Meadow Creek Trail and Dunes Boardwalk, Pismo
The Meadow Creek Trail is a wonderful wooden boardwalk over the pristine dunes at Pismo State Beach, with gorgeous views of the ocean and hills! It also includes the Monarch Butterfly Grove, and then a trail through a eucalyptus forest.
This trail starts at the large plaza by Fin's Bar and Grill. There is an octagonal pier over the sand, a plaza, and a restrooms building. By the restrooms building is the trailhead for the long wooden boardwalk. It takes you over the dunes, with sweeping views. It is bliss! You will pass a wood swing from a eucalyptus tree- this is fun for kids! There are some side paths where you can explore the dunes. The boardwalk becomes a trail and you cross a pedestrian bridge. Then you can turn right to go to the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Up a zig zag path, you will find it. Return to the Meadow Creek Trail after, and continue north, through a magical eucalyptus forest and along a creek. We saw a hawk here! You will come to Highway 1. This is the end of the Meadow Creek Trail.
Lately (Dec 2025) there is a cougar warning on this path. Also you see a few sketchy people lingering around. Come with a friend.
You can extend your walk, however. Walk along the nice, redone sidewalk on Highway 1, to Cypress Street which takes you on a pedestrian bridge over the creek. It's a pretty spot with views of the sea and dunes. Turn left on Addie Street. At the end of Addie Street is a parking lot where the Pismo Pier boardwalk begins. Here you can enjoy a happy vibe while you walk along by the sea! The boardwalk continues a little past the pier. In total, this walk is 1.7 miles, one way!
After your walk, drive 2 minutes to West End Grover Beach area and buy a sourdough bagel with cream cheese at Grover Beach Sourdough (closed Mon and Tues, open 8-2), then have it with a cup of tea from Red Bee Coffee (open 7-2) a few doors down. It's lovely to sit in the coffee shop, which is attractively decorated.
I didn't know until recently that six minutes drive away there are huge dunes like a national park or the Sahara Desert! Check them out at Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground Trail.
Looking out over the dunes, and a little trail amid the flowers.
Horseback riding beside the boardwalk.
A perfect dirt path lined with flowers.
The Monarch Butterfly Grove, a stop on the Meadow Trail walk.
The path to the butterfly grove.
The Meadow Creek Trail with views of the hills above Pismo.
I love to see the hills above Pismo.
The bridge at Addie Street.
Bridge over the creek at Addie Street.
The creek at Addie Street, shimmering in the afternoon light.
The sidewalk along Highway 1, bordered with cypress trees.
Cypress trees along Highway 1 make the walk between Pismo Pier Boardwalk and the Meadow Creek Trail lovely.
The beginning of the Meadow Creek Trail in the north.
The Meadow Creek Trail runs alongside the campground.
The Meadow Creek Trail near the campground.
Cypress trees and green grass beside the trail, near the campground.
The trail crosses the entrance to the North Beach Campground.
The trail runs through a swampy area at the campground.
Spanish moss on the trail.
Vines growing on branches on the part of the trail near the North Beach Campground.
The trail runs along a creek at the North Beach Campground.
Eucalyptus forest all around you.
Eucalyptus trees inspire you as you walk along.
Butterflies in the trees.
The path- almost at the butterfly grove.
Light shining on the grass.
Ivy on a eucalyptus tree.
Late afternoon light is always the prettiest.
Bridge to the butterfly grove.
Butterflies in the trees at the butterfly grove.
Interesting tree on the creek at Addie Street.
Yellow flowers on the dirt path near the campground parking lot.
Path in the dunes.
View from a path in the dunes, where the butterfly grove creek meets the ocean.
Where the butterfly grove creek meets the ocean.
A flower on a succulent plant in the dunes.
A sunny day where the butterfly grove creek meets the ocean.
Ducks in the creek at the butterfly grove.
A shiny mallard duck in the creek by the butterfly grove.
Gnarled tree in the campground parking lot.
A couple walks along by the dunes, with the golden cliffs behind them.
I love sand dunes!
The rugged, unspoiled nature of the area.
Yellow flowers and a path leading uphill.
Purple and yellow flowers in March just make everything better!
Looking up at heavenly eucalyptus trees.
I like the log railing that leads to the butterfly preserve.
Bridge over the brown creek, and yellow flowers on the bank.
The flowers in March look like little easter eggs ready to be found on Sunday morning.
A horserider among flowers.
A beautiful horse walks through the flowers.
Red Bee Coffee, a good place to go after your walk (closes 2pm).
Red Bee Coffee is a good place to go after your walk (closes 2pm).
The winding wooden boardwalk.
Beautiful silver lupine in the dunes.
The meadow trail, at the butterfly preserve.
Red bottlebrush and blue sky.
Ice plant.
The purple ice plant keeps the dunes stable.
Purple ice plant always looks beautiful, no matter the season, because it is a succulent.
Purple ice plant and hills, all covered in green because of the ice plant! Native plants go grey during global warming, but ice plant can handle it.
Cypress trees, silvery plants, and ice plant. Beauty!
The golf course lake and plants of wonderful colors.
The dunes are stabilized by beautiful plants.
The pristine dunes.
Silver lupine on the dunes.
Firefighters running on the path.
The winding boardwalk, and a side trail.
Purple ice plant and the boardwalk.
Yellow and purple ice plant looking amazing!
The octagonal pier in the sand! It almost gets buried because there's so much sand.
The dunes, with purple ice plant keeping them stable.
Whales and other sea mammals.
Bright ice plant at the beginning of the trail. It looks good all times of year, unlike native plants.
Yellow ice plant and the dunes.
Park in the parking lot at 25 W Grand Ave, Grover Beach, CA 93433. The trailhead is at the plaza with palm trees.
Last Updated: Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:43:17 GMT
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