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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Pismo
Beach Classic California
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Located
along California’s Central Coast, and widely recognized
as the Clam Capital of the World, Pismo Beach -- named
after the Pismo Clam --is a treasure trove for the traveler
--from wineries to shopping to wide, expansive beaches
perfect for surfing, horseback riding, or strolling.
Of course, the beach is often the main reason visitors
come to this part of California and Pismo Beach does
not disappoint. There is more than 10 miles of shoreline
that is ready for exploration, each small section just
a little different than the one preceding it—a
kaleidoscope offering everything from wide, sandy beaches
for sun worshippers to craggy shoreline perfect for
finding tide pools, sea caves and various forms of sea
life.
The city’s centerpiece is the Pismo Beach Pier,
stretching out 1,370 feet over the Pacific Ocean, the
pier serves as an icon and tourist draw. With its wooden
planks and neatly painted white railings, the pier is
an inviting place to wander and view the activity on
the beach below.
A snack shop on the pier serves popcorn, sodas, candy,
peanuts, souvenirs, and fishing bait and like all California
public piers, you can fish free here. But what makes
the Pismo Pier different is the fact that it never closes,
offering anglers nighttime shark fishing, a time-honored
tradition in the area. Sand sharks, leopard sharks,
shovel nose sharks and rays put up quite a fight, providing
a real challenge for those who want it.
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But if you’re just looking for a way relax, plenty
of wooden benches and some picnic tables along the pier
offer opportunities for reading, dining, and people watching,
as well as a perfect spot to catch a glimpse of several
variations of dolphins and porpoises as they frolic in the
surf below. Seals, sea otters, and the occasional gray whale
also are often sighted in the area, especially in the winter
months. Whale watching excursions are available at several
locations for a more up close and personal look at these
magnificent creatures of the deep.
The pier is the anchor to downtown shopping along Pomeroy
Street, with its unique boutiques-like Moon Doggies Beach
Club and Poncho’s Surf Shop—all seeped in
classic 60s beach vibe and all with their own individual
hand painted storefront murals.
Sprinkled along the narrow streets of
the downtown area you will also find numerous waterfront-lodging
choices that allow visitors to stay within walking distance
of the beach, as well as having easy access to some of
the area’s best eateries such as The Splash Cafe.
Known throughout California for having
the best clam chowder west of Boston, locals and tourist
line up around the corner of the building to wait for
a table and a cup of the award-winning steamy, hot chowder
or other seafood platters that include some of the best
fish tacos on the planet.
Just down from the Splash Café
on Pomeroy is the arcade and rentals of bicycles, beach
umbrellas, and other items you may need to make your day
at the beach more fun.
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A tourist favorite is Oceano
Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). Formerly
known as Pismo Dunes SVRA.
This beautiful beach with its towering
sand dunes offers a wide range of activities from swimming,
surfing, sunbathing, fishing, bird watching, or hiking
on its trails. At the north end of the beach there are
some very picturesque cliffs (including some spectacular
white cliffs), upon which houses and more hotels are perched.
On the other end are the dunes, a very popular place with
off-roaders, as it is the only beach in the state where
you can drive vehicles on the beach. The park contains
both areas of beach where cars are allowed, and areas
where they are not, allowing for other activities such
horseback riding in the surf.
There are a couple of places to rent ATV’s
located at the entrance of Oceano Dunes, as well as Pacific
Adventure Tours where adventurers can experience the wild
terrain of the Pismo Dunes while riding in a real USMC
Humvee.
Camping is allowed on the beach and in
the open dune area. Vault toilets and chemical toilets
are provided, and water-delivery and holding-tank pump-out
services are available on the beach. Campsites are available
by reservation year-round and can be made from 10 days
to six months in advance.
As you might expect, the area's golf courses
take full advantage of the scenic beauty and the ocean
breezes making even the warmest days ideal for getting
a little exercise on the links, and the Pismo State Beach
Gold Course is an excellent course for sharpening up your
short game. This executive par-3 course runs right along
the ocean, as is suitable for all skill levels
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Just a few blocks from the golf course, you will find
one of the Central Coasts’ best and newest wineries—Pismo
Beach Winery. This boutique winery is family owned and
operated and specializes in small lot handcrafted wines,
crushed and bottled from grapes grown right in Pismo Beach.
The tasting room is open daily and is located just behind
the Pismo Beach Premium Outlet Mall.
The mall is then only one of its kind
on the Central Coast and includes stores: Ralph Lauren,
Shoe Pavilion, Dress Barn, Carters, OshKosh, Bass, Mikasa,
Calvin Klein, Journeys, DC shoes, Vans, Van Heusen, and
Tommy Hilfiger to name a few.
Finally, after a day at the beach, shopping,
or zipping over sand dunes, two good places to unwind
are Harry's Night Club and Beach Bar located in the heart
of downtown, and Scotty's Bar and Grill. Harry’s
combines, a good old beach hangout ambiance with live
music and libations, while Scotty’s is a great place
to have a drink, spend time with friends, and watch your
favorite team on one of the many big screens scattered
around the huge wooden bar.
Pismo Beach has it all and the atmosphere
ranges from peaceful, free spirited, and relaxed to adventurous
and downright exciting.
Located just three hours from Los Angles
and four from south Orange County, Pismo Beach is a perfect
destination for a weekend getaway or a week long vacation.
Article by Matthew Martz
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Pismo Beach
Area Campgrounds |
Pismo
Beach State Beach - Pismo State Beach offers
all kinds of attractions: hiking, swimming and surf fishing
and the annual winter migration of millions of monarch butterflies.
Tree-lined beach is also popular with bird watchers. |
Oceano
Dunes SVRA - Ocean Dune State Vehicular Recreation
Area has 1,500 acres, featuring beach and sand dune riding.
Thousands of off-highway vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the beach
dunes of this SVRA most weekends during the summer. |
Pacifci
Dunes Ranch RV Resort - Bring your family to
the Pismo Beach area's most unique RV resort, nestled among
the dunes of the beautiful Oceano Preserve. You'll enjoy
breathtaking vistas and trails to the beach. Pismo Beach
5 miles |
Montana
De Oro State Park - Park features over 8,000
acres of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal
plains, streams, canyons, and hills. Naturalists and backpackers
enjoy the solitude and freedom found along the park trails.
Pismo Beach 13 miles. |
Morro
Bay State Park- Morro Bay State Park features
lagoon and natural bay habitat. The bay's most prominent
landmark is Morro Rock. The park has opportunities for sailing
fishing, hiking, and bird watching. Pismo Beach 16 miles.
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Hearst
Castle should
be the top of list for every central coast visitor. |
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Oceano
Dunes Drive and camp on the beach minutes
from Pismo. |
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Morro
Bay Fishing trips,
kayaks and harbor tours. 25 miles from Pismo. |
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