Things to Do in Downtown Pismo Beach

You can’t truly experience Downtown Pismo Beach without indulging in their many sweets and dessert options. Visit Surfside Donuts to check out their ever-changing and unique donut menu. If you're visiting in the spring or summer, make sure to try their signature Strawberry Clam Shell donut made exclusively during strawberry season. Otherwise, give one of their other popular flavors a try, like Maple Bacon or Salted Caramel - you really can’t go wrong at this Downtown Pismo Beach donut shop!

Not feeling donuts? No worries! Wake up early to grab a freshly-made cinnamon roll from Old West Cinnamon Rolls - still made following their traditional family recipe from over 40 years ago. Go standard and add cream cheese frosting, or opt for the Maple Bacon or Pecan roll. Old West Cinnamon Rolls is a Downtown Pismo Beach staple, cherished and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike!

📍 Surfside Donuts: 603 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

📍 Old West Cinnamon Rolls: 861 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

If you’re looking for a way to spend the evening, take a break from the beach and enjoy some family fun and friendly competition at Hot Shots Pismo or Pismo Bowl. Hot Shots Pismo is pool hall, equipped with fourteen pool tables, air hockey tables and an arcade full of your favorite games! It's also home to thirty draft beers, making it a perfect spot for both kids and adults to enjoy.

Pismo Bowl is another fun option if bowling is more your speed. Located in the heart of Downtown Pismo, this bowling alley has a retro feel, featuring 8 lanes of bowling, an arcade and a great beer selection. What more could you ask for? 

📍 Hot Shots Pismo: 250 Pomeroy Ave, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

📍 Pismo Bowl: 277 Pomeroy Ave, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

Pismo Beach just exudes relaxation and serenity, making it the perfect place to truly unwind. What better way to embrace that than with a yoga class? Harmony House Yoga offers drop-in classes daily, featuring a variety of style options, including Restorative, Hatha, Gentle and Vinyasa. You can also check out their shop, stocked with local goods from SLO CAL and neighboring regions and seasonally, their pop-up farm stand, offering produce grown locally by the owners. This experience is one of the most relaxing things to do in Downtown Pismo!

📍 Harmony House Yoga: 991 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

No trip to SLO CAL is complete without a visit to the local surf shops. Whether it’s a colorful Moondoggies hat or a “Not LA, Not The Bay” shirt from Esteem Surf, a souvenir from Downtown Pismo Beach is an absolute must! Just blocks from the Pismo Beach Pier, Esteem Surf is a local hub for surfboards, brand wear and even locally roasted coffee. Swing by in the morning before heading to the beach to grab a cup from the on-site espresso bar and take a peek at the boards and apparel.

If you walk anywhere in SLO CAL, there's a good chance you’ll see a local sporting some Moondoggies merch. Founded in 1986 by a young surfer named Randy Adler, Moondoggies Beach Club is definitely a SLO CAL staple. Wearing their merch makes you feel like part of a local community, making this surf shop a must-visit in Downtown Pismo Beach!

📍 Esteem Surf: 590 Cypress St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

📍 Moondoggies Beach Club: 781 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

If all this adventure has you craving a drink and a bite to eat, Downtown Pismo Beach has got you covered with plenty of great spots! One standout is Cypress Beach House, the only rooftop bar in Pismo Beach. With stunning views of the Pacific coastline, a beautiful pool, delicious small plates, signature cocktails and the best local craft brews, it has it all! Don't miss their happy hour from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday - it's the perfect time to visit. 

For another great option, check out The Break, a surf-inspired beach bar and restaurant just steps from the ocean in Downtown Pismo! This spot offers fresh, handmade cocktails, ice-cold beer and a relaxed beachy atmosphere. Pair your drink with a tasty appetizer, like their delicious wings or amazing spicy tuna roll. It doesn't get much better than cocktails by the sea in Downtown Pismo Beach!

📍 Cypress Beach House: 601 Cypress St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

📍 The Break: 841 Dolliver St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

The final stop to make on your visit to Downtown Pismo Beach is Pismo Pier. Head to the Sunsets at Pismo airstream food truck and indulge in some clam chowder or award-winning Rib Line chili while you enjoy stunning ocean views! They also offer a beer and wine menu featuring local favorites, or ice cream, if you’re just in the mood to grab a sweet treat for a stroll down the pier. 

If you're on the hunt for the perfect photo opportunity, look no further than Pismo Pier! The iconic 8-foot tall "Pismo Beach" letters in the center of Pismo Beach Plaza make for an awesome selfie background or solo shot. Don't forget to tag #SLOCAL in your social media posts, so we can follow along!

📍 Sunsets at Pismo: 1 Pier Plaza, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

📍 Pismo Beach Letters: 1 Pier Plaza, Pismo Beach, CA 93449