Since 1986, the Avila Valley Barn has helped bring fall to life for the San Luis Obispo community. Students, families and children are invited to gather at 560 Avila Beach Drive for all the barn’s fall festivities. From pumpkin patches to hay mazes and pony rides, plenty of activities embrace the fall spirit.
The barn has developed and expanded over the years, but its beginnings hold the true soul and passion of the mission. About 38 years ago, this second-generation farm became what it is today. Debbie Smith, founder of present-day Avila Valley Barn, worked for the Devincenzo family on the farm.
“There was a dentist who had a bunch of hobby farms and he would hire people to run them, so he had posted in the newspaper, found her [and] hired her because she had lots of kids, so he figured they could run the farm. So when she showed up it came with housing, but there was nothing else on the property at all. None of the barns that you see, none of the orchards — literally nothing,” said current owner Raven Lukehart.
Following an oil spill in the early ‘90s, Avila Valley Barn underwent a transformative change driven by necessity. What once was a place to buy simple produce turned into a site of amusement with homemade products. In 2009, after the Devincenzo owners passed away, Debbie became the official titleholder. With the help of her children, Jake and Jesse Smith, the barn’s legacy could stay alive.
When Debbie decided to step back from the business in 2019, this dream was passed to her children and Jake’s wife, Lukehart. The three of them split daily barn tasks to ensure that the farm would continue to run efficiently. Together, they have allowed this farm to expand and become something even bigger.
“It was definitely in her vision and spirit. She can really envision an experience for people and then see it all the way through,” said Lukehart. “She loves bringing the community out and having them experience the farm and experience it through her eyes.”
The boxes of produce transformed into an abundance of fruits and flowers. The barn’s land itself was also developed to include a bakery, petting zoo, mazes and a pumpkin patch. These services have brought together community members year after year, whether they are visitors, volunteers or job seekers.
“So weekdays are definitely our SLO [San Luis Obispo] people and then during the weekends we’ll see people from Nipomo and Santa Maria and Santa Barbara,” Lukehart said. “Definitely like as far as Fresno and Bakersfield in that direction…but our locals also love to come out and staycation and visit.”
People from these different cities have developed a unique admiration for the barn. As Lukehart shared, the visitors who have established a deep connection to the barn from childhood, keep their business going. One employee, Danny Chavez, shared this nostalgic tie to the barn.
“I grew up coming here when I was younger, coming for the pumpkin patch,” Chavez said. “I just like seeing the people being happy, and all the little kids being happy.”
The commitment and compassion that are poured into this business evidently carry Debbie’s original vision and love for her community.
How-to: Avila Valley Barn
As the barn offers so many different activities, it can be difficult to figure out the best way to spend your day. KCPR was given the chance to ask Lukehart how she would describe the perfect day at Avila Valley Barn.
The first thing Lukehart suggests is to arrive at the barn near 10:30 a.m., right when the tractor starts going.
“They would show up and they might get a hot cinnamon roll from the bakery, a hot coffee. Take the tractor ride down to the apples, you pick some apples and take some pictures,” she said.
After you have finished your tractor ride and breakfast, the pumpkin patch is next on the suggested list. The 45 varieties of pumpkins make it a fun picture spot, and you can find a festive souvenir to bring home.
Lastly, Lukehart highlights the infamous homemade apple cider float.
“On your way out if you haven’t had enough sweets from the hot roll, you could go into the sweet shop and do an apple cider float. A lot of people come specifically for that cider float, so you can pick whatever ice cream you want. We do have pumpkin ice cream and then we have a spiced apple ice cream on rotation,” Lukehart said.
The Avila Valley Barn’s true purpose has expanded into various avenues from its original start as a simple farm over 38 years ago. Readers can experience the fall magic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and find updates on their Instagram @avilavalleybarn.
