Johnson Ranch Hike, SLO

Johnson Ranch Hike, officially Johnson Ranch Open Space, is a beautiful walk through pristine hills, with views around every bend! The narrow path is hard-packed dirt, and lined with yellow mustard flowers in the spring. Yellow and purple flowers (like little bells) blanket the hills in May and it's glorious! If you suffer from allergies though, you will really know it. 

The hike is an easy 2.3 mile loop called Johnson Ranch Loop, with the path making steady switchbacks so that it is never too steep (not more than 12% grade, or 17% grade if you take the long loop)! When you go through the gate at the trailhead, turn left. Towards the end of the hike when you come to some sign choices, take the right fork to stay on the short loop, the Johnson Ranch Connector, unless you want to add another mile to the hike. 
There are little wooden boardwalks over almost all the muddy spots, though about five small areas aren't covered so you will have to jump quickly to any dry spots you see. Overall though, this is one of the easier hilly hikes in SLO.
At the trailhead, a wooden information station gives you a history of the area with photos. Mark Johnson, born in 1851, came to America from Denmark when he was only 17. He bought the Johnson Ranch with his wife, Emelia, in 1901. They had four sons. The two eldest sons created the Union Hardware and Plumbing store. which sold agricultural buggies, wagons, engines, and pumps, and stoves and ranges, in SLO town. Some of the six family members lived on the ranch until 1981, when the youngest son died. In 2001, the family sold the land to the city, with Jeannette, the oldest son's child, wisely making sure that the land was preserved as an open space. 
There was a schoolhouse called Bellevue School on this land in 1897, with 25 students served, many of Portuguese descent. It was moved to 217 Windward Ave, Shell Beach, if you want to go see the cute building, which is in pristine condition. Herb Filipponi, of Filipponi Ranch, said of his time at the schoolhouse, "I remember some of the fun chores assigned to the kids like putting up the flag on our old flagpole every day...A special treat was if you were picked to ring the bell (pull the rope) to call the kids in from recess. We often played a type of hide and seek game 'all the all the outs is free.'" 
In winter, some hikes in SLO are closed due to mud. Check the trail status on the city of SLO website before you go.
After your hike, drive south for ten minutes to Avila Beach town to enjoy the clean, ocean air.
Or drive north for seven minutes and have a meal or boba tea at SLO Public Market.
Check out this list for other gentle incline hikes in SLO.

Directions

Johnson Ranch Trailhead (this is what you must ask google maps to navigate to) is located at 5190 Ontario Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. There is a large, dirt parking lot.

Click on map for interactive view