Avila Valley Barn
A family farm stand since 1985, with U-pick fields, hayrides, farm animals, fresh pie and roasted corn. Parking and admission are free.
Buy this print
- Where
- 560 Avila Beach Dr, San Luis Obispo
- Stand hours
- Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (check current hours)
- Cost
- Free parking and admission; pay for food, rides and U-pick
- Best for
- Families, fall pumpkins, summer fruit
Avila Valley Barn has been a family stop on the way to the beach since 1985. It sits on Avila Beach Drive in the valley, surrounded by fields, with a farm stand, a bakery, animals to feed and something going on in almost every season. Locals stop for produce and pie. Visiting families make an afternoon of it.
What's there
- Farm stand. Local produce, honey, preserves, kitchenware, toys and gifts. The barn says it farms without pesticides, using compost, cover crops and grazing.
- Bakery. Pies, including pumpkin pie baked daily in season, plus pumpkin pockets, loaves, muffins and turnovers.
- Chicken Shack & Smoke House. Smoked meats, sandwiches and Southern-style comfort food. Eat at the tables with farm views or take a family meal to go.
- Corn roaster. Fresh roasted corn with the barn's seasoning, May through November.
- Sweet Shoppe. Candy and treats.
- Farm animals. Feeding corrals and a petting area, open year-round.
What's on by season
- May to October: tractor hayrides
- May to November: pony rides (check for pop-up dates) and roasted corn
- July to November: U-pick fruit and flowers
- September to November: pumpkin patch, with a hay maze in October
- Thanksgiving weekend to December 25: Christmas trees
The barn also posts pop-up animal meet-and-greets and sometimes cancels them for weather, so check the current hours page on the day.
Hours
In fall 2026 the stand is open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the weekend entry gate closing at 5:30 p.m. The Chicken Shack runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., hayrides 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Sweet Shoppe 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours change with the season.
Getting there
The barn is at 560 Avila Beach Dr, just off Highway 101 on the way into Avila. It's near the valley end of the Bob Jones Trail and just up the road from Sycamore Mineral Springs and Avila Hot Springs, so it's easy to combine with a walk or a soak.
More farms nearby
The barn's hours page also lists fall hours for the Gopher Glen apple orchard, one of the See Canyon apple farms a short drive away. See Farms and the Apple Trail.
Local tips
- Go on a weekday morning in October if you want the pumpkin patch without the crowds.
- Check the hours page before a special trip; pony rides and animal meet-and-greets are pop-up events on set days.
- Wear closed shoes for the U-pick fields and animal pens.
- Ride the Bob Jones Trail from the beach and stop here for lunch on the way back.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avila Valley Barn free?
Yes. Parking and admission are always free. You pay for food, produce, rides and U-pick.
When are hayrides at Avila Valley Barn?
Hayrides run roughly May through October. Check the barn's current hours page for times.
When is the pumpkin patch open?
September through November, with a hay maze in October.
Can I bring my dog to Avila Valley Barn?
The barn's site doesn't say. Call (805) 595-2816 before you bring one.
Does Avila Valley Barn sell Christmas trees?
Yes, from Thanksgiving weekend through December 25.
