Salt and sand at dog-friendly Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach has that quintessential ‘summer beach holiday’ feel to it, with lots of souvenir stores and surf shops as well as that familiar smell of the ocean. We drove here for the afternoon from San Luis Obispo on a clear, sunny, summer day and it was interesting to see the coastal fog get thicker the closer we got (not something we experience on beaches in Australia!). We only spent one afternoon here, so this is a relatively quick overview of what we did that was dog-friendly.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Pismo Beach and Pier
Dogs are allowed on the main beach in Pismo, (Avila Beach) as long as they stay on leash and are North of the Pier. There is signage as you enter the Pier saying dogs are not allowed, however when we visited we saw quite a few dogs being walked on there…. We don't like to be huge rule breakers, but we did walk a little way to snap a few photos as it wasn't very busy - but made sure we were quick and didn't go very far. Its is a pity, as it would be such a nice walk out to the end.
A quick visit to the Pier
Pismo Pier Plaza
While dogs aren't allowed on the Pier, they can visit the Plaza. One of the best stops is for a pic is at the gigantic 'Pismo Beach' sign. Near the sign are some free public bathrooms if you need extra water for your pup. It wasn't too busy the day we visited, but I can imagine the area gets pretty packed in summer, so if you want to beat the heat and have a greater chance of photo without loads of other people, then I would recommend arriving early.
Arrive early if you want a crowd free pic of the Pismo Beach sign
Downtown Area
The main shopping district is fun to walk around and is mainly limited to the main street. If you're in the market for beachy themed trinkets to take home, or some new surf / beach gear then you’ll definitely be happy browsing the stores here. We didn't really go into many stores, but most non-food establishments seemed like they'd be happy to let a well behaved dog in to help sniff out a good deal. There were also some super cute murals to find around town.
Super cute mural in the Pismo Beach shopping district
Dinosaur Caves Park
This 11 acre, open front park is only a five minute drive North of the main Pismo beach and is located on top of rugged cliffs with great views. It has some short trails to see the main sights and lots of grassy areas for you and your best bud to explore. We spent a bit of time walking around here and reading about how the Park got its name. There are plenty of great photo ops every way you look, both out towards the ocean and inwards to the cute park with its dino themed sculptures and some very pretty gardens - and I imagine the views from here would be particularly stunning at sunrise and sunset. It’s really important to keep your dog on leash here as the cliffs are very high! More info about the park can be found here
Dinosaur Caves park is great - but has some steep cliffs!
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Dog Friendly Beaches
If you are after an off-leash beach, then head to Old Port Beach or Fisherman's Beach. They are located close to each other and are about a 15 min drive North from Pismo Beach, or 10 mins North of the Dinosaur Caves Park.
Monarch Butterfly Grove
If you have a well behaved dog and love nature, check out the Monarch Butterfly Grove, which is not only dog friendly (on leash), but free! The Butterfly season usually runs between late October through to February and you can get there by heading half a mile South of Pismo Beach (off Highway 1).
GETTING AROUND
If you're driving the PCH from LA to San Fran, you'll reach Pismo beach at about the three hour mark. If you're staying in nearby San Luis Obispo, it’s only a 10-15 min drive. As non-Californians, something we weren't that aware of before travelling to this area was that depending on the time of the year (and regardless of how warm it is) this entire area, including the beach may be covered in fog (as it was the day we visited). While this wasn't an issue for us, and actually kept the temps down, be aware that conditions can change suddenly when driving. Its also worth noting that as Pismo is so popular in the summer months it can be really difficult to find parking, so be prepared to do a bit of walking in busier times - and make sure you have ample water for your dog.
IN SUMMARY
Visiting Pismo Beach was a fun way to spend an afternoon and there are some good options for seeing the main attractions with your dog. The town definitely has a 'touristy' vibe to it, but this is part of its charm and it really makes you feel like you're on vacation. While it was quite foggy the day we visited, it definitely didn't stop people from pitching the most elaborate beach side set-ups we've ever seen and enjoying the waves. If you want to visit for more than a day, visit ExperiencePismoBeach.com for more information about dog friendly accommodation and restaurants.