Pismo Beach Glamping Guide
Pismo Beach is a classic Central Coast beach town that has long been regarded as a haven for outdoor aficionados who crave sand, surf and sun.
Four-wheeling, fishing, wakeboarding, and horseback riding are just a few of the many pursuits that draw out-of-towners to Pismo each year.
For those who want to take things a little slower, trips to local wineries and casual walks down long, caramel-colored beaches are the order of the day. Moreover, staying at one of several Pismo Beach glamping options can make getting in touch with nature that much easier.
Camp Arroyo Grande
This sprawling 29-acre compound offers something for the whole family. On-site activities include a rec room with billiards and board games, basketball court, horseshoes, cornhole, tetherball, volleyball and a large swimming pool. Guests can also check out a bike to explore the area or just sip drinks around one of the property’s many fire pits. Accommodations include six cabins for parties of five or less, four lodges for seven or more, and a large open-area campground with amphitheaters for social interaction. (Bedding and linens are not provided.) Pismo Beach and Oceano Dunes State Park are just four miles away.
- Address: 250 Wesley St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
- GPS: 35.126385, -120.581131
- Website: https://camparroyogrande.com/
- Phone: (805) 249-9517
Camper by Kimberly
This worry-free glamping experience includes the host setting up the RV for you at Pismo Coast Village, a beachfront resort, then cleaning up and breaking everything down when you’re done. Campsite fees are separate (approximately $75 per night), but the host will help you arrange that, too. The three-bed, single-bath trailer boasts a fully equipped kitchen, linens and duvet, bath towels, leather couch and TV. Heck, they even throw in the toilet paper. Outside is a BBQ grill, EZ Up tent, outdoor mat, stereo, cornhole boards, five lawn chairs and fire pit with propane.
- Address: Near Village Dr. & State Highway 1, Pismo Beach CA 93449
- GPS: 35.134862, -120.636943
- Website: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45956143
El Chorro Regional Park Campground
This well-groomed park is on the rugged side of glamping, as you have to bring your own tent or RV, but everything else is pretty much handled. A full 43 of the 61 sites offer sewage, electricity and running water. Each site can accommodate six to eight people and comes with fire ring and picnic table. Restrooms and coin-operated showers are just a short walk, while communal day use areas feature horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, barbecue facilities, a botanical garden and an off-leash dog park. Various hiking trails are accessible, too. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance.
Details
- Address: State Highway 1 & Dairy Creek Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
- GPS: 35.355946, -120.727028
- Website: https://slocountyparks.com/camp/el-chorro/
- Phone: (805) 781-5930
Avila / Pismo Beach KOA
Open 365 days a year and conveniently located just off the 101 Freeway. RV sites can accommodate trailers up to 40 feet long and sport cable, WiFi and 50/30 amp hookups. Tent sites offer water, electricity and gravel pads. Deluxe cabins have kitchens with cookware, bed linens and full baths with showers. Pets are allowed on the property, but not in the cabins. Guests can enjoy the pool, hot tub and mini golf, and certain days offer crafting, movies and pancake breakfasts. Bicycles and propane are available for an extra cost. This is a 100% smoke-free property, which means no campfires. Maximum stay length is 14 days.
Details
- Address: 7075 Ontario Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
- GPS: 35.183713, -120.702559
- Website: https://koa.com/campgrounds/avila/
- Phone: (805) 595-7111
Casa de Los Sueños at Hacienda Felise
Experience tiny home living casita style in this 650 square foot hacienda that sleeps two. Translated “House of Dreams,” those with an eye for design will appreciate the Santa Fe architecture and Diego Rivera-style artistic touches. Living area is appointed with sofa, fireplace and flatscreen TV. Kitchen has a full-size fridge, stove, dishwasher and microwave. King bed comes with fresh linens, and the adjacent bathroom features toiletries and a double vanity. This is an adult-only property, with amenities that include sitting areas near calming fountains, Zen garden with infinity path, and live bamboo “oxygen room” well suited for yoga and meditation.
Details
- Address: 655 La Teena Pl., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
- GPS: 35.150184, -120.584341
- Website: https://www.haciendafelise.com/
Frog Hollow Homestead
A charming getaway on 12 acres of farmland where you have just as much chance to see families of wild turkey and deer as domesticated sheep and donkeys. Prepare meals in the barbecue area, take strolls along the creek and try your hand on an authentic pottery wheel. Sleeping options include a queen bed in the loft and pull-out couch in the living room. The kitchenette comes with a small fridge, toaster oven, kettle and cookware. Bathroom has a flushing toilet and propane-heated hot water shower. Ample parking is available for guests.
Details
- Address: Atascadero, CA 93422
- GPS: 35.454864, -120.727972
- Website: https://glampinghub.com/unitedstatesofamerica/pacificwest/california/atascadero/getaway-atascadero-california
Pismo Sands Beach Club
Nearly 40 cabins painted in soft summery pastel tones dot this beachfront camping resort situated between Oceano and Pismo’s dunes. All are fully equipped, furnished, decorated and mere steps from the crashing waves of the Pacific. The club also offers on-the-beach tent camping and is just minutes from 1,500 acres of sand dedicated to off-road vehicle recreation. Guests here can arrange to go clamming, fishing and kayaking, ride horses on the beach, or explore several area trails by foot or by bike.
- Address: 345 Pier Ave., Oceano, CA 93445
- GPS: 35.106306, -120.629220
- Website: https://www.pismosandsbeachclub.com/
- Phone: (855) 647-2143
Local Things To Do
The renovated Pismo Beach Pier Plaza is home to a trio of vintage Airstreams and colorful, lit-up letters some seven feet high that spell “Pismo Beach.” A whale-themed playground there pays homage to the local humpbacks and features a giant slide that leads down to the sand. Open daily from dawn till dusk is the 900-acre Pismo Preserve, with 10 miles of trails and ranch roads that meander through lush oak groves, which are ideal for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Countless wineries and farm-to-table restaurants carpet the historic wine regions of Avila Valley, Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande nearby. For a dash of culture and history, visit the famed Chapman Estate at Shell Beach – a 1930’s era Tudor mansion built by the Rogers family displaying treasures from around the world. And after a long day on your feet, rest them in one of several naturally heated mineral springs in the area.