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

Strolling through butterfly groves and sand dunes at Pismo State Beach

Strolling through butterfly groves and sand dunes at Pismo State Beach

Strolling through butterfly groves and sand dunes at Pismo State Beach

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Last updated
March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day camping trip

For · Friends and new campers

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

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
Pismo State Beach

Where to camp

North Beach Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire ring
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • Two parking spots

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

North Beach Campground
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Itinerary

Day One

Pismo SB Sand Dunes

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

Cook up an early 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

Pismo SB. Credit: Tim Trad

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, and sandals
  • Part of the trail takes you along Highway One and by downtown, but Pismo Beach Pier is worth checking out

Walk to Ada's Fish House in downtown Pismo Beach for lunch

  • Diners love the seafood dishes at this family-owned restaurant
  • Located at 558 Price Street in downtown Pismo Beach
  • Open from 11:30 AM to 9 PM daily

Head back to camp, take a hot shower, and cook a sunset dinner

  • Cook up your last dinner at Pismo SB and spend the rest of the evening stargazing
For more than 10,000 years, the Northern Chumash people lived along the coast and Pismo's sand dunes

Day Three

Pismo SB. Credit: Max Templeton

Pack up and check out by noon

  • Cook up brekkie, clean up around camp, and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

The name Pismo comes from the Chumash language word for tar, or pismu, which was gathered from tar springs near Pismo Beach​
October 14, 2023

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Visit Bewilder Basecamp, a family-friendly place to camp, bike, and play outside

Event in 2 days

Bewilder Basecamp: Spooky Wonders

Join Bezzi the Yeti on her first spooky camping adventure!

Shop curated gear

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Bezzi's Pick
$$

NEMO Disco 15 Women's Sleeping Bag

A spacious sleeping bag that will help you stay warm for spring, summer, and fall camping.

Bezzi's Pick
$

Sea to Summit X-Series Collapsible Silicone Cup

Whether it's coffee or cocoa, bring a silicone mug like this one into the wild. Your tummy will thank you.

Bezzi's Pick
$$

Freerain22 Waterproof Packable Backpack

Leave your backpacking pack at camp, and use this sleek, compressible pack for day hikes.

Bezzi's Pick
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Eddie Bauer Stowaway 20L Daypack

An affordable day pack for bringing snacks, sunglasses, and water on your next day hike.

Bezzi's Pick
$$$

Feathered Friends Egret UL 20/30 Women's Sleeping Bag

Handmade in Seattle, Washington, this sleeping bag is pricey, but you can count on it lasting for years.

Bezzi's Pick
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Stoic Madrone 2 Person, 3 Season Tent

A fun, affordable tent for beginner car campers that can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.

Bezzi's Pick
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Kula Pee Cloth

An absorbent, antimicrobial fabric that will keep you clean and dry down under.

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GCI Outdoor Master Portable Camp Kitchen

This cook station has plenty of storage and counter space, and is easy to set up and carry out.

Bezzi's Pick
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NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

If you like to toss and turn at night, this sleeping pad is known for being a quiet, quality option for car campers.

Bezzi's Pick
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Marmot Catalyst 2-Person Tent with Footprint

A solid, lightweight, and relatively affordable tent for people are new to backpacking.

Bezzi's Pick
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Soto Helix Coffee Maker

Don't let the backcountry stop you from enjoying a hot, quality drip coffee in the morning.

Bezzi's Pick
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Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent with Screen Room

This spacious tent is known for its enmeshed screen room, which will keep you dry and bug-free during the summer.

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Meal and snack ideas

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Breakfast

Food For The Sole Blueberry Banana Crunch

Gluten Free • Vegan

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Breakfast

Packit Gourmet Diner Deluxe Eggs with Sausage

Bezzi's Pick
Dessert

Campfire cinnamon roll ups

Vegetarian

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Vegetarian

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Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Snack

Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Lunch

Summer rolls with almond butter satay

Gluten Free · Vegan

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Dan dan noodles

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Asian chicken lettuce wraps

Gluten free

Bezzi's Pick
Dinner

Pho ramen

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Curry ramen

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Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

Vegetarian

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