Guide to Pismo Beach: Lodging, Restaurants, Things to Do and More

If you are looking for fun, recreation, or just pure relaxation, whether it's on a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, you can find it in Pismo Beach. This classic California beach town has over 23 miles of beautiful beaches on which to play, scores of restaurants with great food, and a variety of places to stay from budget hotels to luxury suites. Start planning your visit to Pismo Beach with this travel guide to Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach Travel Guide: Lodging

There are hotels, RV Parks, vacation rentals, and campgrounds in Pismo Beach. Below are some of the top hotels. Please contact Pismo Beach Visitor Center (see last page) for information on other types of accommodations.

Cliffs Resort: Oceanfront full-service luxury resort with gourmet restaurant on site. Fitness center, day spa. Non-smoking resort. $159 & up.

Cottage Inn by the Sea: Themed as English thatched cottages set atop a bluff overlooking sweeping ocean views. Romantic extra touches, including fireplaces in the rooms. Non-smoking. Complimentary breakfast. $167 & up.

Pismo Lighthouse Suites: All-suite oceanfront hotel with 2 bedroom, 2 bath suites. Non-smoking. Complimentary breakfast. $249 & up.

Sandcastle Inn: Set directly on the sand on Pismo Beach. Within easy walking distance of the Pismo Pier, restaurants, and shopping. Great location, comfortable rooms. $167 & up.

Spyglass Inn: Set on the bluffs above the ocean. One of the most reasonably priced oceanfront hotels in the area. $143 & up.

Pismo Beach Travel Guide: Restaurants

People visiting Pismo Beach are generally looking for great steak and seafood. The top steak and seafood restaurants are listed below. For Italian, Mexican, and other restaurants, take a look at the Pismo Visitors' Information website.

McLintock's Saloon & Dining House: Famous for its steak, McLintock's also serves seafood and pasta. Family atmosphere. Kids under 12 eat steak free.

Pierside: As its name suggests, this restaurant and bar is near the pier. Indoor and outdoor dining for appetizers, lunch, and dinner. Great views of the ocean & pier. Well-known for their fish & chips.

Splash Café: Located in the tourist district near the pier, the Splash Café is famous for its clam chowder in a sourdough bowl. Sometimes there's a line halfway around the block, so plan in advance.

Steamers: For an elegant lunch or dinner and stunning panoramic ocean views, try Steamers on the bluffs. Featuring fresh seafood, pasta, and steaks, Steamers also has a California coastal wine menu and a full service lounge where you can enjoy happy hour and appetizers before your meal. Open Table Diners' Choice 2009 winner.

Pismo Beach Travel Guide: Things to Do

Since Pismo Beach celebrates the ocean, practically any ocean-related activity can be found here. Surf-fishing, sea kayaking, surfing, boogie boarding, fishing off the 1,200-foot long pier, sandcastle building, whale watching, scuba diving, and many more ocean-related things to do can be found in Pismo Beach.

Pismo has many land-based things to do for its visitors as well. The Oceano Dunes attracts quite a number of people to its sand dunes for camping, nature observation, and recreation. You can ride your ATV over the extensive sand dunes - one of the few places in California you can do so. In fact, the beach at Oceano Dunes SVRA is the last beach left in California where you can legally drive your car.

Other things to do in Pismo are horseback riding on the beach, golfing, Hummer beach & dunes tours, clamming, wildlife watching, and shopping. From November through February, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate to the Monarch Butterfly Grove and roost in huge clusters in the trees. If you are in the area during this time of year, this is a must-see. Tours are free.

Near Pismo Beach is Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs, where you can go to rent an outdoor mineral spring hot tub with a deck during the day or under the stars at night. They also offer spa treatments, accommodations, and various packages.

From Pismo Beach you can take wine tasting tours in the nearby Edna Valley, increasingly recognized for its fine wines. Pismo Beach itself also has a winery and wine tasting room on Five Cities Drive. Ask about their annual Central Coast Wine Classic held in July.

Pismo Beach celebrates a variety of festivals and events during the year, including the Clam Festival, the 4^th of July fireworks show off the pier, the October Jazz Festival, various kite boarding and surfing events, a weekly farmers' market, and outdoor art exhibits. Check the calendar on the Pismo Beach Visitor Center's website to see what's happening and when.

Pismo Beach Visitor Center

The Pismo Beach Visitors Information Center is located at 581 Dolliver Street (Hwy. 1) at Hinds Ave., near the tourist district. It is well worth a stop there at the beginning of your stay in Pismo Beach. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone them at 800-443-7778 or locally at 805-773-4382.