Outdoor Adventures near Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach embraces the outdoors, and not just because of the perfect climate that allows for year round open-air escapades. There are countless activities located just minutes from each other, an attribute that is very unique to Pismo Beach. You have the ability to go kayaking in the morning, explore a State Park in the afternoon and follow it up with an evening fishing trip.
Step outside SeaVenture’s front door and experience Pismo Beach.
State Parks
Explore two of California’s most pristine State Parks within a twenty minute drive from SeaVenture. You will enjoy spectacular ocean views and get up close and personal with nature while opting for varying degrees of cardio workouts or settling in for a nice picnic lunch.
Montana de Oro State Park
Montana de Oro is a local favorite encompassing over 8,000 acres of rugged cliffs, secluded sandy beaches, coastal plains, streams, canyons and hills, including the 1,347-foot Valencia Peak, making it one of California’s largest state parks. Nine major trails of varying difficulty and terrain give access to the most magnificent views. There are also mountain biking and equestrian trails for your enjoyment.
This park is miraculously free of charge and has many places to enjoy a picnic lunch with a view of waves crashing against beaches and cliffs.
Morro Bay State Park
The Morro Bay State Park provides a full day of fun with opportunities for sailing, fishing, hiking and bird watching. Visit the Museum of Natural History, located in the park, for exhibits covering natural features and cultural history, Native American life, geology and oceanography. The park also has a colorful marina and an 18-hole pubic golf course.
Take advantage of the park’s exhibits, programs and guided tours. These include fishing, hiking & nature trails, wildlife viewing, boat rentals, picnic areas – all while enjoying the spectacular views of Morro Bay.
Slingshot and Spyder Adventure
Freedom without a license!!! Don’t miss this most unique experience. The perfect way to tour and discover what San Luis Obispo County has to offer!
That’s right! NO motorcycle license is required in California to rent a Can-Am Spyder or a Polaris Slingshot. The Can-Am Spyder combines stability thanks to its Y-architecture (2 wheels in front and 1 in back) with the power of 1300cc triple, to create a unique eye-catching, 3-wheel motorcycle with automatic transmission, power steering, and couch-like comfort.
Visit DG Adventures
Hiking
San Luis Obispo County is well known for its gorgeous hiking trails that are well maintained and provide a variety of difficulties, microclimates and scenery to be explored. Besides the State Parks, some of the most amazing trails in California can be found just minutes from SeaVenture. Get a little exercise while taking in amazing ocean views with the Shell Beach Bluff Trail-Ontario Ridge Trail Loop located just five minutes from SeaVenture encompassing northern Pismo Beach and Avila Beach.
Opt for a mountainous view with San Luis Obispo’s Bishop’s Peak or Madonna Mountain trails. Bishop’s Peak is the most sought after summit in San Luis Obispo and is the tallest of the Nine Sisters, the picturesque volcanic Morros stretching across San Luis Obispo County. This hike is not for the dear of heart. The single-track trail to the 1,559-foot summit is demanding and rewarding with some of the most gorgeous views of Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and vineyards of Edna Valley.
Madonna Mountain, also known as Cerro San Luis is another member of the Nine Sisters and stands 1,292 feet tall. This hike is close to downtown San Luis Obispo so make a day out of exploring the beautiful mountain and then dining and shopping in the quaint downtown.
For more information on hiking trails, The Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club maintains a comprehensive list of hikes, how to get to them, their length and difficulty. You can also visit Mountain Air Sports, a local outdoor store that will supply you with trail books and maps.
Bicycling
From road bike to mountain bike, San Luis Obispo County offers you world class environments for your two wheel pleasure. Brave the rugged terrains of the local mountain trails, take a road ride through the quaint beach towns or opt for a family outing via the Bob Jones Bike Trail which offers several miles of peaceful riding away from motor vehicles along the shady San Luis Obispo Creek.
Visit the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club for more information on both mountain trails and road rides.
Kayaking
Get in touch with nature by exploring Pismo Beach waters by kayak. Coves, caves and numerous species of marine wildlife are waiting to be explored. Central Coast Kayaks in Shell Beach will set you up with all the necessary equipment for your adventure.
You can also take a trip to the Morro Bay Estuary where the calm waters can provide a great family experience for novice kayakers. It is also an amazing way to explore this serene nature preserve.
Contact Kayak Horizons in Morro Bay for hourly or daily rates or organize a guided trip through Central Coast Outdoors or Sea for Yourself Adventures in Cambria.
Biplane Rides
Banner Airways at Oceano Airport offer spectacular views of the rugged coast from a ride in an open cockpit of a WWII Biplane, the exact aircraft used to train American Pilots. You will embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With numerous flying courses to choose from, you can opt for a serene Pier flight, a more exhilarating Pier and Dunes Flight or an all-out “Top Gun Flight.”
Sailing
Sailing the Central Coast is a great way to explore secluded areas not attainable by car or foot. For lessons, daily boat charters and race information visit the The Morro Bay Yacht Club located at 541 Embarcadero in Morro Bay. The Yacht Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to boating activities while protecting and enjoying the picturesque bay and coastline.
Offroading
Let your inner road ranger out on the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. This very popular and unique California State Park encompasses 3,600 acres of off road area. Embark on a 5.5 mile beach excursion with 1,500 acres of sand dunes available for off highway motor vehicle recreation. It is the only California State Park where vehicles may drive on the beach.
Read more about Oceano Dunes SVRA here.