There’s a destination on California’s Central Coast with everything that a wine tourist looking for classic California could ask for. A place where visitors can surf alongside locals, walk on a beautiful beach, have lunch on the boardwalk a 1,200-foot pier, and then drive to wine country in about the time it takes to play three Beach Boys songs. The destination is Pismo Beach—offering the perfect pairing of wine and waves in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Pismo Beach is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along the Pacific Coast (Hwy 1) and 101 Highways. Visitors are delighted with the range of lodging opportunities they find--from sumptuous oceanfront resorts and vacation rental homes, to family-friendly RV parks and campgrounds. There are options to suit every budget, making Pismo Beach an affordable place to vacation for a week or more.
And there is so much to do and see! Besides surfing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, jet skiing, and just beaching it, visitors can try golfing, horseback riding, bicycling, and even sky diving! And one’s visit to the area isn’t complete without an exciting Hummer (or other ATV) tour at Oceano Dunes, the most extensive coastal dunes in California. For more mellow moments, Pismo Beach offers great shopping, mineral springs, museums, distinct restaurants, and more.
What’s best is that more than 20 wineries and tasting rooms are within 15 minutes of downtown Pismo Beach. A short drive east on Price Road leads to more than a dozen wineries in Edna and Arroyo Grande Valleys. Edna Valley runs from the east to the west and is known far and wide for its excellent well balanced Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs with big, distinctive flavors. Arroyo Grande Valley is about one-half the size of the Edna Valley and it has only a few wineries, but they produce an impressive array of varietals including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Sparkling wine.
From waves to wine, from wine to waves: that’s how Pismo Beach vacationers spend each day. And at day’s end, there’s nothing better than watching the sunset over the Pacific with a bottle of local wine grown not far from Pismo Beach, the wine and waves destination. Go Classic California!