Autumn is one of the best-kept secrets of California beach towns. Fall months tend to be sunny here, with daily highs often in the 70s and paired with warm ocean waters. Plus, the crowds of summer vacationers have gone, so you can enjoy the double benefit of feeling like you have the place to yourself combined with lower hotel rates.
That’s especially true in mellow Pismo Beach. With 26 miles of coastline, the San Luis Obispo County town offers a unique beachy playground—thanks in part to its famous dunes and clams—as well as easy access to Central Coast wine country. Along with the turning leaves, fall colors reveal themselves in local apples, Chardonnay, and thousands of monarch butterflies. Pismo Beach throws its biggest festival of the year during fall too. Here are six ways to plan an autumn getaway to experience this special time of year:
Enjoy Endless Summer at the Beaches, Dunes, and Trails
Start your fun along Pismo Beach’s wide shoreline, marked by the recently renovated Pismo Pier. The top beaches include Shell Beach and Pismo State Beach, both good spots for surfing (just ask Dana McGregor, a Pismo Beach local famous for his surfing goats). Rent a board and take a lesson, or rent a kayak or SUP to paddle the coves and caves off Shell Beach, which offers excellent tide pooling too.
Make sure to explore the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area on the south end of Pismo Beach, which is California’s largest coastal dune area. Hike along designated trails or rent an ATV to go four-wheeling on the beach—after all, this is the only beach-based recreational vehicle area in the Golden State.
Stop in at the Oceano Dunes Visitor Center to learn about coastal flora and fauna as well as this beach’s colorful history (John Steinbeck was considered a “Dunite”) and an explanation of the recently depleted local clam population (the short answer: part humans, part otters). Indeed, digging for clams on local beaches, once a top activity here, is not an easy endeavor these days, though you can do your part to help the clams thrive again.
Beach fun is only the beginning. Bring your own bicycle or rent one to explore town or the hilly trails of the 900-acre Pismo Preserve. Or soak up the scenery while horseback riding on the sand or golfing at Pismo Beach Golf Course, situated close to the dunes. To learn more about Native California history in the region, sign up for a guided hike to ancient Chumash sites in and around the dunes.
Experience the Local “Waves and Wines”
Along with the surf, Pismo Beach offers a front-row seat for Central Coast wine country, thanks to the nearby Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande, and Avila Valley—all within a half-hour drive of Pismo Beach. Wine regions just a bit farther afield include Paso Robles, Santa Maria Valley, and Santa Rita Hills. Start your tasting with the sparkling wine and Chardonnay at Laetitia Vineyard in Arroyo Grande, then continue with the Albariño and Malbec at San Luis Obispo’s Autry Cellars, where walk-ins are welcome.
Don’t miss the Central Coast’s newest American Viticulture Area (AVA: The 78 wineries of the cool-climate San Luis Obispo AVA stretch from the Pismo Beach area up to San Simeon, flanked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and Santa Lucia Mountains on the other. While many of its wineries, such as Chamisal Vineyards and Tolosa Winery, tend to focus on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, you’ll also find varieties such as Riesling, Grenache, and Syrah.
Pick Apples—or Go Straight for the Cider and Pie
Beyond wine grapes, the Avila Valley also grows a lot of apples, ready for picking during fall. Set out on the nearby See Canyon Apple Trail, dotted with orchards such as Gopher Glen and Avila Valley Barn, and enhance your apple variety knowledge. (Do you prefer Rome Beauty, Honeycrisp, or perhaps Mutsu?) Indulge in traditional ciders, hard ciders, and plenty of pies and pastries.
Experience October’s Pismo Beach Clam Festival
Pismo Beach’s clam population is reportedly on the upswing again, and you can always enjoy great chowder at a variety of local restaurants. For the ultimate Pismo clam experience, however, show up for the annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival (Oct. 21–22). The 77th year of the free-admission festival will include a parade, live music, bounce houses, and lots of chowder.
Festivities begin with the Friday night wine walk with tasting stops at local businesses, then continue Saturday morning with the annual Clam Festival Parade (this year’s theme: Surfin’ Safari). Saturday afternoon brings the Clam Chowder Cook-Off, when Pismo Beach restaurants compete for top bragging rights in both a judges’ and popular-vote contests. Buy a tasting ticket to try up to 10 samples, then cast your vote in the People’s Choice Competition.
Check Out Autumn’s Creatures
Fall is prime time for seeing a variety of wildlife around Pismo Beach. Look for humpback or minke whales out on the water as they travel south for the winter, and keep an eye out for a variety of seabirds and dolphins, which can be spotted here year-round.
During autumn, the local Monarch Butterfly Grove becomes a nature lover’s hot spot, when up to 25,000 orange-and-black western monarch butterflies start arriving as part of their annual migration. See them from October until February at the grove located off Highway 1, and talk to docents and pick up butterfly merch at the onsite Monarch Mercantile Trailer, operated by the Central Coast State Parks Association.
Deepen your appreciation of the local flora and fauna by checking out Pismo Beach’s stewardship program, which offers educational tips as well as events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Learn how the butterflies and bees perform a service during their stays here, brush up on dog etiquette on local beaches and trails, and collect fun facts about sharks.
Start Your Trip with a Seasonal Hotel Deal
Pismo Beach offers a wide variety of lodging options: oceanfront hotels, luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and RV parks. They all offer package deals this time of year with perks ranging from free wine at check-in to serious discounts. Check out Pismo Beach’s Lodging Specials page and click on the “specials” button next to each hotel’s name to see its seasonal offer.
