The central coast of California has so much to offer. Every time I camp there I wish I had more time. I could easily stay a month or more and still not do and see everything I want to.
I grew up about two hours from the California central coast and I was married to my husband in Shell Beach (which could really be Pismo). So needless to say, this area holds a special place in my heart.
Although this trip was short, we packed in a lot of great activities. If you are like me and enjoy being at the campground but also like to explore your surroundings, this is the perfect getaway for you.
Pismo Beach, CA
If you have never been to Pismo, it is a must. Pismo Beach is a quaint vintage beach town in San Luis Obisbo County not far from Cal Poly. The town has a little something for everyone to do. The town boasts some great restaurants, amazing ocean views, and great public spaces like Spyglass Park. It is a great surf spot. The town is both kid and adult-friendly.
Pismo is famous for its sand dunes and off-road recreational day-use spaces. The dunes are just south of the town. They are open to the public and you can drive both ATVs and street-legal vehicles onto the dunes.
We traveled to this area the first weekend in December and although the beautiful California sun was shining, it was breezy and chilly as it generally is this time of year. Typical of the California coastline, the central coast tends to be chilly in the winter months which makes for great campfire weather.
Friday
Friday was our travel day. We live about 5 hours from Pismo Beach (because we have to travel through Los Angeles or it would be a shorter drive). We left around 9:00 in the morning and arrived at the campsite around 2:00 in the afternoon. We set up camp and headed to the beach. It was low tide so the beach was perfect for walking on and finding great shells. The RV resort had a private entrance to the beach which meant the beach itself was not crowded. To the south, you could see the off-road vehicles and the sand dunes.
Friday night we ate out. You cannot go to Pismo without eating at McLintocks. Although there are several locations of this steakhouse in the area, the original is in Shell Beach, and in my opinion, the best. The food is delicious (and a bit pricey) however, I am a bit disappointed in how they have changed their traditional set-up of onion rings, salsa, beans, and bread. It is no longer served family-style. You can still order these items, but they do not bring them out with your meal. I am a traditionalist and since I have eaten here since I was very young, I don’t appreciate the change. Don’t let it stop you from trying this place if you have never been. It is still excellent food and a great atmosphere.
Saturday
On Saturday we woke up and went to the Madonna Inn for breakfast. The Madonna Inn is a landmark on the California coast. It has been open since 1958. It is known for its whimsical rooms and very pink decore. The pink dining room is beautifully decorated for Christmas and a must-see if you are in the area during the holidays.
I ate the frittata and homemade biscuit and jam and it was divine. The rest of the family ate Belgian waffles and French toast. The inn has an on-site bakery with beautiful baked goods so we took some to go.
After breakfast, we hit the road. If you drive about an hour north to San Simeon you can visit Hearst Castle. I can honestly say I have never been but I do really want to go. I don’t think my children would enjoy it so I will need to find time to visit without them. If you are lucky enough to drive by the castle, you will need to look high on the hill to see the mansion but if you look along the hills of the highway, you might see some exotic wildlife, like the zebras pictured above.
Our intention for driving north was to see the elephant seals that live in San Simeon. If you are driving this stretch of the highway, there is a big parking lot that can accommodate large rigs. There are generally volunteers along the walking paths to answer your questions about the elephant seals and to share knowledge of the area. In January, the seals give birth and that is a sight you may or may not want to see! In the peak seasons (January, April, and October), there can be up to 17,000 creatures living on the shore.
On our way back to the campsite from seeing the elephant seals, we stopped in the small town of Cambria to look through the shops. The town has a lot of character and historic architecture. There are many galleries and specialty shops like the Ball and Skein.
Upon our arrival back at the campsite, we dropped the car off and walked to the Pismo pier. We looked through some shops, walked the length of the pier, then walked on the beach.
Morro Bay Boat Parade
Morro Bay is another California central coast beach town about 20 minutes north of Pismo Beach. The first weekend of December is the annual boat parade put on by the Morro Bay Rotary Club. The parade features yachts, kayaks, fishing boats, and everything in between. The vessels are all lit up for the holidays and parade through the Morro Bay Harbor. The small shops and restaurants stay open to offer food and beverages. It is a delight to watch but be warned, it gets cold on the water. Bundle up and get a warm beverage from one of the local shops.
Sunday
If you need another reason to visit Pismo Beach, let me introduce you to Old West Cinnamon Rolls. On Sunday morning we woke up and took a walk to get our cinnamon rolls. And trust me we needed to walk after eating one of these. These delicious pastries are famous not only in the area but also in the surrounding towns. You can find them at many state fairs, including the Kern County Fair. They are a tradition in Pismo Beach that should not be missed.
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We hope you enjoyed our trip to Pismo Beach as much as we did. We would love to hear about your travels and favorite spots. Don’t forget to share your favorite camp spots by clicking on the share button above and following us on Facebook.
