Pismo Beach Guidebook
Food scene
This is a great casual, local authentic Mexican food restaurant. Counter service for dining in or order to go and enjoy on the beach!
12 locals recommend
Efren's Deli
1720 Beach StThis is a great casual, local authentic Mexican food restaurant. Counter service for dining in or order to go and enjoy on the beach!
A local favorite for casual full service Mexican food! They also have great breakfast.
66 locals recommend
Zorro's Cafe & Cantina
927 Shell Beach RdA local favorite for casual full service Mexican food! They also have great breakfast.
Me and Z's
1351 E Grand AveDelicious Mexican food - meals include a salad and ice cream!
Finer dining with an ocean view! This cali-mexi infused food is a perfect date night getaway. Get there in time to watch the sunset!
96 locals recommend
Ventana Grill
2575 Price StFiner dining with an ocean view! This cali-mexi infused food is a perfect date night getaway. Get there in time to watch the sunset!
Hapy Bistro
821 N Oak Park BlvdSuper delicious Mediterranean food!
Cracked Crab
751 Price StJust like the name - they have tons of seafood options!
We love the gyros! And if it's your first time here, baklava is on the house!
29 locals recommend
Jaffa Cafe
206 E Branch StWe love the gyros! And if it's your first time here, baklava is on the house!
A tourist favorite! Counter service seafood. Take it to go & enjoy it on the beach!
83 locals recommend
Splash Café Pismo Beach
197 Pomeroy AveA tourist favorite! Counter service seafood. Take it to go & enjoy it on the beach!
Fine Dining with an ocean view. We love this place when we are celebrating special occasions!
7 locals recommend
Vista Steak and Seafood
1601 Price StreetFine Dining with an ocean view. We love this place when we are celebrating special occasions!
Ada’s Fish House
558 Price StreetJust like it sounds - enjoy some fish!
Sushi 805
460 W Grand AveAll you can eat sushi!! Need I say more.
Yanagi Sushi & Grill
555 James WayOnly place in town with Tempenyaki tables.
Kanpai Sushi
2665 Shell Beach RdSushi in shell beach. It's delicious.
Italian food with homemade pasta! The gelato is a must try.
65 locals recommend
Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana
891 Price StItalian food with homemade pasta! The gelato is a must try.
Italian food with homemade pasta and bread! Ravioli's are made in house - and they're amazing!
38 locals recommend
Rosa's Italian Restaurant
491 Price StItalian food with homemade pasta and bread! Ravioli's are made in house - and they're amazing!
Beachfront dining from their rooftop restaurant. Enjoy dinner & a sunset.
7 locals recommend
SeaVenture Beach Hotel
100 Ocean View AveBeachfront dining from their rooftop restaurant. Enjoy dinner & a sunset.
Fine dining off of the Pismo Cliffs. Great outdoor seating!
27 locals recommend
Lido Restaurant & Lounge
2727 Shell Beach RdFine dining off of the Pismo Cliffs. Great outdoor seating!
Oyster Loft
101 Pomeroy AveFine dining located right by the Pismo Pier.
Ember Restaurant
1200 E Grand AveAll the vibes. This fine dining is a perfect date night spot!
Have a relaxing day in your own private natural hot spring. Each bath uses natural water from the titular hot springs and is famously refreshing. Then end your time in one of our all time favorite restaurants that is on site here. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with some farm to table food options on their seasonal menu.
105 locals recommend
Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort
1215 Avila Beach DrHave a relaxing day in your own private natural hot spring. Each bath uses natural water from the titular hot springs and is famously refreshing. Then end your time in one of our all time favorite restaurants that is on site here. Enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with some farm to table food options on their seasonal menu.
A kids (and adults) favorite! Come and feed and pet the goats, chickens, ponies, llamas and cows! Enjoy seasonal festivities like pumpkin picking, hay rides, pony rides, flower picking & berry and apple picking. Their market features fresh pies, bread & pastry items! Fun for the whole family.
144 locals recommend
Avila Valley Barn
560 Avila Beach DrA kids (and adults) favorite! Come and feed and pet the goats, chickens, ponies, llamas and cows! Enjoy seasonal festivities like pumpkin picking, hay rides, pony rides, flower picking & berry and apple picking. Their market features fresh pies, bread & pastry items! Fun for the whole family.
If you want to grab some food & go or need some last minute groceries, this is a convenient place to stop. From premade sandwiches, salad bar, hot deli, fried chicken, sushi, smoothies to coffee, this grocery store is sure to have an option for everyone in your party.
