E-Bike Tour of Pismo Beach, Shell Beach & Avila Beach

Pedal the coastal bluffs and tree-lined trails on an electric bike, ending with views of Port San Luis from above

A guided half-day e-bike tour of Pismo Beach and nearby coastal towns on Pedego electric bikes, covering the Bob Jones Trail, Shell Beach, South Palisades Park, and Mulligan's Bar & Grill overlooking Port San Luis. The tour includes a helmet, lock and rear basket. You'll ride alongside traffic on city streets and some stretches without designated bike lanes, so comfort with road sharing and basic bike-handling skills matter. A live guide leads the route in English.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided E-Bike Tour of Coastal Beaches

• Ride electric bikes from Pismo Beach
• Pass through Shell Beach
• Bike along Bob Jones Trail
• Stop at Mulligan's Bar & Grill
• Enjoy views of Port San Luis
• Return to Pismo Beach pier
• Take selfies at Pismo Beach pier

The experience

You'll start at Pedego Electric Bikes in Pismo Beach and head out on a Pedego e-bike, which handles the hill climbs without the effort of a standard bike. The route follows California's coastline and the tree-lined Bob Jones Trail, where the San Luis Obispo Creek runs alongside and native plants line the path. You'll pass through Shell Beach, then climb toward Avila Beach, stopping at South Palisades Park: a six-acre bluff above the ocean where a one-mile trail offers views of the waves hitting the cliffs below.

At the top of Avila Beach Golf Course sits Mulligan's Bar & Grill, perched high enough to see Port San Luis and its three piers spread across the water. The original breakwater dates back before the 1900s. One pier supports Cal Poly's Center for Coastal Marine Sciences. You can buy a snack and drink here, or play cornhole while taking in the harbor. On the ride back, you'll stop at Dinosaur Caves Park and the Pismo Beach pier for photos: the pier's iconic wooden structure and the famous Pismo Beach letters are Instagram stops. If you're touring on the first Sunday of the month between June and November, you might catch the Art in the Park festival happening along the route.

The tour runs about two and a half hours total, including riding time. You'll share the road with vehicle traffic, especially on the frontage road between Shell Beach and Avila Beach, which gets heavier during summer and weekends. The e-bikes are heavier and faster than pedal bikes, so you need good balance and basic bike-handling skills to manage turns across traffic safely.

What’s included

• Pedego electric bike.
• helmet, lock and rear basket.
• a live guide in English.
• stops at Dinosaur Caves Park, South Palisades Park, Mulligan's Bar & Grill and the Pismo Beach pier.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:30

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Child (2 to 6 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 30

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Pismo Bikes

Is this one for you?The tour covers city streets with vehicle traffic and some stretches without bike lanes, so you'll need comfort sharing the road and making turns across traffic. The e-bikes handle the hills, but good balance and basic bike-handling skills are essential for a safe ride.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

21 verified traveler reviews

5 ★19

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Bob Jones Trail like on this tour?

The Bob Jones Trail is a tree-lined stretch where the San Luis Obispo Creek runs alongside the path and native plants grow on both sides. It's one of the quieter sections of the ride, away from road traffic, and leads toward the climb to Avila Beach.

Can I see wildlife or whales on this tour?

You'll likely spot seabirds soaring over the ocean and resting on nearby cliffs. Whales and dolphins do swim by the coast, though sightings depend on the season and the day. They're possible but not guaranteed.

What happens at Mulligan's Bar & Grill?

Mulligan's is a stop at the top of Avila Beach Golf Course where you can buy snacks and drinks, and play cornhole if you want. The main draw is the panoramic view of Port San Luis and its three piers, including the historic breakwater that dates back before the 1900s.

Do I need to be an experienced cyclist to do this tour?

You need to be able to ride a bike and have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The e-bikes handle hills easily, but you'll share city streets with vehicle traffic and need good balance and basic bike-handling skills, especially for turns across traffic.

What if I'm visiting on the first Sunday of the month?

If you're on tour between June and November on the first Sunday, you'll pass through the Art in the Park festival at Dinosaur Caves Park, where local artists display work while you ride along the coast.