"Pismo State Beach, A Place To Have Fun" Pismo State Beach by KimberlyAnn

About halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, you will find Pismo State Beach, stretching along Highway 1 from Oceano to Pismo Beach, California. The park has low coastal sand dunes, a broad sandy beach, and two campgrounds. You may enjoy swimming, hiking, bird and butterfly watching, walks and drives on the beach, as well as a number of other beach type activities. If you enjoy fishing, many people enjoy fishing in the surf along the beach, while others like to fish from the pier in the town of Pismo Beach. If you do decide to fish, you must have a California fishing license, unless you are fishing from the public pier. The weather in Pismo is known to be mild, therefore drawing visitors year round to the area. The name Pismo comes from a Chumash Indian word pizmu, meaning tar. Off shore there are under water areas with natural oil seepage. These occasionally wash up on the beach. Shorebirds, such as the endangered snowy plover, flock to the Pismo Beach area to feed and nest. During the time that the plovers are present, park personnel will erect fencing and signs, causing partial closures in this area to protect this endangered bird.

A Tree Near the North Beach Section of the Park

Some areas of dunes have low growing ground covers, others are covered with taller plants, bushes, and even some trees. These bush and tree lined dunes are a great place for bird watchers to explore.

For Information on nearby restaurants, off the beaten path ideas, shopping, and golf, visit my Pismo Beach, CA, An Enjoyable Place To Be pages.

• Pros:With six miles of sandy beach, you will find a wide variety of activities.
• Cons:It can be very foggy, as well as crowded in the summer.