Pismo Beach, California
History
The first European land exploration of Alta California, the Spanish Portol� expedition, passed through the area, traveling up today’s Price Canyon from Pismo Beach, where they camped on September 4, 1769. Franciscan missionary and expedition member Juan Crespi noted in his diary that they found a native village near the creek.
Pismo Beach is located on the Rancho Pismo Mexican land grant made to Jos� Ortega, grandson of Jos� Francisco Ortega, in 1840. In 1846 Jos� Ortega sold Rancho Pismo to Isaac Sparks. John Michael Price bought most of the rancho from Isaac Sparks. Price established the town of Pismo Beach in 1891. His homestead is now Price Historical Park. His home is a registered historical landmark.
The name Pismo comes from the Chumash language word for tar, Pismu’ , which was gathered from tar springs in Price Canyon near Pismo Beach. The tar was a valuable product which the Chumash Indians used to caulk their seagoing canoes, called tomol, which traveled along the coast and out to the Channel Islands.
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 originally 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.
The Pismo clam was named for the long, wide beach where so many were once found. Once so abundant they were harvested with plows on the beach. Clamming once drew thousands of clammers to the beach during low tides and is still legal; however, due to over-harvesting by humans and the protected sea otter (which feasts on clams), few clams are to be found.
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.
At the southern end of Price Street upon first entering Pismo Beach, a gigantic concrete clam statue greets visitors. An 8 inch shell of the Pismo clam (Tivela stultorum) is on display at the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Overview
Pismo Beach is a city in San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States. The population was 7,655 at the 2010 census, down from 8,551 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Five Cities Area, a cluster of cities in that area of San Luis Obispo County. Its former motto was “Clam Capital of the World”, though it’s no longer used due to over-harvesting.
Geography
The Pismo clam was named for the long, wide beach where so many were once found. Once so abundant they were harvested with plows on the beach. Clamming once drew thousands of clammers to the beach during low tides and is still legal; however, due to over-harvesting by humans and the protected sea otter (which feasts on clams), few clams are to be found.
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.
At the southern end of Price Street upon first entering Pismo Beach, a gigantic concrete clam statue greets visitors. An 8 inch shell of the Pismo clam (Tivela stultorum) is on display at the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Demographics
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.5 square miles (35 km2). 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) of it is land and 9.9 square miles (26 km2) of it (73.29%) is water.
Pismo Creek enters the Pacific Ocean at Pismo Beach. The southern end of Pismo Beach runs alongside sand dunes, which are followed by eucalyptus trees which attract thousands of migrating monarch butterflies every November through February.
Meadow Creek is a short creek that runs through the Pismo Lake Ecological Reserve and hosts a variety of wildlife despite its urban surroundings, including beaver (Castor canadensis).
