California Mid-State Fair: Make Mid-Summer Memories Last

June 29, 2016

Get ready for one of the Central Coast’s most anticipated summertime events – the Mid State Fair, touting the theme this year: “The Adventure Continues…”. For 11 days straight enjoy world renowned musical acts, thrilling rides, the excitement of the rodeo, delicious food, and more. Dance your heart out in Paso Robles and return home with epic memories to last a lifetime.

Because of the fair’s central location you can delight in the absolute best of two worlds – the fun of the fair and the restoration of a beach vacation. Play at the fair by day and return oceanside to Pismo Beach to rest and rejuvenate. Comfort your weary feet from walking and dancing by sticking your toes in the warm sand or cool sea before and after you hit the grandstands. The ocean air and Pismo Beach tranquility will make sure your getaway is a mid-summer dream. 

The Best is Back

The fair is a tradition here on the central coast. With the opening act and onward we get to revel for days in pure entertainment and enjoyment, much of which is anticipated all year long and we expect each year. The music, carnival food and rides, the animals and home goods contests. The best of the central coast comes together for a fantastic celebration. This year is no different, starting with a great lineup of musicians. 

Performers this year include Foghat, Reckless Kelly, Tim McGraw, Don Henley, Bruce in the USA, Duran Duran, Blake Sheldon, Noel Torres and many others. The concert series is the center stage of the fair with endless delights surrounding the stage. Who can pass up a once a year indulgence of a deep fried twinkie? 😉

If your favorite event is the beauty pageant, don’t miss the 2016 Miss California Mid-State Fair pageant to be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 6:30p on the Frontier Stage. Admission and parking will be free for this event!

New to the Mid State Fair This Year

To keep the Central Coast community on our toes, the event also continues to grow and evolve.

While the rodeo events are a long standing tradition, this year the fair is throwing a welcome (and radical) twist. This year check out the new Extreme Team Rodeo featuring unique events fans love including Bull Riding and American-style Bull Fighting, along with new events such as Bull Poker, Ring of Fire, Toro Teeter Totter and FMX. The contestants are just as raucous as the bulls and are sure to put on a great show!

This year the fair also includes an art contest with public judging during the fair: The Vineyard Dog Park Special Award. Art entries will be judged by fair attendees and the winner will translate the art piece onto a mural at the Vineyard Dog Park. This kind of community involvement makes the California Mid State Fair a unique and personal experience unlike most entertainment.

Convenient transportation is available by either catching a shuttle from AG or SLO up to the fairgrounds or by driving to Paso Robles and catching a bus into the fair from close by.

Tickets can be purchased online, at local outlets or at the fair grounds, though some of the concerts do sell out. Full day passes are available for unlimited rides and you can even buy a season pass if you’re one of those who just can’t get enough. For questions, check out the Mid State Fair FAQ.

Be safe and have the time of your life this summer in Pismo Beach and the California Central Coast. And of course, if you need a place to stay, the SeaCrest hotel is just a short distance from Paso Robles and the Mid State Fair.

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Tide Pools in Pismo Beach: Discover Delight in the Ecosystems

June 21, 2016

Pismo Beach and neighboring Central Coast beaches are the perfect places to make the most of both high and low tides. Coastal swells generate fabulous waves as well as rich tide pools, opening up worlds of adventure to explore above and below the ocean’s surface.

Critter Kaleidoscope

From rocky outcroppings to sweeping sandy bottoms, a bustling underwater wilderness awaits your visit. The rise and fall of the tide carries with it an abundance of creatures and plants. Say hello to sea urchins, sea stars, anemones, snails, crabs and more. Near certain tide pool areas you will also find harbor seals and otters.

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Boat the Central Coast: Pismo Beach Fishing, Cruising, and More

June 14, 2016

You might believe you’re a landlubber, or perhaps you only feel like one when you’re in the ocean and not sailing upon it, but one trip to Pismo Beach will alter your perception. Charter cruises provide services that are an ideal fit for individuals, couples, families, or groups. Whether you’re on the hunt for a way to unwind or a way to get energized, you can find a satisfactory way to spend your time on the waters of the Central Coast.

