01
Best all-around pick
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach Waterfront • Classic Central Coast Beach Town • Best All-Around Pick From Mettler
A wide, lively beach with a pier, walkable downtown, and plenty to do after you towel off.
Pismo is the beach most Mettler and Bakersfield locals mean when they say they’re “heading to the coast.” The long, sandy shoreline gives you room to spread out, while the pier area packs in casual seafood spots, surf shops, and an easygoing boardwalk feel. Go for a full day so you can mix swimming and sunbathing with clam chowder runs and a stroll up Price Street.
02
Best for families
Avila Beach
Avila Beach Promenade • Compact Family-Friendly Beach Village • Best For Kids And First-Timers
A sheltered, smaller beach backed by a tidy promenade, playground, and low-key cafés.
Tucked into a south-facing cove, Avila Beach feels a bit more protected and warmer than many Central Coast spots. The beach is shallow and gentle near the shore, and the adjacent promenade keeps food, restrooms, and treats like ice cream within a short flip-flop walk. If you’re driving out from Mettler with kids or visitors who don’t know the ocean well, this is an easy crowd-pleaser.
03
Best coastal escape
Morro Rock Beach
Morro Rock Shoreline • Laid-Back Working Harbor And Wide Beach • Best For Breezy Walks And Foggy Sunsets
A broad, often uncrowded stretch of sand anchored by the dramatic silhouette of Morro Rock.
Morro Bay feels cooler and moodier than Pismo or Avila, but that’s part of its draw for Mettler residents looking to escape summer heat. You can park near the base of Morro Rock and be on the sand in minutes, with plenty of space for long walks, kite flying, or simply watching surfers work the waves. Afterward, swing by the embarcadero for clam chowder and harbor views dotted with fishing boats and sea otters.
04
Best low-key SoCal vibe
Ventura Harbor Beach
Ventura Harborfront • Relaxed Socal Harbor And Surf Scene • Best For Low-Key Groups And Beginners
A mellow beach near the harbor with gentle waves, wide sand, and easy access to casual dining.
If you’re willing to push a bit farther south from Mettler, Ventura Harbor Beach rewards you with a more classic Southern California feel without Los Angeles crowds. The waves near the harbor entrance tend to be friendlier for beginners and boogie boarding, and the sand is wide enough for group hangouts and beach games. The nearby harbor village adds coffee, tacos, and sunset drinks within a few minutes’ walk of your towel.
05
Best big-city beach experience
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Oceanfront • Iconic Urban Beach With A Festive Boardwalk • Best For People-Watching And Nightlife Nearby
A famous, busy beach with a pier, bike path, and instant access to big-city amenities.
Santa Monica is a longer drive from Mettler, but it delivers the full postcard version of Southern California beach life. The broad expanse of sand, dedicated bike and skate path, and the pier’s rides and street performers make it ideal if you want a day that blends beach time with urban energy. Plan your visit to roll straight from an afternoon on the sand into dinner and drinks in downtown Santa Monica or nearby Venice.