80 locals recommend
California Fresh Market
771 Foothill BlvdIf you want to grab some food & go or need some last minute groceries, this is a convenient place to stop. From premade sandwiches, salad bar, hot deli, fried chicken, sushi, smoothies to coffee, this grocery store is sure to have an option for everyone in your party.
Sightseeing
From about November through February, this is a must see as monarch butterflies migrate to this area!
141 locals recommend
Monarch Butterfly Grove
400 South Dolliver StreetFrom about November through February, this is a must see as monarch butterflies migrate to this area!
Every Thursday evening, head to downtown SLO (San Luis Obispo) to taste and experience what SLO living has to offer!
150 locals recommend
Downtown SLO Farmers' Market
Higuera StreetEvery Thursday evening, head to downtown SLO (San Luis Obispo) to taste and experience what SLO living has to offer!
If the beach by the house is ever windy, head on over to Avila Beach. It is tucked away in a cove so it is typically warmer and less windy than Pismo Beach.
329 locals recommend
Avila Beach
If the beach by the house is ever windy, head on over to Avila Beach. It is tucked away in a cove so it is typically warmer and less windy than Pismo Beach.
Looking for a leisurely stroll or a brisk run? This is your path. 3.3 miles of paved trail that will take you to Avila Beach. Great for biking, skating, walking or running. There's even a "secret gardens" stop along the way that has light refreshments (including beer and wine).
24 locals recommend
Bob Jones Trail Head
7009 Ontario RdLooking for a leisurely stroll or a brisk run? This is your path. 3.3 miles of paved trail that will take you to Avila Beach. Great for biking, skating, walking or running. There's even a "secret gardens" stop along the way that has light refreshments (including beer and wine).
Bubblegum Alley
734 Higuera StreetStick some gum on the wall and take a picture for insta.
If you have little ones, this is sure to be a favorite! Goats, pigs, llamas, cows, chickens and more! You can feed them lettuce. Ride the ponies. They have seasonal u pick areas. Fresh made pies. And more!
144 locals recommend
Avila Valley Barn
560 Avila Beach DrIf you have little ones, this is sure to be a favorite! Goats, pigs, llamas, cows, chickens and more! You can feed them lettuce. Ride the ponies. They have seasonal u pick areas. Fresh made pies. And more!
Make a pit stop along the bob jones trail or park at the sycamore springs and take a short walk over the bridge. Enjoy some beer and wine in this beautiful, relaxing garden. Small snacks also available for purchase or pack in your own snacks!
Secret Garden at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
1215 Avila Beach DriveMake a pit stop along the bob jones trail or park at the sycamore springs and take a short walk over the bridge. Enjoy some beer and wine in this beautiful, relaxing garden. Small snacks also available for purchase or pack in your own snacks!
Looking for a beautiful hike that gives you a vista of the whole central coast? Look no further! This one is amazing. There are certain areas with pretty good incline so come prepared.
27 locals recommend
Ontario Ridge Trail
Ontario Ridge TrailLooking for a beautiful hike that gives you a vista of the whole central coast? Look no further! This one is amazing. There are certain areas with pretty good incline so come prepared.
Spend the day on the beach & end the evening bowling! This is just a short block up from the pier.
16 locals recommend
Pismo Bowl
277 Pomeroy AveSpend the day on the beach & end the evening bowling! This is just a short block up from the pier.
This park is situated on a bluff close to Shell Beach and is known for its calming atmosphere – perfect to let the kids play while you watch the ocean!
Palisades Park
This park is situated on a bluff close to Shell Beach and is known for its calming atmosphere – perfect to let the kids play while you watch the ocean!
Stunning mid level hike that spans 900 acres, has 11 miles of recreational trails and provides panoramic ocean and hillside views!
53 locals recommend
Pismo Preserve
80 Mattie RdStunning mid level hike that spans 900 acres, has 11 miles of recreational trails and provides panoramic ocean and hillside views!
Shopping
Shopping! Shopping! Shopping! Full of Outlet Stores for the whole family.
100 locals recommend
Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
333 5 Cities DrShopping! Shopping! Shopping! Full of Outlet Stores for the whole family.
Full of quaint local boutiques, chain stores, delicious restaurants & cute streets to walk around on.
Downtown SLO
Full of quaint local boutiques, chain stores, delicious restaurants & cute streets to walk around on.
City advice
Book before you go
Quads & ATV's on the Dunes
For the adventurous and thrill seekers, reserve your quad or ATV before your trip as they do sell out for the day during peak seasons!
What to pack
Bring Layers
Pismo Beach has lovely weather all year round! It is great to dress in layers though as the morning can start out foggy, midday can be sunny and warm, and a nice cool breeze can pick up in the evening.