Dunes are grand -- and Pismo Beach and its California coastal neighbors have those in sandy spades. But there’s more to this Central Coast getaway than sea foam. Here are four ways to spend a weekend by the sea.

Dinosaurs Pismo’s Dinosaur Caves Park sits on an 11-acre, cliff top expanse just south of Shell Beach, a perch that offers gorgeous ocean views, easy hiking trails, a wedding-ready gazebo -- and a playground for tots with orcas, dolphins and giant dinosaur eggs. There’s a funny story about how the park got its name. This area was a major tourist attraction in the early part of the 20th century. So H. Douglas Brown decided that what his Caverns of Mystery really needed -- besides its caves, which opened onto the beach -- was a giant concrete dinosaur. It was 1948, and neighbors were not amused. There was so much opposition that construction on the Apatosauruslike creature was halted midway -- or rather, neck-way. The headless dinosaur stood at the entrance for another decade before it was destroyed.

Today, a much more discreet dinosaur, complete with head, stands by the entrance to the park.

Splashes Hotels in Pismo Beach tend to bandy the term “beach access” with the same linguistic flexibility airlines apply to “direct flights.” Here, “access” may be a euphemism for “you can see the ocean from here, but if you want to stick your toes in actual sand, you may have to access that experience by car.”

Still, when you include the neighboring communities of Grover Beach, Oceano and nearby Avila Beach, there are more than 20 miles of sandy, splashy amusements to be had, however you access them. Pismo’s main beach draws sunbathers, sand castle-builders, kite-surfers and legions of tourists. Browse the beach shops and T-shirt emporia, stroll the length of the 1,200-foot Pismo Pier, then head for the white sand beach.

Sips Vineyards are popping up all along Highway 101 -- and there are wineries tucked away in the hills and valleys here. Mere minutes from Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande, you’ll find the Laetitia Estate Winery where you can sip your way through a lovely array of sparkling wines and pinot noir, play bocce and hike through the vineyards.

Do not leave without grabbing a bottle of the Laetitia Citrus Habanero olive oil. (We can’t wait to try it with roasted butternut squash.)

Gourmet delights Be sure to try the Pismo institutions Splash Cafe and Old West Cinnamon Rolls.

But if your tastes run in a more farm-to-fork -- or fishing boat-to-fork -- direction, try the Ocean Grill in Avila Beach, where shrimp tacos share menu space with tempura-battered calamari banh mi and wood-fired pizzas.

Brunch? Head for the Lido at the Dolphin Bay Resort for seasonal bread pudding, stuffed french toast, benedicts, scrambles and a particularly lovely duck hash, all served with a view of the ocean.

If You Go Wineries - Laetitia Estate Winery: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 453 Laetitia Vineyards Drive, Arroyo Grande.

- Kynsi Winery: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2212 Corbett Canyon Road, Arroyo Grande.

Restaurants - Old West Cinnamon Rolls: Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 861 Dolliver St., Pismo Beach; www.oldwestcinnamon.com.

- The Splash Cafe: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily at 197 Pomeroy Ave., Pismo Beach; www.splashcafe.com.

- Lido at the Dolphin Bay Resort: 2727 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach; www.thedolphinbay.com.

Parks & beaches - Dinosaur Caves Park: Corner of Price Street and Cliff Avenue, Pismo Beach. Find more information on Pismo beaches and parks at www.classiccalifornia.com/cityparks.htm.

- Pismo State Beach: 555 Pier Ave., Oceano; www.parks.ca.gov.

- Rentals and tours: Find details on kayak and other recreational equipment rentals and tours at www.classiccalifornia.com.