Pier Pressure: How Pismo Beach Zoned Out, Now Closing the Pier Eatery That's Been There for Years

Few restaurants capture the SLO CAL vibe like Sunsets at Pismo. For six years, Brian Appiano’s shiny silver Airstream on the Pismo Pier has been serving up tacos, fish and chips, and margaritas with one of the best views you’ll find anywhere. But now, because of a decades-old zoning technicality, the City of Pismo Beach has voted to phase out commercial food vendors on the pier, and Sunsets will close in October 2025.

In this conversation, Adam talks with Brian about what this decision means for his family, his staff, and the community that rallied around Sunsets from day one. Brian also shares what’s next, from his work at Rib Line and The Switch in San Luis Obispo, to the catering business that’s feeding everything from weddings to major concerts. It is a story about resilience, community, and what it means to keep moving forward when the rules suddenly change.

Support Brian and his restaurants:

• Rib Line BBQ & Grill
• Rib Line Catering
• The Switch SLO
• Sunsets at Pismo

Follow along on Instagram:

• @ribline
• @theswitchslo
• @sunsets_at_pismo



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Adam will be leading a live workshop on The Art of the Interview at this year’s Central Coast Writers Conference, happening September 26–27, 2025 at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. For details and registration, visit cuesta.edu/writers-conference

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