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The '5 Cities'

The '5 Cities' History

• Shell Beach
• Pismo Beach
• Grover Beach
• Oceano
• Arroyo Grande

       Arroyo Grande is the largest of the '5 Cities,' followed by Grover Beach, Pismo Beach and Oceano. Shell Beach is considered part of the '5 Cities,' although the tiny community remains unincorporated. Each city has its own history and personality, but they are all linked by their proximity to the Pacific and to the Pismo-Oceano Dunes.
   The Chumash Indians were the first inhabitants of this coastal region. They harvested the clams and shellfish that were prevalent in the area, which they named Pismo, meaning "blobs of tar." The Chumash used the local dunes as trash heaps, and the discarded shells served as a primitive mulch for native grass, sagebrush and other plants.
   Spain took control of the region in the late 1700s, and Mexico claimed the land in 1822. The Arroyo Grande Valley was separated into two large ranchos, and much of the land was used for cattle ranching.
   Most of the '5 Cities' were located within Rancho Pismo, which was granted to Jose Ortega in 1840. Isaac J. Sparks purchased much of the land in 1867, and it changed hands again a few years later. In 1862, the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors established the township of Arroyo Grande, which became a small farming community. John Price developed Pismo Beach as a coastal tourist destination he called Pismo Beach. And in 1887, D.W. Grover created Grover Beach to serve as a train station for the growing coastal area.
   In the late 1880s, Californians discovered the region, which was collectively called "Pizmo." Clams were plentiful during those years, and Pismo Beach became a popular spot for digging and dining.
  "Pizmo" was also one of few places where the beach was flat and hard enough to get a horse and buggy along the seashore. After motorized vehicles were invented in the early 1900s, auto races were often held along the beach.
   In the 1930s, the dunes attracted a different group of fans. The small town of Oceano became a mecca for nudists, artists and free thinkers who believed the dunes were centers for creative energy. Although the "Dunites" are long gone, the dunes remain a popular attraction for outdoor enthusiasts.
   After World War II, the introduction of 4-wheel-drive vehicles created a rise in interest in off-roading. The Pismo-Oceano Dunes became a popular playground for adventurous Californians, who had free reign of the land until 1982. Under pressure from environmental groups, the state fenced off a portion of the area and created the Pismo Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. (It has since been renamed the Oceano Dunes SVRA, because of its proximity to Oceano.) Off-roaders are now limited to 1,500 acres of the dunes, although the rest of the area remains open to the public.

Activities

   The '5 Cities' offer a variety of outdoor activities, from fishing and clamming to dune hiking and off-road riding. The beach towns provide options for swimming, surfing and boating, while the inland communities are great for golf, tennis, horseback riding and wine tasting.
   The entrance to the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is located in Grover Beach, but the dunes can be accessed from various points throughout the '5 Cities.' All-terrain vehicles can be rented for four-wheel driving on the dunes, or you can take a drive along the Pacific on the central coast's hard-packed sand.
   Grover Beach is also site of the Stone Soup Ethnic Music Faire, which is held at Ramona Garden Park. The annual event features the Dune Run-Run, music and dancing, food, crafts, and a salsa competition.
   Pismo Beach is known for its excellent dining options. It's home to the annual Clam Festival as well as a custom car show and several jazz festivals.
   Shell Beach, the smallest of the '5 Cities,' offers secluded tidepools amid its rocky cliffs.
   Oceano is located near campgrounds and state parks. For a change of pace, visit the Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville Theater, which features 1800s-style entertainment in a family-friendly setting.
   Arroyo Grande offers something for everyone. Annual events such as the Strawberry Festival and the Harvest Festival honor the city's agricultural background. Nearby Lopez Lake Recreation Area offers camping and boating activities. And the Swinging Bridge, built in 1875, is  a favorite avenue for pedestrians to reach the "village," a cluster of antique stores, gift shops and restaurants.

The '5 Cities' Fast Facts

Schools

   There are 13 public schools in the '5 Cities': one in Oceano, two in Pismo Beach, three in Grover Beach and seven in Arroyo Grande.

Beaches

   The coastline near the '5 Cities' is renowned for its white sands and clear waters. But the region's most popular beach isn't part of the '5 Cities' at all -- it's Avila Beach, located just north of Shell Beach.
   Avila Beach offers swimming, surfing, boating and sunbathing. The protected cove provides some of the warmest water on the central coast, and it's particularly popular with students at nearby California Polytechnic State University. There are three piers at Avila Beach: Two are open to the public, while the pier that's sandwiched between Avila Pier and San Luis Wharf is privately owned.
   Back in the '5 Cities,' Shell Beach is known for its rugged cliffs, which provide scenic ocean views for sightseers and private drop spots for local fishermen.
   Pismo Beach remains famous for its clams, although you'll need a license to dig for them. The beach is also known for its magnificent sunsets and its new million-dollar pier, which attracts millions of visitors each year.
   The dunes at Oceano provide plenty of beachside action, whether you're in a vehicle or not. And Oceano is also home to Pismo State Beach, which offers hiking, swimming and surf fishing as well as the famous Pismo clams and the annual return of migrating monarch butterflies.

Maps of The '5 Cities'

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