EXPERIENCE
Pismo Beach
What will you experience?
EXPERIENCE
CELEBRATE
PLAN
LODGING
SPECIALS
BEACHES &
OUTDOORS
THINGS
TO DO
WINE
COUNTRY
RESTAURANTS
PLAN YOUR
VISIT
The earliest evidence of Chumash dates back 9,000 years
Civilization depended on ‘Pismo Clam’ and Pacific for sustenance
"PIZ-MU LEADS TO
PIZMO BEACH"
Spanish colonization of Alta California takes place from 1697-1821
Pismo Beach offers the best of California in one city. Beach lovers can walk for miles, exploring tidal zones, coves, and dunes as well as traditional beach blanket activities. California cool appears all over the walkable downtown, with boutiques and galleries touting beachwear, artisan crafts, and impressive local artwork. Wine enthusiasts will discover downtown tasting rooms and scores of winery estates within just a few miles. Outdoor adventurers can surf or paddle in the morning and hit the trails after a local lunch come afternoon.
California becomes a state after two-year California-Mexican War, 1846-48
John M. Price buys Rancho
del Pismo in 1882.
“MEXICAN SETTLEMENTS”
(1821)
Lodging Specials, Unhurried Lifestyle, Robust Ameninities, Make
Pismo Beach Perfect
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FEATURED STORY
More articles
in this series
PISMO BEACH WELCOMES YOUR PET OF THE YEAR!
You probably are already aware that pet adoptions rose rapidly during the past year.
READ MORE
EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT PAIRING OF WINE & WAVES
The Classic California beach town of Pismo Beach is your Wine & Waves destination.
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SOMETHING NEW JUST
FOR THE KIDS
Besides the outdoor activities, Pismo Beach has the coolest stuff for kids to enjoy!
READ MORE
"STOPOVER FOR
THE STARS"
(1930's)
"VACATION DESTINATION"
(1900's)
Pismo Beach Established
Pismo Beach was incorporated on April 25, 1946. The city will celebrate its diamond anniversary with special events and lodging specials throughout the year. Of course, the area’s history goes back much, much farther, at least 9,000 years, according to artifacts related to the Chumash Nation, the area’s indigenous people. Spanish colonists and missionaries arrived in 1697, followed by Mexican settlers in 1821. Pismo Beach founder John Price first established a community here in the 1850s, shortly after California became a state in 1948. By the beginning of the 20th century, Pismo Beach had become known as a popular tourist destination. The rest, as they say, is history, a story that is still being written today.
Celebrating 75 years of Pismo Beach
Filled with fun, sun, and celebrations. Book your stay now!
880-acre Pismo Preserve opens with 11 miles of bike, hike, and equestrian trails
Pismo Beach clams recognized across the world
After two failed attempts, residents incorporate Pismo Beach on April 25th, 1946
BACK TO BEGINNING
You probably are already aware that pet adoptions rose rapidly during the past year. So much that on December 9, 2020, Time Magazine proclaimed “Rescue Animals Are TIME's 2020 Pet of the Year” and into 2021, pet adoptions are still increasing! This includes some of Pismo Beach’s biggest fans adopting a new canine family member and with spring and summer travel on everyone’s mind, it’s important to know that you don’t have to leave your faithful family members behind. Pismo Beach lodgings offer a great selection of Dog Friendly hotels, vacation rentals, and RV parks to choose from and has accommodations for all sizes and shapes of canine guests. Some of the things to know about dog friendly lodging is that term "dog-friendly" can mean a lot of things to different people. When a hotel or other accommodation advertises themselves as dog-friendly, it means that they will allow dogs - although restrictions may apply. Travelers with dogs should always remember to confirm dog policies before booking. An accommodation's "dog-friendly" policy can change for several reasons, including new management. Check out the listings on our website for Pismo Beach's Dog Friendly Lodging.
Pismo Beach Welcomes
Your Pet of the Year!
Experience the Perfect Pairing of Wine & Waves
The Classic California beach town of Pismo Beach is your Wine & Waves destination. Located on California's famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Pacific Coast Highway and US-Highway 101, Pismo Beach overlooks 26 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, offering great weather, a plethora of outdoor activities, rich nature preserves, seaport-inspired cuisine and fresh farmland produce, downtown wine tasting, and neighboring wine producing regions of Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Avila Valley, Paso Robles, and Santa Maria Valley Pismo Beach offers the perfect pairing of Wine & Waves with a “Classic California” experience and a variety of lodging choices accommodating every budget and lifestyle.
Something new just
for the kids
Pismo Beach has the coolest stuff for kids to enjoy in addition to our beautiful beach and all the great outdoor activities available to explore! Our new Whale Surfing Playground is located in the recently opened Pier Plaza. Situated near the beach, the colors and elements of the playground are inspired by the surrounding nature. The main objects on the playground are the Humpback whale, the Clam slide and the surfboards. The floor design combines the elements and the story. The Humpback whale is already an iconic creature in the area but the playground and scenario create an even more memorable experience of the place. The inspiration for this Whale Surfing playground is found in the marine life, surfing culture and local nature around Pismo Beach. To create an adventurous scenario, the surfing is combined with the fascinating natural phenomenon of a Humpback Whale Breaching and creating waves. Kid’s imaginations will run wild on this exciting and enchanting nautical adventure playground as they will enjoy endless play and fun under the sun in Pismo Beach.
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Central California wines have come on huge in the past decade and Pismo Beach is minutes away from the center of the hubbub. You can travel from your beach chair or hotel terrace to the serene Edna Valley in just five miles. Here you'll discover wineries and tasting rooms set in contemporary architecture and a historical schoolhouse. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes take full advantage of the area’s unique soil composition formed by volcanic ash and sea floor. The Arroyo Grande Valley adds farm stands to a diverse topography that produces Cabs, Syrah, and Zinfandel as well as Pinots and Chards.
California has always been about adventure, whether we think of kayaking, cycling, or, naturally, surfing. The recently restored Pismo Pier is the perfect vantage point to watch surfers ride the fabled Pismo Beach break. Paddlers can explore sea caves and coves by putting in right on the beach just off the boardwalk. ATV enthusiasts head to the dunes for serious sand. Hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians ride on numerous trails throughout the region, including 14 miles through the restored Pismo Preserve, the site of some of the finest Pacific Ocean vistas in the area. After all this activity, it’s good to know that Pismo Beach is home to an array of lodging options and dozens of independent restaurants.
Clark Gable, Orson Wells & Other Stars Stay at Pismo Beach Inn enroute to Hearst’s San Simeon
Pismo Beach first holiday visitors arrive in early 1900s
"PISMO BEACH INCORPORATED"
(1946)
"CLAM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD"
(1963)
Mexico establishes rancheros beginning in 1821
"CALIFORNIA STATEHOOD"
(1848)
"CITY FOUNDER
JOHN M. PRICE"
(1850s)
"CHUMASH NATION"
(9,000 years ago)
“OCEAN BASED
CHUMASH CULTURE”
(9,000 BP – 1697)
Chumash used ‘Piz-mu’, a tar-like substance to mend dugout canoes
"SPANISH ARRIVAL"
(1697)
"PISMO PRESERVE OPENS"
(January 2020)
SUMMER 2021
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Autumn Lodging Specials, Open Space & Enticing Amenities Await in Pismo
Beach
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FEATURED STORY