Welcoming the Monarch Butterfly to Pismo Beach

October 18, 2012

We like to think of the mass migration of monarch butterflies to Pismo Beach as a natural phenomenon – except this is a tornado of energy and beauty that you want to see. The landing spot for thousands of black and orange butterflies is the Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, and opening day is October 27, 2012.

There’s No Place Like Home

Some might like to think of the clusters of monarch butterflies in the Pismo Beach Grove as a family reunion – but the butterflies that descend on this lucky spot have never been herebefore! The typical lifespan of a monarch is two to six weeks, except for the last generation of the year – the migrating butterflies – which can live for six months.

There is no clear answer as to why the monarchs gather together on the eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach – perhaps they’re all attracted to the same conditions of that specific area, or they may derive benefits from hanging together in a massive group, offering each other protection and warmth. Their purpose is called “overwintering” and, scientists speculate, the butterflies innately seek out their winter locations almost as if they have a built-in GPS system.

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Award-Winning SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel Still Making Memories

October 16, 2012

Fifty years ago, a small hotel began with the dream of positioning itself as the ideal destination for Pismo Beach visitors. This year, the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel received the California Lodging Industry Association (CLIA) 2012 Award for Excellence in Lodging and Hospitality. Hurrah for us! Hurrah for you!

Keeping It Real at the SeaCrest

The CLIA judges were especially impressed by the effectiveness of our sales and marketing message and the results it has amassed. But we’re proud to say that the advertisements we use and information we supply to our guests is simply us being real. The sparkling sands of Pismo Beach that seem so close? Guests really do have direct beach access right from the hotel. The animals cavorting on the lawn? We joyfully operate a pet-friendly hotel.

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Dig Into the 66th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival

October 10, 2012

Make like a sea otter and lay claim to your share of the Central Coast’s tasty Pismo clams (and more) at the 66th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival being held on and around Pismo Pier from October 19-21, 2012.

Visitors to Pismo Beach – the self-proclaimed Clam Capital of the World – are welcomed into the heart of the town by a giant clam statue. What better way to spend your time in Pismo than by celebrating the mollusk this laid-back town is known for?

Clam Festival Activities

A community tradition since 1946, the Pismo Beach Clam Festival is an October favorite for locals and visitors alike. Kicking off with a jolly parade, the weekend involves all manner of beachy pastimes, including a surf contest, sandcastle contest, live music, a beer garden, food galore, and a boisterous clam dig for kids 11 and under.

And no clam festival would be complete without a clam chowder cook-off. If you just can’t get enough chowder to satisfy your appetite, there’s always Splash Café and their award-winning chowder in a sourdough bread bowl to slurp up – New England clam chowder doesn’t have anything on the Central Coast!

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Fall Weather in Pismo Beach Can’t Be Beat

October 5, 2012

A beach getaway is not reserved for the summer months alone. If you think October means you missed your window of opportunity to enjoy some sand, waves, and dunes, it’s time to head to Pismo Beach, where fall is the second coming of summer.

Comfy Autumn in Pismo Beach

October is among the warmest months of the year in Pismo Beach. So even though school is back in session, Mother Nature and her beautiful coast are not married to any sort of calendar. Pismo Beach in the fall typically translates to balmy days, and the weather in October is pretty much the same as the summer weather. Though locals appreciate that there is usually far less fog hanging around the beach in the fall months.

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Have You Joined Our Rewards Program Yet?

September 13, 2012

We’re part of Stash Hotel Rewards, where you can earn and redeem points for free nights at the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel and other great independent hotels across the U.S.

Why join Stash?

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Foodies & Wine Lovers Unite to SAVOR the Central Coast

August 30, 2012

Have you ever watched Top Chef Masters and thought, “Ah, I wonder if their food actually tastes as good as it looks?” Well, from September 27 – 30, 2012, you can try a morsel or two – and accompany it with a flavorful wine or brew. Celebrity chefs like the funky cool Susan Feniger, Aarti Sequeira of Aarti Party, Chopped host Ted Allen, and the chef who made sustainable seafood chic, Rick Moonen, will be gathered at SAVOR the Central Coast for four days of culinary fun and flair. But there’s more on tap…

Thirsty? Set Your Sights on Pismo Beach and SAVOR

You don’t have to be an oenophile to appreciate the more than 200 wines that will be showcased at SAVOR the Central Coast. The Main Event will highlight the talents of local winemakers and brew masters alike, while guests can get educated about the finest grapes through popular wine seminars, featuring panels of experts and winemakers. Learn about flavor profiles, explore the finest refreshments of the Central Coast, and taste, taste, taste.

Dig Into Locally Inspired Culinary Bites

Grab a front seat to witness the culinary flair of a chef demonstration at SAVOR or learn the kitchen secrets of Central Coast gourmet artists. Watch chefs who hail from Seattle, Boston, and Washington, D.C. as they showcase their luscious talents and compete in the Battle of the Bay, hosted by Ted Allen and judged by the new Sunset Editor-in-Chief Kitty Morgan. Or join in the Thursday opening night event: An Enchanting Evening at Hearst Castle.

