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Things to do

Pismo Beach Pier Plaza

At the end of Pomeroy Ave

Take a photo with the Pismo Beach sign. Soak in the view of the ocean, surfers, and maybe some wildlife. There are plenty of places to eat on the way to the pier.

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Monarch Butterfly Grove

400 S Dolliver St, Pismo Beach

The Monarch Butterfly Grove is one of a few sites in the state that has counts of over 10,000 butterflies annually. From late October to February, the butterflies cluster in the limbs of Eucalyptus trees flanking an estuary that flows to the ocean. Square dancer 15% discount at souvenir trailer.

 

One of the paths connects to Meadow Creek Trail and leads you to the dunes and ocean. It’s a relatively easy 30 minute walk on a boardwalk with views of the ocean and the dunes that ends near Fin’s Bar & Grill.

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Avila Valley Barn

560 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA

Check out their fresh produce, pies, roasted corn, ice cream, and farm animals.

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Sycamore Mineral Springs Hot Tubs

1215 Avila Beach Drive, San Luis Obispo

Private hillside hot tubs open to the sky. You can rent a tub and towels by the hour. The last reservation is at 10:45pm.

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Hearst Castle

750 Hearst Castle Rd, San Simeon

It is a California State Park Museum that is open to the public. The historic estate (conceived by William Randolph Hearst, the publishing tycoon, and his architect Julia Morgan) was built between 1919 and 1947. ​

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Elephant Seal Vista Point

5 miles north of Hearst Castle

View the majestic elephant seal colony. In January, female seals arrive, ready to give birth. Pupping season peaks at the end of the month. No admission fee or reservation required.

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Madonna Inn

100 Madonna Road, San Luis Obispo

Visit the Copper Cafe for their famous Pink Champagne cake and my favorite, Black Forest cake with cherries. Afterwards, go downstairs to check out the unique men's restroom and the gift shop with the postcards of each of the differently themed rooms.

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Lights at Sensorio

4380 Highway 46 East, Paso Robles, CA 93446

A colorful field of lights and light towers to be viewed at night.

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The Dunes Center
1065 Guadalupe Street, Guadalupe
The natural history museum brings together the science, art, and beauty of the Central Coast and features maps, photographs, curiosities, and relics from the site where Cecil B. DeMille created one of the first blockbuster films in 1923.


Oso Flaco Lake Trail
3030 Oso Flaco Lake Road, Arroyo Grande
Oso Flaco Lake Trail explores an undeveloped coastline. The trail takes a boardwalk over a 75-acre birdlife-boasting lake, across sand dunes to a tucked-away beach, and a viewpoint overlooking the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. The trail is a short 2-mile, round trip hike.

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The Luffa Farm

1457 Willow Road, Nipomo

Come by the Luffa Farm for a free, informal, 15-30 minute tour. Learn about luffas, explore the gardens, or shop for luffas and handcrafted bath and herbal products.

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For more info (e.g. wineries, hiking, etc.), visit:

Experience Pismo Beach

Visit San Luis Obispo

SLO CAL​ (includes San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Paso Roble, Edna Valley, Avila Beach, & more)

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© 2025 by Darren Gallina

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