Pismo Beach Surf Shop
Pismo Beach Surf Shop
5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Kayak Tours of Pismo Beach, Shell Beach, Avila Beach and Morro Bay along with Surf Lessons and Rentals since 1962. Pismo Beach Surf Shop began in 1962 and has a great old surfing history. We are all about the Ocean from kayaking, Surfing, Sucba Diving and SUP surfing.We specialize in surfboards, Kayak Tours of the Central Coast and SUP and Surfing Lessons. Our kayak Tours of the Caves in Pismo are an exciting adventure for all ages. We get excited about Kayaking Pismo beach and Shell Beach with our customers.
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Pismo Beach Surf Shop
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
179 reviews
Excellent
167
Very good
8
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
4
ChalALG
Los G15 contributions
Jul 2020
We signed up for the Shell Beach cave exploration tour with the Pismo Beach Surf Shop.
The great service started during our search for a kayaking excursion during our summer stay in Pismo. After leaving several messages with other tours, I decided to call the Pismo Beach surf shop for a few questions. They were very friendly and courteous over the phone and helped us decide on them. The others did not return calls...
On the day of the tour, we were given wet suits, booties and life jackets before the tour. Note that while the tour starts at the Shop, the actual kayaking is about 2 miles away at Shell Beach. You will drive from the shop to the location in your own vehicle and park there.
Another item of note: You have to carry your kayaks down several flights of stairs. Not an easy feat, especially with kids. We did it anyways so not a big deal.
Once down, you are in raw nature. The area is a kelp forest below and thousands of California Pelican and sea gulls on all of the rock outcroppings. We paddled around between two rocks to experience how to ride a wave on the kayak. Then we paddled toward several coves. Along the way, our guide Jon saved a Pelican that was entangled in fish line. Yes, this was like being filmed for the Discovery channel!
We toured three small caves. Lets this not make you shudder. We paddled in, and paddled out in less than five minutes. And the caves are shallow.. If you fall, its knee high water...
We returned back to the launch spot in two hours. The total tour time was from 7:30AM to 10:30AM so make sure you allocate time.
The great service started during our search for a kayaking excursion during our summer stay in Pismo. After leaving several messages with other tours, I decided to call the Pismo Beach surf shop for a few questions. They were very friendly and courteous over the phone and helped us decide on them. The others did not return calls...
On the day of the tour, we were given wet suits, booties and life jackets before the tour. Note that while the tour starts at the Shop, the actual kayaking is about 2 miles away at Shell Beach. You will drive from the shop to the location in your own vehicle and park there.
Another item of note: You have to carry your kayaks down several flights of stairs. Not an easy feat, especially with kids. We did it anyways so not a big deal.
Once down, you are in raw nature. The area is a kelp forest below and thousands of California Pelican and sea gulls on all of the rock outcroppings. We paddled around between two rocks to experience how to ride a wave on the kayak. Then we paddled toward several coves. Along the way, our guide Jon saved a Pelican that was entangled in fish line. Yes, this was like being filmed for the Discovery channel!
We toured three small caves. Lets this not make you shudder. We paddled in, and paddled out in less than five minutes. And the caves are shallow.. If you fall, its knee high water...
We returned back to the launch spot in two hours. The total tour time was from 7:30AM to 10:30AM so make sure you allocate time.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NashTraveler24
Nashville, TN11 contributions
Aug 2022
One of the highlights of our trip to California. We booked an afternoon tour, which was nice because it was much warmer than if we had gone out early. Still used the shorty wetsuits and booties and were very comfortable. We ended up being the only two people on the tour, but it was not an issue. They have moved their launch area, so it was an easy flight of stairs down to the small beach.
Henry was a great guide - brought the kayaks down to the water and launched us; let us follow at our own pace; pointed out birds, otters, seals along the way; watched the waves to tell us when was the best time to go in and out of the caves; and snapped some fun pics along the way.
Highly recommend !
Henry was a great guide - brought the kayaks down to the water and launched us; let us follow at our own pace; pointed out birds, otters, seals along the way; watched the waves to tell us when was the best time to go in and out of the caves; and snapped some fun pics along the way.
Highly recommend !
Written August 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne D
Austin, TX51 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Terrific kayak trip in the bay. Bill took my twin teenagers and I out in tandem kayaks and we saw harbor seals, otters dolphins in the distance and up close (swam right under us - so cool). He was informative about the area and the animals and helped us find sea glass on the beach. Highly reccomend!
Written March 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pbskid
26 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
Our plans to celebrate my sister’s birthday by kayaking turned into a costly disaster. We booked a 4-hour kayak rental online. There was nothing on the site warning renters of any issues. As we’re showing our online rental payment, a man who turned out to be the owner of the shop, Bob Bookout, asked if we’d ever kayaked at Shell Beach. We had not. We have kayaked at Pismo and Avila beaches and thought we’d kayak at Pismo (since that’s where we were). He told us we would have to negotiate 79 stairs down (and back up), and steady the kayak in rocky conditions. We were shocked. I’d just had a hip replacement and navigating stairs was impossible. We calmly told Bob this would not work, and said this was not stated on his website. He agreed it was not on his site and said we took a chance when we booked online.
