Where to Stay in San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach

SLO suits the downtown, the Thursday night farmers market, Edna Valley wineries and hikes like Bishop Peak. Pismo Beach suits ocean views and beach time.

Avila Beach and Shell Beach are quieter, within 15 minutes of both.

All walkable to restaurants, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and Bubblegum Alley.

• Hotel San Luis Obispo: Downtown, with a pool and restaurant.
• Hotel Cerro: A modern hotel with a rooftop pool, spa and restaurant.
• Granada Hotel & Bistro: A boutique hotel in a historic building, with a restaurant.
• Petit Soleil: French-inspired inn near downtown, breakfast included. Ask for a room away from Monterey Street.

The Madonna Inn has themed rooms and pink decor; non-guests can stop in for cake. Apple Farm Inn next door has a bakery and restaurant, and both are off Highway 101 south of downtown.

The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, at the south end of town, is active from about November through February.

• Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach, Autograph Collection: On the sand, a short walk to the pier.
• Inn at the Pier: Next to the pier.
• SeaCrest OceanFront Hotel: Bluff top, pool and hot tubs.
• SeaVenture Beach Hotel: Many rooms have balcony hot tubs.

Oceano Dunes, just south of Pismo, is one of the few California beaches you can drive on. My friends and I rented ATVs there as beginners.

Rental shops set minimum age and height rules. Go midweek to avoid crowds.

Bluffs, tide pools and coves just north of Pismo. The bluff trail along Ocean Boulevard is an easy walk.

• Dolphin Bay Resort: Bluff suites with kitchens and a spa.
• The Cliffs Hotel and Spa: Bluff-top pool.
• Inn at the Cove: Small hotel near the beach.

Avila’s south-facing cove is sheltered and often sunny when Pismo is gray.

Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa rents private hillside hot tubs by the hour, including to non-guests. The Bob Jones Trail runs from near the resort to Avila along San Luis Obispo Creek.

• Avila Lighthouse Suites: Beachfront, near the pier.
• Avila La Fonda Hotel: A block from the beach.
• Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa: Private hot tubs and a spa.

Pismo State Beach has two campgrounds, North Beach and Oceano, both a short walk from the sand. Book on ReserveCalifornia well ahead for summer.

SLO also has chain hotels along Monterey Street and near Highway 101.

My Paso Robles weekend is 30 minutes north, and the Central Coast food and wine road trip connects the region.

• Walkability: Downtown SLO
• Families: Dolphin Bay Resort or a Pismo State Beach campsite
• Couples: Vespera, Granada Hotel or Sycamore Mineral Springs
• Budget: Petit Soleil, SLO chain hotels or camping

Book summer and holiday weekends 2 to 4 months ahead. Cal Poly graduation fills SLO hotels fast.