Townapedia
Pismo Beach, California, 2006
Pismo Beach, California, 2006 · Bob n Renee, CC BY 2.0
Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, United States (Unsplash)
Shell Beach, Pismo Beach, United States (Unsplash) · Tim Mossholder timmossholder, CC0
Pismo Beach (29600538941)
Pismo Beach (29600538941) · Sergei Gussev, CC BY 2.0
Pismo Beach, CA, USA - panoramio - Sergei Gussev (14)
Pismo Beach, CA, USA - panoramio - Sergei Gussev (14) · Sergei Gussev, CC BY 3.0
Pismo Beach, CA, USA - panoramio - Sergei Gussev (13)
Pismo Beach, CA, USA - panoramio - Sergei Gussev (13) · Sergei Gussev, CC BY 3.0
Pismo Beach (29055355924)
Pismo Beach (29055355924) · Sergei Gussev, CC BY 2.0

Pismo Beach, California

Pismo Beach is a city of 8,014 people in San Luis Obispo County, California, founded in April 25, 1946.

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Population8,014 -2.0% since 2019
CountySan Luis Obispo County
Elevation56 ft 17 m
FoundedApril 25, 1946
Land area3.5 sq mi
ZIP code93449
Nearest airportSan Luis Obispo Regional Airport (SBP) 6 mi

Why visit Pismo Beach

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 11 parks and trails, 25 places to eat, 17 places to stay and 6 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include John Price House, Dinosaur Caves Park and Eldwayen Ocean Park.

October is the warmest month, with average highs of 72°F; December lows average 44°F.

About Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach (Chumash: Pismuʔ) is a city in the southern portion of San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States. Its population was 8,072 at the 2020 census, up from 7,655 in 2010.

From the Wikipedia article Pismo Beach, California (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do6

Concrete Turret

Scenic view · 0.9 mi

Elevation 380

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Lone Oak

Scenic view · 1.4 mi

Elevation 420

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Octopus Oak

Scenic view · 0.9 mi

Elevation 520

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Avila Overlook

Scenic view · 0.8 mi

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Lover's Point

Scenic view · 1.7 mi

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The Notch

Scenic view · 1.6 mi

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Museums and landmarks1

John Price HouseCC BY-SA 3.0

John Price House

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi

Pismo Beach, California

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Parks, trails and playgrounds11

Dinosaur Caves Park

Park · 0.5 mi

2701 Price Street, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1 805-773-4657

Eldwayen Ocean Park

Park

Ocean Boulevard, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1 805-773-7039

Margo Dodd Park

Park

Ocean Boulevard, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1 805-773-7039

Spyglass Park

Park · 0.9 mi

Spyglass Drive, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1 805-773-7039

Pismo Preserve

Hiking and trails · 1.2 mi

dawn-dusk

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South Palisades Park

Park · 1.7 mi

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Seacliff Park

Park · 0.7 mi

Seacliff Drive, Pismo Beach

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Boosinger Park

Park · 2.0 mi

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Ebb Tide Park

Park · 1.4 mi

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Palasades Bluff Walkway

Park · 1.6 mi

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Palisades Park

Park · 1.9 mi

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Restaurants and cafes25

Cape Cod Eatery and Taphouse

Restaurant · Seafood

1127 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach

11:00+

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-295-6919

Marisol

Diner · American · 1.2 mi

2757 Shell Beach Road

Mo-Su 08:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +18057735000

Penny's All American Cafe

Cafe · American · 1.9 mi

1053 Price Street, Pismo Beach

Mo-Su 07:00-14:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-773-3776

The Oyster Loft

Restaurant · Seafood · 2.0 mi

101 Pomeroy Avenue

Mo-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 17:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-295-5100

Honeymoon Cafe

Cafe · 1.9 mi

999 Price Street

Tu-Su 07:00-15:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-773-5646

Old West Cinnamon Rolls

Cafe · 1.9 mi

861 Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach

Mo-Su 06:30-17:30

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-773-1428

Tastes of the Valleys

Brewery and winery · 2.0 mi

911 Price Street

Mo-Sa 12:00-21:00; Su 12:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-773-8466