Charter a Ride on the Central Coast

Are you game for rod-bending, break-a-sweat sportfishing? Or are you seeking a tamer but nevertheless heart-stopping pastime like whale watching? Virg’s Landing Charters in Morro Bay invites visitors to choose either of these activities, or book a private charter to go after the biggest fish in the coastal waters. Whether you’re boating solo or bringing the family, a charter trip is just the ticket to a memorable experience on the Pacific Ocean.

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For Your Safety: KEEP OFF the Pismo Cliffs

June 7, 2016

Of course, we prefer not to be a bearer of bad news or a wet blanket on your beach fun. We always want to celebrate all the great things about the SeaCrest and Pismo Beach vacationing. But today we must cover something critical to a safe and happy summer. This is a matter of YOUR safety. The Cliffs are crumbling. With El Nino rains this year, the erosion is happening faster than ever. The edge of the cliff is unstable! It is absolutely critical you STAY OFF THE CLIFFS.

We have a sign by the vista, but some people seem to think it’s ok to ignore it, step over it and get closer to the edge. For a better view, we ask? Because the view you may end up having is one where you’re looking up at a bank of fluorescent lights in a hospital room – or worse. And we’re not kidding. This year has already seen one death from a cliff fall, a 22 year old man in March, off Pirate’s Cove in Avila. And there have been more. Last year an 18 year old fell to his untimely death. These deaths are preventable. KEEP OFF THE CLIFFS.

There are plenty of beautiful areas we have designated for great viewing and photo ops. Stay safe and use those. Where there are paths appearing worn on the unsafe side of a DO NOT ENTER sign, it’s not safe. Read and follow the posted signage and get the most out of your holiday. If you have questions, please check with the staff before crossing any marked boundaries. Your life depends on your good judgment.

We know by coming to the Central Coast you may be looking for fun and adventure. Great!  —Try an Extreme Hummer Adventure in the dunes or zipline over the valleys and vineyards with Margarita Adventures. There is a time and a place to take risks for a good rush and great memories. Trespassing to the edge of the CLIFFS at Pismo Beach isn’t that place. Stay safe – and please, STAY OFF THE CLIFFS.

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Fireworks in Pismo Beach – Start Summer off with a Bang

May 31, 2016

The 4th of July marks the height of summer fun with food, festivities, and FIREWORKS! Pismo Beach offers holiday inspired live music, military bands, clowns, and of course the super fireworks show right off the pier.

Find the perfect perch to watch the fireworks and celebrate this special summer holiday in Pismo Beach style. Watch while lounging on the beach on either side of the Pismo Beach Pier, sit on the beautiful Promenade where it meets the pier, or you can even bring your chairs and blankets right up onto the pier for VIP seating (for a fee).

Even better, do what many our guests do and enjoy the fireworks show right from the SeaCrest property. We have a special vantage from the central lawn or even a great view from the pool or patio. You can have your own private party, watching from your room’s balcony or, for an over the top experience, join us for a VIP special viewing on the RoofTop Terrace.

Here’s Your Recipe for the Perfect 4th of July at Pismo Beach

Day At The Beach

With more than ten top beaches in a 10 mile stretch, finding a place for your perfect day at the beach is no problem. A little R&R, some serious volleyball, a long peaceful stretch to take a leisurely walk, a great dog friendly beach – whatever makes you happy is just minutes away.

Barbecue Done For You

Hats off if you are up for cooking the traditional BBQ yourself (guests at the SeaCrest can use one of our several gas grills located on the OceanView patio) before heading to the beach for the evening festivities. If you’re looking for someone to serve it up for you, find authentic, local BBQ at Mo’s Smokehouse. For a more formal sit down with superior grilled options, check out Ventana Grill, which also offers a wide ocean view with windows along much of the dining room.

Fireworks Finale

Blast off this summer with a special celebration of our nation’s independence this 4th of July at Pismo Beach! Throughout California the drought has caused cancellations of many local fireworks shows. Pismo Beach is proud to provide a safe, family-friendly, and joyful opportunity to continue this summer tradition. Live music will play until 9pm when the fireworks begin. Come early and stay late.

