Take a trip up to Harmony Headlands

If I lived in SLO today, I'd take a morning trip up to Harmony Headlands and follow it up with a treat in Cambria. 

First, we'd drive up to Harmony Headlands State Park. There's a tiny little dirt parking lot off the side of Hwy 1 which sometimes gets too full, but on a Thursday, we'll probably get lucky (and even if it's full, there's parking on the side of the highway). The hike itself is quite easy, but a little on the longer side, especially with younger kids, so be ready for a few breaks and bring a couple snacks. Off the top of my head, I think it might take about 45 minutes to go from the trailhead to the beach, so it's probably a couple hours for the whole hike. I love the hills, the grass, and the beautiful ocean views. And I always love seeing cute animals on the hike, like bunnies, Great Blue Herons, egrets, turkey vultures, and lots more. Pictures don't do it justice.

After, we'll drive a little further up the coast to Cambria to get an Olallieberry Lemonade from Linn's. There's a Linn's Easy As Pie Cafe behind the Linn's Restaurant and we like to stop there sometimes for a slice of pie or a lemonade (Bonus: there's a public restroom that's nicer than most). Sometimes we'll stop at the Linn's store next door and get a giant jar of Olallieberry Preserves. 

One place I'd like to check out is an antique store that was recently sold and reopened as a sort of boutique gift store: Sea + Green. Of course, we'll probably wander around East Cambria, maybe drive around some neighborhoods looking for deer and wild turkey, and take a short stroll along moonstone beach (here's a good place to park) or the bluff trail at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. None of it takes very long and it's all pretty wonderful. 

A Few Other Ideas - These are just a few other places I genuinely might stop by during my little trip up to the north SLO county coast. 

Shamel Park - It's right next to Moonstone beach, has bathrooms and places to chill and play, and is often overlooked by tourists in my opinion.

Hidden Kitchen - Just tasty food. Get a savory waffle and a coffee.

Cambria Nursery - I love wandering around the nursery. It's pretty large and fun to window shop even if you don't get anything. 

Estero Bluffs - Sometimes I just like stopping randomly along the bluffs here. There's several little dirt parking lots and lots of places to wander. I like to hike to the top of the little here next to this parking lot. Or wandering along the bluffs by this parking lot. You can make it a five minute stop or a much longer walk, whatever you like.