Pismo Beach, A great Central California beach city
Pismo Beach, A “Classic” California Beach City
Pismo Beach is one of the all-time favorite beach cities for many. A wide sandy beach, a beautiful pier, great lodging and restaurants and fun attractions explain some of the appeal.
Pismo says of itself that it is “classic California” – as in hearkening back to the 50’s and 60’s.
That’s pretty much true in my experience. Pismo is a comfortable, relaxed beach town as most are and does invoke quite a bit of nostalgia. Long famous for the pismo clam, Pismo has one of the most expansive beaches anywhere in California.
Like most beach towns, Pismo doesn’t take itself too seriously and for that reason it is quite comfortable and welcoming for visitors.
There are restaurants from casual to fancy.
Likewise with the lodging, the range is from full service spas to budget rooms.
Shopping, many fun events throughout the year, a long and beautiful pier, and a winter haven for monarch butterflies. Add in the huge sand dune complex that starts at the city’s south end, you have a great place for a California beach vacation.
Pismo Beach, CA Quick Facts
- County: San Luis Obispo
- Population: 7,655 (2010)
- Elevation: 56 ft.
- Coordinates: 35.14101N, 120.63926W (the intersection of Price Street and Price Canyon Road)
- Zip Code: 93448 and 93449
- Area Code: 805
- City Government: Incorporated 1939
- Translation of the name “Pismo”: “Tar” from the numerous tar seeps that the Chumash natives used for caulking their ocean-going canoes.
Accessibility
Beach wheelchairs are available to the public and visitors at no charge. Beach wheelchairs are available at Wheel Fun Rentals.
Wheel Fun Rentals
150 Hinds Ave
Ph: (805) 650-7770
Hours: 10:00 AM – Sunset
7 Days A Week
The beach itself at Pismo shows two faces depending on which end of the city you find yourself. The photo here shows the view south from around the Pismo pier with the great, wide and sandy beach. This extends for miles and turns into the great sand dune complex around Oceano.
A bit to the north of the pier you will find the beach turning rocky and with cliffs. These are great places for kayaking, and there are several places for kayak rental and lessons.
Monarch Butterfly Grove
Pismo Beach has the largest butterfly grove in the US and in most years the largest gathering of monarch butterflies.
The monarchs overwinter here and in other places from late October through February. This last winter (2011-12) there were well over 20,000 butterflies in the grove. A sight to behold.
More information on the monarch butterflies at this site. (Opens in new window).
Pismo Beach Events
One of the main events which makes this city “classic California” is this very popular car show.
Annual Classic Car Show: June
Auction, Car Corral, Car Show, Cruise, Party / Gala, Poker Run, Rally, Rod Run, Show & Shine. Over 1000 classic and restored cars.
Annual Pismo Clam Festival: October
For more information call the Chamber at 805 773-4382. Pismo has long been known for its clams and the fact that this festival has been around for so long attests to that.
Restaurants in Pismo
This is just a sampling of places to eat in Pismo Beach and not an exhaustive list. These are some of our favorites:
Splash Cafe
197 Pomeroy Ave.
Telephone:(805)773-4653
Well known for its clam chowder, which is some of the best we’ve ever had.
Cracked Crab
805-773-CRAB (2722)
751 Price Street
Casual, but very good seafood, and we’re quite picky.
Rosa’s Ristorante Italiano
491 Price Street, 805/773-0551
Very good Italian, and we’re even pickier about that!
If you’d like some more ideas for fun things to do at the beach, check out our extensive list at this page.
Pismo Beach could also be a good base of operations for exploring other beach cities up and down the coast such as Avila Beach, or Oceano.
We didn’t even mention wine tasting, and there are several tasting rooms right in town. Or you could take a little trip up Price Canyon Road and sample some of the vintages in the Edna Valley.
Have a great time on your beach vacation!
