Pismo Beach

Travel Guide
Pismo Beach Pier featuring fishing as well as a small group of people
Pismo Beach evokes old-world California with its rugged coastal scenery and its emphasis on outdoor living.

Fish from the pier, hike over sand dunes or enjoy the watersports on offer you’ll find that most activities at Pismo Beach center around the sun, sand and waves.To see the main stretches of the coastline, take advantage of the free Avila Beach Trolley. This seasonal service operates a roundtrip from Pismo Beach Premium Outlets, a shopping center, to Port San Luis, stopping at beaches in between. Hop off the trolley and hit the sand to sunbathe, surf or swim. Kite flying and kite boarding are also popular in this area, because of the prevalent Pacific Ocean breeze. If you visit between late October and February, be sure to check out the migrating Monarch butterflies. Every year, tens of thousands of them fly to Pismo Beach seeking respite from the colder weather further north. The colony can be found on the branches of eucalyptus and Monterey pines in the Monarch Butterfly Grove, located just half a mile (800 meters) south of Pismo Beach.South of the township, hikers and thrill seekers have plenty of opportunities for fun at the towering sand dunes of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Complex. This natural landmark is 18 miles (29 kilometers) long and contains dunes that stand hundreds of feet above sea level. Go on a hike and discover the flora and fauna, such as the California red-legged frog and the California tiger salamander. Visit the Interpretative Center in Guadalupe, about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from Pismo Beach, for information on the area.If you prefer things a bit faster, get behind the wheel of a rented quad, dirt-bike or four-wheel drive and speed around the sand drifts of the Oceano State Vehicular Recreation Area, one of the only areas in California where it is legal to drive on the beach. There are ATV rental agencies in the town of Oceano. Pismo Beach is approximately halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The main street, Price Street, is just a short walk from the Pacific Ocean, and has many restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops.

Where to stay in Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach

Downtown Pismo Beach

4/5(15 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Pismo Beach, Pismo Beach Pier and Pismo State Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Pismo Beach
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Shell Beach

Visitors to Shell Beach enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Margo Dodd Park is worth a stop.

Shell Beach
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Pismo Heights

Though Pismo Heights may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Price Anniversary House and Pismo Beach Pier.

Pismo Heights
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Sunset Palisades

While Sunset Palisades isn't home to many top sights, Avila Hot Springs and Pirates Cove are some notable places to visit nearby.

Sunset Palisades
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South Palisades

While there might not be top attractions in South Palisades, you can explore the larger area and discover places like The Spa at Dolphin Bay and Avila Hot Springs.

South Palisades
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Saint Andrews

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Saint Andrews and surrounding area, you can visit The Spa at Dolphin Bay and Avila Hot Springs.

Saint Andrews
Edgewater Inn And Suites
Edgewater Inn And Suites
2 out of 5
280 Wadsworth Ave, Pismo Beach, CA
The price is €132 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€132
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this beach motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,027 reviews)
"Enjoyed the access to the beach kids loved the pool and we enjoyed the spa"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Edgewater Inn And Suites
Spyglass Inn
Spyglass Inn
3 out of 5
2705 Spyglass Dr, Pismo Beach, CA
The price is €178 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
€178
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free parking, WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,041 reviews)
"Very clean"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Spyglass Inn
Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach
Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach
3.5 out of 5
100 Stimson Ave, Pismo Beach, CA
The price is €160 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€160
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this beach hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,153 reviews)
"The location and area around the hotel is perfect right in front of the beach. The only reason I would not give it a 5 star is because I reserved ocean view for one of the rooms under my booking and they no longer had it available to us at check in so I didn’t get what I paid for."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Sandcastle Hotel on the Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Great location! Easy beach access! Sleeps 12
Great location! Easy beach access! Sleeps 12
Pismo Beach
Stay at this condo in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Pismo Beach Pier and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (87 reviews)
Wonderful stay.
"Kelly was very responsive. The home was just lovely and although close to the freeway in a great location close to everything. The home was spacious and comfortable."

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2023

Great location! Easy beach access! Sleeps 12
Beautiful beach retreat with balcony, rooftop terrace, & ocean views
Beautiful beach retreat with balcony, rooftop terrace, & ocean views
Pismo Beach
Stay at this vacation home in Pismo Beach. Enjoy a water park, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Pismo Beach Pier and Oceano Dunes ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Awesome perfect clean place!!
"Great location! Very comfortable and had everything we needed! Thanks for the use of your surf board, towels, very comfortable beds and beautiful kitchen area! We absolutely loved your place!!"

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2024

Beautiful beach retreat with balcony, rooftop terrace, & ocean views
One block to beach access - View
One block to beach access - View
Pismo Beach
Stay at this vacation home in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Tastes of the Valleys Wine Bar & Shop and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (100 reviews)
Great location!
"The spacious house is perfect for a girls getaway. There were 5 ladies and we had our room. So close to restaurants and the pier. The host is super nice and responding within 15 minutes Thank you for a great weekend!"

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2023

One block to beach access - View
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Pismo Beach

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
18
" "5 - Excellent 46.15384615384615%
4 - Good
17
" "4 - Good 43.58974358974359%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 5.128205128205129%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 5.128205128205129%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
17 Oct 2019

Boy spent a night there so only visited the hotels and the beach itself

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Oct 2019

Lovely place to stop off on a route 1 trip.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Sep 2019

Excellent wee place beautiful surroundings Defo on my route for my next holiday in california

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
19 Aug 2019

Loved Pismo just hotel over priced and badly run

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
17 Aug 2019

Bad choice for us

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Aug 2019

Cracked Crab is definitely worth a visit (and possibly a wait ). Ventana Grill also really good.