There are 4 ways to get from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach by bus, train (Amtrak), 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.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Los Angeles Airport, CA to Santa Maria Airport, CAbus
6h 43m$124–158Drive 165.3 mi
cheapest- Drive from Santa Monica to Pismo Beachcar 165.3 mi
3h 17m$31–44Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from Van Nuys to Grover Beach Amtraktrain Pacific Surfliner
7h 24m$71–145Line 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 33m$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 to Pismo Beach is to drive which costs $30 - $45 and takes 3h 17m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach is to drive which takes 3h 17m and costs $30 - $45.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach. However, there are services departing from Los Angeles Airport, CA and arriving at James Way & Highland via Santa Maria Public Airport and Santa Maria Transit Center. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 43m.
No, there is no direct train from Santa Monica 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 24m.
The distance between Santa Monica and Pismo Beach is 210 miles. The road distance is 166.2 miles.
The best way to get from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach without a car is to bus which takes 6h 43m and costs $120 - $160.
It takes approximately 6h 43m to get from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach, including transfers.
Santa Monica to Pismo Beach bus services, operated by Central Coast Shuttle, depart from Los Angeles Airport, CA station.
Santa Monica to Pismo Beach train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from Van Nuys station.
The best way to get from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach is to bus which takes 6h 43m and costs $120 - $160. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $70 - $150 and takes 7h 24m.
What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Pismo Beach, CA, USA?
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. Alternatively, 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.
- 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/
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More Questions & Answers
Santa Monica to Pismo Beach bus services, operated by Central Coast Shuttle, arrive at Santa Maria Airport, CA station.
Santa Monica to Pismo Beach train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Grover Beach Amtrak station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Monica to Pismo Beach is 166 miles. It takes approximately 3h 17m to drive from Santa Monica to Pismo Beach.
There are 221+ hotels available in Pismo Beach.






