Pismo Beach is a classic California beach town in San Luis Obispo County, on California’s Central Coast. It offers small-town charm and traditional seaside activities along miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches, plus 21st-century amenities like fine food and comfy, upscale lodgings. Life happens at a blissfully slow pace in Pismo Beach. Yet there are plenty of activities for visitors of all types and ages.
Long before European settlers arrived, the Chumash people inhabited the region. They were hunter-gatherers and fishers, and the abundant marine life, including Pismo clams, was a vital food source. Later, tourists came to dig for the clams, and while they are no longer as abundant as they once were, clam digging is still a popular pastime, and the Pismo clam remains an iconic symbol of the area. Pismo Beach is also one of the largest monarch butterfly overwintering sites in the United States. Between October and February, thousands of monarch butterflies cluster in the trees at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove.
Wine tasting is a popular pastime in these parts. Pismo Beach edges SLO Coast AVA – which includes the nearby Arroyo Grande and Edna Valley sub-appellations. Beyond the beach, the surrounding areas offer hiking, golfing, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities.
This itinerary guides you through the best Pismo Beach has to offer, from exploring the Monarch Butterfly Grove to tasting world-famous clam chowder and capturing Insta-worthy sunset moments.
Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Honeymoon Cafe, Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Penny's All American Cafe, Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Pismo Beach Surf Shop, Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Pismo Preserve, Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Wooly's, Pomeroy Avenue, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Cracked Crab, Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Talley Vineyards, Lopez Drive, Arroyo Grande, CA, USA
Monarch Butterfly Grove, South Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Dinosaur Caves Park, Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Ventana Grill, Price Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Pequin Coastal Cocina, Stimson Avenue, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection, Stimson Avenue, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Inn at the Pier Pismo Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton, Cypress Street, Pismo Beach, CA, USA
Best Places for Breakfast in the San Luis Obispo area
Honeymoon Cafe
Kick-start your day at Honeymoon Café, where you can fill up on healthy, organic options for breakfast and lunch. Favorites include the carnitas chilaquiles, hearty burritos, bowls, smoothies, sandos, and salads.
Penny's All American Cafe
Family-owned and operated, Penny’s serves homestyle, cooked-to-order breakfast and lunch. The menu includes various omelettes (try the Pismo Pier, with lobster, shrimp, and cheese topped with hollandaise), scrambles, pancakes, waffles, and Mexican dishes.
Best Things To Do in the Morning in the San Luis Obispo area
Spend the morning at the beach, learning to surf. In addition to Pismo Beach Surf Shop, highlighted below, consider lessons with Pismo Beach Surf Academy, Sandbar Surf School, or Central Coast Surf School. The surf shop also offers many other land- and water-based activities, and gear rentals.
Learn to surf
Take a surf lesson at Pismo Beach Surf Shop. They offer lessons for all levels, typically two-hour sessions early in the morning (this might be a Before Breakfast activity). If you don’t want to surf, sign up for a kayak or kayak fishing tour, or rent a SUP or bike and paddle or pedal along the coast.
Best Places for Lunch in the San Luis Obispo area
Cracked Crab
In a cozy, casual space in the heart of town, Cracked Crab dishes up the freshest seafood catch available (the menu changes daily, depending on the catch). Splurge on the house specialty buckets, dumped on your table along with sauces and various fixings.
Wooly's Pismo Beach
Dine beachfront near the pier at Wooly’s Pismo Beach bar and grill. Try the chowder fries skillet (waffle fries topped with clam chowder and more), tasty tacos, burgers on brioche buns, or the famous steamed clams. The popular bar serves an array of beachy beverages.
Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in the San Luis Obispo area
Mingle with monarch butterflies
Best Places for Dinner in the San Luis Obispo area
Pequín Coastal Cocina
In a sleek, contemporary space at Vespera Resort, across from the sand and steps from the pier, Pequín serves Baja California coastal dishes with a Pismo Beach twist. The hotel bar’s extensive list of wines, tequilas, mezcals, beers, and creative cocktails, along with live music most weekends, served indoors or outdoors near fire pits, fuels the lively ambience.
Best Places to Stay in the San Luis Obispo area
Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach
On the edge of the boardwalk, across from the beach and steps from the pier, stylish Vespera offers upscale, casual lodgings in the heart of Pismo’s tourist district, along with a slew of amenities, including valet parking and on-site restaurant and bar.
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