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EAT, DRINK & PLAY   -   GET OUT OF TOWN
Get Out of Town
A Stroll through Atascadero
April, 2023 - Issue #219
courtesy of Shutterstock
courtesy of Shutterstock

A day that started late, and with the vaguest semblance of a plan, turned out to be one that yielded worthwhile discoveries.
Two criteria guided our last-minute Saturday of exploration in northern San Luis Obispo County: find a short hike and enjoy a casual lunch.
With the AllTrails app as our guide, we zeroed in on Stadium Park in Atascadero, about 15 minutes from where we were staying. It's a small park surrounded by a residential neighborhood just a few blocks from downtown. A variety of trails let you decide how hard you want to work. Maybe it's just a quick stroll under the shade of oaks at the bottom of the canyon. Or, you may want to break a sweat and tackle the switchbacks that lead to scenic overlooks along the ridgeline.
We chose the latter. Passing through the Bill Shepard Native Plant Garden at the beginning of the trail, we soon found ourselves climbing. It was a busy day on the trail with hikers, mountain bikers and dog walkers all out enjoying the clear, sunny skies and cool temperatures. Our effort was soon rewarded with panoramic views of the rolling hills, nearby fields and Atascadero's iconic brick City Hall.
"We crossed El Camino Real to get a better look at City Hall, a double-domed Italian Renaissance structure that debuted in 1918. It was heavily damaged in an earthquake 20 years ago but HAS SINCE BEEN RESTORED and serves as an anchor to Atascadero's quaint and vibrant downtown area."
We were back at the car about an hour later with half of our goals completed. That meant it was time for lunch. We were following Yelp to our intended destination when we detoured to something that looked more intriguing.
Bru Coffeehouse caught my eye as we drove by on El Camino Real. We hooked a U-turn and found a parking spot on the curb. A quick glance at the menu confirmed we were in the right place. They serve Stumptown coffee and dish up a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, along with gluten-free pastries. April and I both opted for the quiche of the day, a blend of ham, cheese and caramelized onions in a potato-based crust.
We found a window table in their indoor seating area and lingered over our drinks, surrounded by watercolors from a local artist.
With both goals completed, and no other plans for the afternoon, we continued wandering down El Camino Real to explore the downtown area surrounding City Hall.
One of our first stops was Atrium Mercantile, a cool little home goods store. (Cool because the owner welcomed our dog with a biscuit, and because of its aesthetic mix of competitively-priced decor items.).
After some browsing, April landed on a black-and-white striped ceramic pot for her growing collection of indoor plants.
We passed Ancient Owl Beer Garden and Bottle Shoppe, but didn't stop since we had already eaten. It was a lively outdoor venue, and definitely something to keep in mind for next time.
We crossed El Camino Real to get a better look at City Hall, a double-domed Italian Renaissance structure that debuted in 1918. It was heavily damaged in an earthquake 20 years ago but has since been restored and serves as an anchor to Atascadero's quaint and vibrant downtown area.
We're both suckers for used bookstores, so we couldn't pass The Book Odyssey without stopping. Its floor-to-ceiling shelves are packed tight and offer something for everyone.
That was our last stop for the afternoon, but it certainly won't be our last visit to Atascadero. There is much more to discover, whether you make a plan or simply wander and see what you find.
Eric Harnish lives in Castaic, where he is also prone to wander.

Let's Go!
Stadium Park

alltrails.com
Bru Coffeehouse
brucoffeehouse.com
Atrium Mercantile
instagram.com/atrium_mercantile
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