There are 4 ways to get from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach by train (Amtrak), bus, car, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Train (Amtrak)
best- Take the train from Van Nuys to Grover Beach Amtraktrain Pacific Surfliner
7h 25m$71–146Drive 165 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beachcar 165 mi
3h 16m$31–44Bus
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Maria Airport, CAbus
8h 37m$89–116Line 3 bus, fly
- Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus
- Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)plane LAX - SBP
5h 38m$223–448
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach is to drive which costs $30 - $45 and takes 3h 16m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach is to drive which takes 3h 16m and costs $30 - $45.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach. However, there are services departing from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place and arriving at James Way & Highland via Los Angeles Airport, CA, Santa Maria Public Airport and Santa Maria Transit Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 37m.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach. However, there are services departing from Van Nuys and arriving at Grover Beach Amtrak via . The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 25m.
The distance between Santa Monica Pier and Pismo Beach is 215 miles. The road distance is 166 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach without a car is to train which takes 7h 25m and costs $70 - $150.
It takes approximately 7h 25m to get from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach, including transfers.
Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach bus services, operated by Central Coast Shuttle, depart from Los Angeles Airport, CA station.
Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Van Nuys station.
The best way to get from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach is to train which takes 7h 25m and costs $70 - $150. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $85 - $120 and takes 8h 37m.
What companies run services between Santa Monica Pier, CA, USA and Pismo Beach, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from Van Nuys to Grover Beach Amtrak 3 times a day. Tickets cost $60–130 and the journey takes 4h 36m. Alternatively, Central Coast Shuttle operates a bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Maria Airport, CA every 4 hours. Tickets cost $85–105 and the journey takes 3h 45m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $25–180
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Van Nuys to Grover Beach Amtrak
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 36m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $60–130
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 800-470-8818
- [email protected]
- Website
- centralcoastshuttle.com
Bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Maria Airport, CA
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $85–105
- Website
- https://www.centralcoastshuttle.com
- one way non-prepaid
- $90–105
- One-way prepaid 48 hours advance
- $85–100
- Phone
- +1 310-451-5444
- Website
- bigbluebus.com
Bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Center
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- http://www.bigbluebus.com
- Schedules at
- http://www.bigbluebus.com/Routes-And-Schedules/
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach bus services, operated by Central Coast Shuttle, arrive at Santa Maria Airport, CA station.
Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Grover Beach Amtrak station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach is 166 miles. It takes approximately 3h 16m to drive from Santa Monica Pier to Pismo Beach.
There are 221+ hotels available in Pismo Beach.