Del's Pizzeria & Italian

Restaurant · Italian · 0.4 mi

401 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1 805-773-4438

Giuseppe's Cucina Italiana

Restaurant · Italian · 2.0 mi

891 Price Street, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +18057732870

Mei's Chinese Restaurant

Restaurant · Chinese · 0.4 mi

1759 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1 805-773-2908

Papi's Grill

Restaurant · Mexican · 1.9 mi

1090 Price Street, Pismo Beach

Mo-Su 11:00-19:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-295-6660

Sunsets at Pismo

Cafe · American · 2.0 mi

1 Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach

Open in Google Maps · +1-805-858-8220

13 more on the map.

History

The Chumash people are the historic inhabitants of the region, with indigenous peoples having lived along the California coast for at least 11,000 years.

The name Pismo comes from the Chumash language word for tar, pismuʔ, which was gathered from tar springs in Price Canyon near Pismo Beach. Tar was a valuable product, which the Chumash used to caulk their canoes, called tomol, which traveled along the coast and out to the Channel Islands. The first European land exploration of Alta California, the Spanish Portolá expedition, passed through the area, traveling up Price Canyon from Pismo Beach, where they camped on September 4, 1769. Franciscan missionary and expedition member Juan Crespí noted in his diary that they found a Chumash village near the creek.

Pismo Beach is on the Rancho Pismo Mexican land grant made to José Ortega, grandson of José Francisco Ortega, in 1840. In 1846, José Ortega sold Rancho Pismo to Isaac Sparks. John Michael Price bought most of the rancho from Sparks. Price established the town of Pismo Beach in 1891. His homestead is now Price Historical Park, a registered historical landmark.

Pismo Pier was built in 1924. Storm damage led to subsequent repairs and reconstruction. The pier reopened on October 20, 2018, after more than 18 months of renovations.

From the History section of Pismo Beach, California on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay17

Churches and places of worship4

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Shopping4

Gas and EV charging1

Schools, colleges and libraries13

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Map of Pismo Beach

82 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

40°60°80°January: 3.5 in of rainFebruary: 4.0 in of rainMarch: 3.0 in of rainApril: 1.0 in of rainMay: 0.5 in of rainJune: 0.1 in of rainJuly: 0.0 in of rainAugust: 0.0 in of rainSeptember: 0.1 in of rainOctober: 0.8 in of rainNovember: 1.8 in of rainDecember: 3.1 in of rainJanuary: 65°FFebruary: 65°FMarch: 68°FApril: 70°FMay: 72°FJune: 70°FJuly: 70°FAugust: 71°FSeptember: 72°FOctober: 72°FNovember: 69°FDecember: 65°FJanuary: 44°FFebruary: 44°FMarch: 46°FApril: 48°FMay: 50°FJune: 51°FJuly: 54°FAugust: 55°FSeptember: 54°FOctober: 53°FNovember: 46°FDecember: 44°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan65°F44°F3.5 in0.0 in
Feb65°F44°F4.0 in0.0 in
Mar68°F46°F3.0 in0.0 in
Apr70°F48°F1.0 in0.0 in
May72°F50°F0.5 in0.0 in
Jun70°F51°F0.1 in0.0 in
Jul70°F54°F0.0 in0.0 in
Aug71°F55°F0.0 in0.0 in
Sep72°F54°F0.1 in0.0 in
Oct72°F53°F0.8 in0.0 in
Nov69°F46°F1.8 in0.0 in
Dec65°F44°F3.1 in0.0 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Pismo Beach (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$118,072median household income
$1,021,300median home value
$2,232median monthly rent
55.1median age
51.7%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
64.6%of homes are owner-occupied
23.0 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1812%18 to 3416%35 to 6440%65 and over33%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

San Luis Obispo County has had 16 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for floods.

  • 2024-04-13: Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
  • 2023-04-03: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
  • 2023-03-10: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2023-01-14: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2023-01-09: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

San Luis Obispo Regional Airport (SBP) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 6 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.