On Becoming a "Local" and not merely another "Just-Arrived"

Submitted by Pat and Pete Broderson

Note: The Brodersons divide their time between homes in Pismo Beach and Vermont, giving them the unique perspective of seeking out local activities that some of us fulltime residents might take for granted.

MONTANA DE ORO IN LOS OSOS
This State Park has to be the best coastal park in all of California.  We have been hiking here for years and we discover something new and beautiful every time.  The rugged high cliffs, the sequestered beaches, the huge chunks of rock in the ocean with the surf sprays often creating rainbows ,makes for remarkable hikes.

PISMO BEACH
You can walk for miles on this beach.  There are rocky cliffs at the north end and tall dunes at the south.  The long pier off the beach at the town, Pismo Beach, invites fishing and watching the surfers.

SHELL BEACH
It is amazing to experience the access to the ocean along Rte. 1.  Turn on almost every road and you will find walks in communities and a number of parks to sit and enjoy the scenery.

AVILA BEACH
This beach is north of Pismo, smaller than Pismo but with fewer tourists.  There are trails that will take you out to rocky shores: one walk ends at a large hole in a rock where years ago the sailing ships tied up to unload their cargos.

TOWER ROAD TRAIL
The beauty of this area is not just the coast but the rolling hillsides rising up from to the ocean.  North of San Luis Obispo, off highway 101, there are several trails for more strenuous hiking.  The Tower Road trail has photo option scenery around every corner and at the top spectacular views.

LOPEZ LAKE
The ocean is seductive but the Central Coast can also lure you inland.  The drive east from Arroyo Grande takes you through hillsides, horse country and then to the lake.  It is a great place for families: boating, fishing, swimming, camp sites, picnic tables and hiking trails.