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Arroyo Grande Village buildings clockwise: Methodist Episcopal Church (1887); 112 E. Branch former Phillips Brothers’ Furniture (1895), stone building Brisco Old Hotel (1904); bottom right photo – built as Bank of Arroyo Grande (1905); and Santa Manuela Schoolhouse museum, one of the few remaining one-room schools in the county (1901).

When you pass through the Central Coast zipping along the I-101 at 65 mph, you may notice shopping centers to your left and right–Pismo Outlet practically overlooks the Pacific Ocean, while Starbucks, Marshalls & Kmart are set into the hillside on the opposite/inland side of the road. Modern Arroyo Grande with its creature comforts is just a stone’s throw from the quaint, old-fashioned “Village of Arroyo Grande” where chickens run loose, buildings are historic, shops sell ‘vintage’, vineyards dot the landscape and the Swinging Bridge creeks in remembrance of The Terrible Tragedy (a farmer was hung in a dispute over land.)  Completely opposite of modern Arroyo Grande, the Village is the heart & soul of the town with its non-chain restaurants and shops. It’s absolutely charming–stop by and see it! There are road signs pointing to the Village exit.