SLO LIFE Magazine Apr/May 2018

| FAMILY
AVILA VALLEY
BARN
BY PADEN HUGHES
Just a couple years ago, before parenthood,
I used to think I was a hipster when I
drove up to a red light, my windows down,
blasting a trendy radio play. Times have
changed. Now, I slow roll up to a red light,
keeping my windows closed to spare the drivers
next to me from hearing an awkward soundtrack
of cows mooing, horses neighing, pigs oinking,
and roosters crowing, as my toddler learns to
associate animals with the sounds they make.
My husband and I are obsessed with farm animal
noises now, because just hearing our daughter try
to imitate a frog or cow is the cutest thing in the
world. We are shameless. Everything seems to be
geared to farm life and its sounds these days.
So, it should be no surprise that our favorite
family outing is feeding the animals at Avila
Valley Barn. In fact, it’s a weekly excursion. Our
daughter is walking and leads us around by our
hands, pointing things out and muttering to
herself about whatever she sees, but we have
difficulty translating.
Back in college, I occasionally visited Avila
Valley Barn for an annual pilgrimage, picking out
a pumpkin for Halloween and trying to make it
through the hay bale maze. Now that I’m a mom,
I’ve learned that Avila Valley Barn is not just for
the holidays. Outside of the couple of weeks it
closes down each year to renovate, its activities
evolve with the seasons and there is always
something new and exciting to see. Between the
seasonal fruit stands and holiday fanfare, there
always seems to be a new baby goat to watch
grow up.
We have developed a ritual. After a visit to the
chicken coop, counting the eggs and trying to
inspire the roosters to crow for our amusement,
we head into the farm stand to buy fruit and
a bag of reject veggies to feed the animals.
My daughter loves to pull out a nice piece of
lettuce and hold it like a prize for the next hour,
unaware that she’s taunting the poor goats with
it. The goats are her favorite. Somehow these
creatures manage to con every visitor into
believing they are starving, bleating like
they have endured unimaginable conditions
before your timely arrival. We buy into it
like suckers every time. Once we’ve satisfied
the goats (or so they lead us to believe), we
circle the property pointing out the turkeys’
feathers, watching the squirrels sneak food,
admiring the cows’ kind eyes, avoiding the
emus, and wishing we could ride the cute
little ponies. We repeat this circle two or
three more times before heading home.
All in all, it’s an entertaining afternoon
that inevitably becomes the best part of our
day. The store, established in 1985, began
as an impermanent fruit stand for those on
their way to Avila Beach. Today, it is a local
favorite to buy seasonal produce, experience
U-Pick opportunities in summer and
fall, enjoy a petting zoo for farm animals,
and stop off to grab an ice cream or deli
sandwich in a peaceful environment, and,
of course, buy a fresh baked pie, cobbler,
or turnover. You can also stumble upon
seasonal tractor and pony rides. It’s a great
place for a family picnic, birthday party,
or just a nice spot to meet up with other
families in a place
your kids can
safely run free and
enjoy a glimpse of
farm life.
I always check
out their website
to confirm their
seasonal open
hours. For the time
being, it’s Thursday
to Monday, 9 a.m.
to 5 p. m. and is
closed Tuesday and
Wednesday. SLO LIFE
PADEN HUGHES is
co-owner of Gymnazo
and enjoys exploring
the Central Coast.
54 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | APR/MAY 2018