Info For the Pismo Virgin

Originally posted by LisaLisa and reposted with permission (Thanks LP!)

PLACES TO EAT
You're bound to find something to your taste buds' liking amongst the whole gangload of Pismo eateries listed at http://new.centralcoast.com and www.classiccalifornia.com. If you ask nice I'll trun you on to THE BEST Mexican Carniceria on the entire Central Coast. It's parked in the back of a little mercadito in Oceano and will rock your world for breakfast, lunch and dinner...and their menudo is sure to cure any hangover. Ask me how I know ;) There ain't much nightlife around here unless you're booked into one of the fancier inns, which usually have their own bars and after-hours scene. One place for surfers is Harry's Beach Bar and Night Club (690 Cypress St., 805-773-1010). Rosa's Italian Restaurant (491 Price St., 805-773-0551) has a heated patio and a full bar, or check out Del's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant (401 Shell Beach Rd., 805-773-4438). Hot Shots Cafe (250 Pomeroy Ave., 805-773-4542) is loaded with pool tables and decent fish-and-chips. For "healthfully prepared Mexican dishes at affordable prices," give Jalapeno's Taco Hut a try (246 Pomeroy Ave., 805-773-3806). The Splash Cafe's serves tasty clam chowder in a bread bowl and its menu features nothing for more than $5.75 (197 Pomeroy Ave., 805-773-4653). One interesting steakhouse worth a look is F. McLintock's Dining House (750 Mattie Rd., 805-773-1892). The Black Pearl Coffee House is at 230 Pomeroy Ave., 805-773-6631. For world-class seafood and casual Pismo ambiance, we highly recommend a stop at the Cracked Crab (751 Price St., 805-773-2722). The food is ultra-fresh and delicious for a reasonable sum.

PLACES TO STAY (if you're not camping on the beach)
Since Pismo is a tourist destination, plenty of lodging exists in all categories of cost and class. A half-block from the pier is the economical Surf Motel (250 Main St., 805-773-2070 or 800-472-7873), featuring a heated indoor swimming pool and an outdoor sun deck. Equally close to the surf is the Beach Comber Inn (541 Cypress St., 805-773-5505). For those of you who seek out the hotel chains for comfort and consistent price, there's always the faithful Motel 6 (860 4th St., 805-773-2665). An unobstructed view of the pier's south side can be had from the Sandcastle Inn (100 Stimson Ave., 805-773-2422). The Sea Gypsy Motel (1020 Cypress St., 805-773-1801 or 800-592-5923) is another one of those concrete monstrosities when viewed from the water, but offers a stellar surf check vantage point when you're cozily tucked inside of it. Other such beachfront eyesores can be discovered at www.classiccalifornia.com/lodging and http://new.centralcoast.com. Of course, you have the option of camping. The Pismo Coast Village R.V. Resort (165 S. Dolliver St., 805-773-1811) has 400 R.V. sites with full hookups, laundry, a store and swimming pool. The 103-site Pismo State Beach North Beach Campground is 300 yards from the ocean, separated by sand dunes and eucalyptus groves. Adjoining the Ocean Lagoon to the east and Pismo Beach to the west, the Pismo State Beach Oceano Campground has 82 campsites (42 of them with trailer hookups), showers, restrooms and a couple of cool little hiking trails. For reservations and info about both state beach campgrounds, consult www.parks.ca.gov or call 805-489-2684. If you're bringing kids, they'll love the playground at Oceano Memorial County Park, featuring 64 campsites and picnic areas around the Oceano Lagoon (805-549-5930). If you want to sleep in a hostel, motor inland a ways to San Luis Obispo, where you'll find Hostel Obispo ($15/night) at 1617 Santa Rosa St., 805-544-4678).

THINGS TO DO (besides freeride - hey, ya gotta keep your better half happy sometimes too yaknow)
The pier is wheelchair accessible and has a concession stand, bait sales and fishing equipment rentals. The sprawling sand dunes of Pismo State Beach are often used in movies and television shows and are pretty cool for horseback riding, picnics, hiking, guided nature walks and camping. By and large, Pismo Beach is known as the "Clam Capital of the World." Log on to www.classiccalifornia.com/clamming for all the info. Four-wheel ATV riding on the dunes around Oceano can be fun, too, although widely frowned upon by environmentalists and dune lovers. You can rent ATVs from B.J.'s ATV (805-4815411) and Arnie's ATV Rentals (805-473-1610). For something equally motorized but unique in its own funny way, you can embark on a Hummer Beach Tour (805-481-9330). For all you Pac-Man freaks, there's a full arcade in the Typhoon Family Entertainment Center (805-773-8604) and bowling is available at the Pismo Bowl downtown (805-773-2482). You and your sweetheart can ride horses along the beach and in the dune area. Rent the animals in Oceano from Silver Spur Livery Stables (805-489-8100). If none of this sounds appetizing, you can always go head-banging. Pismo Beach remains the hessian capital of the world.

SURF SHOPS
Step into Moondoggies Beach Club at 781 Dolliver St., 805-773-1995; Pancho's Surf Shop at 181 Pomeroy Ave., 805-773-7100 or Pismo Beach Surf Shop at 231 Pomeroy Ave., 805-773-0134.
 
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Ah yes, how on earth could I brain fart and forget Mr. Jones fine establishment. Sorry Mikey.

Let's see....I'll give you MY personal favs....little known gems of the central coast: The carniceria is La Tapatia on Beech and 17th in Oceano - 1909 Front St
Oceano, CA 93445 (606) 348-3770....head to the back of the market and go see "Lucy" (with the gold teeth) tell her Lisa sent ya - this lady has been working there 7 days a week for as long as I can remember (and I'm from Pismo). The spicy pork is to die for and their burritos (breakfast and regular meals) will knock your socks off and are a total bargian. they open at 7 a.m. and also have ICE COLD beer (lots of variety) on hand.

Also...I love the following:

Splash Cafe (chowder rocks almost as hard as Mom's)
197 Pomeroy Ave
Pismo Beach, CA, 93449
(805) 773-4653

Jocko's Steak House (a longtime family fav - simply mouth watering)
125 N Thompson Ave
Nipomo, CA, 93444
(805) 929-3565

Bernardo's Ice Cream in old towne Arroyo Grande - blows Cold Stone Creamery away.

Klondike Pizza
104 Bridge St
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
(805) 481-5288
Another must-have every time I’m in town. This is what I ask for for birthday dinners, lunches with coworkers, or casual dates.... My favorites are the veggie on white sauce, roadkill on either sauce, Hawaiian with garlic on white sauce....Garlic cheese bread is to DIE FOR - yummy sandwiches burgers & salads too. Ooh... The things i would do for a slice (or 2) right now.... My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Another killer Pizza place which is closer to the beach and has excellent Italian food to boot is Paisano's Pizza & PastaPaisano's Pizza & Pasta
1301 W Grand Ave
Grover Beach, CA 93433
(805) 474-1000‎

LP
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but this was linked to and I wanted to add to it. There is a Chevron on Grand Ave. maybe 1/3 of the way from the freeway to the beach that has multiple air hoses for filling your tires back up and multiple windshield washers at each of their half dozen or so gas pump stations.

I used to air up with a 12V compressor, but it's so much quicker I'll just hit Chevron from now on, not to mention cleaning all the sand and salt spray off my windows so I can actually see at night.
 
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