A coworker told me about a really cool park that we needed to explore. Joy, Rocko, and I grabbed some snacks and sweatshirts and headed to Kathleen's Canyon Overlook on the mesa in Arroyo Grande, California's Central Coast.
The Land Conservancy owns and manages the 55-acre property and it is beautiful. It is named after Kathleen Goddard Jones, the Dune Mother. She wrote the book about wildflowers in the dunes near Oceano (Dune Mother's Wildflower Guide) and is a local hero for my plant nerd friends and me. It was a cool surprise to find her grave marker in the tiny cemetery in Oceano along The Pike when the kids and I explored it one day with friends, looking for dancing skeletons and friendly ghosts.
The playground has hidden animals and fun climbing structures. The kids played and ran. Another family rolled into the ample parking area and their daughters and Joy and Rocko played joyfully together until dark. We got invited to their birthday party! The people here are the nicest anywhere.
The walkway out to the overlook is short and flat and perfect for any skill level. It's a lovely place to watch the sunset and read interpretive panels about our habitats and wildlife.
Are you looking for adventures nearby? Check out this list!