California's 'Classic Beach Town' Has Seafood, Sunsets, And A Jaw-Dropping Sand Art Festival

The California dream is alive and well. While horrendous traffic, high prices, housing crisis, and overcrowding have made cynics out of many, the coastal communities of San Luis Obispo County retain the fabled California allure. From the world-class wineries of Paso Robles to the historic downtown in the city of San Luis Obispo, the region is overflowing with natural beauty and vintage charm. The area has witnessed a record number of visitors in the last year, indicating its wide appeal to those who love the beach, wine, nature, hiking, golf, shopping, and family-friendly getaways with year-round festivals and activities. One of the region's most inviting places is the city of Pismo Beach, recognized as one of America's best beach communities.

A self-declared "classic beach town," Pismo Beach is an idyllic California getaway. From dramatic cliffs that promise spectacular sunsets, to the lively pier and boardwalk lined with shops, galleries, and fresh seafood, to the jaw-dropping Sand Art Festival, Pismo Beach is destined to capture your heart and take your breath away.

Pismo Beach is conveniently located off Hwy 101, approximately 175 miles north of Los Angeles, and 245 miles south of San Francisco. There is a regional airport in the city of San Luis Obispo and a larger one 90 miles south in Santa Barbara. The magnificent coastal drive is the most popular way to reach Pismo Beach and explore this heavenly region of California.

Sunsets are a serious draw for visitors and locals alike in Pismo Beach, with several strategic spots to secure the best view.  Located along Ocean Boulevard, Margo Dodd Park offers serenity and the perfect vantage point for a sunset photograph. The park has plenty of amenities, including benches, ample grass for picnicking, and a gazebo overlooking the ocean. The park hosts many community activities and festivals, and is an ideal starting or ending point for a day at the beach. Close by is Dinosaur Caves Park, where dramatic cliffs promise an unobstructed burst of color at sunset, as well as bird watching or observing seals in the sea below. 

If you're feeling more adventurous, Oceano Dunes is the largest coastal dune ecosystem in the state. The otherworldly landscape provides a habitat for plants, birds, and insects, and offers a mythical sunset experience. The preserve is popular for ATV and off-road vehicles, sandboarding, horseback riding, and nature hikes. Finally, you can't go wrong with the famous Pismo Beach Pier Plaza to watch the sunset with loved ones before or after a delicious seafood dinner.

Seafood restaurants abound in Pismo Beach, many of them with sunset views right from your table. Topping almost every seafood lover's list is family-owned Ada's Fish House, a Pismo Beach institution for three decades. The New England-inspired menu features the freshest catch of locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. For casual beachfront elegance, the Oyster Loft is touted as one of the best restaurants in Pismo Beach, with its excellent service rivaled only by the food's artful presentation and oceanfront location. For special occasions or cocktails with a view, Vista Steak & Seafood serves natural, hormone-free steaks and seafood in a cliffside, candlelit dining room with panoramic vistas. 

Pismo Beach invites you to experience the beauty of impermanence at the extraordinary Sand Art Festival, November 6 through 8. This one-of-a-kind, immersive festival brings local and international sand artists to draw large-scale murals in the sand. Watch the artists at work from 2 p.m. to sunset, then witness the waves of the high tide wash the canvas clean. The event is family-friendly and free for all to attend. A booth is available on the pier with a schedule, maps, and optimal viewing locations. For those needing extra assistance, special mobility devices will be provided so users can navigate off-road terrain comfortably.

Getting your hands full of sand is part of the fun, and there are daily opportunities to meet the artists and learn this unusual art form. The communal sand drawing will take place just north of the pier, and there are plenty of rakes to go around. If you've always wanted to learn to make sand globes, artist Zach Pine will be on hand for a beginner-friendly workshop where you can form your own sphere with just sand and seawater. Parking and beach access points are located near downtown and Shell Beach.

If you're interest is piqued, but you haven't made hotel plans, no worries, as a few hotels are still offering significant discounts and specials in honor of the event. The Dolphin Bay Resort is offering a 30% discount, while the Vespera, Shorecliff, and Sandcastle hotels are offering a 25% discount. The SeaVenture Hotel is offering a Sippin' & Sand Art Weekend package that includes a 15% room discount, front row festival access, $30 dining voucher, and a bottle of wine.