Officially The Best Small Coastal Town (Again)
April and May on the Central Coast have gotten out of hand, and we mean that in the best kind of way. Whether you’re the type to show up for the big events or to slip in on a quiet Tuesday for some ocean air and a good meal, these next two months have plenty worth planning around.
Also, not to make a big deal of it, but USA Today named Pismo Beach the Best Small Coastal Town for the second year in a row! Thank you for voting, for visiting, and for being part of what makes Pismo Beach worth the title.
A Heads-Up About Highway 101
If you’re planning a visit this spring or summer, you should know what to expect with our latest roadworks. Caltrans and SLOCOG just kicked off a Highway 101 improvement project. This investment will make traffic through Shell Beach and Pismo Beach significantly better when complete.
Phase 1 is currently underway at Price Street, meaning southbound lanes on Price Street will have alternating traffic from 9 AM to 3 PM, with normal two-way traffic returning in the evenings.
All the hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions are fully open and happy to see you. Once you get here, you’ll forget all about the drive.
Dog Surfing Is Coming To Town
This one is as spectacular as it sounds. The World Dog Surfing Championships Exhibition Tour is making its way to Pismo Beach for a one-day-only showcase on Saturday, May 2, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Watch the world’s top dog surfing teams compete in live heats. Curious how the dogs get started? Have a try at it and enter your dog in on the fun, too. Local entries are open!
Pismo Beach is one of the most dog-friendly towns on the California coast, and this event will bring that energy to life for the weekend. Stay in a dog friendly hotel or eat at one of the many dog friendly restaurants while you’re here!
Earth Day Is Full Of Action, Come Join In
On April 25, from 12 to 2 PM at the pier, join the Pismo Beach Stewardship program for a weekend Earth Day celebration.
- Watch the Earth Day sand art at pier, with best viewing at 1 PM.
- Borrow beach cleanup supplies at the booth near the airstream. Make the afternoon walk a little more meaningful.
- Join the City Nature Challenge, a bioblitz running April 24 through 27. Photograph nature, submit it on the free iNaturalist app, and you’re officially a scientist. Stop by the booth to get started in under five minutes, or visit the SLO County project page to learn how to do it on your own.
And there’s more! Just down the beach, our friends at Sandcastle Hotel are celebrating Earth Day alongside 40 years of being open. Stop by for a specialty cocktail and grab something from their hot dog stand to support the Land Conservancy of SLO County.
The 40th Annual Classic at Pismo Beach Car Show
Memorial Day weekend, May 29 through 31, is the 40th year of one of California’s best car events! Hundreds of show cars will take over the streets of downtown Pismo Beach, with big rigs from names like Ford Motor Co., CarQuest, Mother’s Polish, and Budweiser rolling in alongside classics and hot rods from across the country and beyond.
The Saturday night cruise down Price Street from 6 to 8 PM is worth the watch. There’s a beer garden, live music, and a charity auction.
This event has a long history of selling out lodging well in advance, so it’s smart to book soon. Midweek bookings leading into the event tend to have more availability and give you a head start on the festivities.
Art in the Park and the Summer Market
Two of the best excuses to come to Pismo Beach without an agenda are back for the season.
Art in the Park returns to Dinosaur Caves Park on April 12 with 50-plus local artists and makers, live music, and a setting that sits right on the bluffs above the water. It runs monthly from there, with dates in May, June, July, and beyond. It’s free and a great place to hang out with kids and dogs.
The Pismo Summer Market kicks off May 27 and runs every Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM through early September at the Pismo Beach Pier Plaza. Local vendors, produce, and that golden late-afternoon light over the water. It’s a weekly ritual here.
Pismo’s Best Tacos for Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo this year falls on a Tuesday, and if that isn’t the most reasonable excuse to come to Pismo Beach on a weekend and eat your way through the taco situation here, we don’t know what is.
The taco game here is unmatched. Explore some of the local favorites:
- Morenos Taqueria – a staple with serious birria tacos.
- Taqueria El Guero – homemade tortillas and the best al pastor.
- Papi’s Grill is the go-to for butter beef tacos.
- Zorro’s Cafe has its loyalists for good reason and that reason is the carne asada tacos.
- Mariscos El Picosito is the new kid on the block and the only place for fish tacos.
There’s no bad call here. Just come hungry and work through your list at your own pace.
Mother’s Day Weekend On The Coast
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, and Pismo Beach and Shell Beach have a few really good ways to mark it.
- Marisol at The Cliffs Hotel — Brunch and dinner with panoramic ocean views and a seasonal, locally sourced menu.
- Lido Restaurant at Dolphin Bay Resort — Just voted Best Brunch in SLO County. Three courses, mimosas included, oceanfront.
- SeaVenture Restaurant — Third floor views and a kids menu to make it perfect for the whole family.
Dark Skies Week
Pismo Beach has something that is becoming increasingly rare in California… a dark sky. It matters for stargazers, for the monarchs that overwinter here, and for the billion birds that navigate this stretch of coast by moonlight.
International Dark Skies Week is next week, so we’ve put together a guide on the best ways to appreciate Pismo’s skies. Read the guide.
Photo of the Month
Our winning shot from @timroosjen shows the golden moments you can find in the hidden coves of Pismo Beach. Take a short walk and you have a glowing beach to yourself.
Want to be featured? Tag @pismobeachca or use #pismobeachca!
Spring demands an appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. Wildflowers are up in the hills and the coast is uncrowded on the right days. However you want to spend your time, the town is ready for you.
Hotels are offering some of their best seasonal rates right now. Midweek stays are particularly good value and tend to have fewer crowds, easier parking, and a pace that actually lets you decompress.
We hope to see you soon!
