Pismo beach was not for a long on my bucket list. But the beauty of the place and the fact that it’s easier to access from Bay Area than the majority of sites in the list pushed it to the top.
It was beginning of November, and forecast told showers are possible. But this fact could not stop us.

I would show only the places were we stopped, but at the same time, this region has even more nice spots to check in.

Port San Luis Pier, or Harford Pier

Give me good wooden wharf, and I will spend there days. Just cannot miss another one (I guess, I’m building the Piers collection).
In 1871 after John Harford built a pier. Around the pier grew the small fishermen community. Some say smugglers used the pier for liquor transportation. Now there is no much left from the town – just the pier with old seafood restaurant and fisher market.


The typical central coast landscape surrounded by the charm of the old gone days, and all times funny and cute sea lions. They were way more playful than Pier 39 or Santa Cruz wharf lions.

Olde Port Beach

Right near the old pier, there is Olde Port beach. Just a sandy cove but dog-friendly and an excellent place to take a look at Cal Poly Pier closed for the public.

Avila Beach Pier

We saw three piers during this trip, but Avila’s was the best of three. You will not find a lot on top of it. But wooden foots look fantastic.
The beach west of the pier has an impressive view – you able to see both Avila Beach and Cal Poly piers!

Avila Sea Caves

The ocean created a lot of unique structures along the coast. And Avila Sea Caves is another place of the natural beauty.
The established paths are easily distinguished, and the net of unofficial trails lead to the unique spots and views.

We walked along the cliffs, and then returned to the trail that leads to Smugglers Cave. Though more the portal then the cave is an interesting place, visible enjoyable by the youth. But the overview of the coastline from this point is fascinating.

Before returning back to the main trail, we took a short walk to the Pirate’s Cove. I can imagine how good the place looks under the summer sky.

Pismo Beach Pier

There were two places I wanted to see on this trip, and Pismo Beach Pier was one of them. The high and long, it always looked great in the photos I saw.
What I didn’t expect that pier will be closed for renovations.
But even this is not my biggest disappointment. The foots were replaced with the metal pipes! Only wooden stumps remained.

The patterns of the legs are still charming.

South Palisades for sunset

We stayed at the Spyglass Inn. And what I liked the most is the trail that passed along the cliff to the steps. And steps lead to the small beach with the rocky tide pools. Oh so magical!
Clouds covered skies without any hope for a good sunset. Though we walked the short trail to the beach.
Red flower bushes surrounded the trail and reminded me of San Diego and Orange County

Eldwayen Ocean Park

I didn’t plan to wake up for sunset. The clouds clearly told me – we will be here, stay in bed.
When I got out from the bed few hours after sunset, the sky was bright blue. No clouds to the very horizon…
Still, I went for a walk to the Eldwayen Ocean Park. The coast is amazing here: all these rocks and birds!

Dinosaur Caves Park

Another great park, another great view. What I learned in Pismo Beach – you should do the kayak. They have so many crazy looking arches and caves available from the ocean side.
The trail goes to the Inn at the Cove where the really amazing views wait for you!

Monarch Butterfly Grove

I’m the person who was in Santa Cruz’s Natural Bridges State Beach but never saw any monarch butterfly there! We even once tried to check out Monarch Butterfly Grove in Monterey – and we weren’t able to find it on Google Maps!
So when I find out that there is a grove in Pismo Beach, I knew we will stop there.
It was warm. And very sunny. I thought we will not see any butterfly in this weather at all.
But after few steps, we stopped by the crowd. And I didn’t see it from the start only after forcing my eyes, I started to notice patches of butterflies on the trees.