Pismo Caves

The caves, sometimes called Dinosaur Caves, on the northern end of Pismo Beach are so amazing they seem almost unreal. Some are yellow and others are an army design of white and bright grey. The yellow caves are jagged whereas the white ones are smooth and curve in the shape of waves. Venture inside and you can see the sky through windows in the caves. Stairs lead up one wall of white and it looks for a moment like you are in Greece. Sea stacks sit bizarrely in the middle of the sand, surrounded by Cal Poly students playing frisbee and taking secret sips of beer.

There are several public staircases that lead down to the beach and caves. One is on Wilmar Avenue (see directions below).
This is a favorite spot for family photographers, shooting wedding proposals and pregnancy photos, because the sunsets here are spectacular with the rocks silhouetted against the colorful sky.
You can walk north along Price Street to an inspiring lookout where pelicans perch on steep sea cliffs: Shell Beach Panoramic Lookout.
Named after these caves is Dinosaur Caves Playground, on the cliffs above the beach.

Directions

To find the stairs with your GPS, you can use this address: 311 Wilmar Ave, Pismo Beach CA 93449.
There is plenty of parking along the road because the staircase is long and less popular.
From Highway 101 northbound, exit at Wadsworth Avenue and turn left. Turn right on Price St and go six or seven blocks until you see a "Coastal Access" sign on the right. Turn left there on Wilmar Avenue. Park along the road.
From Highway 101 southbound take the Price St exit and turn left on Price St. Turn right on the third street, Wilmar Ave. Park along the road.
You can also access the beach from the short, public staircase or handicapped lift at Seacrest Hotel at 2241 Price St, just north on Price Street from the Wilmar Ave stairs.

Click on map for interactive view