01
Best overall pick
Pismo State Beach
Pismo Beach On The Central Coast • Classic Pier-And-Boardwalk Beach • Best For An All-Around Coastal Day
The go-to Central Coast beach for Richgrove locals, with a long pier, walkable downtown, and plenty of sand for spreading out.
From Richgrove, Pismo is the first big “you’ve arrived at the ocean” moment, with an easy-to-spot pier and wide beach right off Highway 101. You get surf, casual seafood spots, and a lively but not overwhelming boardwalk scene. It works just as well for a quick walk and coffee as it does for a full day posted up with chairs and a cooler.
02
Most family-friendly
Avila Beach
Avila Beach Village Waterfront • Relaxed, Family-Friendly Strand • Great For Families And First-Timers
A smaller, sheltered beach with softer waves, a compact promenade, and an easygoing feel that suits kids and low-key days.
Tucked in a south-facing cove just north of Pismo, Avila often feels a bit warmer and calmer than other nearby beaches. The beach sits right in front of a short main street with ice cream shops, casual restaurants, and grassy lawns where kids can run between dips in the water. It’s a smart pick if you want ocean time without big surf or a sprawling, high-energy scene.
03
Best for big views
Morro Strand State Beach
Morro Bay Waterfront • Windy, Scenic Shoreline • Top Pick For Long Walks And Views
A long, wild-feeling beach known for its views of Morro Rock, open sand, and steady surf.
Farther up the coast from Richgrove’s usual Pismo run, Morro Strand feels a little cooler and more rugged—in a good way. The draw here is space: plenty of room to walk for miles, watch surfers, and photograph Morro Rock changing with the light. Pack layers for the breeze and plan on slower, more contemplative time by the water rather than a packed beach-party setup.
04
Best small-town charm
Cayucos State Beach
Cayucos Main Waterfront • Laid-Back Small-Town Beach • Best For A Slow, Locals’ Feel
A low-key beach anchored by a historic pier and a walkable strip of old-school surf-town storefronts.
Cayucos has a quieter, older-California vibe than the bigger Central Coast towns Richgrove residents usually hit first. You can stroll the pier, grab tacos or a burger a block from the sand, and watch the sunset without much hustle. It’s an easy upgrade if you’ve done Pismo a dozen times and want the same ocean access with a more relaxed, coastal-village feel.
05
Best for wide-open sand
Oceano Dunes Beach
Oceano And Grover Beach Shoreline • Adventure-Friendly Dune Beach • Best For Sand Play And Sunsets
A broad stretch of shore backed by dunes, ideal for roaming, flying kites, and catching big-sky sunsets over the Pacific.
Just south of Pismo, this beach trades a busy boardwalk for open sand and rolling dunes that feel a world away from the Central Valley. It’s the spot to wander, take photos, and let kids burn off energy running up and down the sandy hills. Go later in the day and stay for the evening light, when the dunes glow and the horizon turns deep orange.