1. Eat a Breakfast Burrito from AJ’s (Kid-Friendly)
One of the best things to do in Pismo Beach is to eat a breakfast burrito from AJ’s. Eating a breakfast burrito from AJ’s can be a great way of starting your day in Pismo Beach because they’re friendly, delicious, and really give you the energy that you need to start exploring! AJ’s is probably best known for their breakfast burritos, but they also have other great things like burgers and salads. This restaurant has been in the same family for years, and it’s still going strong. Perfectly located at 1225 Ocean Avenue, Armando “AJ” Jackman in 1972 to provide a southern California feel to Central Coast dining. Even before he opened the restaurant, he worked hard as a fisherman who brought back fresh seafood from Catalina Island and Point Lobos (just 20 minutes away). The first AJ’s location was a hut on Freeman Field where locals would enjoy some grub on weekends after an overnight surf session or beach bonfire.
2. Watch the Pismo Beach Car Show on Main Street (Kid-Friendly)
Some things to do in Pismo Beach include walking down Main Street and stopping by at the annual car show. It’s a great way to learn about the rich history of cars on the Central Coast, and it’s cool to see all of the classic cars you remember as a kid. Whether it’s pre-war, post-war, or just old-school hot rods, this is an event that all ages will enjoy! The Annual Car Show takes place every third Saturday in September, along with living music, food vendors, arts & crafts fairs, local wine tasting bars, and more.
3. Buy Fresh Fish Direct from Fisherman at the Pismo Pier (Kid-Friendly)
Another of the best things to do in Pismo Beach is buying fresh fish at the pier. There are over 40 commercial fishing operations on Pismo’s Pier, so buying fresh seafood direct from the fishermen makes for a fun and educational experience that everyone will enjoy. Piers on both ends of town offer visitors up-close views of local fishers bringing in their daily catches, cannery tours, and more! Be sure to grab some clam chowder or fish tacos while you’re there, too!
4. Have Dinner at Brophy Bros. Restaurant and Bar
The view at Brophy Bros. Restaurant and Bar in Pismo Beach is great, and the food is even better! One of the best things to do in Pismo Beach (especially if you’re visiting with family) is to make a dinner reservation here. Getting a table outside on the patio would be ideal for enjoying the cool ocean breeze during your meal, but be sure to see what other tables are available before making your decision so that you don’t have any regrets about not getting one!
5. Go to a Live Theatre Performance at the Venturina Beach Playhouse (Kid-Friendly)
One of the best things to do in Pismo Beach is to attend a theatre performance at Playhouse on the Venturina. The theatre was designed by renowned architect William Pereira, known for his many works around Southern California, including LAX and Dodger Stadium! There are live performances nearly every night during the summer, so be sure to check their schedule before your trip!
6. Take a Kayaking Tour Around the Bay in Pismo Dunes State Natural Reserve (Kid-Friendly)
While in Pismo Beach, you can also make your way to the mouth of the Pismo Creek and experience a great type of adventure called kayaking. This is one of those things to do in Pismo Beach that will let you explore nature up close and personal while taking it all in at the same time! There are some stunning landmarks along this route, including the Goat Rock (pictured above). Just be sure to bring enough drinking water for everyone on board, though – just in case.
7. Experience the 17-Mile Drive in
One of the biggest attractions in Pismo Beach is 17-Mile Drive. This part of town offers visitors an opportunity to experience nature up close and personal with over 1,500 acres at its disposal – including the very popular Pecha Coast Botanical Reserve! Hiking trails are also available for those who would rather walkable Beach, and you can also grab a book at the library, take in some springtime yoga classes and check out all of the ongoing events throughout town. In the winter months, this area is even more beautiful with fewer people in sight!
8. Learn About the Presence of Native People in Pismo Beach
While visiting Pismo Beach, you won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to learn more about the native people living there for centuries at the Chumash Museum and Archaeological Site! The museum offers visitors a great insight into what life was like for them back then and how they lived with each other and their ancestors and nature.
9. Catch Two Fun Flicks at The Dreamcatcher Movie Theater (Kid-Friendly)
One thing to do in Pismo Beach catches a movie at one of its two theaters – both of which are owned by residents! This theater has been family-owned and operated since it opened in 1995 and has been serving Pismo Beach ever since!
10. Have Breakfast or Brunch at the Hitching Post Restaurant (Kid-Friendly)
Another great restaurant in Pismo Beach is the Hitching Post Restaurant, where you can enjoy breakfast or brunch any day of the week! Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM – 2 PM. There are numerous omelet, pancake, french toast, and waffle options available with both sweet and savory side dishes to match. The best thing about it is that they’re always open until 3:00 pm … so you don’t have to worry about having your meal cut short!
11. Stroll Through Meyers Park (Kid-Friendly)
Meyer Park is a popular place for visitors to walk around, relax and socialize with each other. There’s something very relaxing about Pismo Beach, and the presence of this park helps make it even better! You can also let your kids run around on the grass, rent a bike or check out all of the ongoing events at this location throughout the year! The Fun Zone is also located here, where you can experience a ton of different activities, including go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf, and laser tag – to name a few!
12. Do Some Birding at Pismo St
Another great place to take in the sights and sounds of nature is at Pismo Sticks Nature Preserve, where you can visit with some of the local wildlife. While there, you’ll find a ton of different plants and flowers as well as 20 species of birds – including hawks! There’s no fee for this one, but donations are accepted.
