There's no question that flying in California presents delectable treats. Deserts, mountains, and seashores all are easily accessible by air in the Golden State. If there's a desirable destination, chances are good that there is a general-aviation airport nearby. But few summertime destinations have the unfettered charm and pure ease of access of Pismo Beach.
Located along California's central coast, Pismo is famous for its expansive beach, mild surf, and picturesque dunes. Your passport to Pismo by air is Oceano Airport, located barely two blocks from the ocean at the Pismo Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. Its proximity, as well as a host of amenities, make Oceano (L52) one of the best small airports in California.
The 2,300-foot-long runway is smooth and the approaches are uncluttered, so getting in and out is quite easy. Weather in the summer and fall is generally good, although the central coast's notorious fog banks can send the field to low IMC with breathtaking rapidity. For those inclined to double- and triple-check the weather before leaving, add this to your forecast toolbelt: www.aircamp.com. On the airport's Web site is a Web cam that provides just enough resolution to determine whether the conditions will cooperate for a VFR arrival (which will have to be the only kind, because there's no instrument approach to the airport). If you're caught in weather, you can always make tracks toward San Luis Obispo (SLO) to the north or Santa Maria to the south; both airports have precision approaches and, at SLO in particular, the likelihood of better weather further inland.
Arriving into the pattern at Oceano — all patterns are made to the south to avoid residences — you should be alert for lots of weekend traffic. Also be watchful for aircraft taxiing across the runway at about the midway point. The taxiway that serves the departure end of Runway 29 is on the south side while the ramp is on the north; there is no full-length taxiway on the north.
Once you've taxied clear, pick an open spot and tie down. Fuel is available from a self-serve pump past the large hangar on the northwest corner. Take care in the tiedown area because it's a bit tight; owners of Piper Malibus or motorgliders might want to park in the southeastern corner. In general, Oceano's supply of parking is up to the demand.
Between the large hangar to the northwest and the row of T-hangars is Oceano's tidy campground. You can unroll your own or have the airport set up (and take down) its tents for you. A two-man tent runs $5 a night, a four-man pup tent is $6 a night, while a king-size tent is $10 a night. You can also rent a sleeping pad for $2 a night and have a three-minute shower for a princely 25 cents. Although we haven't seen the airport's tents in action, the rest of the area is clean and well groomed; picnic tables are placed in the camping area for your convenience. In addition, there are other camping areas — some accommodating RVs (the kind without wings) — within walking distance.
If you're more the credit-card camper, you'll be just as delighted. The Beach Comber Inn (805/773-5505) will fetch you from the airport, and a new resort called the Pacific Plaza Resort has opened just two blocks from the airport (805/473-6989). There is a host of lodging choices in Grover Beach and Pismo Beach proper. (A link from the aircamp.com Web site takes you to the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce Lodging Directory.)
Ground transportation is plentiful. The Coastal Cruiser Trolley leaves Oceano Airport every 50 minutes between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., seven days a week. It makes the rounds from the airport to nearby Arroyo Grande, and back toward Pismo and Grover beaches. Off-site car rental is available through Enterprise Rent-A-Car (805/489-6161).
Once settled, you'll find a walking tour of the area worthwhile. From Oceano Airport you can walk the two miles up the beach to the town of Pismo Beach — but if you choose to walk the shoreline, be watchful for off-road-vehicle traffic. The Pismo Dunes recreation area is reportedly the only one in the state to allow vehicle traffic on the beach. Expect holiday weekends during the summer to be somewhat chaotic. It's all a bit more tranquil further north in Grover Beach and the town of Pismo Beach. If you'd rather not walk, you can either bring your own bike or rent a bike and make the trek by bike path and street.
Naturally, there are seafood restaurants galore. If you're in town for the typical $100 hamburger, check out any of the burger joints and snack bars on the main road toward the beach. If you're staying more than an afternoon, it's worthwhile to make the hike or get transportation to Pismo Beach so that you can sample its many good restaurants. Finally, if you're staying overnight, you should look into The Great American Melodrama, a sort of campy dinner theater that is unabashedly goofy but good fun nonetheless; it's within walking distance of the airport.
When it's time to leave, do what you can for the locals to minimize your airplane's noise signature. The airport requests that you head straight out on Runway 29 to the shoreline before turning. Stay aware of the restricted areas to the south near Vandenberg Air Force Base. Oceano Airport is too much a central-coast gem to risk losing it to noise complaints. Once you've spent some time in Pismo, you'll certainly want to come back.
Pismo Beach history
The city itself is part of the 8,800-acre Rancho Pismo; the term comes from the native Americans who came to the beach looking for tar. In 1881, Pismo's original wharf — intended for commercial fishing — was opened; it cost less than $15,000 to build. In the mid-1890s, the pier was washed away by a heavy storm and a new pier was constructed in 1924. Another storm in 1983 caused the city to rebuild again.
Early landowners recognized the potential for tourism in Pismo Beach and built hotels and even "tent cities" for visitors from the oppressively hot Central Valley. In the early 1900s, the Southern Pacific Railroad had a line that ran from San Francisco to Pismo Beach. In 1912, what is today California Rt. 101 was routed through Pismo Beach, providing much easier access to the city. — MEC
