California enjoys sunny weather year-round but spring offers extra magic along the Central Coast. As the days grow longer and brighter, the ocean waters warm up while colorful wildflowers start popping up along the hills and coastal bluffs.
Pismo Beach makes an excellent perch to experience it all. Not only does the San Luis Obispo County town offer 26 miles of dunes-lined coastline, but it provides a convenient and affordable launching pad for the many charms of the Central Coast. Numerous nearby attractions are a short drive away: Hearst Castle (one hour), San Luis Obispo (20 minutes) and Paso Robles (45 minutes), along with hidden-gem towns such as Morro Bay (30 minutes) and Arroyo Grande (10 minutes). And it’s all interspersed with the best of Central Coast wine country.
Visit Pismo Beach before mid-June and you can enjoy local festivals as well as some of the best hotel rates of the year, along with a quiet ambience that will make you feel like a local. Here are six spectacular ways to plan a spring getaway:
1. See the wildflowers
Not only are the hills and valleys of San Luis Obispo County green this time of year, they’re also accented with color from California poppies (the state flower), mustard evening primrose, and blue lupines. See them by walking or riding a bicycle through the 900-acre Pismo Preserve, which features 10 miles of trails and ranch roads flanked by oak woodlands and ocean views. The preserve is also home to a wide range of little creatures, from Pacific treefrogs to California newts to acorn woodpeckers. Better yet, entrance is free.
For more wildflowers, head inland about 90 minutes to the Carrizo Plain National Monument—known for its poppies, brittlebush, bluebells, and more—and Shell Creek Road, southeast of Paso Robles. Or drive up the coast to see the blooms at Montaña de Oro State Park (and especially its Point Buchon Trail) in Los Osos.
2. Explore the "Wines & Waves” scene
Sometimes, the best way to enjoy the fresh spring air is just to sit outside sipping a local wine. Pismo Beach is part of the San Luis Obispo AVA, the Central Coast’s newest American Viticulture Area, which extends from Pismo Beach up to San Simeon and out to the Santa Lucia Mountains. Anytime is the right time to sip and savor but the SLO Coast Wine Classic (April 6–7) celebrates the SLO Coast AVA through seminars, tastings, and winemaker meals held at nearby Thousand Hills Ranch.
For both casual wine fans and studied connoisseurs planning a trip, the SLO AVA wines offer a lot of global nuances—like San Luis Obispo’s Claiborne and Churchill, whose wines are inspired by Alsace, or Saucelito Canyon, whose Zinfandels are made with grapes that have genetic origins in Croatia. Edna Valley is known for its Burgundian wines—as evidenced by the Pinot Noirs at Kynsi Winery and the Chardonnays of Tolosa Winery—and there’s a reason why so many Paso Robles winemakers are members of the Rhone Rangers.
Pismo Beach makes an easy base for exploring more local wine areas too, such as Avila Valley and Arroyo Grande, each within a 30-minute drive from Pismo Beach. Go a little farther and you can also taste your way through Santa Maria Valley and Santa Rita Hills.
3. Extend your spring break at the beaches
The consistent rolling waves off Pismo Beach are ideal for kayaking or SUP—and the bigger waves near the pier are excellent for surfing. Get the lay of both land and sea at Pismo Pier, marked by its selfie-friendly humpback whale sculpture and the seven-foot letters spelling out “Pismo Beach.” Stroll the boardwalk, get some snacks at the Airstream-based vendors and choose your preferred form of beach fun: This lifeguard-staffed area is a good spot for taking a surfing lesson or paddling the coves and caves off Shell Beach. During low tides, Shell Beach is a tide pool wonderland, teeming with snails, sea anemones, and urchins. Families will also love the neighboring Dinosaur Caves Park, an 11-acre, bluff-top green space with a dino-themed play area.
For more seaside fun, consider horseback riding on the sand, taking guided hikes to ancient Chumash sites in and around the dunes, or golfing 18 holes at nearby courses such as Pismo Beach Golf Course or Cypress Ridge.
4. Dine and party like a local
Pismo Beach has long been famous for its clam chowder, but comfort food is just the beginning of the area’s farm-fueled culinary appeal. Get a nice overview at the Taste of Pismo (April 20), a 21-and-up event at Dinosaur Caves Park where you can taste local wines, beers, and spirits paired with dishes from local chefs. Guests even get to vote on various “Best Of” awards. For more nearby festivals that combine culture with good dining opportunities, come for the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (April 25–May 5) and the Shabang arts and music festival (May 3–4).
While you’re in Pismo Beach, check out the newest foodie magnets. Enjoy authentic Mexican food and fish tacos from T’s Red Tacos and El Pizmo Fish Co., or pick up a beach-friendly lunch from The Break or Burgers and More, both near the sand. For a leisurely sit-down meal, head to Vista Steak House and Seafood, where the brunch menu includes crab-cake eggs Benedict and a lobster omelet, while dinner offers surf and turf, delicate sanddabs, and big ocean views. A bonus: At any oceanfront restaurant in Pismo Beach, you have a reasonable chance of spotting whales in the distance.
5. Celebrate Earth Day through good stewardship
Earth Day (April 22) reminds all of us of the vital role we play in taking care of the environment, and Pismo Beach’s stewardship program offers helpful tips on living up to that goal. For instance, the best way to enjoy the local clams these days is to help them thrive: Learn how to identify a Pismo clam and also how to rebury one safely on the beach. Utilize other useful bits of information, too, like guidelines on bringing your dog to Pismo Beach, kid-friendly coloring sheets, and cheat sheets about local marine birds and monarch butterflies.
6. Make the most of the season’s low rates
Traveling in spring allows you to avoid the summer crowds and the corresponding peak season hotel rates. Pismo Beach has a wide variety of lodging options, including oceanfront resorts, boutique hotels, and RV parks, and most offer seasonal deals. Start your trip planning on Pismo Beach’s lodging specials page: Click the “specials” button next to the hotel’s name and see how you can enhance your trip. You’ll find both discounts and perks—like an easy 10 or 20 percent off your rate, daily breakfast, or a complimentary local beer at check-in.