Pismo Beach History Center

10/20/2026

This Day in Pismo Beach History — October 20: On this day in 2018, the Pismo Beach Pier officially reopened. After an 18-month rehabilitation, the ribbon was cut at 11:30 AM during the 72nd Annual Clam Festival — a Pierfest celebration on the plaza, live bands, and Giuseppe's pizza in the Pier Garden. Pure Pismo timing: the town's biggest weekend welcoming back its biggest landmark. If you walked the pier this past festival weekend, you were strolling on the finished product of that 2018 reopening.

10/18/2026

This Day in Pismo Beach History — October 18: On this day in 2015, the 69th Annual Clam Festival wrapped up with a Clam Dig and a Clam Bake — done the way it was back when Pismo first became famous for its clams and was dubbed the Clam Capital of the World. Today the 80th Annual Clam Festival wraps up too, 11 AM–4 PM downtown.

10/17/2026

This Day in Pismo Beach History — October 17: On this day in 2015, it was parade day at the 69th Annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival — the parade rolled through downtown, the Best Local Clam Chowder Contest was on, and the festival ran all weekend, October 16–18. Eleven years on, the tradition rolls again today with the 80th Annual parade at 10 AM down Price Street. Pismo Beach Beach Chamber of Commerce

10/16/2026

Tonight in Pismo: the Clam Festival W**e Walk, hosted by the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce, kicks off festival weekend today at 5 PM. The "Totally Tubular" '80s-themed walk runs 5:00–7:30 PM downtown — registration at Beachin' Biscuits, 800 Price St (closes 6:30 PM), and '80s outfits are encouraged. VIP continues 7:30–9:00 PM at the Inn at the Pier. See you out there. **eWalk Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce

10/16/2026

This Day in Pismo Beach History — October 16: On this day in 2021, the Pismo Beach Clam Festival opened during the city's 75th anniversary year — the night after the big 75th Anniversary Gala at Pismo Beach Plaza, with dinner, a historical presentation, and fireworks. Tomorrow, the tradition rolls on with the 80th Annual Clam Festival.

10/13/2026

Pismo Beach in the 1960s: In April 1961, the new Highway 101 freeway through Pismo Beach was completed. Before that, every car traveling the coast drove right down Price Street, past the motels and cafes — a steady, congested stream through the middle of town.

10/08/2026

Tomorrow at the pier: the 15th annual Surfing for Hope Longboard Classic gets underway at the Pismo Beach Pier and runs through Sunday. North America's top longboarders open the WSL season right here in Pismo. Saturday also brings the Cancer Resource Health Fair on the pier and the VW Vintage Car Expo on Pier Plaza. Come watch from the pier.

06/29/2026