Pismo Beach

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau
Pismo Beach Pier showing fishing as well as a small group of people
Pismo Beach which includes surf and general coastal views
Pismo Beach featuring views, general coastal views and a beach
Pismo Beach featuring a lake or waterhole

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 centre 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 centre, 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 metres) 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 kilometres) 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 Centre in Guadalupe, about 16 miles (26 kilometres) 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 Beach Surf Shop 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, Eldwayen Ocean Park is worth a stop.

Shell Beach
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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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Pismo Heights

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

Pismo Heights
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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 Pismo Preserve.

Saint Andrews
Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
2.5 out of 5
651 Five Cities Dr, Pismo Beach, CA
The price is RM590 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
RM590
RM725 total
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,581 reviews)
"Clean rooms , family friendly"

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
Edgewater Inn And Suites
Edgewater Inn And Suites
2 out of 5
280 Wadsworth Ave, Pismo Beach, CA
The price is RM1,186 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
RM1,186
RM1,358 total
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a 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! (2,155 reviews)
"As many said property is little outdate but location is perfect, everything is walkable, beach access is right in front of parking. Staff is very friendly and they always have cookies available."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Edgewater Inn And Suites
Cottage Inn By The Sea
Cottage Inn By The Sea
3 out of 5
2351 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA
The price is RM982 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
RM982
RM1,127 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,064 reviews)
"The property was charming and the grounds were maintained and attractive. We loved being able to open the windows in our room so we could feel the sea breeze and sleep with the sound of the waves."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Cottage Inn By The Sea
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.
Flying Flags Avila Beach
Flying Flags Avila Beach
3 out of 5
6450 Babe Ln, Avila Beach, CA
Stay at this 3-star beach cottage in Avila Beach. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities, and a gift shop. Popular attractions Avila Hot Springs and Fisherman's ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (83 reviews)
"Enjoyed my stay, would definitely be staying here again. Great amenities and service."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Flying Flags Avila Beach
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
3 out of 5
7075 Ontario Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA
Stay at this 3-star cabin in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Avila Hot Springs and Pismo Beach Pier ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (25 reviews)
"We came at a great time of the year. Very quiet and not too many people here right now. We've enjoyed the pool and hot tub all to ourselves. This place is right next door to the natural hot springs and public swimming pool. There's a cute little farm across the street...this is an awesome place for ..."

Reviewed on 13 May 2025

Avila Pismo RV Resort and Campground
SLO Brew Lofts
SLO Brew Lofts
4 out of 5
738 Higuera, San Luis Obispo, CA
Stay at this 4-star condo in San Luis Obispo. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Bubblegum Alley and Downtown SLO ...
9/10 Wonderful! (86 reviews)
"This is our second stay at the Lofts and we will certainly be back again. Such unique and gorgeous rooms and amenities. Check in is super easy and they provide parking passes for a nearby parking garage. The Lofts are right in the heart of downtown SLO providing a cool vibe that is super convenient ..."

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

SLO Brew Lofts
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%
4 - Good
17
4 - Good 44%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely place to stop off on a route 1 trip.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Loved Pismo just hotel over priced and badly run

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

Bad choice for us

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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