Take a Highway 1 Road Trip this Autumn
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Autumn is simply a brilliant season to explore a Highway 1 Road Trip along the central California coast. The sun streams in with photo-ready optics, the temperature remains pleasantly warm by day and wonderfully cozy at night, and the local farms, wineries, and events abound everywhere you turn. There’s no need to worry about restaurant reservations or traffic slowdowns either. Here are some of our favorite stops and celebrations to discover along the way.
A Highway 1 Road Trip from Ragged Point to Nipomo offers an incredible cornucopia of foods, from cheeses to fruits. The same great Pacific-cooled climate that leads to outstanding wines makes for exceptional apple orchards.
SLO Creek Farms invites visitors to pluck apples right off the trees in their certified organic orchard. The farm stand also features veggies, herbs, and fall flowers. You can discover heirloom apple varieties, such as Winter Banana and Pearmain, at See Canyon Fruit Ranch, a tucked-away farm that captures the rustic ambience of the region. The Gopher Glen Apple Farm also takes les pommes very seriously, grafting unique varieties like Heaven Sent among an astounding 65 varieties! Many of these apple types are found exclusively at Gopher Glen.
Edna Valley
Oktoberfest in Avila Beach
Cambria Scarecrow Festival
By StoryStudio on October 15, 2022 8:19 AM
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Apple Picking by the Bushel
A Plethora of Pumpkin Patches
It’s no surprise that gourds of every dimension thrive in the sunny and dry central coast climate. Pumpkin patch visits are not only a requisite family experience, they’re having a moment with adults and couples too.
The Avila Valley Barn is a must-visit opportunity anytime of year, however, the harvest adds an autumnal glow to the country charm of it all. The baked goods smell a little sweeter, the petting zoo animals feel a little warmer, and the pumpkins can’t wait to be plucked by you and yours. The Nipomo Pumpkin Patch offers gourds of every size for table settings to carved creations. The Brookshire Farms Pumpkin Patch is also open for combing through and selecting your perfect jack-o’-lantern this fall, that is, if you make your way through the Corn Maze and Hay Maze!
The towns and villages along Highway 1 are known for their funky nature, bohemian enclaves favored by artists, independent boutique owners, and nature lovers. Check out the Cambria Scarecrow Festival to see exactly what we’re talking about. What began as a fun little foray into scarecrow art has grown into an impressive array of 500 different scarecrows. The monthlong event concludes with a celebration of food and wine on October 30. And don’t miss the mirthful fright night when the Great American Melodrama in Oceano puts on Scary Poppins, a musical send-up of the season.
Naturally, Octoberfest on Highway 1 spreads as wide as a beer stein with events in Los Osos, Cambria, and Templeton. Get your fill of the arts during the San Luis Obispo County Open Studios Arts Tour October 15-16. The food and froth resume November 11-12 when Harvest on the Coast pours its annual sip-and-savor event presented by SLO Coast Wine.
Festivals with a Twist
Autumn is the season to pair a favorite meal or wine with a new recipe or varietal discovery. Culinary inspiration can be found all around the central California coast. The apple compote pancakes at the San Simeon Beach Bar & Grill serve as the perfect starter for a day of exploration. Avila Valley Barn’s cider float has become a traditional treat for many repeat visitors. Fall is also "crush season," when vineyard grapes are compressed to begin the winemaking process across this abundant wine region. Step onto one of several wine trails for tastings and tours, from Edna Valley to Paso Robles.
The crowds may be long gone come fall, but the sunshine sticks around to shine brightly on U-pick farms, wineries, and beaches. When you combine the plentiful harvest, fall festivals, and pumpkin and apple picking, it’s easy to see why autumn is the perfect time for a Highway 1 road trip. Visit the Highway 1 Road Trip website to start creating your family, group, or romantic getaway.
Vibrant Fall Flavors in Full Bloom
Family at Pumpkin Patch
Avila Valley Barn
Gopher Glen Apple Farm
Apple Picking by the Bushel
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Avila Valley Barn
Pumpkin Patch
Apple Picking along Highway 1
Wine Harvest
Oktoberfest
Great American Melodrama