Get to Know Our Local Wine Country – from Pismo Beach to Paso Robles

If you’re a wine buff, you’ve heard of Paso Robles. If you’re a movie buff and you’ve seen Sideways, you’ve always wanted to check out the local wine region and those green and golden vistas of California wine country. SAVOR showcases the finest varietals grown on the Central Coast and does not disappoint. The quality and diversity of our local premium wines come courtesy of the winegrape growing region’s ideal climate. When you visit, be sure to visit the many wineries in and around Pismo Beach.

Savor Your Stay in Pismo Beach

Enjoy more than just one day of Central Coast flavor at SAVOR. Really dig into this culinary adventure (and the rest of what Pismo Beach has to offer) and book a long weekend at a Pismo Beach hotel. The SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel is offering The Western Wine Awards Package, valid September 28^th – 30th. The package is being offered at $339 per night for two people and includes two nights lodging, two tickets to the scrumptious Western Wine Awards Dinner at Dinosaur Caves Park and the Savor Main Event at Santa Margarita Ranch. Plus, you get two delish hot breakfasts for two at our onsite Marie Callender’s.

Beach, wine, hob-nobbing with gifted culinarians and vintners… Fall doesn’t get any tastier than this in Pismo Beach.

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Back to School. Pismo Beach. You Know What That Means!

August 27, 2012

When the children are away, the adults will play! School is back in session and the beaches of Pismo have emptied out. Pismo Beach is calling all singles, retirees, and empty nesters to its temperate, peaceful shores. What are you waiting for? Take advantage of the quiet space while it reigns.

Hang Ten – or Just Hang – on Pismo Beach

Surfing the waves of the Pacific Ocean never felt so spacious. No boogie boards in sight, no kid-traffic to worry about – this is the time of year when the swells are all yours. Whether you’re a veteran or neophyte, Pismo Beach surfing in fall offers plenty of room for you and your board.

Fish in Peace on Pismo Pier

Looking for silence as you aim to hook a big one off the famed Pismo Pier? You’ll find it in the off-season once the kids have traded their flip-flops for sneakers and sand pails for backpacks. Let Pismo Beach pier fishing reel you into a Pismo Beach getaway for one, two, or more.

No Need to Call Ahead

Avoid the beach restaurants in summer because you prefer a quiet meal? School’s in session during the daylight hours and homework is the meal du jour after dark. So take a bite out of our top picks for Pismo Beach restaurants and you’ll enjoy tranquility, shorter waits, and superior service in Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, and beyond.

Off-Beach Recreation

Stay on Pismo Beach all day then head into San Luis Obispo for live music and an art walk full of creative energy. The vibe of Pismo Beach accommodates the little ones but it certainly caters to the child-free adults who have time to spend absorbing the best of this coastal town. Take a wine tour, tee off at a world-class Pismo Beach golf course, or just people watch as you take in the wound-down, relaxed atmosphere on your time away.

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Tee Off on the World-Class Golf Courses of Pismo Beach

August 17, 2012

Teeing up for some action on the golf courses of Pismo Beach? Get close to the green of these Pismo Beach golf courses – just minutes from the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel – and your vacation on California’s Central Coast can only be a hole in one.

Avila Beach Golf Resort

Looking for surf with your turf? The Avila Beach Golf Resort is a seaside resort nestled conveniently in Avila Beach between San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach. This ace golfing destination boasts a 6,500-yard championship course boasts a 6500 yard par 71 championship course. With a front nine surrounded by oak-lined valleys and a back nine following a tidal estuary, golfers of all abilities can be one with nature while you swing your iron and go for those birdies.

Blacklake Golf Course

Located in the friendly foothills of Nipomo, CA, the Black Lake Golf Course is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, playability, and beautiful spot in the heart of California’s Central Coast. The course features 27 holes comprised of three nine-hole layouts. The numerous course combinations are laid out for varying skill levels (newbies, this one’s for you) which means you can visit again and again for a different experience each time.

Cypress Ridge

The Peter Jacobsen Signature Course at Cypress Ridge Golf Club in Arroyo Grande, CA, is challenging, gorgeous, and designed to mesh with and enhance the nature that surrounds it. Cypress Ridge has been certified by Audubon International as a Signature Sanctuary, making it a memorable experience for all golfers because of the beauty and the intricacies of the course. You’ll be so wrapped up in the lush green fairways, it’ll be easy to forget about your last bogey.

Monarch Dunes

Picturesque Nipomo, CA, is home to the Monarch Dunes, which has laid claim to a great number of tantalizing titles over the past several years including America’s Top 50 Golf Courses for Women (Golf Digest), Top 10 Par-3 Course (Golf.com), America’s Best New Courses (Golf Week), and Southern California’s 20 Best Golf Courses (Golf Today). The two award-winning golf courses of Monarch Dunes include the 18-hole “Old Course” and the 12-hole, par-3 “Challenge Course,” both created to test your handicap in a good way.

Pismo Beach Golf Course

Looking for a more casual golfing experience to practice your skills or introduce a neophyte to the green? Head to the Pismo Beach Golf Course in Grover Beach, CA, where you can hit balls sunrise to sunset, seven days a week on their 9-hole, 3-par course.

