Johnson Park, San Luis Obispo

Johnson Park is a neighborhood park with a creek lined with pretty eucalyptus trees. The hills above San Luis Obispo look yellow and cute here. A small tree shades the grubby sandpit and there is a small toddler playground plus some really comfy baby swings. Kids can have fun scootering or bike-riding down the sloped paths that circle the sandpit. Parents from the nearby elementary school bring their kids to play at the creek here after school so you're guaranteed to have some other kids at the playground at that time.

The neighborhood here is uninspiring. Southwood Dr has a messy feel with dumpsters here and there and no sidewalks. 
This park connects with Sinsheimer Park, which has an incredible playground with huge slides, steep grass slope for cardboard sledding, a giant zipline cable, and a lion drinking fountain. It is a beautiful park with redwood trees and a path through a eucalyptus grove. Sinsheimer Park is on the Railroad Bike Path, a fairly plain path that goes for one mile.
There is a coffee shop walking distance away called Lucy's Coffee.
Or head over to downtown San Luis Obispo where there are some happening sidewalk cafes. SLO Public Market is also a nice place to eat and has lots of outdoor seating. 
To see one of the nicest coastlines in California less than twenty minutes drive away, check out Shell Beach Panoramic Walk.

Directions

The address of the adjacent YMCA is 1020 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
Exit Highway 101 at Madonna Rd. Turn left on Higuera St and then right on South St. Go almost a mile and then turn right on Broad St. After 3/4 mile, turn left on Orcutt Rd. Turn left on Laurel Ln. Turn left on Southwood Dr. Turn right into the parking lot before the eucalyptus trees.

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