Upscale Resort Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

In the 1950s, Pismo Beach was known as the “Clam Capital of the World” because there were so many bivalves along the shore they could be harvested with plows. Today, the seaside town is better known for leisure activities, miles of clean coastline, and the 1200-foot Pismo Pier, ideal for sightseeing. Steps away from the beach, the upscale Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa sits overlooking the Pacific Ocean from a spot adorned with lush lawns, palm trees, and a brick path winding along the shoreline.

Each one-bedroom non-ocean-view suite features a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and a secluded master bedroom with a walk-in closet. There’s a fireplace in the spacious living room and a private patio with deck chairs. Appliances are stainless steel, the furniture is made of solid, honey-colored wood, and the soothing earth-tone palette is softly lit by recessed and pendant lighting fixtures.

There are plenty of ways to unwind at the resort—you can take a dip in the heated infinity-edge saline pool or rent complimentary bicycles and take a spin along the path overlooking the ocean. Have a hot-stone massage at the onsite La Bonne Vie Spa, or stay in and watch a DVD borrowed from the front desk at no charge.

When you’re hungry, head down to Lido Restaurant, where executive chefs Jacob Moss and Maegen Loring prepare farm-to-table Californian cuisine served amid sweeping views of the Pacific. The menu changes seasonally and annually, but past offerings have included Morro Bay oysters on the half shell and Maple Leaf Farms duck with apple-fig chutney. There’s even a cooking school on the premises, where you can prepare a feast with one of Lido’s executive chefs.

Pismo Beach, California: Seaside Surf Town Close to Wine Country

Located along the Central California coast about midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Pismo Beach enjoys 315 days of sunshine each year and temperatures ranging from 66 to 84 degrees. The weather and 23-mile coastline are ideal for surfing and beach culture—and you’ll see signs of both. Besides surfing and tanning, visitors enjoy hiking the Oceano Dunes and exploring the coast’s tide pools.

The warm weather and misty mornings also provide great conditions for winemaking in the nearby Edna Valley. With one of California’s longest growing seasons, the Edna Valley AVA has some of the region’s best wineries, producing large quantities of chardonnay, pinot noir, and syrah.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.