Stay to Play in Pismo Beach

The stunning golf courses of Pismo Beach await you, so book your stay at a Pismo Beach hotel and enjoy all that the San Luis Obispo area has to offer beyond the fairway. The SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel gives you direct beach access, an easy walk to the great Pismo Pier, and an ideal location to taste test the night life of SLO as a reward for your work on the green during the day. The gorgeous, temperate Central Coast of California boasts over 300 days of sunshine – that leaves you with plenty of time for golf, relaxation, and an invigorating stay in Pismo Beach.

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‘Tis the Season for Live Music in and Around Pismo Beach

August 5, 2012

When the sound of crashing waves isn’t enough music for your soul, the beat goes on throughout Pismo Beach. Don’t miss these live musical happenings as summer fades into fall.

Pismo Beach’s spiritual musical interlude

The picturesque Thousand Hills Ranch in Pismo Beach is the setting for Reveal 2012. Celebrate a night of live worship music under the Central Coast stars on Saturday, August 4, at 7 p.m.

Music is art in Pismo Beach

Have anything but a lazy Sunday at Art in the Park at Dinosaur Caves, held the first Sunday of every month through November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live jazz, folk, rock, reggae, and world music accompany this unique outdoor art festival located cliffside along Pismo Beach.

Age does not apply to music and dance

You’re never too old to rock and roll, and the Senior Social at Pismo Beach Veterans’ Hall is just the place for young Baby Boomers and beyond. Welcoming an audience aged 50+, the monthly themed dance event is scheduled for Monday, August 13, at 1 p.m.

Give your regards to the Broadway of Pismo Beach

Broadway by the Sea takes place on Saturday, August 18, at 1 p.m. at the exclusive Chapman House by the Sea in Pismo Beach. This outdoor concert features the booming, beautiful voices of OperaSLO belting out Broadway tunes and more. Garden-strolling, picnicking, and scenery-gazing highly recommended.

Charming music of the Emerald Isle

Consider yourself lucky to attend the Young Ireland Concert at La Perla Del Mar Chapel in Pismo Beach on Thursday, August 30, at 7:30 p.m. This father-son duo presents an evening of authentic Irish folk music, accompanied by local musicians Patrick Pearson on lead guitar, Bob Liepman on cello, and Dana Pearson on flute.

Even if you’re not attending an organized musical event, Pismo Beach is filled with beautiful music, from the harmonies of street musicians to the undiscovered talent in local restaurants and bars. Stay for a night, a weekend, or even longer at the only bluff top Pismo Beach hotel with direct beach access – the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel. Remove the ear buds and let in the notes of Pismo Beach – you’ll discover new, inspiring, and relaxing sounds that will make you want to return time and time again.

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Hold Your Own Olympics in Pismo Beach

July 30, 2012

There’s nothing like an international gathering of agile, coordinated, motivated athletes that makes you want to get off your couch and move your body. As the London Olympics kick off, you can carry your own torch for fitness. Thankfully, in Pismo Beach, the emphasis is on fun, and the getting fit part is just a bonus.

Say goodbye to monotony and challenge yourself to the Olympic-worthy sporting adventures that live and breathe in Pismo Beach.

Surfing U.S.A.

Gold-medal surfers will appreciate the soft waves and wind-blocking hills of Pismo Beach surfing, while wave newbies can take advantage of laid-back Pismo Beach surf lessons.

Beach Volleyball

Envision yourself as Kerri Walsh or Misty May-Treanor? Hone your beach volleyball skills on the white sands of Pismo Beach. Rent a beach volleyball court north of Pismo Pier and get ready to show off your spiking prowess!

Kayaking

Rent a kayak or bring your own to the Pacific Ocean and explore the waves, rocks, caves, cliffs, coves, and beaches surrounding beautiful Pismo Beach. Life vests required!

Swimming

Call on your inner Michael Phelps and bring along your Ryan Lochte frenemy to Pismo Beach for an old-fashioned swimming rivalry as you brave the break line of the mighty Pacific.

Running

Endurance athletes can enter a solo mini-marathon running down the gorgeous coastline in the glow of a Pismo Beach sunset. Or opt for private, uninterrupted solace in the early hours as you pound the sand and run among the Oceano Dunes.

Spelunking

Far from being an Olympic sport, spelunking is nevertheless a respected physical feat for the adventurers among us. Explore the coves and caves that populate Pismo Beach and see what treasures you might dig up… bronze, silver, or gold.

Don’t forget about jet-skiing, sky-diving, kite boarding, and the tempting golf courses of Pismo Beach. Or if you consider shopping, dining, or wine tasting Olympic-worthy sports (which we do!) then Pismo Beach will satisfy in those departments too, offering up some of the finest hot spots on the Central Coast.

When your muscles are burning and you’re ready to rest for the day, put your feet up at one of Pismo Beach’s finest hotels, the SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel and catch the Olympic highlights from jolly ol’ England. Make our Pismo Beach hotel your Olympic Village, with convenient beach access and unparalleled views.

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