USA Today recently teamed up with a panel of travel writers to come up with some of the best small towns in multiple categories across the country. Readers then voted for their favorites in each category, including best small coastal town. And, as you’ve gathered from the headline, it was Pismo Beach that came out on top.
Located along the Central Coast of California, there’s a stretch of sand for everyone here, from tranquil to lively. As USA Today notes, the town is also known for its award-winning boardwalk and attractions like Monarch Butterfly Grove and Dinosaur Caves Park. There’s also great outlet shopping, wineries for tasting, and plenty of outstanding restaurants.
If you’ve been searching for that perfect beach vacation in California, Pismo is hard to beat. Growing up in the state, it was one of my family’s favorites, particularly for camping trips. Never visited? You’re in for a treat.
Pismo State Beach
Pismo State Beach, a 17-mile-long stretch of wide, soft sands, fronts the town and beyond into Grover Beach and Oceano in San Luis Obispo County. It’s popular for beachcombing, sunbathing, water sports like paddleboarding and sea kayaking (rentals available), surfing, and ATV rides in the dunes. If you head to the base of the cliffs near Dinosaur Caves Park at low tide, you can look for all sorts of marine creatures in the tidepools, like sea urchins, anemones, hermit crabs, and starfish.
While it’s a great destination for travelers of all types, families with kids will especially enjoy it. Children as young as four are sure to be thrilled riding ATVs across the dunes (with a driver who is 18 or older). The little ones will love the Whale Surfing Playground at the Pismo Pier, which has structures inspired by local marine life. Swimming is safer here too, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Best Time to Go
Pismo Beach is a year-round destination thanks to the mild, Mediterranean-like climate. In the summer, visitors can expect peak conditions for beach play with warm temperatures in the upper 70s/low 80s, ideal for swimming and other water sports. This is also the busiest time of year, but with plenty of room on the sand, you won’t be packed in like sardines.
It’s usually not very chilly in the winter, with the average high in the mid-60s, perfect for beachcombing, tranquil, long strolls, and more budget-friendly accommodation. Many feel spring and fall are the very best seasons to visit for the perfect balance of good weather and fewer crowds.
