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On a Budget? Dine Heartily in Pismo Beach

pismo beach restaurantsTraveling on a budget doesn’t mean you’re limited to fast food joints and PB&J sandwiches for the duration of your vacation. Pismo Beach is packed with amazing restaurants offering great food at good prices that won’t break your budget.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

Tight on funds shouldn’t have to mean skipping breakfast. Your stomach will be growling if you don’t satisfy that hunger, and it’s just not right to tackle the best of Pismo Beach with an empty belly. If you have a sweet tooth, Old West Cinnamon Rolls serves up mouthwatering morning carbs to give you the comfort and kick you need. Pick the cinnamon roll that satisfies your tastes – original, cream cheese frosted, or slathered in nuts or raisins. Pair it with a soothing espresso, or add on a muffin, fruit wheel, or other baked good.

Heading out in the a.m. with your four-legged friend? Hit up the pet-friendly Honeymoon Café. Fill up on bagels, breakfast burritos, eggs any way you like ‘em, and don’t forget to add a side of yogurt, toast, or oatmeal for the heartiest of breakfasts at the best of prices.

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Super Spring Events on the Central Coast

wine tastingPismo Beach is home to sun, sand, surf, and serenity. But it would be unwise to trek to the Central Coast without getting a good taste of its art, wine, music, food, and more. If you find yourself in Pismo during March, April, or May – or are looking for a reason to make the trek to Cali – these are some of the freshest festivities you can encounter.

Fine Flicks in San Luis Obispo

The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) begins on March 6 and runs through Sunday, March 10. The SLOIFF is the highlight of the year for film buffs, showcasing contemporary, independent, and classic film screenings in venues such as the classic art deco Fremont Theatre and the independent Palm Theatre. Documentary or drama, there are films for every movie maven, including an event pairing local wines with film classics. The thrilling red carpet events offer attendees the chance to rub shoulders with filmmakers and celebs, like this year’s King Vidor Award recipient, actor John Hawkes of The Sessions.

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Take a Spring Break in Pismo Beach

Spring Break at Pismo BeachIf you want to get away for spring break but think all beaches are overrun by collegiate revelers, it’s time to try Pismo Beach on for size. The Central Coast has all the action a family could want in a mini-vacay during the school year. Hit some shops, enjoy some eats, or take part in outdoor activities in the great March weather that settles on Pismo Beach.

Chow Down During Spring Break in Pismo Beach

Whatever your family’s tastes, Pismo Beach restaurants are varied and delicious. Dig into authentic, western, down-home cooking at F. McLintock’s Saloon and Dining House, where steaks and ribs satisfy the adults and the Kids Corral menu offers the kind of fare even the pickiest young eater will love. Two Pismo Beach family favorite food locations are Splash Café, known for their award-winning clam chowder, and the Cracked Crab which offers fine seafood in the most casual atmosphere, and one of the tastiest kids’ menus in town.

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Get to Know the Beaches of Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach BeachesAll beaches are not created equal, but the sands of Pismo Beach are spectacular in their own unique ways. Whether your passion is surfing, off-roading, or just finding the best place to construct a sandcastle, Pismo Beach has the sand and surf to match.

Veer Off the Beaten Sand

Oceano Dunes got its name for a reason – the sand dune area is recognized as one of the finest coastal dunes remaining in California, expertly crafted by Mother Nature. One of the most unique California State Parks, Oceano Dunes offers 3,600 acres for off-roading recreation, making it a popular destination for the most adventurous outdoorsy folks who consider their ATV a second vehicle.

If your speed is a little tamer, passenger cars are easily driven on the northern portion of the beach so you can still get to wherever you want to go. Heading to the off-highway vehicle use area? Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. You’ll find wide ranges of temperatures depending on the season, so layered clothing is encouraged whether you’re horseback riding or swimming.

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Pismo Beach is a Dog’s Second-Best Friend

Not every beach welcomes pets, but Pismo Beach encourages paws of all sorts – and they’re allowed in more places than just the sand.

It’s a Dog’s Life on Pismo Beach

There are designated beach areas for pooches and their people, including Pismo Beach to the left of the Pismo Pier, the Oceano Dunes, and Port San Luis and Avila Beach (hike there via the scenic Bob Jones Trail) which encompasses activities for every speed, be it stroller, rollerblades, bikes, or walkers. Bring your Frisbee along, doggie paddle in the waves, or see if your pet is game for a ride on your surfboard.

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Couples Say “I Do” All Over Again at the SeaCrest

SeaCrest WeddingsOnce is never enough! Three lucky couples will say “I do” to their sweethearts a second time during the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel’s special wedding vow renewal ceremony being held on Saturday, February 16. This event will serve as the finale to our yearlong 50th anniversary celebration.

