Pismo Beach, California
City in California, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pismo Beach (Chumash: Pismuʔ) is a city in the southern portion of San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States.[10] Its estimated population was 8,072 at the 2020 census, up from 7,655 in the 2010 census. The Pismo clam was named for the long, wide beach where they were once found in abundance.
Pismo Beach, California | |
|---|---|
| City of Pismo Beach | |
Pismo Beaches | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: "Pismo" | |
| Motto: Clam Capital of the World | |
 Location in San Luis Obispo County and the state of California | |
  Pismo Beach, California Location in the United States | |
| Coordinates: 35°8′54″N 120°38′53″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Luis Obispo |
| Incorporated | April 25, 1946[1] |
| Named after | Tar[2] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager[3] |
| • Body | Pismo Beach City Council |
| • Mayor | Ed Waage[4] |
| • City Manager | Jorge E. Garcia [5] |
| • Council Members[4] | List
|
| • Assemblymember | Dawn Addis (D)[6] |
| • State Senator | John Laird (D)[6] |
| Area | |
• Total | 13.37 sq mi (34.64 km2) |
| • Land | 3.50 sq mi (9.06 km2) |
| • Water | 9.88 sq mi (25.58 km2) 73.29% |
| Elevation | 56 ft (17 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 8,072 |
| • Density | 2,310/sq mi (891/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 93448, 93449 |
| Area code | 805 |
| FIPS code | 06-57414 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652776, 2411429 |
| Website | pismobeach |
History
The Chumash people are the historic inhabitants of the region, with indigenous peoples having lived along the California coast for at least 11,000 years.[11] The name Pismo comes from the Chumash language word for tar, pismuʔ,[2] which was gathered from tar springs in Price Canyon near Pismo Beach. The tar was a valuable product, which the Chumash used to caulk their seagoing canoes, called tomol, which traveled along the coast and out to the Channel Islands. The first European land exploration of Alta California, the Spanish Portolá expedition, passed through the area, traveling up Price Canyon from Pismo Beach, where they camped on September 4, 1769. Franciscan missionary and expedition member Juan Crespí noted in his diary that they found a Chumash village near the creek.[12][13]
Pismo Beach is located on the Rancho Pismo Mexican land grant made to José Ortega, grandson of José Francisco Ortega, in 1840. In 1846, José Ortega sold Rancho Pismo to Isaac Sparks. John Michael Price bought most of the rancho from Sparks. Price established the town of Pismo Beach in 1891. His homestead is now Price Historical Park.[14] His home is a registered historical landmark.
The first wharf at Pismo was built in 1882, followed by a full-length pier built in 1924 that was financed and constructed by William Woodrow Ward, who allowed full use of it by the public. After it suffered considerable storm damage, the pier was renovated again in 1985. Pismo State Beach is named for the city of Pismo Beach.
The neighborhoods of Shell Beach and Sunset Palisades were the site of a Chumash village, and significant archeological sites are located in both areas. Shell Beach became agricultural land, mostly pea fields. Developer Floyd Calvert bought and developed the area in 1926. At first, it was a local resort area; after World War II, it became primarily residential. Sunset Palisades, originally called Oilport, was the site of an oil refinery from 1907 until after World War II; it is now residential.[15]
Clams
The Pismo clam was named for the long, wide beach where so many were once found, once in such abundance that they were harvested with plows. Clamming once drew thousands of clammers to Pismo during low tides, and is still legal, but due to overharvesting by humans and the protected sea otter (which feasts on clams), few clams are now to be found.[16]
Pismo Beach adopted the name "Clam Capital of the World" in the 1950s, though this motto is no longer used. The city still holds the Clam Festival every October, complete with clam chowder competitions and a clam-themed parade.[17]
At the southern end of Price Street upon first entering Pismo Beach is a gigantic concrete clam statue. The eight-inch (20 cm) shell of a Pismo clam (Tivela stultorum) is on display at the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Geography
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Panoramic Video of Pismo Beach on YouTube |
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.5 square miles (35 km2), of which 9.9 square miles (26 km2) (73.29%) is covered by water. It is part of the Five Cities area, a cluster of cities in that area. The Five Cities area historically is made up of Arroyo Grande, Grover City (now Grover Beach), Halcyon, Fair Oaks, and Nipomo. Now most people refer to the Five Cities as Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Shell Beach (which is actually a part of Pismo Beach), Arroyo Grande, and Oceano (which is unincorporated county land serviced by the Oceano Community Services District).[18]
Pismo Creek enters the Pacific Ocean at Pismo Beach.[19] The southern end of Pismo Beach runs alongside sand dunes, which are followed by eucalyptus trees that attract thousands of migrating monarch butterflies every November through February.[10]
Meadow Creek is a short waterway that runs through the Pismo Lake Ecological Reserve and hosts a variety of wildlife despite its urban surroundings, including beaver (Castor canadensis).[20][21][22][23]
Climate
Pismo Beach has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb). Despite the subtropical latitude (the same as Cape Hatteras, North Carolina,) summers are quite cool and the change in seasonal temperatures is quite small. The hardiness zone is 10a, which is a full zone higher than Cape Hatteras.
