Pismo State Beach

A comfy campout with 2 to 5 mile hikes

Driving to and sleeping at a campground

Perfect for families with young kiddos

Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails

Strolling through butterfly groves and sand dunes at Pismo State Beach

Yvonne Leow

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http://www.bewilder.club/experiences/pismo-state-beach-coastal-access-trail

Last updated

August 3, 2024

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Families and butterfly seekers

Vibe · Relaxing and chill

Reservations · Yes, book a site at North Beach Campground

Drive · 3.5 hours from LA

Ideal dates · May to September

Pets · Welcome at camp, the beach and trails, but not in Pismo Dune Preserve and Oso Flaco Lake

Pismo State Beach (PSB) neighbors Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (SVRA), the only drivable beach in the country, but that's ending by 2024. The sand dunes will stay though, which is one of Pismo's many natural gems. Another is that from November to February, one of the largest Western Monarch Butterfly populations flock to Pismo SB's Monarch Butterfly Grove. This park is butterfly and Bewilder approved.

Official State Park Website

Directions to Campground

‍Main image credit: N/A

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

Stuff to know

As of June 1, 2021, there's an extra $10 fee for using the dump station. You can pay by credit card. Help do your part to keep our parks clean :)
The Pismo State Beach Monarch Grove is free to visitors and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.
Just visiting for the day? The fee is $5 a car.

Check the weather

Where to camp

North Beach Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

Picnic table
Fire ring
Space for up to 8 people
Two parking spots
Drinking water (on site)
Showers (on site, token operated)
Flush toilets (on site)

Pismo State Beach has two campgrounds: North Beach and Oceano. They both have showers (token-operated), restrooms, drinking water, and firewood available on site, but North Beach is closer to the beach whereas Oceano is about a quarter-mile walk to the ocean. At North Beach., you're only a mile away from downtown Pismo, and if you visit between November to February you'll likely see Western Monarch Butterflies migrating to Pismo SB's Monarch Butterfly Grove.

Check-in: After 2 PM · Check-out: Before noon‍

View Campground Map‍

Nightly Rate: $25

Reserve your campsite

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Itinerary

Day One

Leave LA and stop by Trader Joe's to pick up fresh groceries

TJ is a 10-minute drive from camp. There's a Vons in town too.
Located at 955 Rancho Parkway in Arroyo Grande
Open from 8 AM to 9 PM daily
Last pit stop · Chevron - 340 5 Cities Drive in Pismo Beach

Check in and set up camp at North Beach Campground

Set up camp, wander around the campground, and relax

Wander along Monarch Butterfly Grove

Wander among the Monarchs on this easy 1.5 mile out and back trail.
This trail takes you through scenic butterfly meadows and along Meadow Creek for your best chance at catching the migrating beauties.

Cook up some dinner

Head to the beach for sunset and s'mores

Walk to the state beach area closest to camp. Bring your camp chairs, jacket, beach towel, s'mores ingredients, drinks, firewood, and water for dousing the fire
Find a spot for a beach campfire, get comfy, and watch the sunset
Enjoy your first night at Pismo State Beach!

Pismo SB became a state park in 1934, and its sand dunes attracted mystics, artists, and philosophers called The Dunites. For real.

Day Two

Make brekkie, stroll along Coastal Access Trail, and find a spot to hang out by the beach

It's an easy, flat, about four mile round-trip hike from camp
Bring everything you'll need to spend the morning chilling and relaxing by the beach: Towel, water, snacks, a jacket, sunscreen, swimsuit, sunglasses, a good book, some games to play in the sand, and sandals
Part of the trail takes you along Highway One and by downtown, but Pismo Beach Pier is worth checking out