About Sally Kirby

Pismo Beach local, travel writer, and your guide to the Central Coast’s hidden treasures.

How I Fell in Love with Pismo Beach

Fifteen years ago, I drove down Highway 101 with everything I owned crammed into a beat-up Honda Civic, chasing a vague dream of “living somewhere by the ocean.” I’d visited Pismo Beach once on a college road trip—grabbed clam chowder, walked the pier, kept driving—and somehow that fleeting memory stuck with me.

When I pulled into town that October afternoon in 2009, the sun was setting over the Pacific, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink that seemed almost too perfect to be real. I checked into a cheap motel on Pomeroy Avenue “just for the weekend” to look around.

I never left.

From Tourist to Local Insider

What started as a temporary escape became my life’s work. I began freelance writing to pay the bills, and naturally, I wrote about what I knew: Pismo Beach. But not the Pismo you find in generic travel guides—the real Pismo that locals know and love.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve spent countless hours:

Walking every trail in the area (some more than 100 times)
Sampling clam chowder at every restaurant that serves it (ongoing research)
Interviewing fishermen at the historic Pismo Beach Pier about their daily catches
Attending City of Pismo Beach council meetings to understand development plans
Volunteering at the Monarch Butterfly Grove during migration season
Kayaking in the bay at dawn to catch the perfect sunrise photo
Building friendships with restaurant owners, hotel managers, and shop proprietors who share their insider knowledge

This deep connection to Pismo’s community—from the lifeguards at Pismo State Beach to the chefs creating magic in tiny kitchens—gives me access to stories and spots that most visitors never discover.

My Mission: Help You Experience Pismo Like a Local

I created Purely Pismo because I was tired of seeing the same shallow travel advice recycled online. “Top 5 Things to Do in Pismo Beach” written by someone who spent three hours here? Not helpful.

My goal is simple: help visitors experience Pismo Beach the way locals do.

That means:

Sharing the secret viewpoints where you can watch the sunset without crowds
Telling you which restaurants have the freshest seafood (and which ones are tourist traps)
Explaining the best times to visit based on weather, events, and migration patterns
Providing honest, detailed guides based on real experience, not sponsored fluff

When I’m Not Writing

You’ll usually find me exploring with my rescue dog Cooper, a mixed-breed bundle of energy who loves the beach as much as I do. We walk the Pismo Beach Pier almost every morning—it’s where I do my best thinking.

Other favorite activities:

Kayaking: Early morning paddles in the bay when the water is glass-smooth
Tide pooling: Exploring the rocky areas at low tide (I’m a total nerd about marine life)
Volunteering: Helping at the Monarch Butterfly Grove during their winter migration season
Photography: Chasing the perfect coastal sunset shot (still haven’t captured it)
Eating fish tacos: Ongoing quest to find Pismo’s absolute best

Why Trust My Recommendations?

I don’t accept payment for reviews or recommendations. If I tell you a restaurant serves amazing clam chowder, it’s because I’ve eaten there multiple times and genuinely love it—not because they paid for coverage.

Every guide on Purely Pismo comes from personal experience. I’ve walked the trails, eaten the food, stayed in the hotels, and explored the hidden spots. When I write “this is the best sunset viewpoint,” it’s because I’ve watched hundreds of sunsets from dozens of locations and can tell you exactly why that spot is special.

My work has been informed by years of exploring the San Luis Obispo County region, studying California Coastal Commission reports on beach access and preservation, and connecting with other Central Coast travel writers who share my commitment to authentic, helpful content.

Let’s Connect

I love hearing from readers! Whether you’re planning your first visit to Pismo Beach or you’re a fellow local with a hidden gem to share, feel free to reach out.

Found a great spot I should know about? Send me your tips—I’m always exploring and updating my guides with fresh discoveries.

Questions about visiting Pismo? Drop a comment on any article, and I’ll do my best to help you plan the perfect trip.

Thanks for visiting Purely Pismo. I hope my guides help you discover why this little coastal town has been my home and my passion for the past 15 years.

— Sally Kirby
Pismo Beach, California