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Pismo Beach Classic California, "a beach for all seasons."

Pismo Beach, Classic California is known for it’s long and wide spacious beach with it’s diamond shaped 1,200-foot historic pier. What California used to be...Pismo Beach still is.

This nostalgic beach town is located on the California Central Coast, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along Pacific Coast Highway 1 and Highway 101. Visitors enjoy wide beaches, clean air, friendly locals, and year-round Mediterranean weather, truly making Pismo Beach a beach for all seasons.

Pismo Beach is home to California's only drive-able beach. Experience the famous sand dunes on a Hummer excursion or your own recreational vehicle. Annually, thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate to Pismo Beach, clustering in California's largest populated Monarch butterfly grove from late October through February.

Travel along scenic coastal roads and tour award-winning wineries. Prime Outlets Pismo Beach has 40 of your favorite retail stores. Other local shopping includes surf shops, art galleries, shell shops, antique and collectable shops. Drive along the breathtaking coastline to visit Hearst Castle, a magnificent estate located on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

For hotel reservations, car rental reservations, and other travel information, visit the California Welcome Center, located on Highway 101 at Prime Outlets-Pismo Beach. Free Internet access and Wi-Fi located in the Welcome Center.

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Welcome Center

The California Welcome Center Pismo Beach
333 Five Cities Drive, Ste 100
Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Phone: (805) 773-7924
Fax: (805) 773-4686
Email: info.pismobeach@visitcwc.com

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Amazing Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas

Get a close-up look at two-ton seals at a coastal preserve.

With an enormous body and a giant proboscis-like snout, even one bull elephant seal would be enough to catch your eye. Now imagine the staggering sight of thousands of these beasts hauled up on a narrow beach adjacent to State 1 just south of San Simeon. That'll get your attention.

The Piedras Blancas Rookery  offers the amazing site of a huge herd of these pinnipeds 7 miles north of San Simeon (perfect for a stop after Hearst Castle). During breeding and pupping season (generally December through March), the beach is home to some 15,000 elephant seals, coming ashore to mate, give birth, and generally hang out--an impressive feat when you're 16 feet long and 5,000-plus pounds. Whether you catch the seals when they're feeling raucous, or when they're lolling in the sun and barely twitching a flipper, you'll never forget the sight of all that life. Admission is free, and on-site docents can answer your questions. Even outside the breeding season, seals can often be seen here, though in smaller numbers.

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» Monday Night Suppers at Artisan
January 4, 2010 5:00 PM to March 29, 2010 9:00 PM
Each Monday, Chef Chris Kobayashi and his team showcase their commitment to sustainable foods, local vintners and producers. The collaborative dinners feature a Central Coast winery and a local farmer/rancher/fishmonger to create a family style 3-course tasting menu with paired wines. Dinner, depending on wine selections, start at $38 per guest plus taxes and gratuities. Paso’s most esteemed winemakers, farmers and ranchers will be present to meet diners and talk about their products. January 4 - RN Estate and Hearst Ranch January 11 - Jacob Toft and Charter Oak Meats January 18 - Halter Ranch and Windrose Farms January 25 - Jack Creek Cellars and Cayucos Abalone Farm Reservations accepted throughout the evening. Monday night suppers continue through March 2010.
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