Pismo & Kite Expo Camping
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 8:34 am
I see there was some discussion and questions about camping down in the Pismo area. Here's what I remember: (Note: I'm coming from a place to 'park my Westfalia camper', so my comments will be tailored towards 'flat place to park' not 'full hookups with TV cable and sewer' or 'tent camping'). Marina: correct me where I'm wrong below...
There are two Avenues which run East/West to/from the beach. To the North is Grand Avenue, where the Kite Expo is. About 3/4 mile to the south of Grand Ave is Pier Avenue (which is actually almost a mile south of the Pismo pier - seems like a city street naming FAIL, but maybe there's some local history I don't understand). Both avenues are entrances to the beach, where you can drive/park your vehicle, I believe for day-use only. It's a pretty cool experience to park on the sand and launch/land your kite from your bumper.
There are two CA State Park campgrounds - North Beach and Oceano. I've stayed at Oceano Campground, the one to the South, on Pier Avenue. The campground is a pretty standard CA State Park, and though it looks like it's right on the beach on the map, it's actually a 10 minute walk through the sand dunes to get to the beach. In terms of kiting from your campground, it's a pretty big schlep to get to the water with gear. And it would be a 20+ minute walk (to the North) to get to the Kite Expo site. For this reason, I probably wouldn't make this my first choice.
The other CA State campground is North Beach and is about 1/3 mile to the north of Grand Avenue and the Kite Expo. I haven't stayed there, but I'd look at that first. It's closer to Pismo's cute downtown area, Kite Expo, restaurants, surf shops, etc. Sites are reserved through ReserveAmerica for "Pismo SB" here: http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/P ... ampingSpot
If you want to get out of the wind and away from the city, I've heard decent reports about Lopez Lake, about 15 miles to the East of Pismo. More info here: http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/lopez.htm
I believe there are some other private campgrounds/RV parks in/around Pismo/Oceano, but I don't have any recommendations. Marina?
Here's a map of the general area:
Others: Please add more info for places you've stayed and/or would avoid!
Kirk out
There are two Avenues which run East/West to/from the beach. To the North is Grand Avenue, where the Kite Expo is. About 3/4 mile to the south of Grand Ave is Pier Avenue (which is actually almost a mile south of the Pismo pier - seems like a city street naming FAIL, but maybe there's some local history I don't understand). Both avenues are entrances to the beach, where you can drive/park your vehicle, I believe for day-use only. It's a pretty cool experience to park on the sand and launch/land your kite from your bumper.
There are two CA State Park campgrounds - North Beach and Oceano. I've stayed at Oceano Campground, the one to the South, on Pier Avenue. The campground is a pretty standard CA State Park, and though it looks like it's right on the beach on the map, it's actually a 10 minute walk through the sand dunes to get to the beach. In terms of kiting from your campground, it's a pretty big schlep to get to the water with gear. And it would be a 20+ minute walk (to the North) to get to the Kite Expo site. For this reason, I probably wouldn't make this my first choice.
The other CA State campground is North Beach and is about 1/3 mile to the north of Grand Avenue and the Kite Expo. I haven't stayed there, but I'd look at that first. It's closer to Pismo's cute downtown area, Kite Expo, restaurants, surf shops, etc. Sites are reserved through ReserveAmerica for "Pismo SB" here: http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/P ... ampingSpot
If you want to get out of the wind and away from the city, I've heard decent reports about Lopez Lake, about 15 miles to the East of Pismo. More info here: http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/lopez.htm
I believe there are some other private campgrounds/RV parks in/around Pismo/Oceano, but I don't have any recommendations. Marina?
Here's a map of the general area:
Others: Please add more info for places you've stayed and/or would avoid!
Kirk out