13. Visit the Beach/See Sea Otters at The Pismo Cliffs Natural Preserve (Kid-Friendly)
Right beside the Pismo Cliffs Natural Preserve is a place where you can see sea otters at play! The best time to visit this area is between April and August. It’s still cute in September, though! Like most other things to do in Pismo Beach, it’s also free – so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
14. Visit One of Their Many Theme Parks or Fun Zones (Kid-Friendly)
There are several fun zones in Pismo Beach, including the City Bowl and La Bella Faire, which offer visitors many different activities to enjoy with their families and friends any day of the week. Some of these include mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag, and batting cages. Just about anything you can think of is available to rent! These are especially enjoyable in the summer months when it’s just a bit warmer outside!
15. Have Dinner at The Waterfront Restaurant and Bar (Kid-Friendly)
Another great restaurant in Pismo Beach is The Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, where you can enjoy a variety of drinks and tasty food made with fresh ingredients. You can choose from American favorites like grilled salmon, filet mignon & NY strip steak, then top off your meals with delicious desserts like Chocolate Mousse or Banana Cream Pie! It’s one of the only places around that still serves 3-course meals, too – so it should definitely be on your list of things to do in Pismo Beach!
16. Visit The La Bella Faire Fun Zone (Kid-Friendly)
Pismo Beach has some fun zones where you can go to do things like play mini-golf, go-karting, and even rent a set of batting cages! There’s also Laser Tag at the Pismo Fun Zone, Go Karts at the Dream Catcher Movie Theatre, as well as batting cages and arcade games at The Waterfront Restaurant & Bar – to name a few options! Visiting one of these areas is free all day long, so if you want something to do with your kids on a Monday afternoon, this could be it!
17. Attend One of Their Huge Summer Concert Series/Festivals
There are a lot of festivals, parties, and concerts that take place in Pismo Beach throughout the year! This includes events like The Annual Oktoberfest, an event where you can listen to some great music, enjoy authentic German food & drinks,, and even shop for holiday gifts from local vendors. There are also a ton of another summer/fall festivals to check out with your family, like the Pumpkin Palooza, Sand Craft Festival, Christmas Under the Sea, Wine & Food Affair, as well as dozens more!
18. Take Advantage of Their Free Events
Like most other places in California, there are many free things to do in Pismo Beach … many of which include beautiful water views! Some festivals include street fairs,, while others eature live entertainment. A few things that you can experience for free include:
– The weekly Wednesday Summer Concert Series (usually held from 4 pm to 7 pm) – This is an event where local musicians gather together and perform in front of the Pismo Beach Pier – a great spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset!
– Free Dancing Under The Stars on Tuesdays & Thursdays – These are outdoor dance parties for those who like to get their groove on while appreciating some live music! Be sure to bring your dancing shoes because you’ll be listening to some smooth tunes all night long. Bring something comfy to sit on, too, since there’s not really any seating available at this one!
19. Walk Along the Pismo Beach Boardwalk (Kid-Friendly)
If you’re a lover of the boardwalk like I am, then this one is for you! The Pismo Beach Boardwalk has been around since 1925,, whn it was built to bring people downtown and give them something fun to do. Over the years though, it’s also served as an entertainment zone with businesses located all along its length. Today, visitors can shop at a variety of specialty shops, enjoy live music underneath the Texas Star Ferris Wheel and even watch boats travel in and out of sight at Fisherman’s Wharf … definitely some things to do in Pismo Beach. If you want to get your shopping fix!
20. Go Canoeing on The Bay (Kid Friendly)
One of the best things to do in Pismo Beach if you like water sports is to go kayaking and canoeing on The Bay! There are tons of things for you to see as you paddle around, including dolphins & seals. You can also visit a variety of secluded coves that will give you a chance to get up close & personal with nature – complete with plenty of bird watching opportunities too!
21. Play Mini Golf at Lighthouse Landing Miniature Golf (Kid-Friendly)
If mini golf is on the top of your list, why not check out some of the local favorites first? Check out Lighthouse Landing Mini Golf, where you’ll find an 18 Hole course that’s appropriate for both beginners and experienced players alike. If you don’t have a mini-golf game in mind to play, I highly recommend the Pirate’s Cove course. There are even 2 different courses so you can accommodate your whole family!
22. Ride a Bike (Kid Friendly)
Another thing you can do in Pismo Beach is rent some bikes and ride around town on your own until you find something that catches your eye. If you’re going to be there over the weekend, make sure to check out this bike ride because it goes through all of the most popular parts of town, like Downtown Beach! You could also visit the bike trail along Del Monte Avenue, which is good for beginners or families with young kids due to its smooth surface. 23. Enjoy Some Delicious Del’s Shakes
Besides having a great location right on the beach, Del’s Shakes also has delicious milkshakes! If you’re looking for something to enjoy after your meal or as a snack while you walk around downtown, then look no further than Del’s. They have over 40 flavors to choose from, including old favorites like Strawberry Shake and Root Beer Float. Not sure what to order? Then make it even easier by ordering something off of their kid-friendly menu.
24. Spend An Evening Enjoying Live Music & Comedy (Kid Friendly)
These days,, Pismo Beach is better known for its popular festivals like Jazz By The Sea, Acoustic Roundup, and Casa Roja Concerts,ing, attracting plenty of visitors each year who want to relax and listen to some great music. But if you’re looking for something a little more intimate, then check out some of the local venues that host live bands too! There’s even a Laugh It Up Comedy Club for comedy lovers, which has shown throughout the week – be sure to check their website for information on ticket prices & times.
25. Be Sure To Enjoy A Bite To Eat At The Pismo Beach Winery…
The Pismo Beach Winery is one of the hottest spots in town right now, but it started back in 1984 when Max and Karen Jones bought an old saloon on 7th Street. After renovating it, they opened up The Wine Cellar that served over 20 different wines with simple foods like pizza or sandwiches. Today the business is run by their daughter, Susie Jones, and wine & cheese lovers can enjoy a variety of weekly specials as well.