I Do, I Do, I Do in Pismo Beach

There’s no better place to see the beauty of Pismo Beach than our OceanFront Terrace, situated at the top of the SeaCrest. This picturesque location will serve as the elegant setting for three individual ceremonies taking place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Want to revel in love? Want to renew your own vows in spirit? Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend this special occasion.

Andy Morris will officiate. Each ceremony will be accompanied by music provided by Nathan Town. Flowers will be provided by Sprigs, while the tent and accoutrements will be supplied by Taylor Rentals. And what’s a wedding ceremony without pictures? Harrison-Douglas Photography will be capturing each event on film for the honored couples.

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Go Take a Hike in Pismo Beach

hiking in Pismo BeachPismo Beach is known almost as much for its hiking trails and nature walks as for its sand and surf. The best news is you don’t have to be Bear Grylls or invest in hundreds of dollars of hiking equipment (unless you want to) to appreciate the scenic vistas of the Central Coast.

Get back to nature, take the family out, enjoy a day in the sunshine with your significant other, or hit the trails all by your lonesome. There’s a little something for everyone in the great outdoors surrounding Pismo Beach.

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Hot Water Sports in Pismo Beach: Paddleboarding and Kiteboarding

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding in Pismo BeachWhether you’re into extreme sports or calm pastimes, the hottest water sports in Pismo Beach are challenging and satisfying. Stand-up paddleboarding and kiteboarding have been growing in popularity on the Central Coast. Are you ready to dive in on your next trip to Pismo Beach?

Paddle Over to Pismo Beach

Never saw yourself as someone with the balance or agility to hang ten with the best of surfers? Now there’s another way to be one with the ocean – stand-up paddle boarding. A stand-up paddle is used to propel the rider across the surface of the ocean while standing on a surfboard. This method of “walking on water” offers fresh vantage points, excellent views, and new perspectives than might otherwise be had from a boat, kayak, or traditional surfboard.

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12 Reasons to Visit Pismo Beach in 2013

Whichever months you’ll be traveling this year, Pismo Beach is always teeming with activity and just plain fun. Here are 12 not-to-be-missed sights, sounds, and events, one for each month of 2013.

1. Chow Down During Restaurant Month in Pismo Beach

Clam chowder, fresh fish, local produce, fine wines – the tastes of Pismo Beach are in the spotlight during California Restaurant Month. With participating restaurants offering three-course, prix fixe menus for only $30, you can indulge night after night. Extra incentive to please your palate: SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel’s Foodie Delight Package, which includes a one-night stay and dinner for two!

Port San Luis Lighthouse2. Nothing Says Love Like a Lighthouse

Planning to spend Valentine’s Day weekend in Pismo Beach? Make it uber romantic with a reservation for two at the Point San Luis Lighthouse. Pop that engagement ring in a glass of bubbly. Share a sweet dessert. Enjoy tapas and wine while you’re serenaded. Or just tour this intimate locale during Love at the Lighthouse on February 16.

3. Get Melodramatic Before, During, and After the Ides of March

Song, dance, comedy – it’s a year full of laughter at The Great American Melodrama & Vaudeville. March features two uproarious adventures: “The Fox on the Fairway” and “Les Miserables… or a whole lot LESS miserable.” And vaudeville revues follow each show.

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Bird Watchers Nest in Pismo Beach

birdwatching in Pismo BeachIt’s a bird! It’s another bird! It’s birdwatching time in Pismo Beach! January is a fantastic month for birding on the Central Coast, and local events draw birders from all over the continent who wish to get up close and personal with some feathered friends.

Get Festive with Pismo Beach Birds

The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival is an annual eco-tourism event that gathers together over 450 birders in Morro Bay, California, on Martin Luther King weekend. Bird enthusiasts are able to see, photograph, and learn more about the over 200 species and thousands of birds native to the beautiful Central Coast beaches and parks.

Birding takes place on half-day field trips and all-day tours via boat rides, kayaks, and van trips throughout San Luis Obispo County, to visit a variety of habitats including deep water pelagic, oak woodland and riparian, wetland and estuary, and the unique grassland habitat of the Carrizo Plain.Informative workshops introduce newbies to the art of birding, while veterans of bird observation can delve into very specific bird topics on everything from feathers to gull identification.

The festival caters to avid bird watchers but welcomes families and beginners, identifying programs appropriate for every level of birding. Vendors and local merchants will be on hand with nature-related books, equipment, gear, and artwork.

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