Pismo Beach Walkway & Boardwalk — Attraction in Pismo Beach

'21/9 1st time visitor/review (over two week stay in Hotel Row): -- Safe, clean, day/night, one-size-fits-all, free public use experience! -- Free-standing, larger-than-life "Pismo Beach" photo op signage center stage--a must see lit up at night. -- Convenient downtown shopping (stores/restaurants)--once find parking spot (metered--app payment preferred, free after 6p). [Note: if stay in Hotel Row, easy .5 mile walk (10 min.) one way by beach or sidewalk. Otherwise, plenty of downtown lodging with & without ocean views!] -- Shops: sales/rentals of all things beach/surf sport/play/clothing. -- Public seating options: 2-4 person, checker board topped, cement picnic tables, long bench areas (cement & wood). Not much shade. -- Corn hole: two cement-fixed sets. -- Freestanding restrooms & sand rinse off areas. -- Individual street-musicians & group of ukulele players any given day/night. -- Unique, ocean-themed, kids climbing structure. -- No bikes/skateboards allowed on the large, wooden planked walkway or pier, but the tiled/stamped promenade has no such restrictions. -- Dogs: yes, dog friendly (inc free poop-scoop gloves dispensers), BUT dogs are not permitted on the:

1. high, well lit, somewhat-recently fully renovated, ~.25 mile pier into the ocean.
2. lower, smaller, wooden walkway heading out north. -- Fishing: Yes, off the pier (inc. two, public fish-cleaning stations & small bait shop), but some restrictions (see posted signage). Saw fishing from beach as well. -- Bird watching: great location! Plenty to see with naked eye & binoculars--plenty of unique species. [Note: bird feeding prohibited signs posted. ] -- Surfer watching: also a great location! [Note: surf shops on main street offer lessons and all types of board rentals.] -- North side: a wide, well constructed, wooden stairs system leading down to the very large beach (as far as the eye can see in both directions) and two swing sets (toddler & sling seats--but, no bucket-type), plus beach vollyball nets further up. -- South side: large, impressive, multi-use, concrete structure transitioning from walkway level to beach consisting of stairs, ramp, amphitheater seating, & two play slides. -- Either side of stairs: huge, dog/kid friendly, fine-sand beach. [Barefoot note: hardly a rock in sight, but watch for plethora of clam shells.] -- Just south of concrete slides: several, year-round sand vollyball nets/courts on beach. ......... See pictures posted...

We live in the area, so we visit a lot. It can be a little foggy and sometimes chillier then the rest of the surrounding area, so check the weather or just come prepared with some light layers in case a colder wind or fog settles in. There are lots of great food and drink options both out on the pier and all around it. Woolys is a classic and a favorite for bar-style food and drinks while still getting the beach views. The parking lot fills up quickly. So if you're not from the area get here early to find great parking or prepare to park and walk. Most/all lots and some of the street parking all require payment. There are a ton of great spots for pictures: on the pier itself or at one of the wider lookout points, in front of the Pismo Beach sign, or on the beach itself. The hills in the background are gorgeous and sunsets out here are...

As a local since 1986, it's always been fun to walk on the boardwalk in Pismo starting with my kids and now with my grands. Sad that they got rid of the Bait Shack in the name of revamping the pier and surrounding areas. We lost so much in the way of parking places just to install basically a huge concrete sidewalk. So many things the city could do with that area but it's a glorified selfie spot. Our charming little beach town is swiftly losing its character. I hope it doesn't turn into the next Avila. I go downtown much less now because of the paid parking. We used to eat at the restaurants quite a bit just like Avila but hey, cater to the out of towners! Pismo doesn't need my dollars. Classic California is basically disappearing so it's time for a...