Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande Then
As you visit the Village of Arroyo Grande today, you can actually step back into time. So many of its historical landmarks have been restored and are located in or near the center of town.
Stop by the old tiny one-roomed jail over looking downtown Arroyo Grande from Le Point Street. Everyone knows locally it’s called “Hoosegow”. The jail has been preserved and is surrounded by a small park maintained by the City of Arroyo Grande known as the "Hoosegow Park". Heritage Square Park contains several restored historical buildings. The South County Historical Society is located in Heritage House at 126 S. Mason Street. Take a walk over the Swinging Bridge that spans Arroyo Grande Creek - it’s the only one of its kind in the State of California. Visit the Santa Manuela Schoolhouse - a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1901. AG, as the locals call it, retains the quaint village feel that its had for as long as I can remember.
Walking on the swinging bridge is not for those with a weak stomach as it truly does swing from side-to-side. It’s fun!
Arroyo Grande Now
The Village of Arroyo Grande today still honors its rich farming heritage rooted in with a weekly Farmers Market, boutique shops selling items with images of roosters and produce, restaurants using produce grown locally, tasting rooms featuring wines grown locally, and music events and musicians performing in Heritage Park on any given sunny afternoon.
There are fabulous eateries, plenty of great shops with kitschy items and beautiful things for the home, clothes for all tastes, and hours of reasons you will enjoy spending time wandering through the Village of AG.
I’m often asked how the roosters ended up along the creek. There are many theories. My personal story is a memory i treasure. I remember going with my great aunts and my grandma to get baby chicks for laying hens for the dairy farms when I was a little girl. One great aunt lived in Arroyo Grande on Huasna Road, not far from the Village. A few weeks later, my grandma would take me with her to AG to drop off a few that looked a little different from the ones that were left back at the dairy. I think she felt like I was a good companion for the drop-off - thanks Grandma! Yup - highly frowned upon these days.
Buildings have been repurposed instead of being torn down in the Village.
Inviting pathways along the creek on a warm afternoon are very tempting with benches along the way to rest and contemplate where to shop, eat or venture next.
Featured Eatery
Mason Bar &Kitchen
This is my go-to restaurant in Arroyo Grande for a number of reasons. The food is outstanding and the menu is filled with fabulous dishes featuring local produce, the atmosphere is upbeat with a true locals vibe and the ambiance Western-chic and comfortable. Traveling solo? Come on in and make some new friends! It’s the staff that brings me back time and again. They have always gone out of their way to make sure that my guests and I am happy and I mean this sincerely.
If you’re lucky you’ll meet Martin - Mason’s own rooster that hangs out and crows to let the guests know what he’d like for dinner. He’s a fine lookin’ fella! Watch a game, sit by the fire or the street-side windows that open for great people watching and an opportunity to chat with folks passing by.
Click on the picture to visit their site, or see the information below to call for reservations. Please tell them you heard about them from me!
Mason Bar & Kitchen
307 East Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
805.202.8918
Visit Arroyo Grande Village and go back in time!