Arroyo Grande Village is
a distinct shopping and dining area in the historic section of Arroyo
Grande, California
Arroyo Grande, Calif.―Shopping,
dining and socializing are a few of the simple pleasures folks enjoy in the
Village of Arroyo Grande. Sure, you can get stressed out over the chickens
crossing the road. Several years ago someone wanted those pesky critters
"gone". But a core of passionate individuals fought to maintain the
easy-going lifestyle Arroyo Grande has known for over 100 years and they
won. So today when you visit, don't be surprised to see roosters and a hen
or two wandering around the Village Green, hanging out at City Hall or
sitting on a fence post near McClintock's restaurant, hoping for handouts
from the kitchen.
Arroyo Grande is a dichotomy. While
the scenic village with its antique stores, historic buildings and roosters
that crow is laid back and slow, surrounding it are brand new hillside
homes, strip malls with chain stores and fast food restaurants, in what
appears to be a totally different world. Oddly, we seldom bridge the gap
when we go to shop and dine in Arroyo Grande. Either we spend time in the
historic downtown district, shopping for antiques, browsing in boutiques and
country crafts, then dining at one of the great sandwich shops with the tall
ceiling and wood floors, before heading out the country roads to wineries
such as Edna Valley Vineyard, 2585 Biddle Ranch Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA
93401 Call: (805) 544-5855.
On the fast track trip we bypass the
village and head straight for the concrete lots filled with big box stores
such as Marshall's, Walmart, KMart, Trader Joe's, Albertson's, Starbucks and
Sizzler. A veteran shopper could easily take in both experiences in
one trip, but why not stretch it out?
This beautiful town not
far from the beaches of San Luis Obispo County―Pismo Beach, Nipomo and
Grover Beach—enjoys
fresh ocean breezes and a convenient location on both sides of Highway 101.
Steeped in history, one of the highlights of the city is a
swinging bridge. The
bridge sways ever so gently as you cross over from the Village Green where
Farmer's Market is held each week, to the historic Santa Manuela Schoolhouse
museum built in 1901. The restored schoolhouse is open to the public on
weekends, and admission is free.
Events in the Village
-Farmer's Market Every Saturday Noon to 2:30 pm
-Christmas in the Village during December, Santa strolls
the streets daily. Sing along with Santa Wed. & Fri. evenings 5 to
6 pm
-Easter Egg Hunt, 4th of July Peddlers Fair with chili
cook-off,
Strawberry Festival-Memorial Weekend in
May, Car Show last Saturday in July, Harvest Festival last weekend
in September, Halloween Trick or Treat in the Village. Strawberry Festival named
the place to be on Memorial Weekend by Sunset Magazine. Hotel rooms are
booked six months prior.
The photo on the left below was taken in
a residential neighborhood. The property sits on a bluff overlooking a
valley with colorful crops in a field, a lake, sand dunes and the beautiful,
blue Pacific Ocean. On the right is the historic building which is home to
Taco Loco, a restaurant with big servings of burritos, tostados and other
Mexican foods. The building was constructed near the turn of the 20th
century. You'll find it on East Branch Street, the heart of downtown. Park
behind the building in the free public lot to enjoy the Walking Bridge.
You can enter many businesses from the
back side of the shops and exit on Branch, where you'll find numerous
restaurants, antique and gift stores and the Walking Tour maps at the
Visitor Center. It's a small, friendly town so just ask anybody working
there to point you in the right direction. Continue driving on Branch and
you'll head for the wineries. Or get back on the 101 Highway and stop down
the road 10 minutes in Pismo Beach.
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