World’s Largest Clam Statues: world record set in Pismo Beach, California
Pismo Beach, California, United States--Pismo Beach, California, just south of San Luis Obispo has three giant clams greeting visitors; made out of reinforced concrete, they are approximately 8 feet tall, 2.5 feet wide, molded in the ‘shut’ position and they set the world record for being the World's Largest Clam Statues, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"Two of the clams are located on Route 1 (named Dolliver Street in Pismo Beach). The first clam on Route 1 is located at 165 Dolliver at the Pismo Coast Village. The other is at the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce a block or two from the Pismo Pier. The last clam in town is located just off the North bound Price Street off-ramp from Highway 101, greeting visitors as they enter Pismo Beach from down south," the weirdca.com reports.
"Occasionally the clams are decorated according to the current holiday. For example, they have been done up as the Easter Bunny for Easter, as a turkey for Thanksgiving, Rudolph for Christmas, a Jack O Lantern for Halloween, and as the U.S. Flag for Independence Day. They have also been painted with butterflies to celebrate the annual Monarch Butterfly Migration. In October they also sometimes are painted to celebrate the town's annual Clam Fest, which has been going on since 1946. "
About Pismo Beach CA
"The Classic California beach town of Pismo Beach is located on California’s famous Central Coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Pacific Coast Highway and CA-Highway 101.
"Overlooking more than 26 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, enjoy Pismo Beach’s great weather, plethora of outdoor activities, rich wild life and nature preserves, seaport inspired cuisine and fresh farmland produce, downtown wine tasting rooms, and neighboring world class wine producing regions of the Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley, Avila Valley, Paso Robles,Santa Maria Valleyand Santa Rita Hills. Pismo Beach offers the perfect pairing of Wine & Waves with a truly “Classic California” experience.Pismo Beach is also noted for being one of the most dog-friendly towns in America," says the official website.
Pismo Beach is home to the actual, non concrete Pismo Clam, a species of edible saltwater clam, also known as tivela stultorum. It lives predominantly in Pismo Beach, but has been found as far south as 300 miles south of the U.S. border in Baja California. The clams can easily reach seven inches, with the largest on record coming in at 7 and 3/8 inches.
“You can’t even walk on Pismo Beach right now without stepping on clams.”
Marissa Bills, Pismo Clam Project lead
"Most of the clams, researchers say, are still about 3 inches long, many years from reaching a size legal enough to keep, the Los Angeles Times reports.
"That hasn’t stopped some beachgoers from — intentionally or not — illegally taking them.
That’s why over the summer, the California State Parks department tasked its volunteer docents with walking the beach at low tide and high-visitation days. The goal: Teach visitors to leave the clams alone.
Pismo Beach Clam
"This beach town is famous for its clams, and has three huge statues representing the clams placed around town. They dress them up based on the holidays (Turkey Clam, Rabbit Clam, Santa Clam, etc). The costumes are huge cut-outs, and the clam is painted. Nothing like a 6-ft. tall mollusk dressed up like a leprechaun," the Roadside America reports.
"Pismo Beach is the Clam Capital of the World and hosts the annual clam festival every October."
Can I dig for clams on Pismo Beach?
"Yes, but you must have a fishing license and must follow guidelines for size and quantity if you want to remove any from the beach. According to state law: Clams must measure 4 1/2" in diameter before they can be taken. Undersized clams must be replaced in the very same hole that they were taken from. A saltwater fishing license is required. The licenses are issued by the Department of Fish and Game. Clams may be taken only between a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. The limit for clamming is 10 clams per day per person," the official website says.
Photo above: World’s Largest Clam Statues: world record set in Pismo Beach, California. Photo by Ed Hughes / pixels.com
Pismo Beach Visitors Bureau: "Clam Island is the most photographed sculpture, at the south entrance to Pismo Beach, just off US Highway 101 N. at Price Street and Ocean View Avenue. The other two clams are on Highway 1. One is next to our Visitor Information Center at 581 Dolliver Street, and the other is in front of Pismo Coast Village RV Resort at 165 S. Dolliver Street."
Addresses: 470 Price Street, Pismo Beach, California 93449
165 Dolliver Street, Pismo Beach, California 93449
Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce, 581 Dolliver Street Pismo Beach, California 93449
Directions: Hwy 1 going south through town, two clams on your right. Biggest clam is on the east side of Price St. at Ocean View Ave. If you're on US Hwy 101 N., take Price St. off-ramp in Pismo Beach. The clam is just off the off ramp on your right.