| Climate data for Pismo Beach, California (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1949–2017) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 85 (29) |
90 (32) |
90 (32) |
101 (38) |
100 (38) |
99 (37) |
102 (39) |
102 (39) |
103 (39) |
99 (37) |
91 (33) |
92 (33) |
102 (39) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 76.0 (24.4) |
78.6 (25.9) |
80.2 (26.8) |
85.4 (29.7) |
83.2 (28.4) |
84.5 (29.2) |
83.0 (28.3) |
81.3 (27.4) |
86.9 (30.5) |
86.9 (30.5) |
82.2 (27.9) |
75.3 (24.1) |
94.1 (34.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 64.8 (18.2) |
65.1 (18.4) |
67.5 (19.7) |
69.7 (20.9) |
72.3 (22.4) |
70.5 (21.4) |
70.3 (21.3) |
71.4 (21.9) |
71.9 (22.2) |
72.5 (22.5) |
69.0 (20.6) |
65.0 (18.3) |
69.2 (20.7) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 54.5 (12.5) |
54.5 (12.5) |
56.9 (13.8) |
59.0 (15.0) |
60.9 (16.1) |
61.0 (16.1) |
62.1 (16.7) |
63.1 (17.3) |
62.7 (17.1) |
62.5 (16.9) |
57.7 (14.3) |
54.3 (12.4) |
59.1 (15.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 44.2 (6.8) |
44.0 (6.7) |
46.2 (7.9) |
48.2 (9.0) |
49.5 (9.7) |
51.4 (10.8) |
53.9 (12.2) |
54.8 (12.7) |
53.6 (12.0) |
52.6 (11.4) |
46.4 (8.0) |
43.7 (6.5) |
49.0 (9.4) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 34.6 (1.4) |
36.2 (2.3) |
37.0 (2.8) |
38.9 (3.8) |
41.5 (5.3) |
44.3 (6.8) |
47.9 (8.8) |
48.8 (9.3) |
46.4 (8.0) |
42.7 (5.9) |
38.3 (3.5) |
34.1 (1.2) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 24 (−4) |
28 (−2) |
23 (−5) |
27 (−3) |
30 (−1) |
37 (3) |
38 (3) |
39 (4) |
30 (−1) |
32 (0) |
29 (−2) |
21 (−6) |
21 (−6) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.48 (88) |
4.00 (102) |
2.98 (76) |
1.00 (25) |
0.46 (12) |
0.15 (3.8) |
0.02 (0.51) |
0.02 (0.51) |
0.08 (2.0) |
0.79 (20) |
1.81 (46) |
3.08 (78) |
17.87 (454) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 8.2 | 8.5 | 7.9 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 5.1 | 7.1 | 49.2 |
| Source: NOAA (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010)[24][25] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Pismo Beach had a population of 8,072. The population density was 2,308.3 inhabitants per square mile (891.2/km2).[28]
The census reported that 99.7% of the population lived in households, 0.3% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and no one was institutionalized. Of residents, 99.0% lived in urban areas and 1.0% lived in rural areas.[28][29]
There were 4,057 households, of which 15.9% had children under age 18. Of all households, 45.5% were married-couple households, 6.5% were cohabiting-couple households, 19.8% had a male householder with no spouse or partner present, and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 35.2% of households were one-person households, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 1.98, and there were 2,278 families (56.1% of all households).[28]
The age distribution was 12.6% under 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 32.8% age 65 or older. The median age was 55.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.6 males.[28]
There were 5,816 housing units at an average density of 1,663.1 units per square mile (642.1 units/km2). Of housing units, 69.8% were occupied and 30.2% were vacant. Of occupied units, 62.3% were owner-occupied and 37.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.3%.[28]
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,542 | 81.0% |
| Black or African American | 68 | 0.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 79 | 1.0% |
| Asian | 324 | 4.0% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 10 | 0.1% |
| Some other race | 293 | 3.6% |
| Two or more races | 756 | 9.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 978 | 12.1% |
Demographic estimates
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 7.1% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 90.1% spoke only English at home, 3.2% spoke Spanish, 2.7% spoke other Indo-European languages, 3.8% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.2% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 97.6% were high school graduates and 50.1% had a bachelor's degree.[31]
Income and poverty
The median household income in 2023 was $112,913, and the per capita income was $74,035. About 6.2% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line.[32]
2010 census
The 2010 United States census[33] reported that Pismo Beach had a population of 7,655. The population density was 568.0 inhabitants per square mile (219.3/km2). The racial makeup of Pismo Beach was 91.1% White, 0.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. About 9.3% were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
The census reported that 7,642 people (99.8% of the population) lived in households, 13 (0.2%) lived in noninstitutionalized group quarters, and none were institutionalized.
