The Best of Grover Beach – Small in scale, but large in possibilities, the unique coastal community of Grover Beach offers some serious outdoor recreational possibilities. This family-friendly beach destination is known for its sand dunes, and offers a chance to drive right onto the beach, hike the dunes, take a horseback ride, fish or search for clams. Each year the area also hosts thousands of Monarch Butterflies for the winter, setting the scene for some stunning photographs you likely won’t get anywhere else in the world.
Enjoy the many wonderful beaches of Grover Beach, and the Central California coast (you’ll find a list here), then come enjoy. Our Grover Beach CA travel guide has all your answers to start planning your beach vacation. Just keep reading.
Grover Beach Weather – When to Visit
During the summer months from June thru August, the weather is comfortable cool and also the busiest time to visit Grover Beach. In August you will find hotel rates to be at their highest. Low season (September thru November) averages between 70°F and 83°F.
The Best of Grover Beach Area Beaches
Pismo State Beach
Pismo State Beach offers all kinds of attractions: hiking, swimming, surf fishing, and digging for the famous Pismo clam. There are tree-lined dunes and the beach is popular with bird watchers. The park has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the U.S.
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Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Oceano Dunes Preserve is one of the most expansive coastal dunes left in California. The Preserve offers rare opportunities for on-the-sand activities—you can camp, go horseback riding, and drive right on the beach in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). In fact, it’s the only California State Park that allows vehicles to do so (four-or all-wheel drive recommended). Thrill-seekers: Don’t miss the opportunity to fly up and down the massive mounds of sand in a Hummer or your own ATV or dune buggy.
Pismo Preserve
At over 900 acres, the Pismo Preserve offers truly exceptional and diverse recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors will enjoy over 10 miles of existing ranch roads and trails that meander throughout the property offering ready-to-use routes ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. These trails traverse serene oak woodlands and coastal ridgelines with stunning panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean stretching from the Irish Hills to Point Sal.
Eldwayen Ocean Park
Eldwayen Ocean Park is a grassy park that offers access to a strip of beach. The park has picnic tables, other seating and a set of stairs that leads down to the nearby beach. This beach is a popular spot to kayak from, as it offers relatively quick ocean access to nearby beaches that can’t be accessed from land due to erosion.
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Grover Beach
Grover Beach is a wide flat sandy beach that is typically packed firm enough for even passenger cars to drive onto. It’s still recommended to have four-wheel-drive to avoid getting stuck in the sand. Near the Grover Beach entrance is a day-use plaza with a wooden boardwalk that leads to a platform between the dunes that looks out over the beach. Another boardwalk starts from the plaza and leads north through the dunes next to the Pismo Beach Golf Course.
The Best of Grover Beach Restaurants
The Spoon Trade $11 – 30
The Spoon Trade is a gathering place in the heart of the five cities in Grover Beach. You can trust the food and drink to be sourced and prepared with care and creativity. The owners celebrate the diverse bounty of California and continue to rotate offerings with the seasons. Alongside the food will be an eclectic drink list, featuring craft beer and small production wine. Brooke Town will source producers that keep sustainability and natural processes at the forefront. Telephone: 805-904-6773 Web: The Spoon Trade.
Rib Line by the Beach $11 – 30
There’s nothing like eating barbeque at the beach. Tender, juicy ribs and chicken with award-winning sauce and Rib Line baked beans are just what your palate is craving. Telephone: 805-543-7427 Web: Rib Line By The Beach.
Lil’ Bits Café $11 – 30
Hidden off the main street of Grand Avenue, but worth the time to find. The staff is very friendly and attentive. It is not much to look at from the outside and appears small, but it is larger than it loos and the food is worth it! Telephone: 805-489-8615 Web: Lil’ Bits Cafe
Ember $11 – 30
Ember Restaurant in Arroyo Grande is all about serving authentic hand-crafted food cooked by a wood fire. They aim to create the ideal environment to experience Central Coast food and wine. Telephone: 805-474-7700 Web: Ember.
The Oyster Loft $31 – 60
More than a restaurant, Oyster Loft is an experience, where excellent service rivals the taste and aesthetics of presentation. Oyster Loft boasts a menu rich with fresh fish and thoughtfully executed dishes. Their raw bar features a variety of oysters shucked on the half shell from both the east coast and the west. The menu also includes refined fish dishes, shellfish preparations and a selection of meat to round out the pervasive offerings. Telephone: 805-295-5104 Web: The Oyster Loft.
The Best of Grover Beach Bars
Harry’s Nightclub & Beach Bar
Harry’s is known as the local beach bar. A favorite of bikers, surfers, smokers, and anyone looking to dance to the eighties on Friday nights. The bar is large and has two pool tables. They serve the basic beers and well drinks but nothing too high end. Telephone: 805-773-1010 Web: Harry’s Nightclub & Beach Bar
The Rooftop
The Rooftop at Inn at the Pier is the bar to visit in Pismo Beach, with elevated views of the Pacific coastline and effortless West Coast style. Bask in the sunshine poolside, or keep it cool under an umbrella. Choose from seasonally-inspired small plates at our Pismo Beach restaurant, perfectly complemented by signature cocktails and the best of local craft brews. Grab the girls for the ultimate Sunday brunch – did we mention the Build Your Own Bellini Bar? Or share a breathtaking sunset with that certain someone. At The Rooftop, every occasion is special. Telephone: 805-295-5565 Web: The Rooftop.
Mongo’s Saloon
Mongo’s Sports Bar & Restaurant of Grover Beach, CA features great food, cold drinks and entertainment every day of the week. Stop by for great food, cocktails, cold beer, live music and meet the friendly staff and local customers. Try their award winning Bloody Mary’s, 1/2 lb Burgers, fabulous Fish & Chips, and homemade Clam Chowder!! Watch your favorite sport on our 9 HD TVs and for special events a 14 ft projector screen. Happy hour is daily from 3 – 7 p.m. Telephone: 805-489-3639 Web: Mongo’s Saloon.
The Oyster Loft
More than a restaurant, Oyster Loft is an experience, where excellent service rivals the taste and aesthetics of presentation. The upscale cuisine and regional seafood dishes are prepared with the utmost attention to detail. Happy hour is Monday – Thursday from 4:00pm – 5:00pm. Telephone: 805-295-5104 Web: The Oyster Loft.
AJ Spurs Saloon
They have a full service bar that is elevated over the parking lot with a view of the ocean. It is a nice relaxing bar with occasional live entertainment. This rustic bar takes you back in time to the old west with a more “parlour” like atmosphere and great open views. Telephone: 805-489-7770 Web: AJ Spurs Saloon
The Best of Grover Beach Hotels
This place looks amazing! I’m wondering though… is Grover Beach actually good for families? The dunes and the driving-on-the-beach part sound fun, but I’m not sure if it’s kid-friendly overall. Any insight would be great!
Absolutely — Grover Beach is a fantastic choice for families. The wide, flat shoreline gives kids tons of room to play, and spots like Pismo State Beach and the Monarch Butterfly Grove are perfect for easy, low-stress outings. Many families love the unique experiences here, like driving onto the sand or exploring the nearby dunes, and there are plenty of gentle areas for beach walks, picnics, and tide-pooling. The whole Central Coast has a relaxed, laid-back vibe that works really well for all ages. If you want, I can help you narrow down which beaches and activities are best depending on the ages of your kids!