Chapman Estate, Pismo Beach
The Chapman Estate is a cute half-timbered house on a cliff over the sea, on Ocean Blvd in Pismo Beach. There are beautiful Monterey cypress trees and views of a bird island (a bit stinky). On the property is a windmill that pumped seawater into the swimming pool (you can't see the pool) and a decorative lighthouse. The property was donated to the city, but is a bit neglected- I guess because it is expensive to keep up. It is open Tues and Thurs 11-1, Fri 5-7, April to October. In summer there are live music concerts at the estate Fridays 5-7:30pm, for $5, and some Thursdays at noon-2pm.
When you pay $5 to go in, you only get to see the square of lawn on the left side and the begonia house which has blooms in summer. You aren't allowed to wonder any paths in the garden. There are pieces of junky yardwork equipment and containers strewn about. The only things you see that you can't see from the road is a round pool with koi in it, and the begonia greenhouse, which is lovely in summer, with pots of large, lush begonias of red, yellow, and pink. If you pay $10, you also get to see the lawn on the right side of the property, and listen to a half-hour tour about the estate. You don't get to go inside the house.
This outing is not really worth planning (since the open hours are so limited) unless you also explore the gorgeous coves to the right of the house. Walk along the clifftop on the promenade called Eldwayen Ocean Park, on Ocean Blvd, and then descend the stairs to explore the lovely coves and tidepools below.
You can also walk south along Ocean Blvd to Placentia Avenue secret lookout , up Boeker Street to the main road, walk the main road for a second, and then take Windward Ave toward the water. At 217 Windward Ave, you will pass the historic schoolhouse that was moved from Johnson Ranch. Walk along the cliffs past Margo Dodd Park. There are so many different rock formations, and we named a few of them: salmon fillet rock, croissant rock, harp rock, alligator rock... Continue walking the cliffs until you get to Dinosaur Caves Park and its incredible playground full of kids having a blast!
Decorative lighthouse over the ocean, in the garden of Chapman Estate.
Stained glass and begonias.
Red flowers.
Purple flowers and decorative windmill.
A statue.
Lemon tree.
The begonia house is the best part.
Begonias of yellow, white, pink, and red.
Salmon pink begonia.
Red begonia.
The garden is in disrepair.
People on a tour.
The begonia house.
Begonia hanging baskets.
The house, which you can't enter.
Bust in the begonia house.
Wooden llama sculpture in the begonia house.
Wooden owl sculpture and blue sage.
Blue sage, and the ocean beyond.
Cute turret next door.
Purple flowers on bushes and Monterey cypress tree.
A seagull from nearby bird island.
Bird island off shore.
The house is not really cared for, and you can't access most of the garden.
Blue sage and a turret next door.
The garden is a bit rundown. A garden club needs to adopt it!
The property could be made a lot nicer and then they could charge for tours inside the house.
Monterey cypress tree.
The house, as seen from the road.
The coastline to the right of the property.
Koi fish in the round pool.
The round pool with koi.
Decorative windmill and blue sea.
Cypress tree and the sea.
Waves crashing on the rocks, and a bird flying by, at Eldwayen Ocean Park two doors down.
I love to hear the waves pulling pebbles from the shore, at Eldwayen Ocean Park two doors down from Chapman Estate.
The bird rocks in front of Chapman Estate make it a bit stinky.
The entrance gate is to the left of what looks like the main gate.
Open Tues and Thurs 11-1, Fri 5-7, April to October.
Cost to enter left side of yard and begonia greenhouse (blooms in summer) is $5.
Cost to enter left side of yard, begonia greenhouse, and right side of yard with short tour is $10.
Last Updated: Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:20:15 GMT
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