Of the 3,834 households, 16.1% had children under 18 living in them, 44.6% were opposite-sex married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, 6.1% were unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 1.0% were same-sex married couples or partnerships. In all, 35.8% of the households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 1.99. Of the 2,079 families (54.2% of all households), the average family size was 2.55.
The age distribution was 13.3% under 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 26.0% were 65 or older. The median age was 51.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The 5,585 housing units had an average density of 414.4/sq mi (160.0/km2), of which 60.9% were owner-occupied, and 39.1% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 9.6%; 60.8% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 39.0% lived in rental housing units.
Economy
Top employers
According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[34] the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Cliffs Hotel + Spa | 230 |
| 2 | Keller-Williams | 179 |
| 3 | Dolphin Bay Resort | 124 |
| 4 | City of Pismo Beach | 120 |
| 5 | Martin Resorts (Pismo Lighthouse Suites and
Shore Cliff Hotel) |
100 |
| 6 | United States Postal Service | 85 |
| 7 | SeaVenture Beach Hotel | 74 |
| 8 | Pismo Coast Village RV Resort | 65 |
| 9 | SeaCrest Oceanfront Hotel | 65 |
| 10 | Brad's Restaurant | 60 |
Government
Incorporated on April 25, 1946,[1] Pismo Beach is a general-law city governed by a five-member council. The city council consists of a mayor (who serves a two-year term) and four councilmembers (who serve four-year terms). All five are elected at-large.[3]
In the California State Legislature, Pismo Beach is in the 17th senatorial district, represented by Democrat John Laird, and in the 30th Assembly district, represented by Democrat Dawn Addis.[35]
In the United States House of Representatives, Pismo Beach is in California's 24th congressional district, represented by Democrat Salud Carbajal.[36]
Education
Most of it is in the Lucia Mar Unified School District, and a portion is in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District.[37]
Lucia Mar schools include:
- Shell Beach Elementary School
- Judkins Middle School
Infrastructure
Water is provided by wells in the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin, Lopez Lake, and the State Water Project.[38] The city is planning a recycled water project called Central Coast Blue.[39][40]
In popular culture
In the W. C. Fields comedy The Bank Dick (1940), set in Lompoc, Jack Norton plays a character credited as "A. Pismo Clam".
In the I Love Lucy TV series episode "Lucy Gets in Pictures" (aired February 21, 1955), Lucy (Lucille Ball) mentions Pismo Beach as one of the locations that she and her best friend, Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance), want to visit.
In the 1957 Merrie Melodies short Ali Baba Bunny, Bugs Bunny and his traveling companion Daffy Duck emerge from the tunnel they've been traveling in, with Bugs believing they have arrived at Pismo Beach "and all the clams we can eat", when they are actually somewhere in the Middle East. By the end of the short, Bugs is seen sitting on the beach in Pismo Beach, with a pile of empty clam shells beside him.[41]
In The Monkees TV series episode "The Wild Monkees" (aired November 13, 1967), Pismo Beach is mentioned a few times. Mike Nesmith states, "You remember the Massacre at Pismo Beach?" when told that the Black Angels motorcycle gang will be staying at the hotel where they are working. The rest of the group replies "Pismo Beach?"
In the TV movie Dragnet 1966 (1969), Bill Gannon (Harry Morgan) takes disability retirement and moves to Pismo Beach. After eight months and three weeks of eating Pismo Beach clam chowder, Bill's health returns, his teeth stop falling out, and he is able to be reinstated with the LAPD. Explaining to Joe Friday (Jack Webb) the reason for his restored health, he states, "The clams, Joe. The clams."
In "Guess Who's Knott Coming to Dinner", the fifth episode of the first season of The New Scooby-Doo Movies (aired October 7, 1972), when the mystery gang makes an unsuccessful escape from Captain Moody's mansion, Shaggy says they must have made a wrong turn at Pismo Beach.
Pismo Beach is mentioned in the Coen Brothers' film The Big Lebowski (1998). This shout-out inspired the title of the Labradford song "Up to Pizmo" from the band's 2001 album Fixed::Context.
The city is mentioned in the films Clueless (1995), in which a reference is made to a fictitious "Pismo Beach disaster" and A Night at the Roxbury (1998), the TV show United States of Tara (2009-2011), and the animated series The Critic ("Lady Hawke", season 2, episode 5, March 19, 1995), Futurama ("Raging Bender", season 2, episode 8, February 27, 2000), and Robot Chicken ("Rodiggiti", season 2, episode 28, May 21, 2006).[42]
