A Getaway Guide to Pismo Beach

Last weekend we decided we need a little adventure in our lives so we hopped in the car and headed to Pismo Beach.

Pismo Beach is a cute little beach town about three hours north of LA. Neither one of us had ever been so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to jump in the car and hit the road.

Keep reading to find out all the fun details from our surf lessons, crazy sand dune hummer ride and the best cinnamon rolls on earth.

Los Angeles to Pismo Beach

It was roughly a three hour drive to our hotel. We decided to take HWY 1; better known as Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu. But when your drive is giant cliffs and ocean waves three hours is enjoyable in a car.

Inn at the Pier

We’ve been craving some sun, sand and a little R&R. When we found The Inn at the Pier we knew it was going to be the perfect place for us.

Situated right in the heart of Pismo Beach, The Inn at the Pier was the perfect spot to get a real feel of this beach community.

We left late on Friday around 4 pm. So when we arrived it was close to 7 pm. As we pulled in we were immediately greeted with class and a smile. From the valet to the bell man, you could just feel the five star service.

Our bags were swiftly taken to our room and our check in was flawless and quite enjoyable.

From the valet to the bell man, you could just feel the five star service.

The lobby is a nautical chic with a California twist. Navy blues, bright whites and deep yellows lit up the room. Reclaimed wood accented the hallways and elevator foyers which we really appreciated.

On the way to the rooms there are huge murals of surfers and VW buses which really gives you that beach posh Cali feel.

The Room

Once in the room, the first thing we noticed was how large the room was! Everything was spread out so that each space felt like its own.

They have thought of everything. Right at the front there is a long bar with lots of counter space. There’s a coffee maker and mini fridge, flat screen TV, central air w/ wall unit, desk and office space, love seat, coffee table, a balcony that opens right up to the ocean and a perfect view of the pier and the best bed in town.

Ok, lets get this out in the open once and for all…We will say it loud for the people in the back.

HEY HOTELS…WE COME FOR THE BED!

The Inn at the Pier hears us loud and clear. This bed you guys, was hands down THE. MOST. comfortable bed we have ever laid on. We literally could have slept all day listening to the ocean waves right outside our balcony.

All The Roof Top Goals

When we arrived we were pretty hungry from the drive so we ventured up on the rooftop to find some grub and drinks.

Set on the third floor, the rooftop was just as high class as the rest of the hotel. Hanging twinkle lights adorned the lounge, glass fire pits and heating lamps warmed the elegant space and a full bar tucked in the back called our name.

We ordered our dinner and a few drinks. While we waited we people watched as a wedding party celebrated and a young couple and while others had drinks in the hot tub.

We had the lamb meatballs, chicken sandwich and steak sandwich. All of it was incredible! Especially those meatballs! They were done in a curry with eggplant and served with naan bread. Compliments to the chef!!!

After a long drive and retreated to our room where we ordered room service for the morning and slept like babies.

Breakfast In Bed

At 7:30am we were woken up by the waves crashing, a surf competition right out side our room and room service.

We don’t usually get up this early on vacation unless we are chasing a sunrise but we were enjoying every moment of this wake up call.

There is nothing like having fresh french pressed coffee, in heavy quality bath robes, on the balcony in the crisp morning ocean air, watching young kids surf their hearts out. We want more of this!

After breakfast we headed up to the the gym for a quick workout and then it was off to explore this amazing little coastal community.

The Pier

As of right now the pier is under construction so unfortunately we didn’t get to go out on it but we had the best view of it from our room. They said it should be finished by October so it just gives us another reason to head back up to Pismo Beach for another Fall getaway.

Surf Lessons

We really wanted to give surfing a try while away so we asked the concierge and she gave us some flyers for some places that offer lessons locally. We decided on Central Coast Surf School based on price ($55 per person for two hours). Also, it was right outside the hotel. We just walked down to the beach and met with our instructor Jacob at the surf truck, got our wetsuits, boards and headed out to the shore.

