Page 98 - 2020 Travel Guide to California

PISMO BEACH
A celebration of Central California beach culture
»BEACHCOMB,
EXPLORE, ENJOY
THE COAST
Pismo Beach
Conference &
Visitors Bureau
experiencepismobeach.com
MIDWAY BETWEEN San Francisco and
Los Angeles on California’s Central Coast,
Pismo Beach’s central location makes it a
good home base for exploring the breath-
taking landscape as well as nearby
attractions like Hearst Castle and the wine
regions of Edna Valley, Paso Robles, Santa
Ynez and Santa Barbara.
THE PIER in Pismo Beach, above;
picnic at Pismo Beach, below.
View from the Coast
The Pismo Beach Pier dates to 1924, and has
recently re-opened after an $8.7-million
renovation project. It’s an optimal vantage
point from which to view Pismo Beach and
understand the interconnected nature of
the town and the Pacific Ocean. Its classic
appearance evokes the beauty and romance
of the California coastline, and the pier is a
natural gathering place for locals and visi-
tors alike. Two modified airstream trailers
will soon be added—a visitors’ center and a
vendor serving local cuisine. After the
annual Clam Festival in October, the Pier
Plaza will also face renovation, bringing
new options for visitors.
Varied Ocean Getaway Hotels
One of the benefits of its Central California
location is that Pismo Beach has a wide
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B Y J I L L K. R O B I N S O N
variety of lodging that lets guests enjoy
beauty and bounty of land and sea. From
oceanfront hotels with beautiful views to
affordable motels, family friendly vacation
rentals to upscale RV parks, there’s a room
that fits everyone’s style—including the style
of your canine best friend, because Pismo
Beach has several dog-friendly options. The
newest beachfront hotel, Vespera on Ocean,
a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel,
opened in October 2019 with an upscale
beach house-inspired design celebrating the
best of Pismo’s beach culture.
Pismo’s Great Outdoors
Measuring more than 900 acres, the Pismo
Preserve has diverse opportunities for out-
door enthusiasts. Gain access through
docent-led hikes, runs, bike rides and
horseback rides to more than 10 miles of
ranch roads and trails that weave through
rolling grasslands, oak woodlands and
coastal ridgelines with spectacular views of
the Pacific Ocean stretching from Port San
Luis all the way past the Oceano Dunes to
Point Sal. This vast landscape is a perfect
example of what makes Pismo Beach appeal
to those in search of California’s golden
past and an ideal coastal getaway.
PISMO BEACH CVB