National parks visited and favorites

[BradS7535]

Originally Posted by Gwenne & Len

Does the Pismo State Beach have full hook ups? We have a reservation at Pismo Coast Village RV Resort.......hard to know when doing online research, but it looked like a good location - on the beach and close to town. Thanx for the tip on Splash Cafe - I've written it down! Also Morro Rock.....maybe we should move up to Sequoia for 3 or 4 days and do Kings Canyon then. thanks!

Pismo State Beach has 2 campgrounds, Oceano and North Beach. North Beach has no hookups, but it does have a dump station. Oceano has electric hookups but no water or sewer (also has a dump station). Pismo Coast is right next to the North Beach campground, not quite on the beach, but pretty close. Not sure how long you guys are staying, but there is also a drive-in theater in San Luis Obispo, $6/person (last time I went) for a double feature of current movies.

Also, if you like BBQ, Mo's BBQ (couple store fronts up the street from Splash) has really good Pulled Pork sandwiches (as well as other BBQ).

I love SLO, I'd still live there if there were jobs for me.

[Gwenne & Len]

Originally Posted by BradS7535

Pismo State Beach has 2 campgrounds, Oceano and North Beach. North Beach has no hookups, but it does have a dump station. Oceano has electric hookups but no water or sewer (also has a dump station). Pismo Coast is right next to the North Beach campground, not quite on the beach, but pretty close. Not sure how long you guys are staying, but there is also a drive-in theater in San Luis Obispo, $6/person (last time I went) for a double feature of current movies.

Also, if you like BBQ, Mo's BBQ (couple store fronts up the street from Splash) has really good Pulled Pork sandwiches (as well as other BBQ).

I love SLO, I'd still live there if there were jobs for me.

So I have booked 12 nights at Pismo......wanted some time to relax in the middle of our trip to national parks......is there that much to do there? perhaps that's too long? we are going into Big Sur for 5 nights after Pismo, then on to Yosemite and then Sequoia (thanks for that tip)........we love to explore, walk the beach......and we're waiting for it to warm up a bit in Yosemite (going in mid april)......

[BradS7535]

Originally Posted by Gwenne & Len

So I have booked 12 nights at Pismo......wanted some time to relax in the middle of our trip to national parks......is there that much to do there? perhaps that's too long? we are going into Big Sur for 5 nights after Pismo, then on to Yosemite and then Sequoia (thanks for that tip)........we love to explore, walk the beach......and we're waiting for it to warm up a bit in Yosemite (going in mid april)......

You can easily fill 12 days in Pismo and the surrounding area, it all depends on what you're into. Here are some things to do:

• Go see a show at the Melodrama in Oceano - http://www.americanmelodrama.com/
• Walk around downtown pismo
• Spend a day in Avila Beach
• Visit the farmer's market in downtown San Luis Obispo on Thursday night
• Sunset Drive-In Theater
• Visit Hearsts Castle in San Simion
• Rent ATVs and ride on Pismo Beach sand dunes
• Visit Morro Bay
• Wine tasting in Paso Robles or Edna Valley

Let me know if there are specific things you like to do and I'll recommend something!

[Gwenne & Len]

Originally Posted by BradS7535

You can easily fill 12 days in Pismo and the surrounding area, it all depends on what you're into. Here are some things to do:

• Go see a show at the Melodrama in Oceano - http://www.americanmelodrama.com/
• Walk around downtown pismo
• Spend a day in Avila Beach
• Visit the farmer's market in downtown San Luis Obispo on Thursday night
• Sunset Drive-In Theater
• Visit Hearsts Castle in San Simion
• Rent ATVs and ride on Pismo Beach sand dunes
• Visit Morro Bay
• Wine tasting in Paso Robles or Edna Valley

Let me know if there are specific things you like to do and I'll recommend something!

thank you!! SO looking forward to this trip! My husband and I love Big Sur, the Coast is spectacular......it'll be fun to have time to explore the area.

[B_and_D]

We like to go to Pismo in January, but it's been a while since we've been able to go. We had some TM rallies at PCV, and I prepared this for one of the rallies:

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the Rally!

Per your request, I’ve put together some information about attractions, restaurants and things to see and do in and around Pismo Beach. With a few exceptions, we’ve never been to or done any of the things listed here; these are mostly things I found on the internet or that have been recommended by others. I can’t guarantee that addresses and information are accurate, so people should call ahead for more information before they go and visit/shop/hike/dine/etc. at their own risk. I did visit all the websites and didn’t encounter any problems with them, you may want to double check before passing them on.

