Camping on the Beach at Pismo?

Nice collection of you tube videos, showing what can happen

None showing driving across dry, no tide, during the drought
But even now crossing when the tide is in is a very bad idea

We used to take my lowered Chevy in the 80s. Loaded with 3 3 wheelers Great fun. The Chevy was 2 wheel drive and only got stuck as we went up into the deep sand to camp. I would never take my DP. I have seen Jeeps float out into the ocean in that so called creek. Thing is that creek you speak of is based on tidal activity and can get quite large like a river.

Pogoil.

Would not recommend heavy coaches. Light motorhomes you can do it as long as you stay on the wet sand. If you get into the soft dry sand, you will get stuck and a good chance to ruin your transmission.

I have camped at Pismo, but I stay with the coach in the RV park.

JerryDT wrote:

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:
Besides possibly getting stuck, you'll get sand in everything. I wouldn't try it.

X2

x3

Can it be done, yes. Would I do it in a DP, NO. Pismo Beach was are destination for many a year in everything form a tent to a cab over camper to a 40' FW TH but I would not attempt to take my DP down on the beach. That being said if you do make sure you have tow hooks attached to the frame front and rear and more than one 4X4 truck with you to pull you in and out.
We had a friend who insisted on taking his dodge class C and then his Class A gasser down on the sand to camp with us but it was always a chore getting him in and out. On top of that he would usually have a tire that would pop a bead or worse one trip he got his front sway bar tied up in the sand and broke the welds apart.

Fresno Tundra Driver wrote:
Besides possibly getting stuck, you'll get sand in everything. I wouldn't try it.

X2

With aired down tires,one tip I learned is to back into where you want to park above the high tide line.

Then before you leave dig out about 6 feet in front of the tires (front & rear) only down a couple of inches. Creating a ramp so you can get on top of the sand instead of dig in. Don't be shy with the throttle when you take off but try not to spin the tires. Do not turn the steering wheel head straight to the hard pack and then make a shallow turn. Your goal is to get as much speed while staying on top of the sand in the soft stuff.

Besides possibly getting stuck, you'll get sand in everything. I wouldn't try it.

Done it a lot with my old Class A towing my toys. There is a lot to do to do it right.

Always get a tide chart before going in,try to go at low tide and drive on the hard pack to where you want to go, then park as far from the High tide mark as you can get. Getting stuck is almost a fact of life there. I found early on that it was expensive to get out but there is a way around it and not near as costly.

As you go in there will be a few tow trucks there, they are now regulated,not like the old days, and you can have them take you in and out for a lot less than it would cost to get you out. If you have a group they will negotiate a better deal. They will also make sure that you are high enough above the high tide.

The creek going in is also a problem it sometimes will be dry going in and raging later, another plus in having the contract with the tow guys, they will get you out.

In a motor home it is really a bit of a pain, you will see mostly 4X4 trucks towing Toy Boxes that are set up for that kind of travel.

It can be done if you are adventurous, like I said I use to do it in a Class A towing all my toys.I now I have a Class C and no toys but if I go to Pismo I will stay at the State Beach that is in walking distance of the dunes.

On Edit: after looking at your profile that shows your rig I would NOT try it.

We have camped on the beach before and in the campgrounds surrounding the area. We prefer the campgrounds. When on the beach you need to air down all tires so you don't get stuck and make sure you have tow points in case you do find yourself stuck.

Someone is always willing to help pull you out but beware...Those that want to help are not always mentally capable of making smart and sound decisions. We have seen parts of stuck vehicles ripped off because some yahoo was hell bent on proving he could tow the stuck vehicle out w/o any help. Some are more about horsepower and less about common sense.

The other reason we don't camp on the sand anymore is we seemed to always attract the family with very young motorcycle riders. Mom & Dad wanted to sit in camp all day and the kids wanted to ride in the dunes. Instead, the parents would have the kids ride around in circles next to camp consequently throwing sand all over our motorhome with their rear tires.

If you've never camped on the beach you should do it at least once. It is worth the price of admission. Then decide if that's where you want to be next trip. Don't miss going down to the pier for the best clam chowder on the west coast!