Page 33 - SLO Visitors Guide Fall 2023

Pismo Beach, Shell Beach & Oceano
The beach cities of Pismo Beach, Shell Beach and Oceano join Grover Beach to offer a 15-mile stretch of beach for long walks, watching shore birds and marine life, enjoying tide pools or just sitting on the sand and feeling the breeze and sun. Enjoy views of the historic Pismo Beach Pier and take advantage of a variety of water sports like kayaking and surfing. Green spaces with trails and panoramic ocean views include Dinosaur Caves Park, Chumash Park featuring coastal wetlands, Margo Dodd Park, and the Pismo Preserve. Millions of Monarch butterflies migrate to the Monarch Butterfly Grove in the cool months.
Pismo Beach and its companion communities provide lodging for every budget. Enjoy the iconic wholesome food and fine wines that are hallmarks for San Luis Obispo County. Gifts, original art, clothes, jewelry and décor can all be found tucked away in the many galleries and shops. A day or more exploring Pismo Beach gives a lifetime of memories.
Attractions
Dinosaur Caves Park
Located at the corner of Cliff Street and Shell Beach Road, this
slovisitorsguide.com
11-acre park is popular with walkers, photographers, dog lovers, joggers and fishing enthusiasts. Observe dolphins, whales, sea otters and
other sea life as well as sea and shore birds such as gulls, cormorants, and Peregrine falcons. Reservations may be required for group events. Visit pismobeach.org/288/Dinosaur-Caves- Park for more information.
Oceano Dunes
Thousands flock to the Oceano Dunes State Recreational Park to camp along the ocean in tents and RVs every week. You can rent and ride dune buggies and ATVs on the beach and enjoy riding for the entire afternoon. There is a small cost per vehicle to drive on the beach and it
is recommended you have a larger vehicle before attempting to drive on the dry sand; you don’t want to get stuck in the dunes.
Ocean views
Pismo Beach is home to several parks with beautiful, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and birds and marine life that live and migrate through the Central Coast. A few of the most popular parks with exquisite views, trails, places to rest, picnic and enjoy the scenery include:
• Chumash Park covers 38-acres of
wetlands, willows, oaks and is home to a rich variety of birds and wildlife. Bring a camera. Leashed dogs are welcome.
• Eldwayen Ocean Park meanders over a mile along the bluffs and
has stairs down to the beach and
the tidepools. Check a tide chart to visit during low tide to explore the tidepools.
• Margo Dodd Park, located on
a bluff above the ocean includes breathtaking panoramas of the ocean, beaches and surrounding areas. Bring binoculars and a camera. Walk the sandy beach to a tidepool at the end of Pier Street.
Hiking and scenic walks at the Pismo Preserve
The preserve provides over 11 miles of trails wandering through 880-acres of oak woodlands and coastal ridges and some of the most stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding land and beaches. Trails are marked for the direction of travel. Park is open weekdays from sunup to sunset.
Price Historical Park
This four-acre park and open space provides hiking trails
and a class 1 bike trail. The park incorporates a self-guided history
(805) 295-5055 • 240 Pomeroy Ave. Pismo Beach
Souvenirs, Boutique Clothing, Beach Blankets, To y s
& More!
FALL 2023 33