as growing other produce and creating a cider company. 

If you haven't had the chance to visit Gopher Glen, it’s a quintessential location you have to visit this September. Their farmer’s market always has fresh apples, apple cider, and small knickknacks to keep as a memento. Throughout September, you’ll have the chance to try Redgold, Nittany, Russet, Spitzenberg, and many other apple varieties. Branch out and try something new. Fun Fact: Dr. D created his own apple varieties through grafting. He created the Heaven Sent apple for his late wife, Bobby. Buy some apples and drink a glass or two of fresh cider on a warm autumn afternoon. They’re open Monday to Saturday, 9 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 to 5 p.m.

Experience the Wine Tasting Tour in Edna Valley

Explore the Central Coast countryside on a wine tour through Edna Valley. Located on Route 227, Edna Valley has three wineries you can check out with your friends and family to enjoy a beautiful fall day. Our autumn season typically lasts until November, with the heat leaving us at the beginning of December, so you can still enjoy the warm sun throughout September and October. For a full wine tour experience, book a wine tasting tour through SLO Safe Ride, where they drive you around to 3 to 4 different wineries without you having to worry about a designated driver. Their Edna Valley tours take you to Chamisal Vineyards, Wolff Vineyards, and Talley Vineyards. You can visit up to 4 wineries for $45 per person, or, if you book in advance and go with a group of 4, you can pay $340. Booking ahead will save you a ton of money if you plan to visit multiple wineries. However, you can always choose to visit one if you’re limited on time and you’re on a budget. Every winery will have its own wine tasting fee or by-the-glass prices. 

Buy some pumpkins from SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace

SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace has been open for a couple of years now, and they continue to add new activities around the farm for locals to enjoy. Within the last year, they’ve added a brewery, Parisian bakery, and pumpkin patch, adding another to the growing list of pumpkin patches on the Central Coast. They have an assortment of gourds to pick through. 

Enjoy their corn maze throughout the week and hay rides on the weekends. If you don’t see a pumpkin you like, head into the marketplace for a few more options. They always have some picked out for shoppers to buy. 

Spend a few hours walking around the farm, and eat some lunch at the Paso Robles Brewery, Palo Mesa Pizza, or Shekamoo Grill. Early risers: enjoy a cup of coffee at Lucy’s Coffee until 3 p.m. The pumpkin patch opens September 27th. Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday & Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.