From late October to February, the Eucalyptus trees are lit up with flashes of black and bright orange as the butterflies take to Pismo Beach as their chosen resting spot, an essential part of their migration.

If there is only one thing you will tick off your list of things to do in Pismo Beach, make it this one.

The grove is easily accessible via Highway 1.

The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for vehicle day use. Day-use passes are sold on a first come first serve basis at the beach entry kiosks at Grand Avenue and Pier Avenue. Day-use passes are $5 per vehicle. Best conditions are at low tide, the speed limit is 15 mph and staying on the hard packed sand will keep you out of trouble.

This is a must-do experience. You can drive your car onto the hard sand, spend time in the sand and water and even build a bonfire.

October 19th & 20th, 2024 (Saturday & Sunday)

A community tradition since 1946, the annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival, attracts generations of families and visitors from all around, who look forward to spending three days overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Pismo Beach.

This family friendly event features the Clam Festival parade on Saturday morning at 10am. The Clam Festival is a free event that includes live music, local vendors and food trucks, and a huge FREE Kids Zone that includes bounce houses and inflatables!

Saturday’s best local clam chowder cook-off contest is a crowd favorite where local Pismo Beach restaurants get the chance to compete for the title of Best Local Clam Chowder Winner.

We highly recommend riding ATVs at Oceano Dunes! Early online reservations are recommended at Steve's ATV rentals. They have ATVs for first-timers to pros. Buggies are also available. Bring a scarf mask for the sand!

Stroll the pier and the boardwalk! At 12,000 feet, it is long enough for a stroll to watch the waves and the surfers down below. End to end is half a mile round trip, so many people pair this with a stroll along the boardwalk that runs parallel to the beach.

There are lots of restaurants in downtown Pismo Beach. However, for a less touristy vibe, we also recommend eating in neighboring Grover Beach or Arroyo Grande.

At over 900 acres, the Pismo Preserve offers truly exceptional and diverse recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors will enjoy over 10 miles of existing ranch roads and trails that meander throughout the property offering ready-to-use routes ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. These trails traverse serene oak woodlands and coastal ridge lines with stunning panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean stretching from the Irish Hills to Point Sal.

Located just off California’s scenic Highway 101, existing access off Mattie Road leads to a parking area. Additionally, trails on the Pismo Preserve will provide connections to and from several major hiking and biking trails.

Avila Beach offers a spacious expanse of gorgeous white sand and is everything you want from a beach.

It is popular with families thanks to its shallow, calm waves, and the SLO Creek offers further opportunities for playing in the water.

Beach access stairway with on-street parking. Take in spectacular ocean vistas from this ocean viewing point. Use the newly constructed wooden stairway to access the beach. The Pier is just a short walk away along the beach.

Directions

North 101: Wadsworth exit, make a left on Price Street to Wilmar

South 101: Price Street exit, take Price Street to Wilmar

Kayak to the Pismo Beach Coves and Caves

Fisherman Beach is one of the most popular launch spots, and if you don’t have your own kayak, you can rent it from Avila Beach Paddlesports.

RENTAL PRICING AND INFO

All of our rentals include life jackets and paddles to accompany our high quality and durable crafts. We also include free instruction for first timers and a guided explanation of the route to experience sea life (otters, seals, star fish, etc), a private beach that is only accessible to the public by water, the historic Port San Luis Lighthouse and much more at no extra cost!

SINGLE KAYAKS

2 Hour Rental - $35

4 Hour Rental - $50

TANDEM KAYAKS

2 Hour Rental - $50

4 Hour Rental - $65

STAND UP PADDLE BOARDS (SUP)

2 Hour Rental - $35

4 Hour Rental - $50

A 1½-mile oceanfront park with:

Grassy recreation area

On-street parking

Picnic table and benches

Stairs to a sandy beach

Tide pools

Tide pool once you take the stairs down to the beach.

Secluded park located at the end of Ebb Tide Court.

Beautiful grassy area with short cement pathway.

Amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

Morro Bay is a 30 minute drive away.

Morro Bay is a seaside getaway located right off scenic Highway 1 on the Central Coast of California.

The centerpiece of this coastal haven? Morro Rock— a volcanic monolith rising from the depths of the sea. This rock has guided generations of fish captains home, their holds brimming with the freshest California catch. It peels off perfect Central Coast waves, delighting surfers and young whitewash adventurers alike. It’s a salt-rimmed beacon, the guardian of fresh oyster beds, home to seals and sea birds.

San Luis Obispo (SLO) is 15 minutes away. A quaint downtown core and friendly hospitality give SLO a distinct small-town feel. Think of downtown SLO as a hub. From there, you can discover a different vibe in every neighborhood: MoJo, where good vibes abound; the historical Railroad District; and artsy LoBro, where you’re just as likely to raise a paintbrush as a glass of wine.