Hotels in Pismo Beach

Beneath the iconic pier, surfers carve through waves while beachcombers hunt for the famous Pismo clam that gave this laid-back town its name. Rent an ATV to thunder across sprawling dunes, or explore tide pools teeming with starfish and sea anemones. The Monarch Butterfly Grove transforms into a fluttering orange spectacle each winter when thousands of delicate wings take refuge. After watching the sunset paint the Pacific, sample local seafood at oceanfront restaurants where clam chowder comes in sourdough bread bowls. For a perfect afternoon, grab a bottle from Sans Liege Wines and picnic at Pirates Cove, where the rugged coastline reveals hidden beaches accessible only to those willing to venture beyond the obvious.