This is our plan: We are flying from the east coast to LA, then driving up the coast. We plan to stop in Santa Barbara, then I have reservations for 3 days in Pismo Beach. One day we plan to go to Hearst Castle. We'd like to go to some wineries. From there we're headed to Vegas for 4 days, then flying home.

Any "must sees" or great wineries, restaurants etc? Our Vegas plans are pretty well set -- it's the CA part of our trip where we're open to suggestions.

Thanks so much!

Why Pismo Beach? Of all of the areas along the central coast, this ranks as my least favorite. Who is "we"? Children? Adults? Interests?

I question, "Why Pismo?' too. It was a good place to take a breather in our middle of the two weeks, do laundry, go to church. But compared to surrounding areas, I'd choose another place for 3 days (or even one.)

Pismo has some funky charm I suppose, but I would agree with the others. I would recommend Morro Bay or Cambria more if you want to be on the coast, or San Luis Obispo if a few miles inland. There is a good concentration of wineries in the Edna Valley around SLO and in Templeton/Paso Robles about 30 minutes north on Hwy 101 over Cuesta Grade.

SLO has a number of decent restaurants. One of my favorites is Cafe Roma on Santa Rosa Street near the train station.

I'd have to agree with the other posters that Pismo Beach would not be my first choice. Cambria, Morro Bay or San Luis Obispo are more desirable locations.

You can find a number of wineries along Hwy 46. Wild Horse is one of my favorite merlots.

Be sure to make advance reservations for Hearst Castle. If you have the opportunity, the evening tour is my favorite.

Pismo Beach is the least favorite area on the coastal area, unless of course you are from Bakersfield and then it's a step up from where you're coming from. Otherwise, head north and stay in Morro Bay or Cambria.

WOW!! Thanks for the responses! I'm definitely rethinking Pismo Beach. The main reason we (husband and I) chose it was because it seemed central to what we wanted to see. I have reservations at the Shorecliff Inn which at least on the website looks "cool." We wanted to stay on the coast - not inland.

I've already booked Hearst Castle, unfortunately no evening tours.

Thanks for your help. I'll start looking elsewhere.

Went to Pismo a couple of years ago for a christening and we stayed 2 nights at the Shore Cliff Lodge (note the name). Our room was very nice and we had a very enjoyable and good dinner at its restaurant (next door in a separate building) which has 2 huge walls of glass.
While I agee Pismo itself would not be my prime destination, its location IS central and Morro Bay is a short drive away. We have no complaints at all about that Best Western Shore Cliff Lodge -- especially if the rate is a good one. We were there in April and while the Saturday night price was nothing great, staying on Sunday as well brought us a much reduced rate.
If you are there in the warm months and on a Thursday, see if SLO (San Luis Obispo) is having its Thursday night street fair; it's worth the short trip into SLO.

I agree with Been There right above me. I live in this area, and Morro Bay is out of the way. From Pismo, you can go north to Paso Robles (about 45 min) to wineries, or you can go south to the Santa Ynez valley (45 min.) for more wineries. The Shorecliff is a lovely hotel with a popular restaurant. Very nearby is McClintocks--a must do restaurant.

Morro Bay is definitely not out of the way. In fact, it's pretty centrally located and far nicer than Pismo Beach. It's located within a 30 minute drive to Hearst Castle, 20 to 30 minutes to the wineries, 10 minutes to San Luis Opisbo.

About the only thing Morro bay has going for it is the Morro Rock, not much else.

I'd have to disagree about Morro Bay. The Embarcadero area has far more charm than anything I've seen in Pismo Beach. I also really enjoy spending time in Cayucos.

Shorecliff in Pismo is nice, but Pismo Beach itself doesn't have much to offer the tourist. My favorite town along the central coast is Cambria, but that may be too far north after flying in and then heading north. I would personally head up to Santa Barbara for a night and then head up to Cambria, but they are 2 of my favorites.

I'm the original poster and our trip is just a memory now. We did stay at the Shorecliff LODGE in Pismo Beach and liked it VERY much. I can see though that if the beach was your primary destination that Pismo might not be your first choice. But President's week in Feb it was a good place for a central location. We went to Hearst one day, hit some wineries and went up PCH to Monterey another day. We also ate at McClintocks -- a little overrated I thought -- maybe it was the hour and a half wait! We had a great meal at Steamers(?)

Thanks for all your advice!

McClintock's is way over-rated. I was once served a steak that resembled more like a piece of fried bologna. Long waits, high prices and inferior food.
Pismo Beach is also over-rated in my opinion. I'd stay in Morro Bay or Cayucos anyday over Pismo for a nice beach town.

Anne
Thanks for taking the time to report back.