He offered us a bike ride instead. We declined. We wanted to kayak. We asked for a refund. He refused. I asked for a year’s credit. He refused. He said some people take their rental kayaks to Avila (where there are no steps). We have a small car, so we asked if he could take the kayaks to Avila for us. He said, “That’s 7 miles away.” We were the only people in his shop, and he wasn’t busy. He said he had an appointment. He turned and left the shop. No refund. No credit. What kind of business doesn’t disclose information that alerts a customer to a potential problem? And then says “that’s your problem” and doesn’t make it right? There are other kayak rental places in Pismo. Central Coast is one that we’ve used and had a great experience. Pismo Beach Surf Shop will never get any of my business.
He offered us a bike ride instead. We declined. We wanted to kayak. We asked for a refund. He refused. I asked for a year’s credit. He refused. He said some people take their rental kayaks to Avila (where there are no steps). We have a small car, so we asked if he could take the kayaks to Avila for us. He said, “That’s 7 miles away.” We were the only people in his shop, and he wasn’t busy. He said he had an appointment. He turned and left the shop. No refund. No credit. What kind of business doesn’t disclose information that alerts a customer to a potential problem? And then says “that’s your problem” and doesn’t make it right? There are other kayak rental places in Pismo. Central Coast is one that we’ve used and had a great experience. Pismo Beach Surf Shop will never get any of my business.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stacyswanson
Thousand Oaks, CA6 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Very disappointing. We had a reservation for a kayaking tour at 4pm but due to the very large size of the group we were placed with we didn’t even enter the water until 5pm…after being told to carry our kayaks and all of the gear down a steep staircase! Very little instruction or consideration for less-experienced participants except for how to get back into your kayak *when* you fall out. Not worth the time or money. There are plenty of other great ways to experience Pismo Beach.
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arielle T
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Couples
I don’t know if we could have had a better experience. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly, took us out at the perfect time of day, and knew the waters like the back of his hand. We felt safe and comfortable as newbies to kayaking. We had a great mix of adventure, learning interesting facts about the area and sea life, and being able to peacefully enjoy our time on the water. Definitely recommend if you’re in the area!
Written April 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane L
New York City, NY90 contributions
Nov 2019
The two friendly proprietors let me use their bathroom on Thanksgiving Day when all other establishments were closed. Thank YOU! Very friendly. No obligation to buy, and they gave me a sticker. They talked surfing w my son, a local. North Shore Kauai, Maui, Portland, Rockaway Beach in Queens NY. GREAT PLACE.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather S
2 contributions
Jan 2020
This place is totally amazing. Need a souvenir... the only place to go. We’ve been here many times before and will be back many more. If you need a one of a good kind gift or just a great memory, come by. There’s so much to do and see in Pismo and you gotta come by. They have bike rentals, surf boards, antiques, friendly cats and Tons if glass. I really can’t say enough about this shop. They even have a second shop closer to the beach. Even kayaks. Check out their dinosaur cave guided tours in kayaks. Come on down!!!!
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
neelyv
Bridgeport, CA1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Family
Bill took our family group from Minnesota out on our 1st ocean kayak adventure. We were able to paddle near seals and otters. We loved finding shells and sea glass as we explored caves. Bill was very kind and patient with us, and was also a great tour guide.
Written April 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt N
Moorpark, CA67 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
Our guide Bill was quick to get us suited up and out to the beach. I appreciated the fact that we didn't sit around. We just came from Cancun and everyone in Mexico was on a different timetable than we are up here. In Mexico we sat around, sometimes for hours, before actually leaving to go to the excursion location. Not with Bill, not in Pismo. We signed our paperwork, tried on our wetsuits, I brought a few pieces of gear from home but Bill supplies everything if you don't have it. As soon as we were ready we shot out for a short 5 minute drive to the beach. We carried our kayaks down to the beach, Heather and I each got our own kayak. In the end we greatly appreciated this recommendation. It turned out that on that day the surf had really kicked up so visibility close to shore was terrible. The free-diving wasn't possible that day. But the kayaking was excellent! The little waves made it that much more fun. We would kayak through gaps in the rock and through caves. This was fun, and watching people tip over was that much more entertaining. I didn't tip but my girlfriend did a couple of times. Bill took pictures the whole time and at the end gave us a disk with pictures of our adventure on the ocean. Many other locations will charge a decent amount for a disk full of pictures. Not bill, this was complimentary! Overall we had a really great time. I would recommend it to anyone traveling through town or any local looking for something fun to do.
Written October 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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