Independence Day is at its finest in Pismo Beach. If you haven’t made your plans yet we encourage you to light up your motivation and make arrangements today. We’d love to see you here, at the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel in Pismo Beach.

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Travel with the Family, Dine with the Family – Pismo Beach Restaurants Your Children Will Love

May 25, 2016

When you’re on vacation with the family, finding the perfect places to dine that satisfy everyone’s tastes can be challenging. You want an environment your children will enjoy while not comprising on great flavor. Plus a good value is always nice when dealing with large family meals throughout an entire vacation.

Pismo Beach proudly provides families with the best kid-friendly restaurants for all occasions. Whether looking for a quick bite inbetween meals or a sit-down experience to celebrate a birthday, browse our list of suggested restaurants both children and parents will love.

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The Time Is Here! The Pismo Preserve Will Soon Be Open to the Public

May 18, 2016

The eleven mile trail system at the 900+ acre Pismo Preserve is complete. Over 230 volunteers worked 6,500 hours to build the trails that will be accessible by foot, mountain bike and horse just northeast of the City of Pismo Beach right off Highway 101. Discover the diverse scenery that encompasses the beauty of the Central Coast with oak woodlands, coastal ridgelines and Pacific Ocean Views from Irish Hills to Point Sal.

Besides providing outdoor enthusiasts with vast recreational opportunities, creating the Preserve is allowing The Land Conservancy to protect and improve the natural resources on this unique piece of property. Conservation and restoration efforts provide refuge for threatened and endangered animals and plant communities. For example, the Pismo Creek and other streams provide natural habitats for the southwest pond turtle, the endangered California red-legged frog and the threatened South-Central California Coast Steelhead.

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Swim. Bike. Run. There’s a Triathlon for Everyone on the Central Coast

May 10, 2016

No matter how you like to get your sweat on, there is a triathlon on the Central Coast to suit your athleticism. Triathlons aren’t for sissies, but they aren’t reserved for the veteran athletes alone either. If you are prepared to push yourself mentally and physically, then a triathlon is your Mount Everest. Fitness goals are extremely individual, and the only person you’re truly competing against in a triathlon is yourself.

Here are some of the most popular triathlons coming up over the next several months:

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Explore Artisan Cheeses on the Central Coast

May 4, 2016

Visitors to California’s Central Coast think of surfing, seafood, and… cheese? But of course! What’s better than locally produced artisan cheese to go with a fine California wine?

What’s So Special About Artisanal Cheese?

You can go to your local grocery store and purchase any block of cheese, or request sliced American or Swiss cheese from the deli, or grab a bag of shredded mass-produced cheese to add to your next homemade pizza. There’s nothing wrong with mild, one-size-fits-all cheese. But when you’re seeking flavors that are a little more complex, when you want something rare to serve at your dinner party or enjoy with cocktails, there is artisanal cheese.

Traditionally made by hand in small batches rather than manufactured in bulk, artisanal cheeses are known for their complex tastes and varieties. The aesthetics of the cheeses are important too – it’s not just how the cheese tastes, but how it looks that matters. The proper aging and ripening of the cheese is critical to the final product’s appearance, texture, and flavors.

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What’s Trending on the Central Coast

April 28, 2016

The Central Coast lifestyle embraces outdoor activities, great food and drink, friendly atmospheres and healthy living. And there is always something new to experience as our local farmers, curators, winemakers, shop owners, musicians and more create the ‘next best thing’ for your enjoyment.

So, what’s hot this summer on the Central Coast? Check out what’s trending and plan to try something new the next time you visit Pismo Beach and its surrounding communities.

Craft Hard Ciders

The Central Coast is known for its production of fine wines and beer, but did you know one of its latest trends – that has been many years in the making – is the production of craft hard cider? Not only do they provide a refreshing alternative to beer and sparkling wine, the distinct variety of flavor profiles makes cider tasting a whole new experience.

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