San Luis Ranch Farms and Marketplace, SLO

San Luis Ranch Farms and Marketplace, or SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace, is a fun, attractive place to visit. There is an abundance of outdoor public space here, with a fire pit, and chairs and tables both in the sun and shade. Lucy's Coffee has outdoor seating and a tractor kids can climb. A large bougie market that is mostly a gift shop is pleasant to stroll around. You can get freshly baked fruit pies here, plus beautiful home decor items. There is also a candle-making shop that's nice for birthday parties, and a sheep milk ice cream shop (delicious). Inside, check out the food court with yummy Palo Mesa Pizza, a Peruvian cafe, and other options.

The adjacent farm has some games for kids, like cornhole, face-in-hole photo board, toy trucks, hula hoops, and stacks of hay. They hold family events during holidays like Halloween and Christmas, with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pumpkin slingshot, and bouncies! On Tuesdays at 10am there is sometimes a playgroup for parents and toddlers. 
The greenhouses grow organic blueberries, and the SLO City Farm is also organic. The farm with pumpkins and corn usually does not spray. City Farm SLO has a hands-on family-friendly tour the first Saturday of every month, 9:30-11am, for a $20 donation. Register here. You can also have a birthday party here, or enjoy their Sheep Shearing Shindig in May. 
After, cross the roundabout and walk past the homes on San Luis Ranch Road, across a pedestrian bridge, and then on a walkway along a eucalyptus forest. It is magical, with birds singing, flowers, and scented gum nuts on the ground. There is a little play area here for kids with a twig-shaped balance beam, bowl-shaped climby, and large disc swing for two, plus a workout station- the atmosphere is lovely because of the light shining through the tall trees. There is a walking path on both sides of the creek, with workout stations along the way. Bring a jacket in case there is a cold wind.
On Legacy Lane and Heirloom Place, check out the large San Luis Ranch Playground. It has a tractor to drive, baby swings, and a three-storey climby with a giant twisty slide! There's a basketball court and huge lawn. Families gather here at the end of the day. 
You can also drive to an older park with a playground by a blue lake across Madonna Road called Laguna Lake Park.
There is a lot of shopping nearby, including Madonna Plaza and SLO Promenade Center. This is a three minute drive away.
A four minute drive away is the pretty Irish Hills neighborhood, with De Vaul Park and a hike up steep Irish Hills.

Directions

SLO Ranch Farms and Marketplace is located at 871 Froom Ranch Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. There is a large parking lot.

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