Pismo State Beach & Oceano Dunes SVRA
Sand, Sea and Butterflies
Review by Stefani Hays
“The best part of Pismo Beach is the fact that you can actually drive your vehicle right onto the beach!”
A freshwater lagoon at Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach/Oceano Dunes is definitely one of the gems of the Central California Coast, and well worth the drive from any part of the state. Pismo State Beach is located in the town of Pismo Beach (San Luis Obispo County), along the Pacific Coast Highway. It stretches over 17 miles and includes both beach and dunes. Between the natural beauty and wildlife to be enjoyed along with the many activities, including camping, hiking, surfing, fishing and ATV rides in the dunes, Pismo has something for everyone!
As with many areas of California, the history of Pismo State Beach and the surrounding dunes is rooted in the history of Indians who lived in the area. The Chumash Indians lived in this area for thousands of years, and their presence is evident in several locations in the dunes in the form of “middens,” which are piles of shells left behind once the Chumash collected them for food. These artifacts are protected by the state and federal laws.
In 1934, California State Parks acquired the land now known as Oceano Campground. Over the next few decades, more land was added and the Oceano Dunes District was formed. Today, that district includes Pismo State Beach and the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.
In my opinion, the best part of Pismo is the fact that you can actually drive your vehicle right onto the beach! The expansive beach is packed sand that actually makes it possible to walk and drive on the beach without sinking right into the sand, but it is some of the softest sand you will feel, so be sure to sink your toes into it! If you want to camp right on the beach, no problem! Vehicles and recreational vehicles will be directed to the south end of the beach, but not to worry, if you venture north towards the pier, you will be clear of vehicles with plenty of room to walk and enjoy the sand.
If camping right on the beach isn’t your thing, there are two campgrounds to choose from. The North Beach Campground has tent camping facilities and a campfire center, with access to the beach and the Monarch Butterfly Grove from the campground. The Oceano Campground (where my family stayed in our RV), has both tent camping and RV hook-up sites. From the Oceano Campground you can access the beach, the Visitor Center, and enjoy wildlife along a freshwater lagoon. I found the bathroom facilities at this campground to be very clean and would definitely go back, although there is something to be said for camping directly on the beach and waking up to the sound of the waves!
A couple of beach activities to note before I move on to the Dunes; depending on the time of year you visit, you can dig for clams (be sure to have the proper fishing license), which Pismo Beach is known for (Pismo Beach deemed itself the “Clam Capital of the World” in 1947), surf fish, do freshwater fishing at the Oceano Lagoon, and also view the Monarch butterfly migration at the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove from November to February each year. A favorite activity of mine is the collect shells, especially sand dollars, which you can find readily and in tact!
One of the biggest draws of visiting the Pismo State Beach Area, which is why my family visited when I was a kid, is the Oceano Dunes SVRA, where you can ride your ATVs and dune buggies, racing down the sand hills, wind whipping through your hair, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. At first I remember being intimidated by the sheer slope of the dunes, as I had never ridden down anything quite so steep, but once you get going and realize that as long as you’re careful enough, you’re not going to go end-over-end, it’s exhilarating! Not to worry if you don’t own ATVs, because you can rent them and buggies right at the beach for a fairly reasonable rate, given the amount of enjoyment to be had.
After a full day of exploring the beach and riding the dunes, the absolute best thing to do at Pismo Beach is watch the sun set over the horizon. Hundreds gather each night (maybe thousands, if it’s a holiday or weekend) to soak in the daily spectacle. The weather is fairly temperate year-round here, but be sure to dress accordingly, because by sunset it can be quite chilly and there is often a bit of wind/breeze.
One thing not to miss, even though not directly on the beach or the dunes, is the clam chowder that Pismo Beach is known for! Do yourself a favor and be sure to enjoy a bowl of what I, along with many others, claim is the best clam chowder I’ve ever had. There are many places in Pismo Beach to get a great bowl of chowder, but my favorite is Splash Cafe (https://www.splashcafe.com/pismo-beach.php), just a few blocks away from the Pismo Beach Pier.
Whether you visit Pismo Beach to drive your vehicle directly on the beach, put your toes in the sand, see the beautiful Monarch butterflies or simply to watch the sun set, you will surely want to come back, maybe for a day, but quite possibly more!