Trails for Hiking and/or Biking
Bob Jones Trail City to Sea Bike Trail - a paved, 5.6 mile long trail that is the first step in plans to join San Luis Obispo and Avila beach with a trail along the San Luis Obispo Creek. It is used by hikers, bikers and joggers: lcslo.org/bob_jones.html
Hiking Trails trails.com/activity.aspx?area=12388
Directions to Pismo Dunes Preserve, a place in the tall dunes for hikers, away from the ATV noise (just down the street from Pismo Sands RV Park) parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=25119

Restaurants
The Cracked Crab – seafood restaurant recommended by past rally attendees http://www.crackedcrab.com
Recommended by posters on RV.net:
Splash Café, Pismo Beach http://splashcafe.com/
Hoagies, Pismo Beach http://tinyurl.com/42z4mcl
Del’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Shell Beach http://www.delspizzeria.com/
Guiseppe’s Cucino Italiana, Pismo Beach http://www.giuseppesrestaurant.com/
Rosa’s Italian Restaurant, Pismo Beach http://rosasrestaurant.com/
Alex’s BBQ http://alexbarbq.com/
Zorro’s http://tinyurl.com/3lzu3e2
Lido’s http://www.thedolphinbay.com/dining/lido-restaurant.php
Ventana Grill http://ventanagrill.com/
Custom House, Avila Beach http://www.oldcustomhouse.com/
McLintock’s, Arroyo Grande http://www.mclintocks.com/locations/arroyogrande.asp
Brad’s http://www.classiccalifornia.com/seafood_dining.htm
Fat Cat, Avila Beach http://www.fatcatscafe.com/
Juan’s http://www.oldjuanscantina.com/

Wine Tasting: http://www.classiccalifornia.com/Pis...ineTasting.htm

Hot Springs near Avila Beach
Avila Hot Springs; kind of older and funky but really hot water! No Jacuzzi action though. Big pool for swimming, water slides were not open when we visited. avilahotsprings.com/
Sycamore Springs Resort and Spa; this resort is more upscale than Avila Hot Springs. Reservations are suggested. sycamoresprings.com/

Pismo Monarch Butterfly Grove
According to this website, for the last five years, the butterfly count has averaged about 25,000. This grove of eucalyptus trees is just south of the North Beach Campground. The season runs from late October through February. monarchbutterfly.org/

Avila Beach
Avila Beach is a lovely little beach town just north of Pismo. You can find shopping, a nice beach, restaurants and wine tasting. Much of the downtown area and beach was excavated and revamped in the late 1990’s. Read about the recent cleanup here: api.org/ehs/partnerships/environmental/avilabeach.cfm
Their website has lots of local information if you click on “Activities & Things to Do” at the center of the top of the page. avilabeachpier.com/index.php
Tours of the Point San Luis Lighthouse - there is a trolley tour and a walking tour (3.5 miles round trip). avilabeachpier.com/information/point-san-luis-lighthouse.html

Golf Courses classiccalifornia.com/golf-map.htm

Shopping Premium Outlets premiumoutlets.com/


Added later for this post-

We also have found this to be a nice, short hike, Oso Flaco Lake. We also enjoy thrifting at the Goodwill outlet in SLO, you have to seriously like thrifting to go there.

A hike around to Diablo Canyon: http://www.pge.modwest.com/pgereserv...trailshome.php

There is a really nice beach, forget how to describe how to get there, but look up Pirate's Cove.

12 days is a long time in Pismo, but if we had the time, I'm sure we'd enjoy each and every moment there. We usually stay at Pismo Sands RV Park, they have a wonderful Jacuzzi.

Check the website for possibly scheduled rocket launches: http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm

We also love Big Sur, not sure how the recent fire has affected things. If you go, be sure to take the hike to the beach at Andrew Molera State Park. And also visit Point Lobos. If you have a kayak, Whaler's Cove is a popular place to go. We live in Santa Cruz County, lots of fun things to do there too.

[BradS7535]

Just some additional info on Pirates Cove beach, it's an unofficial nude beach. Just thought everyone should know so you don't get surprised!

[Gwenne & Len]

A wealth of information!! thank you! Are there TM rallies anymore?

[bheisser]

Originally Posted by DoubleT

Has anyone camped at Henderson State park in Destin Florida? We are traveling there this October. If anyone has any suggestions for good fish markets, things to visit/do it would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Gwenne & Len

A wealth of information!! thank you! Are there TM rallies anymore?

you can find rallies here http://tmtrailblazers.org/

[B_and_D]

Originally Posted by Gwenne & Len

A wealth of information!! thank you! Are there TM rallies anymore?

There's actually one in Petaluma in October at the KOA. We've been there a couple of times, great people, good times! The dates don't work for me, really busy at work.

If you'd like, I could forward you the email.

Dee