Jacob gave us the basic run down on rip tides, the boards and how to property stand up. We ran through the motions a few times on the sand and then it was time for the drink. We headed out into the chilly water and got right to it.

As soon as we started moving we got used to the water. Jacob coached us and continued to encourage us with each fall. Eventually though we were riding waves all the way in! It was so much fun and we really feel like we got the basics down to go out and do it again!

The Boardroom Surf Pub

After surfing we headed to a cute little surf pub right near the hotel for a bite and a brew. We had the best burger ever, a cold refreshing draft beer and played a round of darts.

Sand dunes

One thing Pismo Beach is known for is its sand dunes. Normally when you think of sand dunes you think of the Sahara, right? Or maybe Sir Lawrence’s Arabia. But probably not… the central California coast. While certainly not as expansive as the world’s full-size deserts, the Pismo dunes are rare oddity and a fun mini adventure for any California road trip.

The Pismo dunes, officially the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, are outside the town of Oceano, a few minutes from San Luis Obispo.

We wanted to explore these sand dunes but the big question was how….With little to no ATV experience we decided against renting anything out pretty quick. The last thing we wanted was to hurt our selves on this fun getaway.

We did think about throwing on a pretty outfit and walking across the dessert for a long sought after Instagram drone picture but at the end of the day what we really were seeking was adventure and boy did we find it.

Xtreme Hummer Adventure

We turned to the good ol’ inter webs and found the only tour company in Pismo. Thats right… THE ONLY adventure tour company in Pismo Beach! Xtreme Hummer Adventure, when we called we spoke to Larry the owner who set us up with a 4 pm ride. 

We didnt really know what to expect other than it was a hummer that would take us to the dunes. Little did we know we were in for a ride of our lives!

We met our tour guide (and Larry’s son) and hopped in the hummer. Strapped in and headed to a sea of sand mountains. It was not long before we were mobbing up sides of these dunes, hitting the side walls and going strait down some of the biggest cliffs we’ve ever seen.

At one point we went straight up to a peak, he threw it in reverse and gunned it down backwards. We were laughing, screaming and giggling the whole time! Needless to say it was the most thrilling and unique one hour tour we have ever been on!

Little did we know we were in for a ride of our lives!

Dinner at Blonde

Back at the hotel we had dinner downstairs where there was a lovely harmonicist playing in the lounge. We had quite a busy day so we called it an early night and headed to that bed that had been calling our name since breakfast.

Beach Cruisers

In the morning we rented some beach cruisers from the valet and cruised around to really get a feel for the area. Pismo Beach is the perfect place to just chill, grab a bite and hang on a Sunday. Families were out early headed to the beach or grabbing a morning coffee.

Old West Cinnamon Rolls

One thing we kept hearing over and over from our friends was that we HAD to try Old West Cinnamon rolls. Whenever we are somewhere new we try to find the one place thats the talk of the town and boy did we find it here.

First of all, When we arrived they were just about to close. There was a line out the door and it wasnt getting any smaller. The inside of the bakery smelled like cinnamon and icing from a grandmothers kitchen.

By the time we got to the front there were only 9 rolls left and about 15 people behind us. Never have we ever seen a business turn away business at closing right as they run out of product. They have it down to an art and we loved watching as people left with the promise of tomorrow in their eyes.

We each go an original and its almost impossible to describe in text. The most decedent, sweet, gooey, slightly cripsy with a warm melt in your mouth kind of ending cinnamon roll we have ever tried. We will always stand in line for one of these when we are in town and you can bet there will be a line!

Back to LA

As we packed up and left we promised ourselves we would be back to Pismo again very soon! Maybe when the pier is finished! We had the best time and seriously recommend checking out The Inn at the Pier and all the other fun things we got into while away!

Let us know in the comments below which activity you would most want to do in Pismo Beach! OR if you have ever tried one of those game changing cinnamon rolls!  

 

 

 

XO Callie & Leo