Pismo Beach

San Luis Obispo County

Pismo Beach, San Luis Obisp County, California
Pismo Beach, San Luis Obisp County, California

Pismo Beach

San Luis Obispo County


Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach is one of the leading destinations for beach-goers along California's central coast. The 6-mile-long beach is popular for swimming, surfing, sea kayaking, kite boarding, fishing, and clamming.

Just to the south of Pismo Beach, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area contains 5½ miles of beach open for vehicle use and acres of sand dunes allowing 4-wheel vehicles.



map of Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo County, CA

Highlights of the Pismo Beach Coastal Region

  • A 1370-foot pier for anglers and sightseers in Pismo Beach
  • Beach amenities such as restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, & picnic areas
  • Shell Beach with tide pools and coves
  • A series of parks along the bluffs over-looking the ocean
  • Camping at Pismo State Beach or Oceano Dunes
  • Coastal trails
  • 4-wheeling fun at Oceano Dunes
  • Festivals and events
  • Monarch Butterfly Grove
  • Guided nature tours
  • Horseback riding on the dunes
  • Kayaking through the Dinosaur Caves
  • Stand-up Paddleboarding around Shell Beach and Pismo Beach
Shell Beach, San Luis Obispo County, CA

Shell Beach



The Pismo Beach Community

The town of Pismo Beach and its surrounding communities have everything visitors to the area could want - ample lodging and restaurants of all price ranges, strong community resources such as parks and public transportation, and a variety of services and shops that support beach and ocean adventures.

Access to Pismo Beach

Pismo State Beach extends from the foot of Wilmar Street to the Santa Maria River. The section north of Pismo Creek is administered by the city. A number of good access points to Pismo Beach are found along the frontage area from the town of Pismo Beach south through Grover Beach and Oceano. Not all of them have more than streetside parking.

map of access points to Pismo Beach, CA
Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo County, CA

Pismo Beach


Public Transportation

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) provides public transportation around the Pismo Beach area. Their service extends south to Santa Maria and north to Hearst Castle.
Regional Transit Authority



City Parks

A string of city parks are found along the bluffs overlooking the ocean around Shell Beach. These provide wonderful bases where locals and visitors can park, enjoy spectacular ocean vistas, picnic, and often access the beach or connecting trails. Some have restrooms, picnic areas, playground equipment, and drinking fountains. North to south:

  • Palisades Bluff Parkway, Beachcomber Dr. - 1-mile trail along bluff, picnic tables, grass, stairway to beach
  • Ebb Tide Park, Ebb Tide Ct. - secluded park, grass, short path, ocean views
  • Spyglass Park, Seacliff Dr. - 4½ acre park, ocean views, access to 1½ mile sandy beach
  • Seacliff Park, Seacliff Dr. - grassy picnic area overlooking cove beach, tide pools
  • Eldwayen Ocean Park, Vista Del Mar St. - 1½-mile ocean front, stairs to sandy beach and tide pools
  • Margo Dodd Park, Cliff Ave. to Ocean Blvd. - Ocean views, beach access to tide pools
  • Dinosaur Caves Park, Price St. - 11-acre ocean front bluff, ocean vista, unique play area, restrooms
  • Shelter Cove, Price St., 3½-acres of open space, bluff-top walkway, stairs access Elmer Ross Beach

Beach Supplies

With the towns of Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and Oceano next to the beach, finding beach supplies and snacks usually only requires a short drive.

Pismo Yogurt, 187 Pomeroy Avenue
Price Street Market, 1100 Price Street
Pismo Food Store, 501 Price Street
Pismo Market, 700 Dolliver Street (Highway 1)
Pancho's Surf Shop, 181 Pomeroy Avenue
Grand Liquors, 816 West Grand Avenue
Starbucks, 1758 Grand Avenue
Vons 1758 Grand Ave.
Rite Aid Pharmacy 1690 Grand Ave.
Red Dirt Coffee House, 1452 East Grand Avenue


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Ocean Safety

California State Parks and Recreation cautions that "large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly." Learn more about ocean safety at CA State Parks: Ocean Safety