Looking for a vacation rental for August 2008 in the Pismo Beach area for 7-8 people (2 children under 10 and 5 adults). We'd like something within walking distance from the beach that would also be near kid-friendly restaurants and a grocery store. Any leads on a specific home, or a good rental agency that serves that area, would be greatly appreciated. thanks! Julie

I'd like to recommend Pismo Beach as a fun place to go with teenagers. We went for 5 days during spring break - two teen boys, my husband and me, his elderly aunt, my sister and her 5-year-old son. We had a great time despite our crowd and despite the sub-optimal weather. We stayed at the Edgewater Inn. It's only $85/night for a kitchen suite which has a separate bedroom, a fold-out sofa in the LR, full cooking facilities, and two TVs (yeah). Not the lap of luxury but very roomy and comfortable. There's a heated pool and hottub but the best part is there's just a driveway between the Edgewater and the beach. Pismo Beach is wide and sandy like the ones in So. California and there were volleyball nets set up and lots of people kite flying. There were a bunch of tame-looking teens roaming around, lots of little surf shops and pizza places a short walk away including a video arcade. Dogs are allowed on the beach, and a short drive away at Pismo Dunes, horses and ATV's (that's All-Terrain Vehicles) are also allowed on the beach. We rented horses ($10-20/hr) one day - they know the way - you only have to sit in the saddle and enjoy the sights - and another day my sister and all three boys rented ATVs. They even had one for 5-y-olds. They are like big 4-wheeled motorcycles. It was expensive but here is a direct quote from the 13-year-old: "That is the most fun I have ever had in my whole life. Thank you SO much. I love you forever." While they rode ATV's, we other 3 went to Solvang - a Danish colony about an hour away, which the aunt enjoyed a lot. The Hearst Castle is also only an hour away but we didn't make it on this trip. On the way home, we stopped in nearby San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn which you really have to see to believe. Breakfast is very reasonable in the "Coffee Shop", and make sure you get one of the guys in the family to show you the men's bathroom in the bar downstairs!
Edgewater Inn - http://www.edgewater-inn.com/
Madonna Inn - http://www.madonnainn.com/
Pismo Beach Visitor's Guide http://www.classiccalifornia.com/

Ginger

In response to the San Luis Obispo trip, I recommend heading over to Pismo Beach. There is a nice campground there called Pismo Dunes as well as some reasonably priced hotels right on the beach. The California AAA guidebook has lots of listings. If you are a CSAA member, you can use their web site at www.csaa.com. Lynn