Pismo Beach is a city in the San Louis Obispo County in the United States state of California. The 2000 Census listed it has having a population of 8,551 people. The census also determined that the city had 4,230 households. The city is known as the 'Clam Capital' of California and it holds the 'Clam Festival' every year in October. The festival is highlighted by a clam-themed parade. To commemorate its status as clam capital, a gigantic concrete clam statue stands on the end of Price Street. The name 'Pismo' means tar in native Indian language of the Chumash.

The city is home to several public schools including the Shell Beach Elementary School located on Shell Beach Road and the Judkins Middle School located in Wadsworth. High School students in Pismo attend the Arroyo Grande High School located in Arroyo Grande. The California Polytechnic State University and the Cuesta Community College are also located in Pismo.

The city has several annual events aside from the Clam Festival. One event that attracts tourists from all over the United States is the Pismo Beach car show. The show is billed as one of the largest gatherings of classic and custom cars in the US. It is held every June. The city is also mentioned in Warner Brothers' cartoon. It is the city where Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck when they failed to go to Albuquerque. This is seen in 'Ali Baba Bunny'. It was also mentioned in Hanna-Barbera's Yogi Bear and the Magical Flight of the Spruce Goose.