Pismo Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Pismo Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau
Pismo Beach Pier which includes fishing as well as a small group of people
Pismo Beach which includes general coastal views and waves
Pismo Beach showing a sandy beach as well as a couple
Pismo Beach showing 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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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 Surf Shop.

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 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 £129 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£129
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,559 reviews)
"This is our second time staying here and we love it. We have a toddler and I love that there is a separate sitting room for when he sleeps. I always feel so comfortable and safe. Staff is always pleasant. This is where I plan on staying every time I’m looking to go have a little get a way to the ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Oxford Suites Pismo Beach
Edgewater Inn And Suites
Edgewater Inn And Suites
2 out of 5
280 Wadsworth Ave, Pismo Beach, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £276 per night from 25 Jul to 26 Jul
£276
25 Jul - 26 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach motel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,129 reviews)
"Ocean view nice, but costs more. Kids enjoyed the heated pool."

Reviewed on 2 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 £226 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£226
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,066 reviews)
"Property is a little worn..,but super clean and comfortable. We really enjoyed our stay. Easy access to the beach by a stairway. Fireplace (gas) in our room. Refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker in room. Fire pits and chairs overlooking the ocean. Nice pool and hot tub. Friendly and helpful staff. ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 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.
Five minute walk to Pismo Beach!
Five minute walk to Pismo Beach!
Pismo Beach, CA
Stay at this cabin in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and balconies. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (126 reviews)
"Thank you for a wonderful stay! We had an amazing time and this condo is a gem! Perfect location, clean and well equipped. Appreciate it"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Five minute walk to Pismo Beach!
Ocean-View Luxury at Valentina Suites - Suite 201
Ocean-View Luxury at Valentina Suites - Suite 201
Pismo Beach, California
Stay at this condo in Pismo Beach. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Pismo Beach Pier and Oceano Dunes State ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Great place and great location!
"My wife and I rented Valentina Suites 201 to meet our son and his wife for Memorial Day weekend in Pismo Beach. The place was great and clean. Also, a short walk to the beach and some good restaurants. Next time we are in Pismo, we will want to rent this again."

Reviewed on 28 May 2025

Ocean-View Luxury at Valentina Suites - Suite 201
Great Location/Easy Beach Access/Walking Distance to Downtown Pier Area
Great Location/Easy Beach Access/Walking Distance to Downtown Pier Area
Pismo Beach, CA
Stay at this condo in Pismo Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and balconies. Popular attractions Pismo Beach Pier and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (36 reviews)
Great location and very clean
"We loved staying at the condo, enjoyed the short walk to beach and our host was excellent!. Only thing we did not love is that the beds and the pull out beds they were not very comfortable I would say the mattresses worn out. But overall the stay was a good one for us."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

Great Location/Easy Beach Access/Walking Distance to Downtown Pier Area
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.

Cities near Pismo Beach