Touring - Pacific Coast Route - Camping Options Near Pismo Beach

Anyone know what the camping options are near Pismo Beach? I understand Oceano State Beach no longer has hiker/biker sites, and their regular sites are booked solid. I read a CGOAB journal that indicated the campground across the street (Coastal Dunes RV Park, run by San Luis Obispo County) allows hiker/bikers, but the journal was a couple of years old and I haven't been able to confirm if that's still true. SLO county isn't answering e-mails or picking up the phone.

i didnt camp in that area there was a nice bike friendly hostle in S L O reasonable priced I do not know if it is still open or not

I've been hosted from couchsurfing.org in SLO.

Several years ago, when I rode up to the Oceano campground and learned it no longer had a hiker/biker site, I ended up in a small county campground that was just around the corner. I paid full price, which was the same as it was at Oceano. If my dim recollection is still accurate, spot could be reserved at the county campground, as well.

Because of the Dunes, where people can ride dune buggies on the beach, there are lots of RVs and big trucks in Oceano. This is the main reason camping is at such a premium.

Another option, besides the hostel in SLO and couchsurfing.org, would be to use the hiker/biker site in Morro Bay, though that would make the next day's ride to Lompoc (or wherever) a long one.

Ray

If worse comes to worst, there are lots of cheap hotels and motels in Grover Beach...

I went through Oceano park last summer on my west coast ride looking for the hike n bike. I did not have the current info that they had closed the site. Anyway, the gate guard let me ride through the park and I found a nice family that let me set up in their site. I should warn you that there were many many problems that day at Oceano state beach. In the short 16 hours I was there, there were police called to the campground three times for theft, intoxicated in public and indecent exposure. I was very happy to leave that place. I would stay away if I had a choice. Basically I felt that everything south of the Hearst castle was not vey tranquil and that's being kind.

In February of last year I stayed at the hike and bike in the county park across the highway. (http://www.slocountyparks.com/activities/coastal_dunes_rvpark.htm) It was acceptable. I think it was like $25 though.

I went through Oceano park last summer on my west coast ride looking for the hike n bike. I did not have the current info that they had closed the site. Anyway, the gate guard let me ride through the park and I found a nice family that let me set up in their site. I should warn you that there were many many problems that day at Oceano state beach. In the short 16 hours I was there, there were police called to the campground three times for theft, intoxicated in public and indecent exposure. I was very happy to leave that place. I would stay away if I had a choice.
I have stayed at the Hike&Bike site there a couple times when it was still open and there was a large contingent of homeless at the site both times. Never encountered any problems personally (other than some drunken singing and yelling), but the last time we were down there we opted to pay for one of the regular sites instead.

I presume that's why they shut down the H&B site, but it's too bad that it's no longer available. If traveling solo I'd try the above option of seeing if someone already there would let you share their site.

Thanks for all the info. I had heard about the transient problems in that neck of the woods and I assume that's why Oceano closed the HB sites. Not really looking forward to the kind of experiences some of you described down there. Hopefully we will get lucky.

SLO County finally got back to me. According to them Coastal Dunes RV Park (the one across the street from Oceano State Beach) does have HB sites for $24. They are first come first served, but I'm not sure if they adhere to the policy of not turning bikers away even if they are full. I guess we'll find out, if we don't opt for one of those cheap motels in Grover Beach (thanks sstorkel).